1
November 18, 2008
Mr. Bob Mize, Director of Development
Texas Boys Ranch
Dear Mr. Mize,
We are very pleased to offer ways in which Texas Tech University can aid the Texas Boys
Ranch. Texas Tech University works hard to build strong relationships within the
Lubbock community. As students at Texas Tech University, we look forward to a
potential partnership between Texas Tech and the Ranch.
We suggest developing an educational program, a mentoring program, and a
fundraising program. The educational program would be staffed by students from the
National Society of Collegiate Scholars. The mentoring program would be staffed by
members of the Child Research and Development Center and the College of Education.
Several student organizations on campus would work with the Ranch fundraising events.
We hope that the information provided in the report will help the Ranch begin
communication with Texas Tech, and will result in a partnership.
Sincerely,
Katie Mayes
Kelly Neuberger
Danielle Pritchard
Lauren Rightmire
2
CREATING A PARTNERSHIP
How Texas Tech University Can Aid the Texas Boys Ranch
Prepared by Katie Mayes
English Major
Secondary Education Minor
Kelly Neuberger
Music Major Bachelor of Arts
Danielle Pritchard
English Major
French and Secondary Education Minor
Lauren Rightmire
Energy Commerce Major
Report Distributed November 18, 2008
Prepared for Bob Mize
Director of Development
Texas Boys Ranch
3
Educating the Boys at the Texas Boys Ranch
Texas Tech University has many organizations and departments that could provide
additional academic assistance for the boys at the Ranch. The programs that could be
utilized include tutoring with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Project Future,
a Career Day, and sessions with a Financial Planner.
Tutoring with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars
The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, or NSCS, focuses on improving and
spreading education, which would cater to the needs of the boys on the Ranch.1
This program would include the following:
-Work with members of the Texas Tech University Chapter of the National Society of
Collegiate Scholars.
-Tutoring for two hours each week.
-Focusing on academic problem areas.
-Three to four members to work with the boys each week.
Benefits
Providing communication between the Texas Tech University chapter of the National
Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Texas Boys Ranch would benefit the society
members and the boys from the Texas Boys Ranch. This program would give the
members the opportunity to work with the boys as a part of their volunteering program.
This would also give the boys from the Texas Boys Ranch a new source of academic help.
National Society of Collegiate Scholars Member Qualifications:
-All members must have a 3.4 grade point average to join.
-All members must be in the top 20% of their class.
-All members are at least sophomores at Texas Tech University.
-Members range in their majors.
-Members also are required to do volunteer work and community service as a part of
their membership.
1
Information about the National Society of Collegiate Scholars found at www.nscs.org, a national website.
Last updated November 16, 2008. Last viewed November 13, 2008.
4
The Planning for College Success Program:
-Works to encourage students to graduate high school and attend college.
-The members would already be used to a mentoring program.
-The National Society of Collegiate Scholars mentoring program could be used as a base
plan for the Texas Boys Ranch tutoring program.
Recommendations
We recommend that you contact Bridget Jernigan, a student and the NSCS Texas Tech
University Chapter President for the 2008 school year. You can contact her at
bridget.jernigan@ttu.edu. You could tell her that you are interested in using the
National Society of Collegiate Scholars in a tutoring program for the Texas Boys Ranch.
Tutoring could take place for two hours each week. This could be spread out
throughout the week days or take place on the weekends. The best time to avoid
conflict with school schedules would be after dinner during the week or over the
weekend.
Tutoring could be available to all of the boys, regardless of their age.
5
Project Future
The Texas Tech University Department of Education is involved in a program called
“Project Future”.2 “Project Future” is designed to recruit diverse students into a career
in teaching.
Guidelines for Student Selection
- Have a strong interest in a career in teaching.
- Possess good academic ability with potential for success in college.
- Have a history of participation in school and youth organizations.
- Be unlikely to be college bound without special support and encouragement.
- Be the first generation of a family to go to college.
The Phases of Project FUTURE
Phase 1
Sixth grade students are recruited through an open application process, which includes:
- A written application.
- An essay on “Why I want to be a Teacher”.
- A letter of recommendation from a classmate.
- A parent or guardian signature.
The applications can be found on the Project Future website.
