There are a few pictures in her office, and she has yet to decorate. Since Chrissy Holliday took over as Director of Admissions at Colorado State University-Pueblo, she has hit the ground running and not looked back.

It has been one year that Holliday has been on the job, and she said she loves every minute of it.

Holliday is a Southern girl at heart. She grew up in North Carolina as an only child, and her parents instilled the importance of education early on and never denied their daughter the power of knowledge.

“Education was always really important to my parents, and the one thing they never said no to when I was growing up were books. A love of reading was something that my parents really pushed and from there, education,” Holliday said.

Holliday’s parents understood the importance of education all too well. In the area they lived in, outside of Charlotte, the schools weren’t the best. Together, they made the decision to place Holliday in a private school.

The private school was very small. In fact, her graduating class consisted of only 15 students.

“It was a very good school and had a very strong focus on education. (My parents) did without a lot so I could go to that school and get the best education,” she said.

Holliday went on to earn her BA from Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina.

She began her career in journalism and working for several newspapers in South Carolina. Eventually, she found herself working for a community development corporation as a grant writer and public relations director.

That job opened the door for a new position at the University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie. Holliday worked as the director of enrollment management.

Despite having a full schedule, Holliday earned her master’s in enrollment management.

While earning her masters, Holliday met someone she considered the “godfather” of enrollment management, Jim Black. Their friendship led her to a job at SEM Works, an enrollment management consulting firm.

Holliday met her husband Jason, after she graduated from college. He had moved back home to help with the family business, and a mutual friend introduced the two on a blind date. The couple would eventually settle in Allendale.

They had their first child Kellen while Holliday was working for SEM Works.

After Kellen was born, Holliday decided it was time for a new job. Working for SEM Works required extensive traveling, which was difficult for a new mother.

She applied for the Director of Admissions position at CSU-Pueblo, and after researching the university and the city of Pueblo, the couple decided to set their sights on Colorado.

Holliday and her family love everything Pueblo has to offer, including the many local theaters.

“Back home we loved the local theaters. There are so many great local theaters in Pueblo that we have yet to get involved with. Pueblo has been great to us. The people here greeted us with open arms, and we just fell in love with the city as soon as we arrived,” Holliday said.

Though Holliday has been busy with her new job and has thrown herself into her work, she is devoted to involving herself in the local community and making Pueblo home for her family.

Photo by Daniel Potter

The Associated Students’ Government at CSU-Pueblo plans to re-launch the Student Emergency Fund at the Student Leadership and Involvement Awards Banquet April 14.

The program is meant to help students financially through tough times such as emergency situations, catastrophic events or any unexpected expenses that would put their education in jeopardy.

The fund will begin accepting donations in April but funds will not be able to disperse until an established amount has been raised by the fall 2015 semester.

Students and faculty, as well as the community, will be able to donate a minimum of $10 through text as well as online in the near future. Donors may also contribute more than $10 to the fund if they wish.

Funds will also be raised through several events and donation jars will be set up throughout campus.

“If each student gave $1 we would have about $4,700 right off the bat,” said ASG senator Sarah Zarr. “It would help students give back to their fellow students and get students in the mindset of philanthropy.”

In order for students to receive assistance, they must meet eligibility requirements.

Students may apply for funds when they have exhausted all other resources and must be enrolled full-time. Also, they must be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Documentation of finances must be provided as well.

Applicants must have a CSU-Pueblo faculty or staff member fill out a recommendation form. A community member is also an accepted reference.

Types of covered expenses include medications, housing, childcare, groceries, school supplies and others.

“For instance, maybe there is a death in a student’s family and they don’t live here, so they would want to go home for the funeral, but they don’t have the money for it,” Zarr said. “They could apply for a grant for the plane ticket to attend the funeral.”

A committee will be established to review applications and make prompt decisions. It will consist of a CSU-Pueblo Foundation representative, the dean of students, along with three ASG representatives.

Zarr said the committee will be able to review and decide whether or not the student is eligible for the emergency funds within a week, or sooner depending on the circumstances.

Once approved, the student will receive the funds to assist their short-term financial needs and will not be required to pay back the money.

