Galveston College Library celebrates Black History Month with library guide, display and more
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.
Over the years timeless effort has gone into preserving Black history. There is an infinite number of resources and contributions that preserve and capture notable events and artifacts in Black history.
The Galveston College David Glenn Hunt Memorial Library Black History Month Library Guide captures some of the notable times in history through shared experiences, artifacts, primary sources and relentless work from Black revolutionaries who thrive to continue to educate society by continuing to keep the movement alive.
Join the library in celebrating Black History Month:
–Start Black History Month Research at GC Library–View the Black History Month Library Guide
–Stop by for a photo op with a life-size display featuring Frederick Douglass, Harriet
Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., the 44th–President Barack Obama and Vice President
Kamala Harris
–Find print and eBooks
–Find streaming media and more…
–Take the Black History Month LibGuide Quiz to be entered into a drawing for a library swag item!
Stay tuned for additional announcements this month about Black History Month at the Galveston College Library.
Galveston College announces fall 2020 honors lists
Students named to the President’s List, Vice President’s List and Dean’s List for fall 2020 at Galveston College have been announced. Combined, the group has 406 students.
The three lists recognize students who achieved the highest grade-point averages while enrolled in at least 12 semester hours of study.
The President’s List includes students who have a 3.9 semester grade-point average or better. The Vice President’s List includes students who have a grade-point average of 3.6 but less than 3.9. The Dean’s List includes students who have a grade point average of 3.2 but less than 3.6.
Students are listed by designation, state and hometown.
President’s List
Texas
Ryan Blackwell, Alvin
Tamara Foster, Angleton
Sarah Davis, Baytown
Hallie Gloor, Blanco
Hortance Stevenson, Cedar Hill
Evan Cameron, Conroe
Jeremy Davis, Crosby
Jordan Rasmussen, Dayton
Zachary Young, Deer Park
Joseph Cazares, Dickinson
Nicholas Cortinas, Dickinson
Clay Hunker, Dickinson
Manuel Martinez, Dickinson
Sarah Niccum, Dickinson
Fabian Rodriguez, Dickinson
Theresa Stanford, Dickinson
Makinzie Tomascik, Franklin
Michael Faber, Friendswood
Dora Martinez-Ruiz, Friendswood
Jasmine Mata, Friendswood
Holly Agee, Galveston
Katherine Albares, Galveston
Samantha Alcocer, Galveston
Hemal Amin, Galveston
Gabriela Bailon, Galveston
Kelsey Barillas, Galveston
Eliana Barlow, Galveston
Olivia Baze, Galveston
Lauren Beall, Galveston
Ameerah Ben-Aissa, Galveston
Lea Benavides, Galveston
Caitlin Brewer, Galveston
Eva Bui, Galveston
Alejandro Casillas, Galveston
Leslie Castillo, Galveston
William Clore, Galveston
Aaron Correa, Galveston
Richard Crawford, Galveston
Brooke Cromie, Galveston
Bailey Daniel, Galveston
Ronaldo De la Garza, Galveston
Brittany Diaz, Galveston
Svitlana Domingo, Galveston
Caffery Eli, Galveston
Maggie Farmer, Galveston
Creed Fisher, Galveston
Oscar Fuentes, Galveston
Sara Gabriel, Galveston
Carrie Garcia, Galveston
Claira Garcia, Galveston
Maria Garcia, Galveston
Constance Gonzales, Galveston
Trevor Grace, Galveston
David Griffin, Galveston
Eusebio Guerra, Galveston
Amie Guidry, Galveston