The selected students attend an all day conference held at Texas Tech University once a
year until they graduate.
Parents are invited to participate in the program and attend conferences with their
child. Conferences include tours and lunch in residence halls.
Phase 2
The second phase of “Project Future” is a long-term program where students return to
the Texas Tech campus at least once a year.
A career in teaching is emphasized through interactive learning techniques at the annual
meetings.
There are themes for each reunion. For instance, the theme for ninth graders is
traditionally, “Teaching, a Global Profession.”
2
Information about Project Future found at http://educdata.educ.ttu.edu/Development/projectfuture/,
an official TTU website. Last updated 2005. Last viewed November 14, 2008.
6
Also, life skills games are played. For example, the game “Reality Check” provides
students with a paycheck equivalent to one month’s salary. Students quickly learn that
they cannot “live” on the money they earn and maintain the quality of life they desire
without a college education.
College of Education students preparing for careers in teaching would assist with the
seventh grade conference. The “Project Future” students would have an opportunity to
interact with college students, called their “Tech Friends.”
Phase 3
This phase would place the students in more direct contact with individuals that would
help them successfully prepare for college.
“The College Experience” is the theme for the tenth grade conference. The conference
would place participating students in the classroom with college students. The
conference is designed to simulate the college experience as closely as possible.
“Future” students would attend Education, Biology, Mathematics, Psychology,
Sociology, History, and Political Science classes. College students that serve as
guides/mentors would take the students to the classes and stay with them until they
return to the College of Education for a debriefing session.
Participants in the eleventh grade “Future” program would attend the annual Education
Summit. The summit allows “Future” students to attend educational sessions to help
them prepare for college. Sessions include:
- Presentations on how to pay for college
- Student involvement at college.
- How to be money smart.
- Success strategies.
- Writing winning essays for scholarships.
- College Board test preparation.
- Motivational speakers.
- A Career Fair.
The cost to attend the summit for students, educators that accompany the “Future”
students and parents is covered by the College of Education through a grant provided by
the Greater Texas Foundation.
At the twelfth-grade conference, students would have the opportunity to visit with
7
college representatives about the following:
- Financial aid
- Admissions
- Scholarships
- Campus life
Recommendations
We recommend that you contact Ms. Janie Ramirez. Ms. Ramirez is the Outreach
Specialist at Texas Tech University and she is in charge of “Project Future”.
We recommend that Janie Ramirez give a formal presentation to the boys. This
program would help the boys focus on their future careers.
We also recommend that all ages be allowed to participate. The earlier the boys
become involved the more likely they are to stick with the program.
8
Career Day
On “Career Day” male representatives from various colleges within Texas Tech
University would come and speak about their majors. 3 The speeches would include
information such as the average time to achieve the degree, what jobs are available
with that degree, approximate salary, and any other information the speaker deems
valuable. They would also talk about their personal college experience.
Benefits
Conducting a career day would inform the boys about the opportunities available to
them after high school. Since there would be a number of speakers, the boys would get
to learn about a wide variety of majors and potential careers. This knowledge will allow
them to make an informed and realistic decision about continued education. Also, a
career day would allow the boys to have direct communication with males close to their
age. We feel that the boys would be able to identify with the speakers and would be
more open to hearing about valuable career opportunities. In addition to the boys
being more open to the ideas, we feel that they will feel more comfortable asking
questions. Holding this career day annually would reinforce the importance of college.
It would also reaffirm a career interest and lead to a possible career.
Recommendations
We recommend that you conduct the event in the following way:
Part 1:
Using the contact information we have provided, get in touch with the specific colleges
you would like to have present.
-Request that potential speakers be willing to not only give a presentation, but speak
one-on-one with the boys as well.
-Ask potential speakers to come up with a five to seven minute presentation that
includes the average time to achieve the degree, what jobs are available with their
certain degree, approximate salary, and any other information the speaker deems
valuable for the boys.
Part 2:
- Allow no less than three hours for the event.
- Plan to hold the event on a Saturday.
- To procure the best results, we suggest starting the event at 9:00 a.m. Holding it after
breakfast but before lunch means meals will not need to be provided.
- Allow two full hours for presentations and questions.
