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Institute of Health Sciences-Houston Center

Student Life — Newsletter

April 2008

April has certainly been a fast paced month with interests and activities interspersed here and there among all the studying.  This is also the time of year when leaders and individuals of remarkable character and accomplishment are acknowledged.  All-in-all, it has been quite a semester!

April 7th there were three different offerings in which students could participate.  On the 2nd floor bridge area, people could sign-up on the 7th to donate blood on Monday, April 21st.  This marks the second time this semester that staff from The Methodist Hospital Blood Team would be on site to collect blood.  Being so close to final exams compromised the participation some, but we still had close to twenty students, faculty and staff who signed to donate on the 21st.  In the actual donations, sixteen units of blood were collected.  The Blood Team from Methodist was pleased with the response, especially considering the timeframe with final exams.  For those who donated, we would like to extend a huge “Thank You”!!!

For the first time at the Houston site, we offered BINGO in The Legacy Room during the noon hour.  A good 40+ students enjoyed plotting out numbers and creating a solid line across their game board.  Prizes were TWU logo items, and were enjoyed by all!

A motivational speaker named Jesus Nebot gave a leadership presentation on the 7th of April as well.  Ideas were shared about how to be a memorable leader, and characteristics of leadership were examined by those attending.  This was his first time to present at TWU, and we were grateful he took the time to be with us for a brief hour.

The SGA meeting on the 14th of April was the last one for the semester.  The big news item was one of recycling here at the Houston site.  By this meeting, all the recycle bins had been placed around campus, including in the Computer Lab.  Students were incredibly excited with this type of responsible move toward caring for our environment on the part of TWU, and welcomed this step forward into a greener future.

The Redbud Award Ceremony this year was filled with exciting and touching moments.  The list of recipients is a long one, filled with existing categories as well as some new ones.  The Overall Outstanding Student Leader this year was Stephanie Bieniarz (O.T.) with Stella Irabor (Nursing), Jennifer Knoblauch (Nutrition) and Kimberly Thomas (O.T.) named as other Outstanding Students.  Jessica Ng (O.T.) was awarded the Un-Sung Student Hero distinction for her work associated with S.O.T.A., and the Emerging Student Leader this year was Rizwan Raja (Master’s in Nursing).  The Association of Hispanic Nursing Students, who had claimed the Student Organization On-the-Move award the past two years, won the Outstanding Student Organization Award.  And the new group International Mosaic was named Organization On-the-Move.  For the first time, the Redbud Selection Committee awarded four individuals the Outstanding Student Team award:  Sarath Bodepudi, Rajesh Gadde, Rizwan Raja and Shree Shrestha.  All of these gentlemen contributed to the formation and activity of the new international student organization:  International Mosaic.  For many years there has been much talk about making this happen, yet we could never get the “student feet” under it to make it a reality.  This year, not only was a registered student organization established, but now a monthly International Student Newsletter with the same name is issued for the entire student body.  This helps to educate the broader TWU community, while at the same time, networks and strengthens the international student population.  Each of these gentlemen played a different yet significant role in birthing both of these entities into being.  So this category of “Team” was created to acknowledge their contribution in this area.  Three Outstanding Faculty were named this year:  Dr. Rita DelloStritto (Nursing), Dr. Katy Mitchell (P.T.) and Dr. Sophie Rydin (O.T.)  Of special note is the nomination of Dr. Mitchell, which was one authored by the entire DPT class.  Appropriately, she was presented the award at the ceremony by over 40 students from her class!  Smiles were everywhere!  Jinlan Du (ITS) and Pat Hildebrand (Nursing) captured the Outstanding Mentor award, and Outstanding Staff members this year were newcomers Connie Coleman (P.T.) and Bikira Stevenson (Enrollment Services).  Three special awards were shared as a surprise with some incredible individuals.  The same 40+ DPT students awarded Dr. Sharon Olson (P.T.) with an honorary “Voice of TWU ~ Houston” plaque, noting of her tremendous advocacy for all things related to the Houston site.  Inez Shelton was gifted with the “Hands and Feet of TWU”.  She stepped in to cover a huge void in staff this past Fall Semester, and has continued to excel in job performance far above any written position description could begin to articulate.  And Farrah Jimenez with the Cyber Café was presented the “Gift of Community” for her character in building and strengthening the fibers that make us here at the Houston site a “family”.  For all that these various recipients have contributed to TWU, we are indeed grateful.  A heart-felt thanks is extended to the Redbud Selection Committee, which spent hours reviewing material and had the privilege of discussing the wonderful qualities of each nominee.  Members consisted of:  Saumya Babu, Dr. Betty Duson, Megan Gross, Dr. Merry Lynne Hamilton, Dr. Katy Mitchell, Inez Shelton, Dr. Teresa Walsh and Deb Unruh.   

We brought the semester to a close with De-Stress Day on the 28th of April.  As usual, we had six massage therapists on the 2nd floor bridge area give neck and shoulder massages from 11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.  Games were available, along with jokes, care booklets, and office toy:  klyxx.  Cheese, crackers and fruit were out for everyone to munch on, and soothing music calmed the soul as people waited for massages.  Additionally, we combined this with Earth Day, distributing bookmarks detailing ideas to “Reduce Your Carbon Footprint”, along with beautifully crafted water bottles and large tote bags from Denton to spirit people on this journey.  It was a wonderful break for all who attended!