Curtis Gundrum, Galveston
Luke Havard, Galveston
Chet Henry, Galveston
Jillian Hester, Galveston
Sofia Ixcotoyac, Galveston
Ginger Jackson, Galveston
Paula Jackson, Galveston
Noah Jansen, Galveston
Dominique Jordan, Galveston
Anupama Kandel, Galveston
William Kanost, Galveston
Roza Kastis, Galveston
Alexis Labao, Galveston
Katy Lackey, Galveston
Jessica Lawson, Galveston
William Livanec, Galveston
Kaleyah Malveaux, Galveston
Natalia Martinez, Galveston
Diana Martinez Rodriguez, Galveston
Cecille Maxey, Galveston
Mandy McDaniel, Galveston
Maybelline Medrano, Galveston
Mary Moore, Galveston
Ma Noviz Nevarez, Galveston
Kelly Nicholas, Galveston
Zoe Overton, Galveston
Patricia Phol, Galveston
Kate Ramos, Galveston
Kyra Ramos, Galveston
Yasmine Rawas, Galveston
Miguel Rodriguez, Galveston
Christine Salinas, Galveston
Gerardo Santos, Galveston
Marsha Scoggin, Galveston
Noa Seigel, Galveston
Tiffany Sherman, Galveston
Renard Simmons, Galveston
Jully Singh, Galveston
Jacob Strueby, Galveston
Joseph Terrell, Galveston
Anakin Thacker, Galveston
Catalina Tovar, Galveston
Katherine Walker, Galveston
Sparkle White, Galveston
Christopher Wilson, Galveston
Jayme Yeager, Galveston
Nathan Zecco, Galveston
Graciela Neff, Galvestoon
Amy Meyer, Helotes
Audrey Moody, Hitchcock
Darian Prefontaine, Hitchcock
Travon Brown, Houston
Phuonganh Nguyen, Houston
Ikechukwu Okafor, Houston
Santos Rivas, Houston
Thomas Phelan, Jamaica Beach
Enrique Franco, Katy
Zubair Mir, Katy
Brenda Trejo, Kemah
Breanne Butcher, Kountze
Amita Karsen, Kyle
Jessica Curtis, La Marque
Michele Garza, La Marque
Sylvia Perales-Lee, La Marque
Michael Worthy, La Marque
Annika Anderson, League City
Jeeshia Bacarinas Selerio, League City
Jonathan Daniel, League City
Clay Erwin, League City
Corey Lanier, League City
Robert Reeves, League City
Santosh Soule, League City
Dana Holst, Liberty
Erynne Johnson, Liberty
John Hamilton, Liberty Hill
Odette Lopez, Lufkin
Lacey Moton, Nederland
Jason Dyess, Paris
Marisa Velasquez, Pearland
Kendall Florence, Port Bolivar
Everett Williams, Port Bolivar
Jeremy Ross, Rosharon
Wendy Ormand, San Antonio
Robert Preshong, San Antonio
Jared Dornak, Santa Fe
Bret Martin, Santa Fe
Elizabeth Pizzitola, Santa Fe
Megan Crowel, Splendora
Jeryn Baldwin, Texas City
Jodie Chapman, Texas City
Michelle De Salvo, Texas City
David Gage, Texas City
Karina Gonzalez, Texas City
Jacqueline Lawrence, Texas City
Matthew McDaniel, Texas City
Olena Reading, Texas City
Tracy Rios, Texas City
Hunter Green, Vidor
Tionna Gibson, Webster
Amber Alexander, Whitehouse
Massachusetts
Charles Jenness, Brookline
New Hampshire
Lazer Axelman, Hooksett
Washington
Kaila Lay Port, Orchard
Vice President’s List
Texas
Shelli Darnell, Alvin
Johnny Davis, Alvin
Angelica Rios, Alvin
Megan Diaz, Beeville
Cassie Sartain, Brazoria
Aspyn Grossman, Bullard
Connor Dunham, Dayton
Yahaira Jones, Dickinson
Brandon Quinonez, Dickinson
Avorie Williams, Dickinson
Wendy Jardine, Freeport
Dennis Acosta, Galveston
Dazlin Allen, Galveston
Rohan Balasubramanian, Galveston
Daniela Barragan, Galveston
Samuel Bell, Galveston
Mary Breitbach, Galveston
Kathleen Bromley, Galveston
Oscar Carrillo, Galveston
Alexis Cermeno, Galveston
Basel Chreidi, Galveston
Leira Clinton, Galveston
Kodiak Cox, Galveston
Jamari Crooks, Galveston
Grant Davison, Galveston
Joelleryan Dondonay, Galveston
Markeisha Dumas, Galveston
Dayana Enamorado, Galveston
Britney Fletcher, Galveston
