Hallmark University Holds their “It’s Time for Change” Gala with Community and Industry Partners
March 20th, 2018 – San Antonio, Texas – Hallmark University hosted their annual “It’s Time for Change” luncheon, to highlight the achievements made in the last year locally, statewide, and nationally. To formally announce the recent events, Hallmark representatives revealed a series of new programs and achievements in the past year through help with its industry partners and community leaders to an audience of top San Antonio officials, industry partners, media, and educators. The Office of San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg officially proclaimed March 20th, 2018, as “It’s Time for Change Day.”
Industry partners of Hallmark University that were recognized for their commitment to change included F35 creator Lockheed Martin, who was recognized for its new partnership with Hallmark University, which specifically trains Hallmark aeronautics graduates to build F35’s. Lockheed was presented with the “Hallmark University It’s Time for Change Award” for its innovation in aeronautics education. Other industry partners that were recognized include Southwest Airlines for its recent donation of the ubiquitous 737 airliner turbine the CFM-56, and Gulfstream Aerospace for providing Hallmark with access to exclusive technology and equipment to allow students to work on the Gulfstream III, a popular business jet recently donated to Hallmark University.
San Antonio community leaders were recognized as well, with special education teacher Olivia Hayes from Brandeis High School awarded Hallmark University’s “Outstanding Educator of the Year 2018,” for demonstrating excellence in the areas of student development, school development, and community contribution. Olivia was awarded a fully paid five-night cruise in the summer.
After awards had been given out, University President Brent Fessler spoke of all of the achievements of the past year including a cybersecurity team from Hallmark competing at the Southwest Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition in Oklahoma, Hallmark University having the second largest number of IT graduates in San Antonio, and the School of Healthcare achieving an RN NCLEX pass rate of nearly 90%.
Fessler then spoke about the plans and goals for the coming year including growing Aero CHI with North East ISD to 40 students, allowing for students to begin their aeronautics education during their senior year. Also announced during the gala was the East Side Cyber Force Prime, a program intended to provide a cybersecurity college education to students located in the eastern side of San Antonio. Following several alumni testimonies for Hallmark, Reggie Williams, Vice President of Advancement for Hallmark, took the stage to offer remarks of thanks and appreciation to all in attendance.
A special thank you to all of our sponsors: Richard and Carolyn Fessler, Dean and Vickie Rush, Joe and Penny Fisher, Phil and Kaylene Harris, Major Gen. W.N. “Chuck” and Shaaron Carroll, Clarence “Reggie” Williams, Venessa and Muhsin Kenon, Mary McClane Nelson, Hoblit Darling Ralls Hernandez & Hudlow LLP, Bexar County Economic Development