New state-of-the-art technology is coming to the aid of Laredo Community College students, thanks to a $248,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
College officials announced receipt of the federal grant and explained how LCC will utilize the funds during a press conference May 6 at the Sen. Judith Zaffirini Library on the LCC South campus.
Dr. Ramon H. Dovalina, LCC president, said that the two-campus college district is pleased to have received valuable support for the development of the Zaffirini Library, which opened in the fall of 2004.
“Laredo Community College is pleased to have secured funding to bring much-needed educational tools to the LCC South Library. We thank Congressman Henry Bonilla for his support on behalf of the college students who will benefit from these funds,” Dovalina said.
Thomas LaFleur, director of the two campus libraries, said that the grant will allow the college to purchase a wireless computer system and new online services for the Zaffirini Library.
“The new system will offer students easier access to a variety of online research and historical archives,” LaFleur explained.
Joe Peña, director of Information Technology, explained that the grant will help the college establish the first phase of a wireless computer system at LCC South.
“LCC plans to activate wireless access throughout the LCC South campus, but the Zaffirini Library will be the first to host wireless access. The library will have approximately 25 notebook computers that can be checked out by students. These laptops will have wireless capabilities so that students can walk around
where in the library and connect to the Internet and other college and library network resources,” Peña said.
The grant also will help add more than 500 books, several laptop computers, new calculators, headphones and other equipment to the Zaffirini Library.
For more information, contact the LCC Marketing and Public Information Office at 721-5140.
From left, LCC Board President Ramiro Martinez, LCC Library Director Thomas
LaFleur, Viola Martinez of Congressman Henry Bonilla's office, LCC President Dr.
Ramon H. Dovalina, and Sergio Mora of State Sen. Judith Zaffirini's office.
Congressman Bonilla was instrumental in securing the grant for the college's
library, named after Sen. Zaffirini.
Office of Marketing and Public Information
West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
956- 721-5140
Fax 956-721-5443