Anais Franco, Galveston
Maria Fuentes, Galveston
David Garcia, Galveston
Tyler Garcia, Galveston
Nicky Giron, Galveston
Jackson Glenn, Galveston
Mason Glidewell, Galveston
Braden Hebert, Galveston
Jorge Hernandez, Galveston
Bernardino Hernandez Estrada, Galveston
Mariella Huerta, Galveston
Audrey Johnson, Galveston
Dausen Kuypers, Galveston
Selso Loubet, Galveston
Richard Mancuso, Galveston
Lilia Martinez Pompa, Galveston
Noemi Mata, Galveston
Aaron Moser, Galveston
Alec Muniz, Galveston
Kayla Murray, Galveston
Sarah Nonmacher, Galveston
Wyatt Petersen, Galveston
Abigayle Pruns, Galveston
Melody Rumion, Galveston
Jaime Saenz, Galveston
Hannah Sendejas, Galveston
Dazjah Shannon, Galveston
Raoul Simmons, Galveston
Caleb Smith, Galveston
Vividiana Solis, Galveston
Elahe Tabibzadegan, Galveston
Elizabath Thomas, Galveston
Alanicesia Vanhorne, Galveston
Ter’nique Wells-Webb, Galveston
Jacob Wenzel, Galveston
Bailey Westhause, Galveston
Desmond Wheeler-Martinez, Galveston
Savannah Wilkinson, Galveston
Jaelyn Williams, Galveston
Angelina Woods, Galveston
Riley Wusk, Galveston
John Yeager, Galveston
Leticia Flores, Hitchcock
Marisa Reyes, Hitchcock
Sarah Reyna, Hitchcock
Bailey Groom, Hooks
Chasity Kambitsch, Houston
Michael Nguyen, Houston
Clayton Young, Humble
Madeline Knapp, Huntsville
Samantha Fremin, Katy
Pablo Carcano Martinez, La Marque
Ashley Hicok, La Marque
Julianne Jones, La Marque
Shanikqua Miller, La Marque
Waylin Wells, La Marque
Blake Garrison, League City
Celene Nunez, League City
Brittney Wingate, League City
Christina Trevino, League City
Haley Henderson, Leander
Flash Rainey, Odessa
Madison Murdock, Orange
Tyran Norris, Pearland
Savannah Robisheaux, Pearland
Adam Jacobsen, Richmond
Trystyn Matthew Cline, Rosharon
Deborah Stricklind, Santa Fe
Dylan Whitehurst, Santa Fe
Arce Cisneros, Texas City
Trayvon Cotton, Texas City
Taylor McDaniel, Texas City
Angela Onofre, Texas City
Gary Riggs, Texas City
Jeraud Samuels, Texas City
Shmarrion Williams, Texas City
Latoishia Smith, Woodway
New York
Jake Murciano, Roslyn
Dean’ List
Texas
Krysten Hurick, Abilene
Kaitlyn Kincaide, Alvin
Conny Navarrete, Angleton
Valeria Oliden, Angleton
Morgan Ambler, Austin
Patrick Dubourdieu, Bay City
Natasha Aiken, Baytown
Sarah Wingate, Baytown
Kirk Schiesler, Beaumont
Caitlin Denison, Bridge City
Richard Lilljedahl, Buda
Joseph George, Carrollton
Matthew Perez, Channelview
Connor Kaiser, College Station
Harlee Haag, Colorado City
Olivia Yargo, Cypress
Tammy Walker, Deer Park
Andrew Albright, Friendswood
Joseph Alexander, Galveston
Daniela Alvarado Carballo, Galveston
Chantelle Anderson, Galveston
Giuliana Araujo, Galveston
Priscilla Arellano, Galveston
Josue Ayala, Galveston
Joseph Baker-Scott, Galveston
Victor Benavides, Galveston
Alexandra Benitez Briseno, Galveston
Jakolby Bryant, Galveston
Corina Chavez, Galveston
Sarina Contreras, Galveston
Jayce Courville, Galveston
Copley Davis, Galveston
Zachary Dean, Galveston
Sysco Delacruz, Galveston
Alyssa Dill, Galveston
Kurt Dillon, Galveston
Jolie Edwards, Galveston
Ethan Fox, Galveston
Brayan Garay, Galveston
Brijha Gibson Nunes, Galveston
Kinara Cali Gibson Nunes, Galveston
Azucena Gonzalez Garcia, Galveston
Barbara Harbaugh, Galveston
Madeline Haver, Galveston
Angelique Hernandez, Galveston
Lindsey Hernandez, Galveston
Sebastian Hernandez, Galveston
Rory Hinton, Galveston
Edward Hoffman, Galveston
Reagen Isbell, Galveston
Alana Jones, Galveston
