Latest COVID-19 surge, SB1 changes impacting Bexar County Elections Office
With early voting starting February 14, an immediate concern for Jacquelyn Callanen, Bexar County elections administrator, is possibly having to find three alternate sites since Wonderland Mall, Palo Alto College and Copernicus Community Center are now COVID-19 testing sites.
Palo Alto College receives โeight figureโ donation from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
SAN ANTONIO โ When Palo Alto College President Dr. Robert Garza learned Monday that the college had received what he called an โ8-figure donationโ from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, he initially thought it was a joke. โI couldnโt believe my ears because I said, โYou know, this doesnโt happen for community colleges,โโ Garza said Wednesday. Garza said students will be the priority for the use of the funds. โIn about three years, Palo Alto College will be opening up a new dental hygiene program,โ he said. Other organizations in Bexar County receiving funds from Scott include the San Antonio Food Bank, United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, LIftFund, Goodwill Industries and the YWCA.
2 San Antonio community colleges make list for best in Texas
Northwest Vista College and Palo Alto College made the top ten list for best community colleges in Texas at No. Palo Alto College also recently made headlines as one of the San Antonio organizations gifted a large sum of money from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. For the full list of best community colleges in Texas, based on Niche rankings, click here. View that list below:Northwest Vista College Palo Alto College St. Phillipโs College San Antonio College Northwest Lakeview CollegeNiche isnโt the only organization that ranks schools. View the list below to see other articles about top-rated San Antonio schools:
Amazon billionaire MacKenzie Scott donates millions to San Antonio organizations
SAN ANTONIO โ MacKenzie Scott, a novelist and philanthropist, has broken records while making donations to several San Antonio organizations that address income inequity and povertyScott first announced news of a $4.2 billion donation to 384 organizations across the United States on social media. Other San Antonio organizations included in Scottโs list are YWCA San Antonio, Goodwill Industries of San Antonio, the San Antonio Food Bank and Easterseals Rehabilitation Center. Officials at Palo Alto College and United Way San Antonio and Bexar County both said her donation is the largest one ever made to their organizations. It is unparalleled for our United Way and for its ability to create transformational change,โ said Kim Lubel, chair of the nonprofitโs Board of Trustees. Palo Alto College plans to use its donation to fund scholarships through AlamoPROMISE, increase resources at the collegeโs S.H.A.R.E.
Palo Alto College hosts Winter Wonderland with free drive-thru light display
SAN ANTONIO โ To celebrate the holidays during a pandemic, San Antonio families have the option of bundling up and traveling to a variety of local drive-thru light displays. They can now add Palo Alto College to their Christmas drive-thru bucket list. The college, located on the South Side, will hold its second annual Winter Wonderland ยกCelebraciรณn! Enthusiasts can visit the light display for free but they must remain in their vehicles, as it is a drive-through event only. Last year, the college kicked off their Winter Wonderland with an ice-skating rink, but events were forced to go virtual or socially distanced due to the pandemic.
Palo Alto College breaks ground on new bond-funded building
SAN ANTONIO โ The 35-year-old Palo Alto College campus has a new beacon of hope for students as well as the South Side community. The community college broke ground Tuesday morning for itโs new bond-funded multi-purpose building, which will be the largest building on its campus. Back in 2017, Bexar county voters approved a $450 million bond with $66 million going to the Palo Alto College for the creation of a multi-purpose building and other campus renovations. โI feel like we didnโt have this type of facility that supports learning and engagement in the way that this facility does,โ Katherine Beaumont Doss, Interim VP of College Services Palo Alto College said. Palo Alto College officials said the building will also likely boost the economy and workforce for the community.
Mega voting sites prove necessary as thousands flock to polls on day one of early voting
SAN ANTONIO โ Mega voting sites were set up specifically to accommodate a predicted high voter turnout and proved to be abundantly necessary as even some of those sites were jam-packed at times. There are four mega voting locations throughout the city, including the AT&T Center, Palo Alto College on the South Side, St. Paul Catholic Church on the Northwest Side, and The Alfazar Shrine on the North Side. Anthony Tellez, at St. Paul, said he felt motivated and determined to be among the first at the polls. โMy grandparents were immigrants from Ireland and Italy, and we were just raised with, โItโs a privilege,โโ Roush said. Related: Long lines await voters at AT&T Center on first day of early voting