Ranger awards top sources today

Amid the laughter at today's Source Awards were a few tears. Appreciation from student journalists caused some, and some welled in anticipation of retirement and graduation.

Every semester, The Ranger staff recognizes valuable sources who have been especially helpful to reporting and photography students.

Five new awards joined the lineup this spring to honor individuals who have been exemplary role models for Ranger students.

To honor a source who has been nominated many times in many categories since the staff began presenting the Source Awards in spring 2004, The Ranger presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Librarian John Deosdade, who will be retiring this year.

Through the years, Deosdade has regularly spoken to reporters about the variety of activities he has participated in at the college, from library instruction and holdings to Faculty Senate business.

He has also taught classes of Ranger reporters about database and library research.

David Mrizek, vice president of college services, was the recipient of The MVP Award, new this semester, honoring an individual who becomes a go-to source helpful to multiple reporters.

Mrizek was unable to attend because of the death of his father.

A group of forthright individuals inspired the staff to create the Speaking Truth to Power Award this spring.

It honors those willing to speak up even when voicing an unpopular opinion. Award winners include Librarian Celita DeArmond and the library faculty; English Chair Alex Bernal and the English department faculty; Dr. Thomas Billimek, psychology and sociology chair; and kinesiology Chair Bill Richardson.

Additional recipients of the Speaking Truth to Power Award include the five college presidents — Dr. Robert Zeigler of this college, Dr. Adena Loston of St. Philip's, Dr. Ana "Cha" Guzman of Palo Alto, Dr. Jackie Claunch of Northwest Vista and Dr. Eric Reno of Northeast Lakeview.

Among honors the staff traditionally bestows is the Booster Club Award. English Professor Jane Focht-Hansen won the award, and the English department received honorable mention.

Others nominated for the Booster Club Award were English Professor Mekonnen Haile, government Professor Asslan Khaligh, English Professor Stephen Badrich, Counselor Steve Samet and Deosdade.

A new category, the Online Booster Club Award honors a source digitally supportive of the news organization. Focht-Hansen was nominated in this category as well, but the award went to DeArmond.

The Big Tipper Award was presented to Librarian Stephen Dingman, and Samet received an honorable mention for their frequent calls or visits to the newsroom. Other nominees for Big Tipper were Badrich and Deosdade.

The Informant Award honors a source who doesn't just answer our questions; they tell us what we need to know. Deputy Chief Joe Curiel Jr. of district police was named the top informant.

Other nominees included Pamela Ansboury, associate vice chancellor for finance and fiscal services; Rosa Robles, international students office; Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance and administration; Mrizek; and Deosdade.

Patience is a Virtue recognizes a source who responds promptly, politely and efficiently to repeated requests for information — a lot.

Phyllis Rodriguez, board of trustees liaison, took top honors, and baseball coach Sam Gallegos received honorable mention.

Other nominees were mortuary science Chair Felix Gonzales; Audrey Grams, disabilities specialist at Northeast Lakeview; Dr. Ellen Marshall, early childhood studies chair; David Mrizek, vice president of college services; history Adjunct Joseph Reagan; KSYM Beatles show DJ Richard Turner; and Zeigler.

Mother Hen recognizes individuals for nurturing reporters as well as serving as a source. Dr. Robert Zeigler took home the award, and Susan Paddock, math professor and Faculty Senate secretary, earned honorable mention.

Other nominees were Focht-Hansen, Mrizek and Rodriguez.

The Forgive and Forget Award, which needs no explanation, went to deaf rapper Sean Forbes, the American Sign Language department and the entire worldwide deaf and partially deaf community.

Two nominees received honorable mention, facilities superintendant David Ortega and Japanese Adjunct Yuko Kawabe.

Others we hope will forgive and forget include astronomy Professor Alfred Alaniz and math Professor Ronald Coleman.

Another new award this semester is the I Heart Me Award, which thanks a source for making our job easier because they excel at promoting their own program or events.

William Mossom, KSYM assistant program director, won the award. Two received honorable mention, Chris Dillon, kinesiology instructor and Wellness Committee coordinator, and Eric Ruiz, marketing and music business sophomore and campus ambassador for Grammy U.

Other nominees are music Chair Mark Denison; Ryan Erdy, radio-television-film sophomore and speech team member; Jeff Hunt, theater and speech communication chair; speech coach Jolinda Ramsey; and Paula Rodriguez, On-Stage Drama club adviser.

The Underexposed Award recognizes a source photographed frequently but whose photo was rarely published. The baseball team won the (dubious) honor.

The Defender of a Free Press Award went to English Professor Stephen Badrich.

Bernal received honorable mention for this category.

Other nominees include Deosdade, Focht-Hansen, Samet and District 9 trustee James Rindfuss.

Four Ranger staffers are graduating and transferring after this semester: editor Zahra Farah, managing editor Melody Mendoza, Web editor Laura Garcia, and photographer Julysa Sosa. Photographer Alison Wadley graduated in December but continued taking classes and will also transfer after this semester.