NE Campus recognizes 2009 Distinguished Alumni

Their educational achievements have taken them into careers in child care, banking, politics, engineering and back into education.Those on the list of NE Campus Distinguished Alumni all have one thing in common — TCC played a huge role in their success.And they made an impact on their former teachers on NE Campus, who nominated them for the award.Honored on Aug. 17 during the NE faculty fall opening meeting, the eight former TCC students are Evelyn Binz, Linda Buckingham, Mary Carter, Russell Casey, Jeannine Hudson, Rick Lynn, Jason Miller and Barbara Smith.

Binz lived in Switzerland, where she received her bachelor of arts degree from the School of Art and Design with a focus on printmaking. She worked with an art restorer, led two printmaking groups, has shown numerous art exhibits nationally and internationally and received several prizes in art and design competitions.

When her husband’s job moved to Texas, Binz decided to come to TCC to update her skills. She ended up taking numerous courses and currently holds the position of graphics manager on NE Campus.

“I like working here because it’s nothing like being a designer,” she said. “Everything isn’t due yesterday. We have deadlines, but it’s more laid-back.”

Buckingham received her associate in business from TCC in 1995. She worked as a student aide under past administrative office assistant Robbie Snow in 1994-95 and also in the bookstore in 1995.

After receiving her degree and while working for TCC, Buckingham started classes at Texas Wesleyan. When Snow decided to retire, she recommended Buckingham for the position which she currently holds. Buckingham recently was transferred from NE Campus to Trinity River Campus and said it was a hard move.

“It’s like a big family. When I moved from NE Campus to TR Campus, it felt like a relative moving locations,” she said.

When 48, Carter started attending TCC, where she received her associate in mental health in 2004.

Although she constantly used her age as a reason for not getting a degree, Dolores Sutter of the mental health program convinced her that it was a possibility that she would be alive in four years, so she should try and get a higher degree in the meantime.

Carter then went on to receive a bachelor’s in social work from UTA in 2007, and then a master’s from UTA in 2008. She is currently employed as a social worker and counselor at Parkland Hospital, where she works with pregnant teenagers and women who abuse substances.

Also, as of this semester, she is an adjunct instructor on NE Campus, where she teaches Introduction to Social Work.

“It’s not only a dream to come back and work for Dolores,” she said, “but an honor.”

Casey earned his associate degree in business at TCC and then attended classes at the University of Oklahoma.

After leaving college, he took a job working in the aviation industry, where he negotiated contracts, provided goods and services and specialized in package design and sales.

After working in aviation for 17 years, Casey was elected justice of the peace for Tarrant County.

Casey currently chairs the Texas advisory board to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, where he has several duties including community outreach, presenting areas of study for the board and providing resolutions to various state and federal agencies and legislative bodies.

President George W. Bush appointed Casey to this position in 2006, making him the first Republican chairman since the board was established in 1957.