- Give the speakers an area to hold an informal discussion. Allow the boys to visit with
the representatives whose major and career choice interest them the most.
3
Information about Career Day found at www.ttu.edu/colleges/, an official TTU website. Last updated
November 3, 2008. Last viewed November 11, 2008.
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Financial Planning
For financial planning, a financial advisor would give a presentation discussing the
following4:
-How to balance a checkbook.
-Where the money that is taken out of paychecks goes.
-Money management and saving strategies.
-How to pay for college with loans.
Benefits
It would benefit the boys to know where the money is going that is deducted from each
of their paychecks. They should be informed about things like FICA, federal taxable
wages, and state taxable wages.
The boys should be informed on how to manage their money after they leave the Ranch
and are providing for themselves. The financial advisor would discuss issues such as
budgeting, safe investments, retirement, and budgeting income.
The advisor would also discuss college loans. They would talk about the loan process,
who is eligible to receive a loan, and the terms and conditions that are applicable to
most college loans.
Recommendations
We recommend that you contact Peter Hur with RFS Financial Services in Lubbock.
Request that Mr. Hur speak with the boys about their financial futures.
We feel that a presentation followed by questions would be the best format for this
event. Similar to the “Career Day,” this event could be held on a Saturday. It could
begin at 9:00 a.m. There should be two hours set aside for this event.
The content of the presentation is for a mature audience. We recommend that only
boys over the age 14 attend.
4
Information about financial advising found at www.rfslubbock.com/peterhur.php, a RFS Financial
Services website. Last viewed November 12, 2008.
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Mentoring the Boys of the Texas Boys Ranch
Texas Tech University has many organizations and departments that could provide
mentoring for the boys at the Ranch. The programs that could be utilized include a Big
Brother/Little Brother Program, mentoring with the Child Development Research
Center, mentoring with the Education Program, and mentoring through the Texas Tech
University Athletic Department.
The Big Brother/Little Brother Mentoring Model
The Big Brother/Little Brother program should be used to model our mentor program by
focusing on: 5
-Building relationships based on friendship.
-Keeping the boys out of trouble when they leave the ranch.
-No emphasis on academics.
Benefits
The Big Brother/Little Brother mentor program focuses on building relationships based
on friendship, which we think is very important for the boys from the Texas Boys Ranch.
The boys that were little brothers in the Big Brother/Little Brother Program in other
areas were:
-52% less likely to skip school
-46% less likely to begin using drugs
-27% less likely to begin using alcohol
The Big Brother/Little Brother program could be used as a model for our mentoring
programs using the Texas Tech University Child Development Research Center (CDRC)
and the Texas Tech University Education Department. We believe that following the
example of enhancing friendship between males from the CDRC and the Education
Department Texas Boys Ranch boys would add stability and companionship to their
lives.
Recommendations
We recommend that you use the Texas Tech University CDRC members as the mentors
for the boys that are up to 6 years old. The mentors will be mostly women. More
information about the mentors from the Texas Tech University CDRC can be found on
page 14.
5
Information about the Big Brother/Little Brother Program found at www.bbbs.org, a national website.
Last updated November 16, 2008. Last viewed November 16, 2008.
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We recommend that you use the Texas Tech University Education Department members
as the mentors for the boys that are 7 years old and older. The mentors would be only
men. More information about the mentors from the Texas Tech Education Department
can be found on page 15.
Activities:
When the boys are with their mentors, they could:
-Focus on physical activities, such as playing sports or other games.
-Take walks to talk and get to know one another.
-Do activities that the boys from the Texas Boys Ranch enjoy.
The boys could meet with their mentors once a week. Weekends would be the best time
for mentoring.
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Child Development Research Center
This is a program that works with children up to six years old. They provide educational
and developmental programs for the children. The CDRC is a nationally accredited
facility by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs.6 They are also licensed
by the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services. This program is under the
direction of the Department of Human Sciences and Family Studies.
The CDRC has two accredited teachers, but they are mainly staffed by student
volunteers. The student volunteers could come to the Ranch to work with the Boys.
Benefits
The CDRC is a program that is committed to the belief that children can develop their
highest potential in a nurturing environment. By bringing in a program like the CDRC,
the boys would develop “active-learning” skills.