Generally, the amount dispersed will not exceed $500. If the situation requires more than the set amount, the committee will review the application further.

Students can receive the Student Emergency Fund twice during their undergraduate degree and only once during their graduate degree.

ASG President Timothy Zercher said the fund is meant to help students and also to help establish a campus of generosity and kindness.

“It supports what ASG is really trying for, which is creating a sense of community. It’s students helping fellow students who need it. I think it’s a good program and I can’t wait for it to start,” Zercher said.

“The program is perfect. It’s the absolute helping students when they need it, which is exactly what the student government is supposed to be doing,” he said.

Angelica Chavez

Angelica Chavez, a senior at CSU-Pueblo, has learned a life lesson the hard way.

After high school, Chavez decided to take time off and not to pursue college immediately. After five years of trying to find herself in all the wrong places, a chance encounter with First Year Program Advisor, John Sandoval, began to steer her in the right direction.

Although Chavez began to make steps to better herself, the actions of her past began to haunt her.

“That first semester was pretty horrible because I was dealing with my bad decisions, you know. I had a DUI. I was on the ankle monitor. I was dealing with consequences of my bad decisions. In the meantime, I was trying what I wanted to do with the rest of my life,” Chavez said.

In her first couple years she tried to escape her problems with the use of alcohol. With no success, Chavez became fed up and decided it was time to change.

Chavez’s cousin Risa Mondragon finally convinced her to attend church. With much hesitation, Chavez attended church that Wednesday and found what she was looking for all along.

She found her safe haven in the church. There, she said she felt free from judgment and felt the love of God.

Chavez began to regularly attend services at New Beginnings Church.

“My life was just going in a different direction. I was finally starting to find happiness. I was finding it in a relationship with God. My whole life changed, I was no longer lost. I was beginning to find a purpose, my life had a meaning,” Chavez said.

Her newfound relationship with her religion would help Chavez in her junior year.

Chavez began to experience vertigo and had difficulties walking. After multiple doctor visits and misdiagnoses, she made a trip to the emergency room. There, she was finally diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

MS affects the brain and the spinal cord. It is an inflammatory disease that damages the insulating covers of the nerve cells, the damage disrupts the nervous system, according to WebMd.

After the disheartening diagnoses, Chavez’s relationship with God began to grow stronger.

Of course, without the help of family and close friends by her side, Chavez said she wouldn’t be the woman she is today.

Her mother, Patty Chavez, has been a strong voice of support and comfort for Chavez.

Patty, who was a teacher at Bradford Elementary for 35 years, retired to help take care of her daughter through these tough times.

“My mom is my best friend. She would walk me up to my work when I had vertigo. She is amazing. She would take me to my doctor appointments. When all this was happening, she was the one reminding me it was going to be OK,” Chavez said.

“She is a very strong woman of faith,” Patty said. “Her faith and focus in God has helped her in not giving up. She has had an amazing journey and God is going to keep her strong.”

Chavez remains active in the search for a cure. She is currently organizing a team to enter the Walk MS on the Riverwalk. This will be the second year “Heli’s Angels” will be participating in the event.

The money raised by each team goes to fund research for new treatments and to finding a possible cure. The event will be held May 9.

In May, she will finally graduate with her bachelor’s in business administration. Graduating has been a struggle for Chavez to achieve, but she credits this important time in her life to friends and family.

“I would really like to thank my mom and brother, my professors in the Hasan School of Business, everyone at First Year Programs and New Beginnings Church. Especially Dr. Salazar, God sent me to an amazing neurologist,” Chavez said.

In the not too distant future, she hopes to become an inspirational speaker and motivate those who need a helping hand.

Sarah Lowell enjoys time with her mother.

It’s just the end of another work week for Sarah Lowell, as she prepares dinner for her two children, Darrell, 8 and Elijah, 3.

Lowell cherishes the time she spends with her children, she knows all too well that time is fleeting.

The youngest of three children and the only girl, Sarah Lowell was born in Denver to Ralph Lowell and Modesta Lara. Her parents divorced when she was seven, and Lara relocated with her children to Pueblo, to be closer to family.

