SACSCOC On-Site Visit Very Positive for Texas Wesleyan and its QEP
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reaffirmation team visited campus this week for an on-site review, which only happens once every 10 years, and the findings were very positive. President Frederick G. Slabach credited the Wesleyan community for the outcome.

“I want to thank all faculty, staff and students who have worked so hard for the last three years to make sure that our accreditation reaffirmation review process has been so successful,” Slabach said. “The fact that our reaffirmation committee report is so positive is the direct result of the significant time and effort that you put into the task prior to the SACSCOC team’s arrival.”

One person in particular made sure that everything was in order for the visit, Slabach said.

“I want to specifically thank Associate Provost Helena Bussell for her extraordinary efforts to focus the Texas Wesleyan community on the accreditation reaffirmation processes,” he said.

In November, an off-site review team reported 22 non-compliance findings and all but two of those have been resolved. The remaining ones will be taken care of when the strategic partnership between Texas A&M and the law school begins in August.

During the on-site visit this week, the team approved our Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).

SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. The peer-based visiting team was comprised of 10 individuals, including presidents, vice presidents, and other representatives from institutions similar to Texas Wesleyan.

President’s G.E.M. Award
In recognition of great work on our campus, I will be spotlighting examples of excellence by departments or individuals who have shown extraordinary performance. My G.E.M. (Going the Extra Mile) Award recognizes people who continue to make Texas Wesleyan a supportive and nurturing environment for our students.

The table tennis team’s national championships over the weekend are prime examples of how our coaches and student-athletes represent the university well with their performances on the field or on the court. But what many don’t see is the commitment to community service.

I am particularly proud of our coaches and student athletes who are taking the time to make a difference in the community. Here are some examples of their efforts:

• Softball - volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, held a free softball clinic in Azle, and assisted with City of Fort Worth’s Youth Athletic Program softball teams;
• Track and field – participated in on-campus cleanups and volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club;
• Men’s soccer - volunteered at Dallas Cup and continued working with D. McRae Elementary by celebrating the Tigers’ City Championship with a pizza party;
• Volleyball - Junior middle blocker Lynsay Buell organized a volunteer event in conjunction with First Baptist Church of Irving to help feed the homeless;
• Women’s basketball – worked on playground project at Boys and Girls Club and volunteered at Fort Worth Environment Day;
• Women’s golf - volunteered time with First Tee of Fort Worth;
• Men’s basketball - participated in Tarrant County Heart Walk.

Please join me in congratulating the athletics department for community volunteerism. Our coaches and players are leading by example. I could not be more proud. Go Rams!

Fred

Frederick G. Slabach
President

Table Tennis Team Wins National Championship – Again!
The Texas Wesleyan University table tennis team scored its 10^th consecutive coed team national championship while the Lady Rams won their fifth national title in the last seven years.

Since the program’s inception in 2002, the Rams have won 53 national championships including all 10 coed team titles for which they have been eligible to play.

This year, the Rams won four of the six titles decided. Emil Santos won in men’s singles while Sara Hazinski and Claudia Ikeizumi took the women’s doubles title. The Rams finished as the runners-up in men’s doubles and in women’s singles, and Sara Hazinski was defeated by the eventual champ in the semifinal round.

“I am extremely proud of our athletes and their four national championships,” Head Coach Jasna Rather said. “Honestly, if I was dreaming, it would not end as well as it did. The competition was so strong this year. Our athletes had to fight so hard for Texas Wesleyan and their team spirit helped them get these great results.”

In the coed team competition, the Rams breezed through the quarterfinals and semifinals.

Complete results are available on the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association website.

Alumni Reunion Weekend April 19 – 20
All alumni, faculty and staff are invited to participate in the Alumni Reunion Weekend festivities April 19 – 20. Starting with a Rams baseball game Friday at La Grave Field, the weekend winds up with the traditional Afterglow Party following the Saturday night performance of the 59^th annual musical “Into the Woods.” This year’s reunion is filled with fun, celebration and entertainment. Reconnect with past graduates, retired faculty and University friends at one or all of the many activities planned.

Check out the schedule of events or for more information, call Scott Cannon at (817) 531-7540.

Theatre Wesleyan Presents: Into The Woods
Texas Wesleyan University’s Theatre Wesleyan presents our 59^th Annual Musical, Into The Woods with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine and directed by Theatre Wesleyan alumnus Ben Phillips. The play will be presented in the Thad Smotherman Theatre in the Law Sone Fine Arts Building located on the Texas Wesleyan campus at the corner of Binkley St. and Avenue E. Performances will be April 18-21. Thursday through Saturday performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. with one Sunday performance at 2:00 p.m. on April 21.

Most fairytales end with “Happily Ever After” but that is not the case for this group of storybook characters from the Tony Award-winning musical Into The Woods. Giants, Witches, Princes and a slew of fairytale characters come together for a dark and tumultuous journey through the woods in hopes of finding their happy ending.

Tickets for Thursday, Friday and Sunday performances are $12 for general admission, $8 for all Wesleyan faculty and staff, and $6 for all students with ID. Cash or check only, no credit/debit cards accepted. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday April 9. The box office will be open Tuesdays to Fridays 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and one hour before curtain on show days. For reservations please call 817-531-4211.