Dillon Jones, Galveston
Kristin Kaufman, Galveston
Alejandro Lopez, Galveston
Mary Lopez, Galveston
Brielen Martin, Galveston
Kamille Martinez, Galveston
Karla Martinez, Galveston
Roxana Martinez, Galveston
Shannon Mathers, Galveston
Branden Medina, Galveston
James Mellen, Galveston
Johnathan Mendoza, Galveston
Ruby Morgan, Galveston
Allan Mungarro, Galveston
Princess Musick, Galveston
Reece Ogden, Galveston
Kiara Ortiz, Galveston
Yohalma Ortiz, Galveston
Gabriel Pinto, Galveston
Tyler Pothos, Galveston
Michael Rabinowitz, Galveston
Yeison Ramirez, Galveston
Isabel Ramos, Galveston
Tyrell Randle, Galveston
Matthew Reed, Galveston
Sienna Reeves, Galveston
Noel Reyes, Galveston
Austin Roche, Galveston
Bryan Rodriguez, Galveston
Karalynn Salva, Galveston
Jimena Sanchez, Galveston
Cade Sattelmaier, Galveston
Ramiro Silva, Galveston
Stephanie Simmons, Galveston
Grace Smith, Galveston
Trinity Smith, Galveston
Natalie Stewart, Galveston
Joanna Strueby, Galveston
Amanda Thomas, Galveston
Jose Tovar, Galveston
Michael Varela, Galveston
Aldo Vazquez, Galveston
Joshua Ward, Galveston
Erica Washington, Galveston
Valerie Wilmeth, Galveston
Lanetra Woods, Galveston
Sheree Smith, Hitchcock
Dorion Alcantar, Houston
Monica Caballero Rey, Houston
Alyssa Castellano, Houston
Damian Ebirim, Houston
Dalila Elhamdi, Katy
Connor Tinsley, Katy
Tanner Evans, Kingwood
Maritchie Arriaga, La Marque
Tanner Maughan, La Marque
Yvonne Shaw, La Marque
Shakella Steen-Woods, La Marque
Myles Anderson, League City
Chasity George, League City
Kristen Hartwell, League City
Ty Luper, League City
Brett Meyer, Leander
Lauren Vacker, Lumberton
Abby Anderson, Orange
Brandon Trevino, Pasadena
Scottlyn Goodmanson, Pirates Beach
Isaac Oden, Plano
Jada Nolasco, Port Bolivar
Chanda Ybarra Hendricks, San Leon
Jarren Guerra, Santa Fe
Christopher Paxton, Seabrook
Amanda Rodriguez, South Houston
Anabella Valadez, South Houston
Bianca Guardian, Sweeny
Angela Cantu, Texas City
Alexis Gallardo, Texas City
Ryesha Gipson, Texas City
Chazmond Oaks, Texas City
Chelsea Simmons, Texas City
Ashley Trahan, Texas City
Ledreya Washington, Texas City
Celeste Watkins, Texas City
Madeline Locke, The Woodland
Jennifer Gilbreth, Webster
Illinois
Kenna Skepnek, Algonquin
Pennsylvania
Jamison Hughes, Indiana
Wyoming
Naomi Reece, Cheyenne
Australia
Joshua Meyer, Carnegie, Victoria
Historic milestone: 13 students receive bachelor’s degrees from Galveston College
In a first for Galveston County, 13 Galveston College students made history in December as the first graduates to receive Bachelor of Applied Science in Healthcare Management degrees from their local community college – Galveston College.
The students also were the first students ever to receive bachelor’s degrees from Galveston College, which before 2019 offered only two-year associate degrees and technical and professional certificates.
“The future is bright for the class of 2020,” said Dr. Tirizia York, program director. “I was honored to be a part of their educational journey, and I know they will use the leadership skills gained in the program to make a difference in the field of healthcare management.”
Class of 2020 graduates included Hemal Amin, Gabriela Bailon, Brittany Diaz, Ginger Jackson, Roza Kastis, Patricia Phol, Marsha Scoggin, Tiffany Sherman and Catalina Tovar, all of Galveston; Michele Garza and Yvonne Shaw, both of La Marque; Jeremy Ross of Rosharon; and Christina Trevino of League City.