The family lived at the local YWCA for nearly a year, until Lara was able to get back on her feet and afford an apartment.

The eldest brother Samuel took over as father figure to Lowell and her brother Daniel. Sam looked after both Sarah and Daniel until he became involved with gangs at the age of 14.

Lowell developed a close relationship with her brother Daniel.

She said, “I was closer to my brother Daniel growing up just because we were closer in age and he wasn’t so hard on me like Sam was.”

Being the only girl, Lowell grew up as a tomboy. She played hard with the boys and had few girlfriends. Being half white and half Mexican, she often felt excluded from both races, as well.

Despite her difficulties as a child, Lowell’s mother always made sure she and her brothers understood the importance of education. Lara pushed her children to excel in academics. She made sure homework was always done; all while being a single mother and struggling to put food on the table.

With Lara’s emphasis on education, all three children graduated from college with bachelor’s degrees.

After high school, Lowell decided to take a much-deserved year off. She met her ex-husband, became pregnant and had her first child in that whirlwind of a year. She describes her marriage as far from perfect. She miscarried a child because of the severe stress of the relationship.

Though the marriage ended in divorce, she is happy to have been blessed with her first son Darrell.

“I felt I let my kid down, and that’s the worst feeling in the world. I knew it was the right thing to do, and now that Darrell is eight, I know I made the right choice,” she said.

Although Lowell had suffered through a bad relationship and divorce, it wasn’t long until she met the love of her life, Phillip Padilla. When she met Phil, she finally understood what true love was and how it should be.

A year later, she had her second son, Elijah.

Being a proud mother, she began to realize it was time to return to school so she could provide her children with the lives they deserve. In 2014, she graduated from CSU-Pueblo with her bachelor’s in accounting.

Padilla describes the difficulties that Lowell went through as strenuous; she worked, went to school full-time, and was a mother to her two wonderful boys. She had school responsibilities and had to study in between making dinner, giving baths, changing diapers, and reading bedtime stories.

With Padilla and her children, she had finally reached a comfortable place in life.

However, Lowell’s mother, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, and surgery wasn’t an option because the disease had already spread throughout her lung.

Lara endured eight rounds of chemotherapy in hopes of fighting off the cancer. Despite her efforts, the treatments were ineffective, and the cancer tripled in size, spreading to other organs.

She was placed in hospice, under the supervision of the Lowell’s brother Daniel. He saw to the day-to-day care and witnessed her struggle first hand. Lowell and her brother Samuel spent as much time with their mother as possible.

Lara passed away on July 22, 2014, a week before her 54^th birthday.

“I cry everyday for my mom, everyday. It’s been six months and the pain has only gotten worse. I just try to focus on my kids and work, and they help distract from the emptiness I feel,” Lowell said. “She was not only the best mother anyone could have, she was my best friend. I finally have a successful job, and I owe it all to her.”

The tumultuous life events Lowell has endured haven’t made her bitter or resentful. In fact, these events have made her quite the opposite and shaped who she is today.

She may have a tough exterior, but don’t let that fool you. Lowell lives in the moment and never takes anything for granted.

Her eldest brother Samuel would describe her as, “Stubborn, spoiled, but most of all strong and smart.”

Lowell lives for her children because she has learned from experience that every moment with her family is precious.

Robert Salazar, a tattoo artist at Tortured Souls, said tattooing is his art.
Photo by Jessica Warren

Tattooing has been around for thousands of years and is one of the oldest forms of art. Tattoos immortalize memories, mantras, loved ones and perhaps drunken, bad decisions.  As the popularity of tattoos continues to soar, the art form continues to be looked down upon in today’s society.

Throughout history, tattoos were used for various purposes and represented different meanings. Individuals have used tattoos to affiliate with certain groups or to even exclude from society. According to Tattoo Historian, tattoos date back to the Old Testament and writings from Constantine the Great in 313 AD.

In the past, branding was also considered a form of tattoo art. In Europe, slaves and convicted criminals were burned with a red-hot iron, and this marking led to isolation from the rest of civilized society.

