Radtastic Reunion

Rad grads raise nearly $12,000 for Seitz scholarship

Almost $12,000 was raised for the Dr. Ernest Seitz Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund at the Radtastic Reunion. Angelina College Alumni & Friends sponsored the reunion on Nov. 8 in the Student Center.

Cindy Griffith, coordinator of the Radiography Program, told the graduates in her opening remarks, “We do not remember days, but we do remember moments.” She and many of the other AC radiography graduates 
remembered their moments with Dr. Seitz, who taught them. They recalled the impact he had on their lives.

A silent auction brought in $1,574. Memorial Health Systems of East Texas donated $1,000 to the fund. Griffith’s parents, Jean and Ray Skinner, and her husband, George Griffith, gave $1,000 to the 
scholarship fund in her honor. Rad Tech graduate Jeff Root gave $200 to the scholarship endowment

Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital donated $3,000, and East Texas Medical Center of Tyler gave $5,000 to the scholarship fund to benefit Angelina College radiography students., “This program always will have a little bit of Dr. Seitz in it,” Griffith said.

Kimbell Wilcox, director of human resources at Woodland Heights Hospital, announced the hospital’s donation of a $15,000 film processor to the AC Radiography Program.

In a response to the donations to the scholarship endowment and the Radiography Program, Dr. Phillips told the graduates, “The hospitals and medical centers gave this money not only in memory of Dr. Seitz but 
also for the good work our students do in these facilities.”

Dr. Seitz’s nephew, Kevin Seitz, a 1980 graduate from the AC Radiography Program, spoke about his uncle who has been called the father of radiology in East Texas.

Terry Cutler, administrator at East Texas Medical Center in Crockett, told the crowd of about 250 radiography graduates and their spouses what Dr. Seitz meant to his life. “He taught me it’s not what you do in life. It’s who you are,” Cutler said. He added that not a day goes by that he does not think of something Dr. Seitz taught him. Dr. Seitz mentored Cutler, a 1982 graduate of the Radiography Program.

A video of the dedication of the Health Careers II building in 1992, featuring a roast of Dr. Seitz by Jim Heck, coordinator of the Radiography Program at that time, was shown at the reunion. Griffith 
told the graduates she wanted all of them to experience Dr. Seitz, who has meant so much to so many of them.

He was educated at Mississippi College and then ordained a Baptist minister. In 1945, he graduated from medical school. He was chief of radiology in Louisville, Ken. He taught radiography classes on his own 
time at Memorial Hospital in Lufkin from 1959 to 1978.

In 1976, he asked the Angelina College administrators to establish a Radiography Program at AC. The program began in 1979.

Dr. Larry Phillips, president of the college, told the graduates, “You honor Dr. Seitz and your profession by being here.”

The evening filled with hugs and reminiscing brought a few tears and many laughs. Members of the Class of 1993, led by John Lee and Ben Fuller, sang “Barium in Strange Places,” a takeoff on Garth Brook’s hit  song, “Friends in Low Places.” Other members of the Class of 1993 who sang the song they composed for a class project while they were AC students, included Karen Coulter, Kayla Powdrill Griffith, Carol  Fornea, Lacy Wigley Baude and Melanie Price Hail.

A Power Point presentation, “The Radiant Years,” featured a history of the Radiography Program through its students and instructors. Cheryl Kelley, Class of 1976, and Sharon Coleman, Class of 1967, took the group down memory lane with their “Remember When” presentation.

AC radiography instructors, who are also AC graduates who participated in the reunion program, included Cindy Griffith, Class of 1977; Judy Wells, Class of 1969; Sharon Coleman, Class of 1982, and Angie Wilcox, Class of 1985.

Ted Eddins, Class of 1968, gave the invocation. Dr. Elaine Jackson, director of marketing, communication & development, presented door prizes from Angelina College Alumni & Friends.

Photos

Terry Cutler, administrator of East Texas Medical Center in Crockett, announces ETMC’s $5,000 donation to the Dr. Ernest Seitz Memorial Scholarship for radiography students. Dr. Seitz taught Cutler and guided him to his administrative work in a rural hospital.	Cheryl Kelly and Freddie Gibson Jr. of Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital present a $3,000 check to the scholarship fund.
A silent auction raised $1,574 for the Seitz Scholarship Endowment.	About 250 radiography graduates and friends came to the reunion to honor the memory of Dr. Ernest Seitz.
Angie Wilcox, radiography instructor and 1985 AC rad tech graduate, signs her bid for a silent auction item at the Radtastic Reunion on Nov. 8.	Kevin Seitz tells the alumni at the Radtastic Reunion about his uncle, Dr. Ernest Seitz.
Kimball Wilcox announces a $15,000 processor given by the Woodland Heights Hospital to the AC program.	Getting back with old friends and classmates is one of the best parts of a reunion. From left are Cheryl Kelly, Paula Small Cosper, Cindy and Jeff Root and Kathy Kegler Wesley.
Jean (left) and Ray Skinner visit with Flora Black.	Leah Richmond and Judy Wells were glad to see each other at the reunion.
Shirley Williams, Tracey Lewis Ray and Autumn Conner catch up on the latest news.	Dr. Patricia McKenzie, vice president and dean of instruction, enjoys the program with Freddie Gibson, Kelly Pinner Hunt, Robin Bruno Brasher, Kathy Kegler Wesley and Margie Kibble.
	Photos by Jan Anderson -Paxson

Alumni Home