NAMES IN THE NEWS

PROMOTION
>> Dr. Nalin H. Tolia, a local eye surgeon was recently promoted to associate clinical professor by Dr. Steven Berk, the dean of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine.
Tolia has been serving in the position of assistant clinical professor for more than 25 years. In making this announcement, Berk expressed appreciation for Tolia’s participation with the teaching program in the Permian Basin. He lauded Tolia’s expertise in the ongoing education of medical students and residents, and also in enhancing the structure of the academic institution.
Tolia is board certified in ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology. In addition to being a diplomat of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, he also holds fellowships in the American College of Surgeons, the International College of Surgeons and College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Tolia has been serving the residents of the Permian Basin for more than 35 years. He participates in teaching new techniques in eye surgery and new innovations. He also participates in Eye MD’s, Eye Care America Program and travels overseas for volunteer surgery.
In addition to this appointment, he also holds the position of clinical assistant professor at University of Texas Southwestern - Parkland Hospital in Dallas.
As in the past, Tolia was recently recognized by the Consumers’ Research Council of America as one of America’s Top Ophthalmologists.
Tolia’s clinic is located at the One Professional Plaza Building, 6005 Eastridge Road, Suite 100. For information, call 362-2020 or toll free 1-800-365-3937.

AWARDs
>> Cindy Bulloch of Odessa was recently named recipient of the 2010 Meritorious Achievement Award by the Texas Bandmasters Association.
Bulloch will be presented with the award during the 63rd annual TBA Convention/Clinic Sunday through July 28 in San Antonio.
Each year, TBA recognizes those who have made a difference in the lives of band students in Texas. It is a tradition dating back to 2000 for TBA to honor those who exemplify the qualities of a good band director with the Meritorious Achievement Award.
Bulloch retired in 2007 from the Ector County Independent School District after 29 years as a music educator, 19 of those years she taught at Nimitz Junior High School.  Under Bulloch’s direction, the Nimitz Junior High School Band achieved a high level of excellence. Their many achievements include 19 consecutive sweepstakes awards at the UIL concert and sightreading contest and was awarded best in class and outstanding band at numerous festivals. The Nimitz Band was a finalist on three occasions in the Texas Music Educators state honor band competition, a recipient of the 1997 Sousa Foundation International Sudler Cup Award and selected TMEA BBB Junior High School Honor Band in 1995 and 2003. The Texas Bandmasters Association Board of Directors presented the 2007 Exemplary Band Program Award to the Nimitz band for its longevity as a consistently superior band program.
Bulloch has been honored with the TMEA Leadership and Achievement Award, the Citation of Excellence Award from the National Band Association, the Sudler Order of Merit from the John Philip Sousa Society, named Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and named 2004 Teacher of the Year for ECISD. She has served on the UIL prescribed music selection committee and various TMEA committees and region offices.
In addition to her memberships in TMEA, TBA and TMAA, Bulloch is a member and past president of Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu and a 2004 elected member of the American Bandmasters Association. She has presented clinics for TMEA and TBA conventions, and The MidWest Clinic, as well as presentations in many southern states. Still an active mentor, consultant and adjudicator, Cindy resides in Odessa with her husband Mike, who works for Baker-Hughes as a technical consultant/salesman, and their menagerie of pups.
A student of Gary Garner, Bulloch earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from West Texas State University in Canyon.
Proud of her many former students who have pursued careers in music, Bulloch is thankful for the encouragement she received in high school from her band director, Dave Pennock, whom she attributes her love of music and her decision to become a music educator.
Housed at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center, TBA presents more than 50 educational clinics and professional concerts to its membership of persons working in or retired from the music education profession.
For more information, visit www.texasbandmasters.org.
>> Mary Elizabeth Livingston of Midland was among 27 other high school seniors from across the states to receive the 2010 ULTA Enrich, Empower and Enlighten Scholarship by ULTA, a beauty retailer in Chicago, Ill.
Each winner received a $2,500 scholarship to the educational institution of their choice and a shopping and make-over spree at ULTA on State Street in Chicago.
Now in its second year, the ULTA Scholarship was established to honor the accomplishments and community contributions of young, deserving women.
All applicants submitted personal essays answering: which activities have enriched your life, who has enlightened you to strive for academic success and what future goals are you empowered to reach? Hundreds of essays touched on topics including family, role models, and life obstacles, ULTA selected winners based on candidates’ essays, high school transcripts and extracurricular/community activities.

GRADUATE
>> Chelsi Lee Wilson, daughter of Obie and Sonya Wilson of Odessa, graduated July 8 with an associate degree in baking and pastry from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. She is a graduate of the Career Center and a culinary graduate of Odessa College. Wilson plans to return to the Culinary Institute of America next month to begin working on her bachelor in professional studies degree in baking and pastry arts management.

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
>> The Odessa Retired Teachers/School Personnel Association recently presented appreciation certificates to 2009-10 officers and committee chairs during a spring luncheon.
Honored members are: Phyllis White, Betty Gerig, Elsie Mohler, Libby McCrone, Sara Easley, Carol Horton, Ann Willis, Judy Herron, Bonnie Stubbs, Ann Becker, Vincent Becker, Priscilla Hyson and Mary Reeves.

congress DELEGATE
>> More than 4,000 members, including Nathaniel Davis Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution Regent Beverly Landgraf of Odessa, attended the DAR 119th annual Continental Congress in Washington, D.C.
Featured speaker was James Rees, executive director of the Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, who shared his insights on the preservation and educational efforts at George Washington’s estate.
Lt. Gen. John Allen, acting commander of the U.S. Central Command, provided the keynote address for National Defense Night, an evening dedicated to honoring and celebrating the nation’s service personnel and veterans.
In addition to these prestigious keynote speakers, a variety of other national award winners were honored during the week. The DAR Media Award was presented to the NBC television series “Who Do You Think You Are?” with Dan Bucatinsky, executive producer, accepting the award on behalf of Is or Isn’t Entertainment, the production company he founded with Lisa Kudrow which produces the documentary series.
Ltc. James “Maggie” Megellas, USA (ret.) was presented with the DAR Medal of Honor recognizing his distinguished service in World War II and his lifetime of volunteer efforts with troops stationed abroad even now into his 90s. The Americanism Award, awarded to a naturalized US citizen, was presented to Noémi Ban, a Holocaust survivor who turned her tragedy into a positive force by becoming a respected educator and author on the subject.
Landgraf participated in the Texas Tea and various business sessions. On National Defense Night, she was accompanied by her husband John Landgraf.
The DAR Continental Congress is a tradition that has been held in Washington, D.C. as the annual national meeting of the membership since the organization’s founding. National, state and chapter leaders as well as other members from across the country and around the world meet at the DAR National Headquarters to report on the year’s work, honor outstanding award recipients, plan future initiatives and reconnect with friends.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org or www.youtube. com/TodaysDAR.
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