“We are so proud to have our first cohort of students graduating with their Bachelor of Applied Science degrees,” said Dr. Cissy Matthews, vice president of instruction. “These students were able to balance responsibilities they have for home and work while completing this rigorous curriculum. I know their hard work and determination will pay off as they take on future leadership roles within the healthcare industry.”
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Healthcare Management prepares graduates for entry- to mid-level management positions in planning, directing and coordinating medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed-care organizations, public health agencies or similar organizations. The students took a blend of online and on-campus classes.
“I enjoyed being in the program, and I feel that I learned a lot throughout the courses I took,” said Roza Kastis of Galveston. “Prior to this program, writing papers had been a challenge for me; however, the BAS program strengthened my ability to write effective reports pertaining to healthcare management. My instructor, Dr. York, was very helpful and responded quickly to emails if I had a question. Overall, this experience enhanced my growth and my intellectual skills.”
In November 2017, the Galveston Community College District Board of Regents took a historic vote to create the opportunity for Galveston College to pursue offering the bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
The college launched the Bachelor of Applied Science in Healthcare Management in fall 2019 and plans to add the Bachelor of Science in Nursing soon.
“The bachelor’s degrees we are offering complement our two-year degree and certificate programs that prepare students for the workforce and to transfer to four-year universities,” said Dr. Myles Shelton, president of Galveston College. “These are degrees where there is a local workforce need either for skills that need specific training and require a bachelor’s degree or for someone who has those skills and wants to advance into a management role.”
Dr. Shelton said Galveston College will continue to add baccalaureate programs, while retaining the technical mission that is part of a community college’s job — that is, training workers for local industries.
“These graduates are a testimony to the need for affordable bachelor’s degrees offered close to home, work and family,” Dr. Shelton said. “We are very proud of their achievements and wish them the best as they continue their careers and future educational pursuits.”
Spring registration is Jan. 11-13
General registration for the spring 2021 semester at Galveston College will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Jan. 11 -13, in Moody Hall on the Galveston College campus, 4015 Avenue Q, Galveston, Texas.
Late registration is set for 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15. Classes begin Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Returning students can register on their Whitecaps portal at whitecaps.gc.edu. To view the spring 2021 schedule of classes, please visit https://gc.edu/admissions/course-schedule/.
Students have five course-delivery options that fit their preferred learning styles and comfort levels:
- face-to-face instruction,
- hybrid synchronous (a combination of face-to-face and Zoom meetings),
- hybrid asynchronous (a combination of face-to-face and traditional online instruction),
- online synchronous via Zoom,
- traditional online internet instruction, or
- a combination of the options.
Not all classes are offered in all course-delivery methods.
To meet with an adviser, contact the Counseling and Advising Center at [email protected] or schedule an appointment on the QLess app on a mobile phone or on the kiosks in Moody Hall to avoid the wait.
Financial aid and Galveston College scholarships are available. Contact the Galveston College Financial Aid office at [email protected] or visit gc.edu/financial-aid for information.
For more information on admission to Galveston College, write to [email protected]. For information on registration, call (409) 944-4242 or email [email protected].
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival recognizes Galveston College Theatre department
The Galveston College Theatre department’s fall production of “The Invisible Man” has advanced to Region VI of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF).
Galveston College’s production is one of only 11 productions from colleges and universities
throughout a five-state region that have been invited to be presented at KCACTF Region
VI Festival 54, which will be produced virtually in February 2021.
Galveston College Theatre company members also were notified by representatives from
the KCACTF Region VI Committee in late November of a number of recognitions.
Eva Arita, Daniel Bourque and Alyssa Gudz each received an award for Meritorious Achievement in Acting for their performances. Program Coordinator for the Performing Arts Liz Lacy received a Meritorious Achievement award for Excellence in Direction. Additional outstanding company members include Dorion Alcantar, Elijah Barrie and Benji Shelton.
Adapted by John de Lancie from the script by Nat Segaloff and John de Lancie, “The
Invisible Man” is described by author H.G. Wells as “a grotesque romance.” It remains
as remarkable and frightening today as it was upon its publication over a hundred
years ago.
