UHCL breaks ground on two new buildings

May 1st, 2017

Recreation and wellness center.

University of Houston-Clear Lake broke ground on two new buildings March 31, which, when complete, will help train a workforce prepared to tackle 21st century careers in the sciences, engineering and health. These construction projects are a significant part of UHCL’s continued development as a four-year university.

Construction will soon begin on a STEM and Classroom Building and a Recreation and Wellness Center. Both are expected to open the fall of 2018.
“This is truly a historic occasion,” UHCL President William A. Staples said at a ceremony that included civic leaders and university administrators, faculty, staff and students.

Nestled within a 524-acre nature and wildlife preserve, UH-Clear Lake opened doors in 1974 as an upper-level university with a mandate to help train NASA’s aerospace workforce and provide academic opportunities to the budding Clear Lake area. In 2014, it expanded its curriculum to include freshman and sophomore courses. Four academic colleges – business, education, human sciences and humanities and science and engineering –  offer more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees and three doctoral programs.

STEM classroom building

Supporting sciences
The $65.7 million STEM and Classroom Building will contain 121,575 square feet for the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. A three-story section will accommodate research labs; a two-story section will house offices and classrooms. The building will include 15 teaching labs for mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, geology, industrial hygiene and environmental safety. It will also house 12 specialty rooms for mechanical-engineering projects, computer-aided drafting, 3-D printing and more. In addition, the building will have a 100-seat tiered lecture hall, an astronomy observation deck, a 30-seat computer lab – and 13 faculty research labs with room for six more

New degree
The new building is designed to support a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering – a degree program long sought by the community’s high-tech industries.

“We couldn’t even dream of offering mechanical engineering if it wasn’t for this building,” said Zbigniew J. Czajkiewicz, dean of the College of Science and Engineering. “We simply don’t have the space right now. The timing is perfect, so let’s start building.”

Supporting wellness
The $38.2 million, 81,709 square-foot Recreation and Wellness Center will include academic and recreational wings, open study spaces, casual seating, food service and private study rooms. An indoor, elevated three-lane running track will provide runners a campus view while overlooking two regulation-sized basketball courts and a multi-activity court for indoor soccer, hockey and other sports.

The entire court space can be converted into an event or dining hall. It will also feature weight and cardio rooms, two multipurpose rooms for yoga and other exercises as well as three teaching labs and two classrooms. The facility is expected to open in fall 2018.

The 2015 Legislature, in a bill marshalled by Rep. Dennis Paul of Houston, approved the center’s construction contingent upon the referendum’s positive outcome and support by the UH System Board of Regents.

“It’s a great honor to be a part of this,” Paul said. “It’s a joy to get something like this built for our local citizens. To be educated right here instead of flying off to some other place across the land.”

The projects represent the largest new facility development in the history of UHCL.  “It’s always a team effort,” Staples said.

In addition to Paul, he acknowledged the support of state Rep. Ed Thompson of Pearland, Rep. Greg Bonnen of League City and Texas Sen. Larry Taylor of Friendswood, as well as the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership and the many community friends and donors that helped make it happen.

Five honored at UHCL Alumni Celebration

December 1st, 2016

Four alumni and a university professor were honored at the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s 2016 Alumni Celebration at Space Center Houston. Here, UHCL President William A. Staples, from left, joins the honorees for a photo -- Evelyn Miralles (Distinguished Alumna), Christine “Christy” Harper (Distinguished Alumna), Lisa A. Jones (Outstanding Professor), Kristi Koncaba (Early Achievement) and Robert C. Hasson Jr. (Marilyn S. Sims Leadership Service Award).

Four alumni and a university professor were honored at the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s 2016 Alumni Celebration at Space Center Houston. Here, UHCL President William A. Staples, from left, joins the honorees for a photo — Evelyn Miralles (Distinguished Alumna), Christine “Christy” Harper (Distinguished Alumna), Lisa A. Jones (Outstanding Professor), Kristi Koncaba (Early Achievement) and Robert C. Hasson Jr. (Marilyn S. Sims Leadership Service Award).

Five professionals were honored as exemplary leaders in their fields at University of Houston-Clear Lake’s annual alumni awards.

Held at Space Center Houston, the reception and dinner celebrated all of UHCL’s graduates and singled out five “who have made a significant contribution to service in the classroom, on campus, and out in the local community,” said Patrick Lawrence Cardenas, assistant director of Student Life, chair of the Alumni Association Executive Council and the event’s master of ceremonies.

