A newsletter for the students, faculty and staff of the Collin County Community College District. Published monthly. For information or submissions, call 972.599.3142. Cougar News welcomes student and faculty submissions. Next deadline: Oct. 10 All submissions are due by 5 p.m. on the due date. Photos cannot be returned. Text should be emailed to mrobinson@ccccd.edu or sent on disk. Please submit copy that is proofed, edited and saved in Word format. Cougar News staff: Lisa Vasquez, director; Mark Robinson, editor; Marcy Cadena-Smith, contributor; Sydney Portilla-Diggs, campus correspondent; Stephanie Hall, student correspondent; Tatiana Shehadeh, special contributor; Nick Young, photography and layout
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Faculty and Staff Spotlight
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| Rodrigo Rodriguez |
Rodrigo (Rod) Rodriguez
Professor of Real Estate
Bachelor of Art in Psychology, St. Mary's University in San Antonio
Doctorate of Jurisprudence, University of Houston Law Center
Where have you worked in the past and what was your title there?
This is an interesting question because not only does it trace my life, but it shows the impact of education on my career choices.
High school jobs: Fan factory assembly line worker and Mexican restaurant buffet line worker
College jobs: Residential treatment facility childcare worker, local radio station news editor
Law School and after: Justice of the Peace Court Clerk, law offices of R. M. Rodriguez Managing Attorney, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Senior Attorney and International Monetary Fund Special Consultant.
Obviously my educational opportunities have made a big impact on my life. I wish everyone else could understand just how important education is.
Name three things you are most likely to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon?
A lazy Sunday afternoon is likely to find me browsing the latest electronic gadgets at some discount electronics store. I am also just as likely to run down to the nearest home improvement store for that “must have” yard or workbench tool. But the very best way to share a lazy Sunday afternoon is to share an ice cream treat in the backyard with my 5-year-old granddaughter.
So, you’ve written some books. What are their titles and when were they published? How is being an author within your discipline fulfilling?
For the last two years, I’ve been pretty busy writing real estate textbooks. Last year, I co-authored “Texas Real Estate Contracts.” And earlier this year, “Texas Real Estate Agency” was published. In just a few weeks, the third book of the series, “Texas Principles of Real Estate” is scheduled to be published. All three books are geared for students who intend to obtain their Texas real estate sales license.
I also have on the drawing board, yet another real estate book. This time the book will be a primer for first time Hispanic homebuyers. I hope to have this book published next year. Writing these books has been personally and professionally rewarding. It’s caused me to reexamine in detail all the fundamental concepts of real estate practice and law as well as to keep abreast of the latest legislative and legal developments. I think it’s made me a far better teacher.
What is the best movie you have seen in the last year and why did you like it?
I recently saw "Syriana" with George Clooney. Frankly, I thought it was an excellent, thought provoking political thriller about big oil and power. As a former journalist, I also enjoyed Clooney’s other film, "Good Night and Good Luck."
On a related topic, I’m pleased to announce that next spring, the Real Estate Department will be sponsoring, as part of the Collin Auteur Film Series, a screening of the film, "Pacific Heights." The film stars Michael Keaton, Matthew Modine and Melanie Griffith. Keaton plays the role of a property owner’s worst nightmare who will stop at nothing in order to destroy the lives and property of his landlord. Could that happen here in Texas? Stick around for the panel discussion following the movie and find out.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
To most people Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the Hispanic culture and the contributions that Hispanics have made to our society. But on a personal level, Hispanic Heritage Month holds a slightly different meaning. First of all, for me it means that Hispanics, including myself, need to have a better understanding of our own rich cultural identity and ancestry. Second, it means Hispanics should be proud of our ancient heritage. Lastly, it means that this is a time for Hispanics to share that pride and understanding with others. By that measure, perhaps Hispanic heritage should be celebrated every day rather than once a year.
What is your funniest classroom story?
My funniest classroom story occurred many years ago while I was working at a part time college job as a physical education coach for a special children’s school. Many of these children were intellectually bright but emotionally disturbed. In any event, it was my job to give them a little exercise each day by leading them through some jumping jacks and other physical activity. Most children take rather well to this type of instruction. But I noticed that one little boy, let’s call him “Tommy,” disliked the idea of having to stand and jump around like the other children. Although Tommy seemed very capable, he’d give me one excuse after another why he could not participate in exercise.
Although his excuses seemed plausible, they were, for the most part, unsuccessful as I made him join the group for jumping jacks and other games. I did notice, however, that as the weeks went by, he became more creative and imaginative with his daily excuses. The zenith of his creativity occurred one day when at the beginning of class he furnished me a folded note reportedly from his mother.
As I unfolded the crudely folded page of notebook paper, I read scrawled in red crayon in large uneven letters: Der Coach Rodriqus, plese exuse Tommy from P.E today beccuase his is sick. –Tommy’s mom. I recall that for that day only I allowed Tommy to sit it out. I figured any kid that creative and bold deserved one day off.
If you could lunch with three people who would it be?
I really admire the spirit of adventure, so I think my three lunch partners would be Charles Lindberg, the first to fly solo across the Atlantic, Neil Armstrong, the first on the moon, and Sir Edmund Hillary, the first to climb Mt. Everest. I think it would be a very long lunch.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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