It was James Cook, an explorer and Royal Naval captain, who introduced the word “tattoo” to English speakers. During his voyage around the world from 1768-1771, Cook was introduced to the Polynesian word “tattau”, which means, “to mark.”

Today, tattoos are regarded as forms of individuality and creativity. However, a social stigma remains for those individuals with tattoos.

A recent study by College Journal Today found that nearly four out of 10 college-aged individuals have one or more tattoos. About 70 percent of those who have tattoos have them in places not visible to the public.

In the same study, individuals with four or more tattoos were found to participate in more deviant behavior. Tattoos were associated with risky behaviors such as drug use, and older businessmen and women had more negative views towards tattoos than today’s younger generation.

“Society’s view on tattoos is definitely changing, but I still think people with tattoos are kind of looked down on, especially with (certain) people. If people want to cover their bodies with tattoos, let them. But there is a fine line with that, sort of. I mean, people with face tattoos are going to have a hard time getting a job,” said Roilin Slater, a student at Colorado State University-Pueblo.

Despite society’s continued disapproval of tattoos, it hasn’t stopped individuals from getting inked.

“Just because people are going to look at me and judge me for having tattoos, doesn’t mean I’m going to not get them. I don’t have the time to worry about people and their issues. I go to school. I raise my kids. And having a tattoo doesn’t make me a bad person,” Slater said.

Robert Salazar, a tattoo artist at Tortured Souls, has seen an influx of new and repeat customers getting inked.

“In the last decade, the popularity of tattoos has definitely increased. It’s good business for me, but tattooing is my art. I take it seriously. Professional business people have come in to get tattooed. It reflects a shift away from the negativity,” Salazar said.

It’s clear that society’s attitudes toward tattoos are shifting away from the stigma that currently exists. Like all issues, there are opposing sides with their own ideologies, but a movement toward acceptance, sparked by the younger generation, is in full effect.

Photo courtesy of CSU-Pueblo

The Colorado State University-Pueblo Automotive Industry Management program prepares students for many different careers in the automotive industry.

The AIM program offers a curriculum that emphasizes financial analysis, personnel supervision, techniques of technical problem solving, and hands-on laboratory experiences.

Cathi Robbe, assistant professor of Automotive Industry Management and program coordinator, is a graduate of the Automotive Parts and Service Management program, which is now known as AIM.

Robbe, a Pueblo native, began working at the university 15 years ago as a lecturer.

“Was working retail. Loved retail, after a while just kind of got burned out on it. Some of my associates at Advance were students up here, and they knew the instructor had quit. I came in and interviewed, and that was 15 years ago,” Robbe said.

AIM students also learn technical hands-on experience from two premier faculty members. William Bencini, assistant professor for AIM, joined the program in 2010, and Tyrell Smith, who is an assistant professor and a graduate of CSU-Pueblo, joined the program in 2009.

“Ty teaches the advanced classes and the electrical. Bill does the engines, transmissions, fuels, and then he has a professional development course. I do most of the business courses. My courses are the number crunching, customer service, inventory management, and OSHA,” Robbe said.

The program features a 97 percent placement rate and entry salary or wages range from $40,000 to $50,000. Graduates are heavily recruited by companies such as TESLA, Cummins, Sherwin-Williams, Subaru of America, and Fiat Chrysler to name a few.

Several companies offer employment information sessions, according to Robbe. These companies primarily interview students in the fall semester and explain the different positions and opportunities that the students have.

Currently, the program has roughly 90 students enrolled, 10 of which will graduate in the 2014-2015 school year. These students have immediate job opportunities after graduating.

“A lot of the companies like the technical hands-on experience that our students have, but they also like that they have a business administration minor from the Hasan School of Business. So they like that combination of technical and management skills,” Robbe said.

The automotive world isn’t just for men. In fact, women graduates are highly sought after. According to Robbe, the program currently has two women, and she hopes to enroll more. She would also like to emphasize that a degree in the automotive industry doesn’t necessarily mean a career of being a mechanic.

Students interested in a possible career in the automotive and business world are encouraged to call 719-549-2879 to speak to Robbe or another member of the AIM faculty for more information.