The teachers develop the child’s existing strengths and accomplishments using hands-on
activities to further their development. We feel this would benefit the boys in a positive
way. Every child needs to meet their highest potential. The CDRC offers multiple ways
to achieve this goal.
Recommendations
We recommend that you contact the CDRC directly. Their number is (806) 742-3016.
We recommend that the boys interact with the CDRC volunteers for about two hours
per week. We feel this is a substantial amount of time to develop relationships and
understandings with each individual child.
Most volunteers in this program will be female.
6
Information about the CDRC found at www.depts.ttu.edu/hs/cdrc/index.php, an official TTU website.
Last updated November 16, 2008. Last viewed November 12, 2008.
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Mentorship Program
This program would take male volunteers from the Texas Tech University Education
Department and pair them with boys on the Ranch from the ages of 7-18. 7 The
relationships would center on friendship rather than academics.
Benefits
Implementing a mentoring program would provide the boys with someone to talk to
about life matters. The mentors would promote a positive image and become effective
role models. The mentors would establish a foundation of trust. They would show the
importance of affirmation and communication. Any Texas Tech University mentors
would already have background checks through the Education Department as a part of
their teaching certification.
Recommendations
We recommend that you implement the program in the following way:
Part 1:
Using the contact information we have provided, get in touch with the Education
Department.
- Explain the type of program you would like to implement.
- Ask for volunteers who need service hours for a class and could commit to
volunteering for two hours a week. Request that attendance is counted into
their grade for the class.
- Develop communication between the head of the department.
Part 2:
- Only allow students to participate that can commit to mentoring for two hour
every week.
- Allow the boys two full hours with their mentors.
- Activities can be suggested such as football or board games. However, allow the
boys to decide with their mentor what activity they would enjoy the most.
7
Information about mentoring with the College of Education found at
www.educ.ttu.edu/clincalexperience/HandbookST/STInformation.htm, an official TTU website. Last
updated June 20, 2008. Last viewed November 16, 2008.
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Texas Tech Athletics
TTU Athletic Department has a variety of events the boys and their foster families could
attend together. 8 Each athletic event has different sponsors. These sponsors buy the
tickets from TTU and give them away to fans. There are various ways to get the tickets,
but our proposal is get a sponsor to sponsor the Ranch. By doing this, the Ranch can
receive more opportunities to attend events as a group.
Benefits
We believe the boys would enjoy the events as a group. This would allow for quality
time with the boys and their foster families.
Recommendations
We recommend that you contact Rick Leach at (806) 742-1195. Mr. Leach is the
Director of Corporate Sales for the TTU External Operations. You can also email him at
rick.leach@ttu.edu.
We would like to limit the groups to no more than eight people. This would keep
responsibility to a minimum for the parents or chaperones. This also would allow for
families to attend the games together.
We would also like to keep the focus on men’s sports including football, basketball,
baseball, and soccer.
8
Information about the TTU Athletic Department found at
http://texastech.cstv.com/sponsorship/general-sponsor-info.html, an official TTU website. Last updated
November 16, 2008. Last viewed November 16, 2008.
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Fundraising for the Texas Boys Ranch
Texas Tech University has many organizations that could provide help with fundraising
for the boys at the Ranch. The organizations that could be utilized are Alpha Phi Omega,
the Tech Raider Lions Club, and Chi Rho Catholic Coed Service Fraternity.
Fundraising
We propose using volunteers from student organizations at Texas Tech to help with the
Ranch’s fundraisers.
Programs
The Texas Boys Ranch utilizes many fundraising9 events throughout the year. The
money that is raised from these campaigns funds the Ranch’s operations and activities.
- Feed Rancher Campaign: This event is held in February during the school year. The
purpose of the fundraiser is to raise money for the meals served at the Ranch. Over the
course of a year, the Ranch will serve approximately 30,000 meals.
-The Summer Campaign Fundraiser: This event is held in the spring. The purpose of the
fundraiser is to raise money for various activities during the summer months. The boys
participate in activities such as sports camps, church camps, and camping trips.
-The Back to School Campaign: This event is held in August, before the start of the
school year. The purpose of the fundraiser is to raise money for school supplies. This
fundraiser is also used to raise money for back to school clothing for the boys.