About KCACTF
The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region VI Theatre Festival includes colleges and universities within Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The KCACTF is a national organization that exists to celebrate the educational and creative process of university and college theatre. KCACTF promotes professional standards and provides students and faculty with opportunities to bridge the academic and professional worlds. KCACTF honors achievements in diversity and excellence and encourages experiences in all areas of theatre.
Above: Cast members Benji Shelton and Dorian Alcantar rehearse for Galveston College Theatre’s recent virtual production of the classic science fiction radio drama, “The Invisible Man.” The production has advanced to the regional competition of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF).
Seven Galveston College Quickstart+ HVAC-R students pass Universal Section 608 certification exam
Seven Galveston College Quickstart+ students recently passed the Universal Section 608 Certification exam following an intensive eight-week training program in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R).
Section 608 of the Clean Air Act requires that all persons who maintain, service, repair or dispose of appliances that contain regulated substances be certified in proper refrigerant handling techniques.
Instructor Karen Alsept said this is the largest Quickstart+ student group to pass
the Universal Section 608 exam in the three-year history of the training program.
“Our instructor, Karen Alsept, welcomed 13 students into the classroom Sept. 21, where
they received a mixture of online and face-to-face instruction,” said Sharon Pagan,
grant navigator for Quickstart+.
“Classes met Mondays through Thursdays for five hours each night, and students completed classes in Shop Practices and Tools, Basic Electrical for HVAC, Refrigeration Principles, OSHA 10 Construction and Professional Behaviors.”
Over the course of instruction, students had the opportunity to complete an eight-module National Center for Construction and Education Research (NCCER) core curriculum, as well as the 10-hour Construction Safety and Health Certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The Quickstart+ program also provided Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Recycling and Emission Reduction Program study guides to help students become knowledgeable about Section 608 environmental issues with regard to the proper handling of refrigerants.
Seven of the 13 HVAC-R students paid to take the national exam through the ESCO Institute in Mt. Prospect, Illinois. To earn Universal certification, HVAC-R students had to demonstrate proficiency in the NCCER Core Curriculum, Type I, Type II and Type III certification requirements.
Those earning certifications included John Bertolino, Michael Busby, Oscar Franco, Justin Hulsey, Kendall Merriweather, Randy Ramirez and Rodrigo Sanchez.
Funded with a Foundational Skills for Construction Career Pathways Grant, the Quickstart+ programs at Galveston College are designed to help individuals find entry-level jobs in the fast-growing HVAC and electrical industries.
In the eight-week programs, students are presented with the basics of a trade, including safety procedures, proper tool usage, regulations, codes and more. They also receive career counseling and job placement assistance.
Tuition is free for those accepted into the programs. However, students purchase their own steel-toed boots and personal protective equipment.
For more information, please contact Sharon Pagan at [email protected]. The next classes begin in February.
Galveston College Theatre opens 2020-2021 season with H.G. Wells’ ‘The Invisible Man’
“And I beheld, unclouded by doubt, a magnificent vision of all that invisibility might mean to a man—the mystery, the power, the freedom. Drawbacks I saw none.” — H.G. Wells, “The Invisible Man”
The Galveston College Theatre Department will kick off its 2020-2021 season with the classic science fiction radio drama, “The Invisible Man,” by H.G. Wells and adapted by John de Lancie from the script by Nat Segaloff and John de Lancie.
Show dates and times are Friday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 15, at 2:30 p.m.
Please contact director Liz Lacy, program coordinator for the Performing Arts, via email at [email protected] with preferred performance date(s). A link to listen to the requested performance of this radio audio drama will be emailed by Thursday, Nov. 12, at 10 p.m.
Described by H.G. Wells as “a grotesque romance,” “The Invisible Man” remains as remarkable and frightening today as it was upon its publication over a hundred years ago. This thrilling adaptation by John de Lancie brings one of H.G. Wells’ most terrifying characters to life with the power of imagination in the style of a classic radio drama.
The story begins on a bitter winter evening, when a mysterious stranger arrives in the remote English village of Iping in the dead of winter, his face swaddled in bandages. The stranger is Griffin, a scientist who has discovered the secret to invisibility but cannot find a way to reverse it. Freed from the constraints of physicality and rejected by a society that fears him, Griffin descends into madness, violence and brutality.