Photo courtesy of csupueblo.edu

The CSU-Pueblo Alert emergency system and the facilities management department aim to keep students and staff safe during dangerous winter conditions.

The emergency alert system began in the fall of 2008 when the university partnered with Rave Wireless to provide an emergency text-messaging program. In the event of an emergency, unexpected delay or closure due to inclement weather, a text message will be sent to all registered cell phones.

“The purpose of the program is to notify students and staff of a significant event on campus that they need to be informed of. These events can vary from power outages on campus or closures due to bad weather,” said Lt. William Brown of the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office.

In the event of a possible delay or closure due to winter weather or harsh driving conditions Brown monitors incoming storms and driving conditions.

“We start monitoring the weather the day before on what predictions of storms may be coming. In the early mornings I check to see how the roads are. I check with our 911 center to see how traffic is. From there I call the associate vice president of the university, and then we talk to the president and vice to make a decision,” Brown said.

Students, faculty and staff can register for this program at any time through the CSU-Pueblo website. Students can sign on to their PAWS account and select the Emergency Text tab. Faculty and staff can sign in through their Employee Portal account and also register through the Emergency Text tab.

Brown said there are 3,408 registered users in the program. He encourages students, faculty and staff who have not registered to do so. The program plays an important role in providing critical information in the event of an emergency, he said.

In the event of the university remaining open during winter weather conditions, students and staff are advised to drive carefully.

“We have a grounds department to plow the streets and to lay down a sand and salt mixture in the early morning. The facilities team works hard to provide safe driving conditions on campus,” said Deborah Proctor, campus project planner.

Proctor urges students to drive carefully and to give themselves extra time to get to class.

“Drive slow especially through parking lots and be courteous to other students. Making sure your car is ready for winter is key too,” Proctor said.

The custodial and grounds crew shovel and de-ice the sidewalks on campus.

“The students are our eyes and ears out there. We need their help so we can provide a safe campus,” Proctor said.

To report slick sidewalks, students can call the facilities department at (719)-549-2211.

Every year the Pueblo County Health Department thoroughly inspects and rates the dining services. This year the Columbine Café, which is the main kitchen, had only minor violations. File photo

Claudia Walters, director of dining services, assures students that the food provided throughout campus is safely prepared and stored by the staff of Chartwells.

Every year the Pueblo County Health Department thoroughly inspects and rates the dining services. This year the Columbine Café, which is the main kitchen, had only minor violations.

“These are none contact food services, which means there was some kind of debris on the floor which hadn’t been swept up yet,” Walters stated.

More frequent sweeping and mopping is now done to correct this violation, according to Walters.

“Chartwells pays an independent company to come and evaluate us beyond what the health department does. They gave us a green rating, being the good rating, which is not easy,” Walters said.

EcoSure rates on a green, yellow and red system. Green is the best rating and red is the worst grade to receive.

Walters also makes sure that all employees are properly trained on proper food handling techniques and proper hygiene in the work place.

When the employee begins to work for Chartwells, they are given an employee handbook, pertaining to food safety, to read, according to Walters. The book covers personal hygiene, proper washing of hands and the correct temperature which food is to be cooked and stored at.

Walters also added that temperatures are taken frequently to ensure quality and safety.

To further the effort in food safety, Chartwells has installed several devices to help reduce flies in the prep and service areas. Walters explained that there are several fly zappers, which are not located near the prep or service areas, to keep flies away from food.

On the loading doors, a vent constantly blows air through the doorway to deter flies from entering the kitchen.

Students emptying all of the food from their plates into the trash could also help reduce the fly count in the cafeteria, Walters explained.

Walters wants students to know their food is carefully handled and prepped.

“We’re trying to do a good job for you guys,” Walters said.

Students with additional questions can call Walters at (719) 549-2920, or access health inspection records, which are available to the public online through the Pueblo County Health Department website.

According to Deborah Proctor, project planner for facilities management, energy efficient projects are being implemented throughout campus to help make the university sustainable. Photo courtesy of http://www.photo-dictionary.com

Colorado State University- Pueblo’s facilities management department aims to make the campus green.