-The Annual Telethon: This is the biggest fundraising event for the year. The telethon
brings in almost a quarter of the Ranch’s funding for the year. The money is used for
operations, school supplies, clothing, and other necessities. The telethon is broadcast
on Channel 28. Viewers in the Lubbock area call in to pledge money.
-The Holiday Season Fundraiser: This event is held in the fall. The purpose of this
fundraiser is to raise money for the Holiday Season. A majority of the donations given
come from Toys for Tots.
Student Organizations
Texas Tech University has over 100 student organizations on campus. A majority of
these organizations are committed to service or religious purposes.
Service Organizations
9
Information about The Texas Boys Ranch’s fundraisers found at www.LubbockOnline.com, an AvalancheJournal Website. Boys ranch holds four major fundraisers to help take care of all of boys' needs by Bobbi
Gage. Last Updated December 19, 2006. Last viewed November 16, 2008.
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There are many Greek and Non-Greek organizations on campus. We recommend using
Non-Greek service organizations to participate in the various fundraising opportunities
the Ranch offers throughout the year. We suggest using Alpha Phi Omega and the Tech
Raider Lions Club.
- Alpha Phi Omega: 10 This is a National Service fraternity. The purpose of Alpha Pi
Omega is to “help each member develop leadership skills, secure lasting friendships and
provide service to others.” The organization works with many non-profit organizations
throughout Lubbock. Some of the non-profit organizations include the Lubbock
Foodbank, the Ronald McDonald House, and Animal Haven.
-Contact Information: Patrick Tran, Service Vice President
(806)-535-8403
Tran.Patrick@Yahoo.com
www.orgs.ttu.edu/aphio
- Tech Raider Lions Club: 11 This is a chapter of the Lions International Service
organization. The Lions Club is an organization committed to vision care and blindness
prevention. The organization works with many non-profit organizations throughout
Lubbock, including: Girlstown, Drug Awareness, and the Texas Boys Ranch.
-Contact Information: Kerri Henry, President
Tech_raider_lions@yahoo.com
www.orgs.ttu.edu/techraiderlionsclub
Religious Organizations
There are over 10 religious organizations on the TTU campus. Many of these are
dedicated to service. We suggest using the Chi Rho Catholic Coed Service Fraternity.
- Chi Rho Catholic Coed Service Fraternity: 12 Chi Rho is a non-Greek service fraternity,
open to all religions. The organization works with many non-profit organizations
throughout Lubbock, including: the Ronald McDonald House, the Lubbock Soup Kitchen,
and Meals on Wheels.
- Contact Information: Krystal Hernandez, Service Chair
Ann.hernandez@ttu.edu
Valerie Onsurez, Service Co-Chair
Valarie.onsurez@ttu.edu
www.orgs.ttu.edu/chirho/
10
Information about Alpha Phi Omega found at www.orgs.ttu.edu/aphio/, an official TTU website. Last
updated December 12, 2006. Last viewed November 16, 2008.
11
Information about Tech Raider Lions Club found at www.orgs.ttu.edu/techraiderslionsclub/, an official
TTU website. Last updated April 19, 2008. Last viewed November 16, 2008.
12
Information about Chi Rho Catholic Coed Service Fraternity found at www.orgs.ttu.edu/chirho/, an
official TTU website. Last updated September 24, 2008. Last viewed November 16, 2008.
17
Benefits
Many individuals and organizations throughout Lubbock help the Texas Boys Ranch put
on their fundraisers. Getting Texas Tech University students involved in the fundraising
events would increase the people available to help. Many of the fundraisers involve
volunteers reaching out to the community to get citizens involved financially.
Recommendations
We recommend that you contact the individuals listed above if you desire to work with
their organization.
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Conclusion
We believe that the Texas Boys Ranch would benefit from implementing a life skills and
mentoring program through Texas Tech University. We feel it is important for the boys
at Texas Boys Ranch to gain both additional academic knowledge and life skills before
leaving the Ranch. Texas Tech University has a variety of resources available that can
help the Texas Boys Ranch.
Our report concentrated on three main areas that we feel that Texas Tech University
could help the Texas Boys Ranch with: Educating the Texas Boys Ranch, Mentoring the
Texas Boys Ranch, and Fundraising for the Texas Boys Ranch.
