In this time of gratitude, we give thanks for you. We appreciate your dedication to the College of Education. Although I don't know you all, I have had the opportunity to meet thousands of our alumni and friends, and I know that support of the college is both broad and deep.

Homecoming already has come and gone, but we certainly enjoyed it while it lasted. During the celebration, I conducted an interview with College of Education alumnus and Tucson native Richard Carranza '91, who recently became the Houston Independent School District superintendent. You can watch the interview here.

Another special event was a visit to the college from Geraldo Rivera, an American attorney, reporter, author, and talk show host. In 1972, at the age of 28, Rivera garnered national attention and won a Peabody Award for his report on the neglect and abuse of patients with intellectual disabilities at Staten Island's Willowbrook State School. As a result of the documentary, Rivera changed the trajectory in America as to how people with disabilities were treated. Before the documentary, he had no exposure to anyone with a disability. Ever since the documentary, however, working with people with disabilities became his passion. He has helped to establish group homes in many communities for adults with disabilities.

During Homecoming, Rivera gave a talk at the college about Willowbrook and its deplorable conditions, followed by a meeting with our National Advisory Board to answer questions about his mission of helping people with disabilities.

Later, Rivera and his family met with Project FOCUS students and their parents as well as the students' assigned peer mentor students. He asked the students and the peer mentors about their experiences in the program. Rivera had a delightful rapport with the students and was clearly touched by their stories.

 

Message from the Alumni Council

David Overstreet with granddaughter Betsy, daughter-in-law Jamie,  and son Kirby (left to right)

Beverly and Roland Cesarini

Thank you to everyone who participated in Homecoming 2016 and attended our events! 

Our second annual Wine Harvest Homecoming Reception was a huge success. About 120 guests came to honor our Alumna of the Year, Danielle Thu '72 '95, and our Professional Achievement Alumna Award recipient, Gina Murphy-Darling '79 (aka Mrs. Green). Both were flattered to receive awards and spoke about being proud College of Education graduates. The Alumni Council was surprised to receive the Alumni Association's UA College Alumni Council Red & Blue Award, presented by Melinda Burke, president of the UA Alumni Association. 

We also had a great time at our tailgating tent, meeting alumni and enjoying the campus spirit. Kids were thrilled when the Student Ambassadors Club and the Future Teachers Club did face painting. The Alumni Council also spun its prize wheel, which is always a hit.

 

Colin Waite, Honoree Gina Murphy-Darling, and Ron Marx (left to right)

This year's Wine Harvest was attended by 120 alumni and friends

Alumna of the Year Danielle Thu (center in white) celebrated with family and friends, who came out in full force to recognize her honor

As the semester ends, we have two more activities: Cocoa with the Council and convocation. We will provide cocoa for students as they prepare for finals and continue with our tradition of giving each College of Education graduate a red carnation and official welcome to the alumni family at convocation.

Our next Alumni Council meeting is January 23 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Education Building, Room 312. We hope you will join us, and h ave a wonderful holiday season!

 

 

White identity had virtually no meaning for a group of white males in a new study by Associate Professor Nolan Cabrera. Such individuals largely ignored or downplayed issues of race and instances of reported racism. Cabrera also found the men rarely had meaningful moments or experiences that would contribute to positive racial perspective during their undergraduate years. Cabrera presented his research findings in a paper, "An Unexamined Life: White Male College Students on What It Means to Be White," during the 41st annual Association for the Study of Higher Education conference this month in Columbus, Ohio. His project received funding from the Spencer Foundation and National Academy of Education. Read more here. 

Cabrera also was quoted in this Wildcat story on the UA Diversity Task Force.

Teaching, Learning & Sociocultural Studies

Assistant Professor of Practice Mark Jenks is a Faculty Fellow in the UA Transfer Student Center. He supports transfer students in numerous ways, including holding regular office hours to meet with students and organizing events both on campus and off campus for students. In recognition of his commitment to the academic success and retention of transfer students, he received the Outstanding Faculty Partner Impact Award from the UA Student Affairs & Enrollment Management Academic Initiatives & Students Success.

Bilingual Review/Revista Bilingüe released a commemorative anthology in honor of the late Professor Richard Ruiz.
 

Happy Thanksgiving!