TC Open House is April 4

Mar 27, 2023

Dr. Eva Munguia, executive director of student success and Hispanic Serving Institute STEM program director, assists students and their families during the 2022 Open House in Hutto. Steve Lemmons photo

DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN TEMPLE

Temple College will host its annual Open House on its three campuses beginning April 4 in Temple. Events will be held April 5 in Taylor and April 6 in Hutto.

“The Open House events are designed to introduce community members to the college as well as provide a one-stop shop to help prospective students learn about TC’s many degrees and certificate programs,” said Eric Eckert, Temple College’s executive director of Strategic Communications & Outreach.

“Guests will have the opportunity to meet with faculty, submit applications for summer and fall, work with advisors to build their academic schedules and learn about financial aid, grants and scholarships,” he said.

Dr. Christy Ponce, president of TC, said the Open House sessions are designed to make college and training accessible to everyone.

“We are here to help students earn college degrees, certificates and industry recognized credentials to help them move into the workforce,” Ponce said. “The events provide great opportunities for students to meet with faculty and staff, learn about our 75-plus programs and explore career opportunities.”

The three Open House events will include food, games, music, tours and photo opportunities with the TC Leopard mascot. Door prizes also will be given away at each location, including a grand prize of one free class.

The Temple Open House will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, and the Taylor event will be 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5. Hutto TC will host its Open House on Thursday, April 6, from 4-6 p.m.

“Each Open House provides a time for Temple College to open its doors to our neighbors from the many communities we serve,” Eckert said. “It’s a showcase of what Temple College has to offer.”

“We look forward to meeting each person who visits and answering any questions they might have about taking the next steps in their educational journey,” he said.

Learn more about Temple College’s Registration and Open House events at www.templejc.edu/openhouse.

Big clothing sale for those in need

Temple Christian Outreach, formerly the St. Vincent De Paul Center, 106 W Ave D, will have a huge children’s clothing blowout sale from Monday, March 27, to Friday, March 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

The clothing will be on display in the Temple Christian Outreach parking lot.

All clothing will be $1 to $2.

Temple Christian Outreach provides food and clothing to those in need at greatly reduced prices.

East Loop 363 expansion is years away

DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN TEMPLE

A construction project to expand the east side of Loop 363 from two lanes to four could get under way in as little as four years, according to a spokesman with the Texas Department of Transportation.

The expansion would create a four-lane freeway from I-35 on Temple’s north side to U.S. 190.

“Later this year, the Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization will have a project call for upcoming projects, and TxDOT plans to submit an application for a project to expand the east side of Loop 363,” said Jake Smith, TxDOT spokesman.

The Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization is responsible for establishing a comprehensive transportation planning process for the greater area around Killeen and Temple

“Applying for a project doesn’t mean it will get funded or move forward, but if the plan scores high through KTMPO’s scoring process, TxDOT will begin the project development process,” Smith said. “That process includes planning, public involvement, design, right-of-way acquisitions if needed and utility relocations.”

“This process could take four to eight years before construction begins,” he said.

Temple residents who drive the eastern portion of Loop 363 on a regular basis say there is a need for expansion.

“East Loop 363 is becoming a really congested two-lane road at 60 mph,” said longtime resident Billy Havlik. “The intersection at FM 438 to Oenaville is a super dangerous intersection. I’ve filed reports with TxDOT several times now but nothing seems to come from it.”