Please note that tickets for Saturday April 20 are $15 and are only available through the office of advancement at 817-531-4404.

Take Advantage of CETL Workshops

• APR 19 | 1:00-2:00 p.m. | West Library 114 | Using Blackboard in your Face-To-Face Class
• APR 19 | 2:00-3:00 p.m. | West Library 114 | Blackboard Advanced Training
• APR 22 | 10:00-11:30 a.m. | West Library 114| Managing Grades in Blackboard
• APR 23 | 12:15-1:15 p.m. | West Library 114 | The Technology Horizon
• APR 23 | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | West Library 114 | Microsoft Word for Research Papers
• APR 24 | 2:00-3:00 p.m. | West Library 114| SoftChalk Webinar

To learn more, please visit: http://txwescetl.com/events/. All CETL-sponsored events are free, and most are open to the entire campus. All participants, however, are asked to register online in advance. We use the registration data to ensure that we have sufficient materials, seating, and food (in the case of longer events). When you complete your registration, you will receive an email confirmation. A follow-up reminder will be sent the day before the event occurs. Should you need to cancel your registration, please contact us by phone (817-531-6563) or e-mail (cetl@txwes.edu).

Be Ready to Edit Your Web Page Content
Chomping at the bit to edit your Web page? With a new management system on its way, get ready in our Web Savvy sessions – each session is designed to prepare you to create, organize and manage your Web content. You must complete each session to be approved to edit your page, so sign up now.

Texas Wesleyan Sponsors 8^thAnnual Prairie Fest
On Saturday, April 27, enjoy free live music and outdoor fun from 11 am until sundown at nearby Tandy Hills. Relax on the hillside, taking in solar-powered tunes emceed by KXT 91.7 DJ Paul Slavens. Enjoy good food, live music and entertainment, flowers and fun on 160 acres of natural area, just one mile north of the historic campus. Bruce Benz, professor of biology, has utilized Tandy Hills since 1997 for student research. On April 27, this spring celebration is not to be missed! The Tandy Hills Nature Area is located at 3400 View Street in Fort Worth.

Haydn’s Oratorio The Creation
This concert showcases Franz Joseph Haydn’s oratorio The Creation, performed by the Wesleyan Chorale under the direction of Jerome M. Bierschenk,D.M.A., and combined with the East Dallas Christian Church Chancel Choir under the direction of Keith Critcher. Soloists Julie McCoy, soprano, Joe Davisson, tenor, Jason Awbry, bass and members of the Fort Worth Symphony will perform with these choirs.

The Creation will be premiered at 7:30 p.m. on April 28 at the East Dallas Christian Church. A second performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30 in Martin Hall.

Admission is free. For more information, please contact the Music Department at 817-531-4992.

How Marketing & Communications' New Online Project System Helps You
Marketing & Communications’ new web-based project management system means you no longer have to scan or email printed input forms. Plus, you can check the status of your projects, review quotes and purchase order information, and even proof some designs online!

If you have materials designed through our office, plan to attend our training session. It will be help at 3:00 p.m. on May 1 in the Orientation Room of the Library. To reserve your spot, simply email Scott Geer, creative services manager, to reserve your spot.

If you would like to attend, but the time doesn't fit with your schedule, please let me know and if there is enough interest, we'll schedule more sessions. If you have any questions about the session, please contact Scott Geer.

Academic Success Center Selling Study Kits and Sunshades
The Ram Parent Association is selling Finals Survival Kits for $5. The kits are a great gift for faculty and staff to purchase for their mentees and student workers! The Survival Kits include items like notecards, highlighters, study tips, Ramen, mac and cheese, candy, granola bars, popcorn, chips and fruit snacks and other goodies. They can be purchased with cash or check in the Academic Success Center or online.

The Ram Parent Association is also selling Wesleyan sunshades for $15. They can be purchased in the Academic Success Center with cash or check.

Summer 2013 Tuition Waiver Deadline
Don’t forget to fill out the Summer 2013 Tuition Waiver form! The deadline is April 29. Copies of the waiver are available outside the Office of Human Resources or our website.

Hiring Student Workers
If you plan to hire a student worker for the summer or fall semester and have not notified Human Resources of your hiring needs, please submit a staffing request form.

Get Your Texas Wesleyan Sticker or Alumni Sticker
Texas Wesleyan window stickers are available in the Office of Marketing & Communications, located in B-36 of the Eunice and James L. West Library. Are you a Wesleyan graduate? Show your pride with a Texas Wesleyan Alumni sticker – just fill out the form!

Official Texas Wesleyan Apparel Available
Texas Wesleyan fans can show their pride with polo shirts embroidered with our new logo! Available in navy, white, and blueberry (shown). Choose from men’s and women's styles with the Texas Wesleyan logo, or our new athletic logo, on the chest and university name on the sleeve. Shirts will be ready in about 10 days. We'll contact you when your shirts are ready for pickup in the Office of Marketing & Communications. See the styles and place your order now!