Gerald and Kelley have a man-a-thon to see who’s more of a man. Kelley grows a beard in recognition of Movember.

For the first time since 1998, the Blue Angels perform at Ellington Field in Houston. The Signal was there to catch the excitement and fun, and a little bit more. Join us as we interview a few of the crew members of the C130 J “Hurricane Hunters.”

The public is invited to join in the seventh annual Veterans Day celebration at UHCL. Keynote speaker is Walter Cunningham, astronaut and Marine veteran. The event will include displays of photos and stories of veterans and their families, an Army helicopter flyover, and vintage military vehicles and equipment.

The public is invited to join in the seventh annual Veterans Day celebration at UHCL. Keynote speaker is Walter Cunningham, astronaut and Marine veteran. The event will include displays of photos and stories of veterans and their families, an Army helicopter flyover, and vintage military vehicles and equipment.

A P-47 owned by the Lone Star Flight Museum is painted to resemble an aircraft of the 358th Fighter Group from 1944.

Justin Joseph

The Signal Staff

The Wings Over Houston Airshow celebrated 25 years of flight at Ellington Airport Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, showcasing everything from early war planes to stunt planes taking the skies.

More than 40,000 people were in attendance to watch the United States Navy Blue Angels return to the Airshow for the first time in more than 10 years. The tarmac of the airport was filled with jets, airplanes and helicopters as well as vendors and different activities for the audience.

Spectators were able to meet military pilots, peek inside the cockpits of fighter jets and hold ammunition shot from the aircrafts. There were also hot air balloon and helicopter rides available to those who wanted to take a ride. Continue Reading

Daniel Benitez

The Signal Staff

The University of Houston-Clear Lake School of Education was awarded the 2009 Christa McAuliffe Award for Excellence in Teacher Education by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. This year UHCL will be the only university receiving this award.

UHCL is being honored for its collaborative efforts to improve teacher effectiveness in public elementary schools and for its Professional Development Laboratory Schools. UHCL is also being recognized for its efforts to measure the success their teacher candidates have on improving student learning.

“The University of Houston-Clear Lake is pleased and honored to receive this national recognition from AASCU for the quality and impact of our teacher preparation program on both teachers and the students they teach,” said William Staples, president of UHCL.

“Our dedicated faculty and staff, working in partnership with our collaborating P-12 professional development schools are committed to learner-centered teaching and learning for all. We deeply appreciate receiving the Christa McAuliffe Award, which will further our dedication to the professional development of the teachers who will positively impact their students and our communities.” Continue Reading

Mary Ann Wangler

The Signal Staff

On Sept. 21 the University of Houston-Clear Lake and Brazosport College signed a reverse credit articulation agreement allowing students to earn an associate degree while earning their bachelor’s from UHCL.

“The University of Houston-Clear Lake is very proud of our long-term partnership with Brazosport College and the reverse articulation agreement is a further extension of our partnership,” said William Staples, president of UHCL. “The agreement is a win-win partnership for Brazosport College and UH-Clear Lake. Together, we are working to increase the college-going and college-graduation rates for our region.”

A press release issued by Brazosport College explains, “The agreement will permit eligible students who transfer from Brazosport College to UHCL to transfer certain coursework back to Brazosport College to complete requirements for an associate degree.” Continue Reading

Welcome to UHCL’s annual Halloween bash, where faculty and staff dressed up to compete in group and individual costume competitions. Everyone from Forrest Gump to Darth Vadar and Michael Jackson in various stages of his life were in attendance.

Clare Kemp

The Signal Staff

In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice was signed and peace was declared that would end World War I.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson declared that Nov. 11 be proclaimed Armistice Day. This day was legally declared a holiday, a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to those who served in WWI.

In 1953 Al King, the owner of a small-town shoe store in Kansas, campaigned to change Armistice Day to “All” Veterans Day. With the help of then U.S. Representative Ed Rees, a bill for this holiday was pushed through Congress and signed by President Dwight Eisenhower May 26, 1954. On Nov. 8, 1954, the act was amended and the name was officially changed to Veterans Day.

Prior to this historical milestone, in 1951 a young man fresh out of high school by the name of Walter Cunningham enlisted into the Navy and within 18 months was accepted for pilot training. After two years, he took his wings and became a United States Marine Corps fighter pilot until August 1956. He then joined the reserve program until 1975. Cunningham became a man of many trades. He is best known today as America’s second civilian astronaut after spending eight years with NASA. Continue Reading

Kenneth R. Weaver, 1945

Kenneth R. Weaver

Contributing Writer

I thank Harry Truman for the atom bomb, which saved me from combat. I thank the GI bill for my education. I thank God I’m still alive and can put my Army experiences into words.

My nearly two years of service took me to Texas, Leyte, Guam, and several places in between. I went in a private and came out a corporal. My pay began at $22 a month and ended at $30. I was trained as an infantry rifleman, served in antiaircraft battalions, and ended up on a B-29 ground crew.

And it all started with a letter from the South Bend (St. Joseph County), Indiana, draft board. It stated that as of my 18th birthday, September 19, 1944, I must register for the draft. Continue Reading