Rene

The Alumni Association has a new board president, and he’s as busy as the old president. Rene Castilla (MA ’73) recently took over the position from Gary Finney (BS ’79), whose days were so tightly scheduled the last time The Pride sought an interview with him, that he finally allowed us to encroach on his Sunday afternoon family time at home. In much the same way, it was several weeks before The Pride could catch up with Rene. Even then, the interview was almost literally sandwiched between lunch and his duties in presiding over the luncheon itself. Rene had just completed a Saturday morning meeting of the Alumni Association Board on campus.

He and the other dozen or so members in attendance that day were headed to lunch together, where while they ate they also would hear campus updates from University administrators. Rene found a spot as out of the way as possible, then grabbed and filled a plate and settled down to try to simultaneously eat and be interviewed before the speakers got started.

In the end, however, his chicken got cold while he warmed to one of his favorite topics: education.

You’ve been a columnist, short story writer, TV reporter, talk show host, journalism professor, publisher, PR consultant and more. As a former member of the Dallas school board, you’ve been on the other side of the mike, too. Is there any facet of journalism that you haven’t experienced?
I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve been able to do what I’m interested in, and I’ve been willing to take the risks. Doing that has really given me a wealth of experience, especially in the way the media and local government operate. The media often think that they’re entitled to know everything about what’s going on—and if you don’t tell them, then they get upset with you. What I look for, and what they should look for, is fairness. Objectivity is an ideal, but fairness is something you can see. I saw my own behavior as a reporter, then as an official I saw my reaction to that kind of reporting. Now, in the classroom, I can speak from experience, and that’s what makes theory real.

Tell us about being the Executive Dean of Educational Partnerships and Director of North Lake College South Irving Center. What does a dean do all day?
I enjoy the classroom, but I’m not there right now. We’re expanding the South

please see “Future Alumni,” page 2

So nice to finally meet
Dr. Anita Pankake (left) meets young Collin Nix for the first time ex utero. Collin is the son of Karen Nix (center), a recent doctoral graduate. While she was pregnant with Collin, Karen was a student of Dr. Pankake’s in Educational Administration. The professor also made—at Collin’s insistence—the acquaintance of “Mr. Bear,” who

apparently was more worn out than Collin by the ceremony. During ceremonies that day, 608 degrees were awarded:19 doctoral degrees, 289 master’s and 300 bachelor’s.

May 2
Fifty-Year Club Reunion-see p.2

May 2-3
Tejas & Hosses Reunion.Tejas
members may contact jace carrington
at 972-661-9018 for details

June 6
Alumni Golf Tournament-see p.3

Nov 1
Homecoming