Annual golf tournament helps fund scholarships
The San Jacinto College Foundation raised more than $130,000 at its 24th annual golf tournament at Golf Club of Houston Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019.
Twenty-nine teams took to the green after the shotgun start. The Merrill Private Wealth Management team took this year’s title as tournament winners, with the HTS, Inc. Consultants team winning second place, and the J. Harding & Co. team taking third place.
In addition to registration fees benefitting student scholarships, proceeds from the event’s silent auction, facilitated by Diamonds in the Rough Sports Memorabilia Charity Auctions, also helped fund scholarships, academic and technical programs, and student success initiatives.
The foundation honored the Niday family as its 2019 Lifetime Legacy Award recipient. Joy Niday, local business owner and San Jacinto College Foundation board member, along with Patricia Niday, accepted the award at the tournament luncheon. The Niday family has endowed two scholarships in honor of their parents–the Joy Ruth Niday Scholarship for nursing students and the Capt. John B. “Jack” Niday Jr. Maritime Scholarship.
“When mother passed away in 2003, I gave thought to how I could honor her,” said Joy Niday. “I decided to set up a nursing scholarship in her name. My mom had the desire to become a nurse but couldn’t afford to achieve it. Now, every time her scholarship helps a student fulfill their dream, I know we are helping someone else make that journey in her honor.”
Upon her father’s passing last year, she decided to endow a second scholarship in his honor. John B. “Jack” Niday began working at the Houston Ship Channel in 1949. He became a tugboat captain at 19, entered the Houston Pilots Association in 1959 as its youngest deputy, and became a full pilot in 1960. “The Captain John B. ‘Jack’ Niday scholarship is dedicated to supporting maritime students at San Jacinto College in honor of four generations of Niday men who have served on Houston’s Ship Channel,” Niday said.
To date, the Niday family has funded 48 student scholarships totaling nearly $25,000. For more information about the San Jacinto College Foundation, visit sanjac.edu/foundation.
Chancellor delivers annual state of the college address
San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer delivered the annual state of the college address this fall as part of the grand opening ceremony at the College’s new LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology on the Central Campus.
Audience members included elected officials, industry partners, and the San Jacinto College Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff.
“It’s wonderful to have everyone here,” Dr. Hellyer said. “We’re fortunate to have a chance to share some of the amazing things we’ve been doing at San Jac with our community members, from whom we receive so much support.”
The state of the college address reflected on the past decade of transformation at the College, celebrating the growth and success achieved during the last 10 years, while also looking ahead to the many exciting projects, facilities, and initiatives the College has on the horizon.
Wild wins Two-Year College Award for chemistry instruction, innovative undergrad research
San Jacinto College’s Dr. Christopher Wild has made his mark with excellent teaching and a vision for community college undergraduate research.
This fall, Dr. Wild claims the honor of being the College’s fifth chemistry teacher in the last 10 years to win the American Chemical Society–Greater Houston Section Two-Year College Award.
The South Campus department chair of physical science and engineering boasts a robust resume of accomplishments.
Dr. Wild is the College’s STEM Council undergraduate research subcommittee co-chair, a member of the Armand Bayou Nature Center Board of Trustees, a former co-chair of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board State-wide Chemistry Tuning Committee, and a member of the University of Texas Medical Branch Center for Addiction Research.
In addition, he reviews grant applications for the National Science Foundation.
Two years ago, Dr. Wild established the South Campus Undergraduate Research Center to help students gain research experience to leverage later when transferring to four-year institutions.
In the center’s dedicated lab space, faculty members mentor students in higher-level research projects. This research not only enhances students’ resumes but also sparks their interest in graduate studies.
“Dr. Wild is a dedicated and passionate professor and leader in STEM education,” Dr. Alexander Okwonna, South Campus dean of health and natural sciences, said. “He has a vision of the big picture and how all the component parts interact to create a positive learning environment for every student.”