Company members include Dorion Alcantar, Eva Arita, Elijah Barrie, Daniel Bourque, Alyssa Gudz and Benji Shelton. “The Invisible Man” is produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois. For additional information, please contact Program Coordinator for the Performing Arts Liz Lacy at (409) 944-1398 or [email protected].
AAPC Medical Coding curriculum leads to healthcare career for Galveston College student
Noviz Nevarez always wanted to follow in her sisters’ footsteps and pursue a career in healthcare, but she needed a career pathway that would accommodate her busy schedule as a full-time sales manager at a Galveston hotel, the mother of a four-year-old and wife of a longshoreman at the Port of Galveston.
“Most of my sisters work in a medical field, and they inspired me. Originally, I wanted to become a nurse, but I needed more flexibility. When I found out about medical coding and administration, I decided it was the right career path for me.”
Nevarez enrolled in Galveston College’s new American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) medical coding curriculum last spring, completed her Medical Coding certificate and passed the national Certified Professional Coder (CPC) on her first attempt.
She landed a job with Signify Health and started working remotely this month as a coding specialist.
“Medical coding and billing specialists play a crucial role in the healthcare industry,” explained Donna Swartz, program director at Galveston College. “It is their responsibility to make sure that health claims are processed and coded accurately so that insurance companies and healthcare providers are reimbursed correctly. They also want to make sure they code correctly so patients are not over-charged for routine appointments.”
Nevarez said the communication, supervisory and management, and resume and cover-letter writing skills she learned at Galveston College were essential to preparing her for a new career.
“This is the first job I applied for since I earned my certificate,” Nevarez said. “I used the resume writing tips I learned from Ms. Swartz to align my skills with the position description. I had two phone and video interviews. It was a great experience.”
Galveston College’s program prepares students for national medical coding certification exams and provides focused instruction in health information management, health records management and advanced medical coding and billing.
“At first, the program is very challenging, especially for those without a medical background,” Nevarez said. “My advice to future students is to never give up…to believe in yourself. Join social media groups to network and keep up with what’s happening in the field. No matter what, keep going. It is worth it.”
Nevarez is continuing her studies at Galveston College and is now pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Administration. Her new job and work-at-home schedule will also give her husband an opportunity pursue his Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology at the college.
“I’m grateful to my husband, my parents, my mother-in-law, and to my bosses at the hotel for their support,” said Nevarez. “I try to give my best to everything I do. I’m so grateful to Galveston College for this program.”
Galveston College professor is American Chemical Society Two-Year College Award recipient
It’s not difficult to see why the American Chemical Society Greater Houston Section chose Dr. Laimutis Bytautas, assistant professor of chemistry at Galveston College, as the 2020 recipient of the Two-Year College Award for excellence in teaching, leadership and service to the profession.
His resume boasts a robust list of academic accomplishments – from research published in prestigious publications to service with professional organizations. But it’s his love for teaching that truly stands out among his numerous accomplishments.
Originally from Lithuania, Dr. Bytautas received a degree in physics from Vilnius University in Vilnius, Lithuania, in 1990, and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Vanderbilt University in 1996.
Among his many professional achievements, he has performed scientific research at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory at Iowa State University, Rice University, the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas A&M University at Galveston.
Chemistry is Fun
Passionate about teaching, Dr. Bytautas encourages his students to become engaged in the process of learning.
“First, I try to convince my students that chemistry can be a lot of fun. I must say that it is not always an easy task. Sometimes I try to encourage my students to achieve a ‘black-belt’ mastery level in chemistry. Successfully teaching natural sciences or any other subject requires a lot of passion from a teacher,” he said.
“The best way to teach is to get students thinking deeply about the subject. I say to my students: ‘Try to look at solving chemistry problems like you are trying to solve nature’s mysteries.’ Sometimes, I also try to encourage my students: ‘Who knows, maybe one day you will get a Nobel Prize in Chemistry as an additional reward to having fun with chemistry already.’”
His efforts have not gone unnoticed by his colleagues.
“Dr. Bytautas’ extraordinary patience, love for teaching, and effort helping students to develop profound knowledge and competency in the chemistry and physics fields are highly recognized by his students and peers,” said Dr. Ana Sanchez, division director of science and business.
“We are so fortunate to have Dr. Bytautas here at Galveston College,” added Dr. Cissy Matthews, vice president of instruction. “He is committed to our students and committed to remaining current in his field so that he can be the best faculty member that he can be.”
