photo by Bill Baptist City of Seabrook and Greater Texas Foundation received the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s 2009 Community Partnership Awards during the university’s annual Report to the Community breakfast. Pictured (l to r) are City of Seabrook Mayor Gary Renola; Clear Creek Independent School District art instructor and guest speaker Sherry White; UH-Clear Lake President William A. Staples; Greater Texas Foundation Board of Directors President J. Malon Southerland; university student, scholarship recipient and guest speaker Sobeida Rodriguez; and Greater Texas Foundation Executive Director Wynn Rosser.

Friends, partners gather for UH-Clear Lake breakfast

City of Seabrook Mayor Gary Renola and Greater Texas Foundation President J. Malon Southerland and Executive Director Wynn Rosser accepted the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s 2009 Community Partnership Awards on behalf of their organizations during a breakfast hosted by university President William A. Staples in March. 

Guests received copies of the Report to the Community, which highlights the university’s recent accomplishments and carries the theme “experience.” In addition to showcasing academic, research and community outreach, the publication spotlights community donors and alumni.

“The report allows us to thank our donors, friends, partners and everyone else who helps contribute to the university’s success,” said Staples before recognizing special guests.

Others speaking at the event included local elementary art instructor Sherry White who spoke about the Visual Arts Scholastic Event, which is held at UH-Clear Lake every spring and draws art students from school districts from throughout the state. White’s speech included praise for Community Partnership Award recipient, the City of Seabrook.

“For the last 10 years UH-Clear Lake has hosted the VASE state event,” said White, who also serves as the college and university liaison for VASE. “Three years ago, the City of Seabrook also began supporting this amazing event.

“Because of their generous annual financial contributions, video simulcasts of opening ceremonies and awards programs have been broadcast throughout the UH-Clear Lake campus; the VASE Gold Seal exhibition at UH-Clear Lake became possible; nationally recognized artists have been able to travel to work directly with student artists; and improved student identification and information has been created to assist students, teachers and parents navigating through all the Saturday events.”

Following White’s presentation, Staples presented the first of two Community Partnership Awards to Renola. 

“Our partnership extends beyond the two organizations: the city and the university. Seabrook citizens are active in university activities and outreach, including the arts, and university representatives are involved in Seabrook’s activities,” said Staples.

University student Sobeida Rodriguez spoke about her experience as a first-generation college student and the help she received from the second Community Partnership award recipient, the Greater Texas Foundation.

“I am honored to say that the Greater Texas Foundation along with a circle of individuals that include  my university advisers, professors and student peers, and the support of my family have made my dream come true as I complete my course work and shall receive my degree in early childhood with a bilingual generalist certification,” said Rodriguez.

“The Greater Texas Foundation has been a supporter of UH-Clear Lake since 2003 with the establishment of the Removing Educational Barriers Scholarship Endowment at UH-Clear Lake,” said Staples before presenting the award to Southerland and Rosser.

Staples concluded the program by thanking guests at the event including past award recipients such as the City of Pearland as well as various business leaders such as Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership representatives.

“Thank you for your ongoing support of UH-Clear Lake and your life-changing investments in our students, faculty, academic programs and our community,” said Staples.

For more information about the report, visit http://www.uhcl.edu/annualreport.