Distinguished Alumni Awards went to Christine (Christy) Harper, manager of Human Factors Strategic Research and Initiatives at HP Inc. (B.S. ’92 BS, M.A. ’94), and Evelyn Miralles, principal engineer innovator and business technology strategist at CACI International, NASA Johnson Space Center (B.A. ’92 BA, MBA ’12).

The Early Achievement Award was presented to Kristi Koncaba, president and chief operating officer of Houston-based Texan Bank (B.S. ’97, M.A. ’05).

Robert C. Hasson Jr., principal of Park View Intermediate School in Pasadena ISD (M.S. ’96, Ed.D. ’11) was the recipient of the Marilyn S. Sims Leadership Service Award, named for a longtime UHCL alumna known for her lead-by-example stewardship.

The annual Outstanding Professor Award went to Lisa A. Jones, associate professor of Multicultural Education from UHCL’s College of Education.

Nominations come from UHCL alumni, faculty and staff, and the community at-large. Applications are available all year at http://www.uhcl.edu/alumni/association. Application deadline is set in the spring semester of each year in order to be considered for the next celebration, which is held in the fall.

Nearly 1,200 to participate in UHCL graduation ceremonies

November 29th, 2016

Nearly 1,200 University of Houston-Clear Lake students are receiving diplomas in two commencement ceremonies on Dec. 11 in NRG Arena at 1 NRG Park, Houston.

At noon, more than 520 students will graduate from the College of Education and College of Science and Engineering. At 5 p.m., nearly 650 students will graduate from the College of Business and the College of Human Sciences and Humanities.

Students participating in the ceremonies include about 1,000 fall graduates and about 200 summer graduates. Of these, 626 are undergrads, 546 will receive their master’s degrees and 11 will be conferred doctorates.

Commencement speakers are UHCL alumni Evelyn C. Miralles and Kenneth R. Koncaba. Miralles, principal engineer/innovator and business-technology strategist for NASA contractor CACI International, will speak at the noon ceremony. Koncaba, CEO of Houston-based Texan Bank, will speak in the 5 p.m. ceremony.

Miralles was recently chosen as “one of the most inspirational women in the world” for 2016 by the BBC, which each year profiles 100 influential women in its programming. For more than 24 years, Miralles has dedicated her career to the advancement of human spaceflight and virtual-reality technology, training astronauts in Johnson Space Center’s Virtual Reality Laboratory at Johnson Space Center. Named one of CNET en Español’s 20 most influential Latinos in technology for 2015, she lends her experience and knowledge to the field of virtual reality on a national level.

Before joining Texan Bank in 2011, Koncaba served as chairman, CEO and president of Family Bancorp Inc., and its subsidiary bank, now known as Vantage Bank of Texas. His career in banking has included serving as director, president and chief operating officer at both FC Holdings Inc. and its subsidiary bank, First Community Bank, N.A., in Houston and chairman and CEO of San Antonio National Bank. From 2012-2015, Koncaba served as co-founder and manager of Friendswood Energy Genco LLC. Also, he has served as founding director and CEO of Friendswood Capital Corp. since 2010 as well as director of ICON Wellness Center since 2012.

Guests do not need tickets to attend the commencement ceremony, and students may invite as many guests as they like. Seating for guests will be first-come, first-served.

A total of 1,455 UHCL students completed degree programs in summer and fall sessions, with 1,183 participating in the ceremonies.

Graduating students are also invited to Soaring Hawks Celebration, a social event 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9. The event will feature a photo booth, refreshments and the chance to celebrate with university alumni, faculty and leaders, including UHCL President William A. Staples. Soaring Hawks Celebration is free, but tickets are required and may be picked up from the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, Capt. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services and Office of Student Life. Soaring Hawk Celebration will be on the UH-Clear Lake campus at Bayou Building, Atrium II, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston. For more information on Soaring Hawks Celebration, contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, 281-283-2021 or [email protected].

To find out more about commencement, visit www.uhcl.edu/commencement.

University of Houston-Clear Lake offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and three doctoral programs, from its four schools, which include the School of Business, School of Education, School of Human Sciences and Humanities, and School of Science and Computer Engineering. In 2011, the university gained approval from the state to add freshman- and sophomore-level courses to its roster and welcomed its first freshman class in fall 2014. For more information about the university, visit http://www.uhcl.edu.

UHCL ranked for online programs by the U.S. News & World Report

January 28th, 2016

UHCLstackedUniversity of Houston-Clear Lake’s online programs have been ranked in the U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs in two categories, including overall graduate online business programs and the online Master of Business Administration.

“Anytime that our programs receive this type of national recognition, it validates the work that goes into creating and teaching an online program,” says UH-Clear Lake Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Carl A. Stockton.

