Texoma Connect

Grayson College | January 5, 2016

Grayson College offers new scholarships this spring which will be  available for up to 57 Grayson College students interested in careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). GC received a grant of $149,589 from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for its Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (T-STEM) Challenge Scholarship.

“This marks the third year in a row that Grayson College has received the T-STEM grant,” said Randy Truxal, executive director of the Grayson College Foundation. “Grayson College expects to allot up to $2,500 per qualifying student for the 2015-2016 academic year.”

Some of the fields included in this scholarship opportunity at Grayson are: biology; chemistry; computer sciences and information systems, computer maintenance and networking technology, and computer network administration; dental assisting; drafting and design technology/CAD; electrician; emergency medical technology; engineering; geology/earth science; heating, air conditioning and refrigeration technology; mathematics; clinical medical laboratory technology; physics; and radiologic technology.

Established by the 82nd Texas Legislature, the T-STEM Challenge Scholarship Grant Program provides Texas public community and technical colleges with grants for merit-based scholarships for qualifying, high-achieving students. The U.S. Department of Commerce asserts in a 2011 report that STEM jobs grew three times as fast as non-STEM jobs over the previous decade. That report also indicates STEM workers earn 26 percent higher wages than their non-STEM colleagues; they also earn higher wages even when they work in non-STEM occupations.

Participating colleges like Grayson develop partnerships with local business and industry to identify local employment needs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics occupations and develop part-time employment opportunities for T-STEM scholarship recipients. GC’s partners include the cities of Denison and Sherman, ACS Manufacturing, Champion Cooler, Denison Development Alliance, Dr. Pamela Moore, Sherman Radiology Associates, Texoma Medical Center and Wilson N. Jones Hospital.

T-STEM Challenge Scholarships are merit scholarships based on past and continued student performance in specific instructional programs. Students can apply the funds toward tuition, fees, necessary textbooks and classroom supplies. Awards are still available for the upcoming Spring 2016 semester.

“These scholarships assist Grayson College’s full-time students of any age who are majoring in any of the T-STEM instructional programs,” said Tina Dodson, director of annual giving for the GC Foundation. “Recipients must complete at least 80% of all semester credit hours to retain his/her T-STEM scholarship for the following semester.”

To qualify, applicants must have a 3.0 grade point average or higher (on a 4.0 scale) on all math and science courses on their high school transcripts (or equivalent on GED scores) and be a self-declared major in one of the qualified T-STEM programs at Grayson College. They also must agree to work no more than 15 hours a week in their chosen instructional program area or related field, or for a business participating in the T-STEM program. All applicants, unless exempt, must have a statement on file that he or she is registered with the Selective Service System.

For more information about the T-STEM Challenge Scholarship or to complete the scholarship application, go to www.grayson.edu and click on “Scholarships for College” under News & Announcements, or contact Dodson at 903-463-8716 or dodsont@grayson.edu.

Children’s Museum Begins Year with New Event – Children’s Health Fair

The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum is pleased to introduce a new event for children in northeast Texas. The first Children’s Health Fair will be held at the Children’s Museum on Saturday, January 16 from 9:30 to 11:30 am.

The event will include free admission. Hands-on activities will highlight children’s health. For example, after exercise children will compare their oxygen level and pulse rate to their resting levels using oximeters. Lonnie, the Museum’s MegaLung, will provide children an opportunity to walk through a lung. Children’s safety will be emphasized as a children’s ID card with picture and fingerprints will be provided by the Commerce Police Department. With Glo-Gel children can see the cleanliness of their hands before and after washing. And, of course, the Children’s Museum will be open for play and exploration of more than fifty different play areas.

“With the current emphasis on children’s health, the Children’s Museum wanted to play a role in emphasizing this to families and to our community. We do lessons throughout the year on good health, but we wanted to have one morning for health education for children in our area,” said Sharline Freeman Director of the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum. In addition to health activities set up in the Children’s Museum and the play areas which will be open, children will receive a Children’s Activity Book. This book will be given to children who participate in the Children’s Health Fair and then will be distributed throughout Hunt County.

“We appreciate the sponsors for the event and for the Children’s Activity Book. Hunt Regional Healthcare has played a large role in this event. Other sponsors include McDaniel Family Dentistry, Commerce Veterinary Clinic, Live Oak Professional Center, Primary Care Associates, Atmos Energy, and Community Health Service Agency, Inc. We appreciate these groups for making the Children’s Health Fair possible,” said Elana Barton, Director of Development for the Children’s Museum.

“We hope this event will impact the area as we emphasize the health of our children,” said Beckey Thompson, Board President. For more information, call the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum at 903-886-6055.