To educate the boys from the Texas Boys Ranch, we would use the National Society of
Collegiate Scholars. The boys would get scholarly tutoring from three to four NSCS
members for two hours each week, focusing on areas that the boys may be struggling
with.
To mentor the boys from the Texas Boys Ranch, we would use the Texas Tech Child
Development Resource Center and the Texas Tech Education Department. The CDRC
members would be mostly females and mentor the boys that are six years old and
younger. The Education Department members would be only males and mentor the
boys that are older than six years old.
The Texas Tech Education Department would also be used to educate the boys about
three programs: Project Future; a “Career Day,” and a Financial Planning workshop.
Project future is designed to recruit diverse students into a career in teaching. On
“Career Day,” male representatives from various colleges within Texas Tech University
would come and speak about their majors. For the Financial Planning Workshop, a
financial advisor would give a presentation discussing how to balance a checkbook,
where the money that is taken out of checks for taxes goes, money management and
saving strategies, and how to pay for college with loans.
Finally, to help fundraise for the Texas Boys Ranch, we would use the Texas Tech
University religious and service organizations. We recommend using Non-Greek service
organizations to participate in the various fundraising opportunities the Ranch offers
throughout the year. We suggest using Alpha Phi Omega, the Tech Raider Lions Club,
and the Chi Rho Catholic Coed Service Fraternity.
We feel that building a relationship with Texas Tech University would only help the
Texas Boys Ranch. We feel that our proposal could be the first step to building a
successful partnership. Texas Tech University could be a strong ally for the Texas Boys
Ranch.
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Contact Information
Educating
Project Future
Texas Tech University
College of Education
Janie Landin Ramirez
Outreach Specialist
P.O. Box 41071
Lubbock, TX 79409-1071
Phone: (806) 742-1998, ext 459
Fax: (806) 742-4132
janie.ramirez@ttu.edu
Career Day
Texas Tech University
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Box 42123
Lubbock, Texas 79409-2123
Phone: (806) 742-2808
Fax: (806) 742-2836
Texas Tech University
College of Architecture
1800 Flint Avenue
Lubbock, TX 79409
Phone: (806) 742-3136
Fax: (806) 742-2855
Texas Tech University
College of Arts & Sciences
Box 4103
Lubbock, TX 79409-1034
Phone: (806) 742-3833
Texas Tech University
Rawls College of Business
Lubbock, TX 79409
Phone: (806) 742-3188
Texas Tech University,
College of Education
20
2500 Broadway,
Lubbock, TX 79409
Phone: (806) 742-2011
Texas Tech University
Whitacre College of Engineering
Box 43103
Lubbock, TX 79409-3103
Phone: (806) 742-3451
Texas Tech University,
College of Human Sciences
15th and Akron
Lubbock, TX 79409
Phone: (806) 742-3031
Texas Tech University
College of Mass Communications
Box 4082
Lubbock, TX 79409
Phone: (806) 742-6500
Texas Tech University
College of Visual & Performing Arts
Box 45060,
Administration Building 218
Lubbock, TX 79409-5060
Phone: (806) 742-0700
Fax: (806) 742-0695
Financial Planning Day
RFS Financial Services
5214 68th Street
Suite 100
Lubbock, TX 79424
Phone: (806) 798-0045
Fundraising
Alpha Phi Omega
Patrick Tran, Service Vice President
Tran.Patrick@Yahoo.com
www.orgs.ttu.edu/aphio
(806) 535-8403
21
Chi Rho Catholic Coed Service Fraternity
Krystal Hernandez, Service Chair
Ann.hernandez@ttu.edu
Valerie Onsurez, Service Co-Chair
Valarie.onsurez@ttu.edu
www.orgs.ttu.edu/chirho/
Tech Raider Lions Club
Kerri Henry, President
Tech_raider_lions@yahoo.com
www.orgs.ttu.edu/techraiderlionsclub
Mentoring
Child Development Research Center
(806) 742-3016
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Bridget Jernigan, President
Bridget.Jernigan@ttu.edu
Athletic Events
Texas Tech External Operations
Rick Leach, Director or Corporate Sales
Rick.Leach@ttu.edu
(806) 742-1195