According to Deborah Proctor, project planner for facilities management, energy efficient projects are being implemented throughout campus to help make the university sustainable.

The university has a 1.2 megawatt solar photovoltaic system located east side of campus, which helps generate energy efficiently.

“The solar array produces 10 percent of the energy the campus uses. The electricity bill would be significantly more expensive if it wasn’t for the solar array,” Proctor said.

A smaller 6.12 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system is also located outside of the technology building.

Proctor explained that the solar panels located outside the technology building do not produce enough energy for the whole building, but it does save the university money.

A wind turbine will be installed on campus sometime in the future. The turbine will also be located east side of campus and generate 10 kilowatts of power.

Even the greenery on campus helps with the universities electricity bill.

The asphalt, parking lots, roadways, concrete surfaces and buildings create a heat-island effect, according to Proctor.

Proctor goes on to explain that if the grass was removed and replaced by xeriscaping or concrete, the buildings on campus would have a much harder time sustaining a cool temperature inside. The result would be a higher electricity bill.

“The amount we spend to maintain the grass actually saves us money on the electricity bill in the long run,” Proctor stated.

The facilities team also installs light colored gravel and reflective roofing on buildings to maintain cooler temperatures inside.

“It costs us more money to cool a building than to heat a building, so it’s important to reflect the sun as much as possible. The roofs are also insulated; one other layer of keeping the heat away from the buildings,” Proctor said.

The art and music building will be the first to have a green roof, which will provide shade and moderate temperatures.

Proctor also noted that the buildings on campus use energy efficient light bulbs and motion detecting light sensors. The vending machines have been equipped with motion detectors in an effort to conserve energy throughout the campus.

Students can call the facilities management department at (719)549-2211 for any information regarding energy conservation efforts on campus.

Students may also notice areas of the grass being watered during the hottest times of the day. Proctor explained that because the campus is so big, it would be impossible to water everything at night. Photo courtesy of http://vanessaruns.files.wordpress.com

Students walking to classes at Colorado State University-Pueblo often have to dodge sprinklers or wade through puddles on the sidewalks.

However, the facilities management team assures students that there are explanations for the sprinkler and water consumption issues.

According to Deborah Proctor, project planner for facilities management, it is never the intent for the sprinklers to hassle students as they walk to class.

“It is just a fact that over time certain sprinkler heads become misaligned.  This can be due to a sudden surge in pressure, or if the head is hit by a lawn mower or run over by a tire or even in some cases by people having a little fun by turning the head to shoot another with the water,” Proctor said.

Students may also notice areas of the grass being watered during the hottest times of the day. Proctor explained that because the campus is so big, it would be impossible to water everything at night.

“The university is situated up on a hill, and as such has a problem with water pressure for our irrigation system.  We cannot water everything at the same time through the nighttime hours, as we would like.   The athletic fields must be watered at night to be playable during the day. So we do apologize that the sprinklers are on during the day,” Proctor said.

Proctor added that the irrigation system was installed prior to some of the new sidewalks on campus, and due to a tight budget the facilities team is unable to adjust some of the sprinklers. They have also looked into installing a new irrigation system that would be controlled digitally, but money remains an issue.

“The university has recently researched the new digital satellite irrigation control systems.  Campus is so large that we would need multiple stations and controllers to run the entire system adequately.  The cost to install such a system at the time was prohibitive,” Proctor said.

With so much focus on the sprinklers Proctor wanted to assure students and faculty that the facilities management team is doing everything in its power to limit the waste of water. It is CSU-Pueblo’s policy to implement water-wise landscaping into any construction project including buildings and roadways.

For example, the grass planted in the three new residence halls takes less water and needs to be mowed less often.

Surprisingly however, the water bill for the university is not as expensive as some of the other utility bills for the campus.

The campus electricity bill is considerably more expensive than the water bill.

The yearly cost of water usage is $354,873, while the electricity bill is $1.66 million, according to the facilities management team.  The electricity bill would be 10 times higher than the water bill if the university did not utilize its solar power plant.

Proctor urges students to help reduce the waste of water by having students call the facilities department at (719)549-2211 to report faulty sprinkler heads.