The Trimble Tech Brilliant Bulldog Center Takes A Big Bite of Success!
The new Trimble Tech Brilliant Bulldog Center started off helping students develop a positive attitude towards higher success. Since it opened its doors in January of 2012 in the Alumni Room, the Brilliant Bulldog Center has worked with Girl's, Inc. of Tarrant County to identify tutor-mentors who have the skill set to work with some of our students at risk of failing math or science.
This initiative produced great results. Over 50 students were served by our 12 graduate students from the University of North Texas Health Science Center, the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work and other regional colleges and universities. Our plans are to expand our tutor-mentor program to accommodate additional students and target other sensitive core subject areas.
Many of our senior students enrolled at the center enjoyed several road trips through our Christopher Fonseca College Tour program. Graduating students visited four cities and three universities, including Snyder, Tyler, San Antonio, San Marcos, Tyler Junior College, the University of Texas at San Antonio and Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, and met with university staff and students.
The Brilliant Bulldog Center introduced our Brilliant Bulldog Speak, a campus wide lecture series that introduced great leaders to our students. Dr. Jimmy Adams, Director of Workforce Services at Tarrant County College District, and Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman, the first Mexican-American female elected to the highest civil court in Texas, inspired the Trimble Tech community.
On April 1, 2012, on the 20th anniversary of her death, the Trimble Tech Alumni Booster Club honored the life and legacy of former teacher/coach Shirlie Ruth Murphy. Born in 1928, Coach Shirlie Murphy started her career at Tech in 1954 and served the next 38 years with grace and guts. A graduate of the University of North Texas, her leadership and work ethic were legendary, and her little white sports car was the envy of the student body.
Our guest speaker was Mr. Dean Stacy, former student, teacher, and head football coach. Other special guests included Mr. Paul Galvan and his wife, Coach John Gales and his wife, Coach John Campbell, Dr. Sue Guthrie, and a host of former cheerleaders and students.
The Center is currently working with the University of North Texas conducting a research project to introduce micro finance and other financial literacy programs to high risk students.
To date, over 1,000 students, faculty, staff, and community members have benefited from the supportive services offered by the Center.
The Trimble Tech Brilliant Bulldog Center will continue to take a bigger bite out of success, and we are looking forward to a productive summer and prosperous new school year in the fall. For more information on the programs or supportive services, contact the Rev. Kyev P. Tatum or Ms. Jean Cooks at 817-815-2575.