Research is Important
A member of the American Chemical Society since 2001, Dr. Bytautas is no stranger to the spotlight. His most recent research in quantum chemistry has been published in the International Journal of Quantum Chemistry and Computational and Theoretical Chemistry, both of which are leading professional journals.
He has also been published recently in The Journal of Physical Chemistry, Journal of Chemical Physics, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Molecular Physics and Croatica Chemica Acta.
He served as co-principal investigator for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Technology Instrumentation Project at Galveston College and as co-organizer of an international symposium on the “Present, Future and Applications of Ab-initio Atomic and Molecular Electronic Structure Calculations” in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
“Having ongoing research projects helps in teaching sciences to students who often like to ask questions that go way beyond scheduled lesson topics. Also, keeping track of scientific discoveries is essential in teaching natural sciences at the college level,” Dr. Bytautas said.
“I like to share my research findings with my students. Sometimes I get a question from a student like ‘Is this going to be on the next exam?’ Learning that my latest research findings in quantum chemistry will not be on the next exam in their chemistry course reduces students’ stress levels considerably.”
Life is a Chemical Reaction
“Of course, teaching chemistry has its fair share of challenges. It is not always easy to convince my students that chemistry is fun when heavy computations are involved. Students much more readily appreciate chemical reactions and visual effects associated with chemistry experiments like color changes. It takes quite a bit of effort and practice in problem-solving to achieve deep understanding in chemistry and develop critical thinking skills. Clearly, it helps when students realize that chemistry is everywhere in their lives,” Dr. Bytautas said.
“In fact, it is sometimes said, ‘Life is a chemical reaction.’ Of course, mastering chemistry is highly rewarding, especially when at the beginning of the semester chemistry appears to be a hard subject for many students.”
Passionate about service, Dr. Bytautas has chaired the Galveston College professional development committee lecture series committee since 2016, bringing distinguished speakers to campus in order to engage the college and community in compelling and purposeful discussions addressing contemporary issues and events.
The committee will host Dr. Kourtney Moore of Cape Fear Community College in North Carolina on Monday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. via Zoom videoconference for the first lecture in its 2020-2021 lecture series on Diversity, Inclusion and Empowerment titled “I Still Love H.E.R.: Hip-Hop and African-American Culture Concerning Systemic Racism and Oppression.”
The ACS Outstanding Chemistry Teacher at a Two Year College Award is designed to recognize, encourage and stimulate outstanding teachers of chemistry at a community college in the American Chemical Society – Greater Houston Section. Selection is based on the nominee’s teaching, including unusually effective methods of presentation, a professor’s ability to challenge and inspire students, extra-curricular work in chemistry, keeping up-to-date in the field, and evidence of leadership and/or active involvement within the profession.
“This award from the American Chemical Society Greater Houston Section recognizes the contribution and hard work of all people at Galveston College in making a difference in students’ lives so that they can pursue their dreams, career goals and be able to take excellent care of their families,” Dr. Bytautas said. “I would like to thank all faculty, staff, administration, and of course, our students because they all contributed to this award.”
Dr. Bytautas received the award on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the 2020 ACS Greater Houston Awards Ceremony, which was conducted virtually this year.
Above: Dr. Laimutis Bytautas
Galveston College accepts applications for MRI Technology certificate program
Galveston College is accepting applications from now through Oct. 30 for spring 2021 admission to the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology program.
MRI technologists are allied health professionals who use magnetic resonance imaging to capture 3D images of the body to determine pathology versus normal tissue. The MRI technologist performs various diagnostic procedures under the supervision of a licensed radiologist and works closely with patients to provide instruction and quality care while producing quality images.
MRI is unique in the field of diagnostic imaging because of the manner in which images are obtained. MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radio frequencies to create images of the patient’s internal structures. This is accomplished without the use of ionizing radiation.
MRI Technology is a post-associate degree certificate program designed for cross-trained professionals such as radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, ultrasound technologists and radiation therapy technologists.
Upon completion of the 31-credit-hour program and completion of all clinical requisites as mandated by American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT), the student will be eligible to sit for the ARRT MRI registry.
For more information about the MRI Technology program, contact Program Director Hong Mai at [email protected] and visit https://gc.edu/magnetic-resonance-imaging/.