In the 2016 Best Online Graduate Business Programs (non-MBA), UHCL moved up six spots from the 2015 ranking listing to number 61 out of 91 ranked programs throughout the country. The 2016 Best Online MBA Programs included a move for UHCL from 89 to 81 out of 163 ranked programs.

UHCL’s School of Business offers online graduate degrees in finance, human resource management and business administration, while undergraduate School of Business online degrees include general business and finance. Overall, the university offers five online bachelor’s degrees, eight graduate degrees and seven certificates.

A 2014 Survey of Online Learning conducted by the Babson Survey Research Group and co-sponsored by the Online Learning Consortium reported federal data showed that almost 5.3 million students were now taking one or more distance education courses, indicating a 3.7 percent increase in the number of distance education students over the previous year.

“The recognition from U.S. News & World Report speaks to the hard work of our top-notch quality of our faculty and their dedication to making the programs successful,” says School of Business Dean William T. Cummings. “We continue to make modifications to meet the needs of our online students whether taking classes in their home office down the street or from their living room a half a world away.”

The online rankings follow the U.S. News & World Report recognition of UHCL in its 2016 Best Regional Universities in the West rankings.

To find out more about the online programs at UHCL, visit http://www.uhcl.edu/distance-education/online-programs or call the Office of Distance Education, 281-283-3031. For more information on UHCL’s School of Business, visit http://www.uhcl.edu/bus or call 281-283-3110.

UHCL School of Education welcomes new center director

October 13th, 2015

UHCLLogoPMS3 [Converted]University of Houston-Clear Lake School of Education officials are busy welcoming James “Randy” Willison Sr. as their new director for the school’s Center for Educational Programs.

Willison, who served 22 years as an Arkansas public school administrator, including superintendent, comes to UH-Clear Lake most recently from the Fort Bend School District, where he was senior consultant for teacher development.

He admits to being passionate about teacher development and plans to draw upon his 20-plus years of experience in that area as the UHCL center seeks to expand its offering of professional development opportunities to educators in the surrounding area’s school districts.

“We do some now,” he explains, “but the dean (School of Education Dean Mark Shermis) would like to see us expand our role and be a resource for districts in the area.”

Willison also envisions involving the UHCL faculty more in the process, seeing himself “as a broker, matching the needs for professional development and training at the schools with what the School of Education faculty and staff care about and do best.”

He is only the third director of the center that traces its history back to the early 1980s. Today, the Center for Educational Programs coordinates the School of Education’s clinical services such as diagnostic testing, supports a broad range of programs for children and youth including the popular Kids U summer camps, and the year-round tutoring program. It also offers non-credit courses for area educators, and assists local schools and school districts in emerging and ongoing professional development activities, while also promoting and supporting other SOE projects.

At the top of the new director’s agenda is a series of visits to area schools and school districts, where he will seek to reinforce current partnerships and create new ones, while pursuing a needs analysis.

Originally from Oklahoma, Willison earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. His Bachelor of Arts in Education and Masters of Arts in English were both completed at the University of Central Oklahoma. He began his career as a secondary classroom English teacher, before going on to become an assistant principal, principal, and ultimately superintendent.

Willison retired from the Arkansas public school system after 28 years, relocating to the Houston area.

UHCL honors 2 local couples

April 1st, 2015

UHCL President William Staples, right, presents the 2015 President’s Cabinet Leadership Award to Pat and Wendell Wilson during President’s Cabinet Dinner.

UHCL President William Staples, right, presents the 2015 President’s Cabinet Leadership Award to Pat and Wendell Wilson during President’s Cabinet Dinner.

Recognizing the friendship and gifts of longtime university friends, University of Houston-Clear Lake President William A. Staples hosted his annual President’s Cabinet Dinner in February. During the program, Staples presented the 2015 President’s Cabinet Leadership Award to Pat and Wendell Wilson, with the 2015 President’s Cabinet Philanthropy Award going to Sandra and Gary Mossman.

“Your support of UHCL makes a real difference in the success of UHCL,” said Associate Vice President for University Advancement Rhonda Thompson.

Thompson, who joined UHCL in summer 2014, welcomed attendees to the dinner program, with Staples also offering thanks to the guests. He then updated the group on university activities during the past year before inviting others to the lectern to speak.“This has been a very historic academic year for us,” said Staples. “We welcomed 8,665 students including our first freshman and sophomore students.”

Staples then introduced the President’s Cabinet Leadership Award recipients, Pat and Wendell Wilson.

“When I think about the Wilsons,” said Staples. “Two things come to mind: (1) They are highly devoted to education; and (2) Their dedication and service is remarkable.”

4-1 Gary and Sandra Mossman-1In addition to their extensive volunteer service throughout the community, the Wilsons have been staunch supporters of UHCL students through the creation of the Dr. Patricia Potter Wilson School of Education Outstanding Students Scholarship Endowment and through contributions to many other scholarship programs. They were previously honored for their support with the 2009 President’s Cabinet Philanthropy Award.

In 2014, the Wilsons showed their patriotic spirit by supporting UHCL’s Liberty Bell project, which led to Pat being named a “Belle of the Bell” and Wendell being recognized as a “Man of Honor.” Later that year, UHCL’s Office of Veteran Services honored Wendell’s time in the U.S. Air Force by renaming the department the Capt. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services.

Over the last two years, the Wilsons graciously began funding the development of park space on campus that was commonly known as the Duck Pond. The space will be enhanced and UHCL will celebrate the Wilsons’ contributions that have been used to create a new garden and more. The Pat and Wendell Wilson Park will be introduced to the community later this year.

At the dinner, UHCL education student Nam Dinh thanked the Wilsons for their scholarship.

“It is an honor to speak here tonight,” said Dinh. “I’m in the second phase of my internship, and this scholarship made a difference to me. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“What happens is that we hold on to you for life,” said Pat Wilson to Dinh referring to the recipients of the Wilson scholarship. “We are so excited about what is happening at UHCL, and it has been a pleasure working with everyone in University Advancement who has helped us from the beginning.”

“Pat and I are really pleased to be a part of this vibrant community,” Wendell Wilson added. “We are pleased about the garden, which will highlight an already existing beautiful area. We are also pleased to have a fountain that will help with the pond. The legacy gift keeps funding the garden for future generations.”

Staples recognized Sandra and Gary Mossman’s support with the President’s Cabinet Philanthropy Award.

“Just as we presented the Leadership Award to Team Wilson, we are presenting the Philanthropy Award to Team Mossman,” said Staples. “It’s a team effort and has been throughout their lives.”

“What the Mossmans have done at UHCL is create the Dr. Sandra Mossman Endowed Professorship in Educational Leadership, which will provide a professor selected by the university with support for travel, research, outreach and more.”

Superintendent of schools for CCISD 2003-2008, Sandra Mossman worked in several positions before becoming superintendent including as a counselor, principal, associate superintendent and deputy superintendent. Gary Mossman refined his engineering skills by beginning his career as president and co-founder of Southwest Specialty Chemical Co. and retiring as president of Dixie Chemical Co. He currently serves as chief operating officer and director of PLxPharma.

Sandra Mossman has been honored with numerous awards including, in 2014, the George B. Carlisle Distinguished Service Award from the Clear Creek Education Foundation. Meanwhile, Gary Mossman has been active in numerous professional organizations including having served on the Board of Directors for the American Chemical Council and Texas Chemical Council.

UHCL School of Education Dean Mark Shermis thanked the Mossmans for their contributions to the School of Education. “Our goal is always to attract and retain top faculty,” said Shermis. “The School of Education and I are grateful to the

Mossmans for their kind gift in creating the professorship.”

“We have had the pleasure of living here for almost 40 years and watching UHCL grow,” said Gary Mossman.

“We’ve also had the pleasure of watching as Dr. Staples’ vision has come true,” added Sandra Mossman, who also mentioned several of the partnerships between the university and CCISD. “UHCL is quite a university and unlike any other,” she added. “We salute the university. Go Hawks!”

Prospective UHCL students invited for Hawk Premier

October 24th, 2014

Seal_of_the_University_of_Houston–Clear_Lake copyDo you have what it takes to be a University of Houston-Clear Lake Hawk? UH-Clear Lake invites prospective freshman and sophomore students to learn more about what the university has to offer during the UHCL Hawk at Hawk Premier Nov 1, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., at UHCL, 2700 Bay Area Blvd.

Hunter the Hawk, the UHCL mascot, will great attendees while organizations and offices from throughout UHCL come together to showcase all the university has to offer. Future students will have the chance to apply for the spring semester, take a tour of the 524-acre wildlife and nature preserve that surrounds the university buildings, get to know current UHCL students and meet with knowledgeable advisers and faculty members from each of our four schools. Information about all of the 42 bachelor’s degree programs will be available.

Attendees can tell friends about their fun on social media by using #UHCLOH in their messages. This free event is open to prospective freshman and sophomore students and their families. For more information or to RSVP, visit http://www.uhcl.edu/beahawk or call the Office of Admissions at 281-283-2500.

Bay Area Houston Magazine