Retired Air Force General Richard B. Myers, 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was in Dallas on February 2nd to present the second annual General Richard B. Myers 2016 Veterans Hope Award to Strasburger & Price, LLP for the firm’s generous support of US veterans through the school that bears his name.

The General Richard B. Myers Veterans Biomedical Technology School, located at Dallas-based MediSend Institute of Biomedical Technologies, trains post 9/11 veterans to be professional biomedical equipment technicians (BMETS), the individuals responsible for the repair and maintenance of critical medical equipment. It is a growing field with excellent starting salaries and good career upside in the healthcare industry. The Myers School readies veterans for employment in only five months in a fast track program. Graduates are currently working for prominent healthcare organizations around the country such as Baylor Scott & White Health, SODEXO, DaVita Dialysis, VHA, Becton Dickinson, and the US Military.

Strasburger has been a major sponsor of MediSend with legal and financial support as the organization has grown from a small humanitarian organization founded in 1990 to an educational institute including the General Richard B. Myers Veterans Biomedical Technology School and the MediSend International Biomedical Technology School.

Dan Butcher, Strasburger’s Managing Partner, accepted the award on behalf of the firm at a ceremony held at the Strasburger offices in downtown Dallas. “Strasburger is privileged to support the important mission of creating viable job opportunities offering the potential for a lifetime of increased earning power for veterans. We are honored to partner with MediSend and General Myers in this endeavor,” says Butcher.

The Myers School recently partnered with Dallas County Community College District to offer the training as part of an accelerated Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. Veterans can complete their degree at DCCCD colleges while fully employed as BMETS.

"The ability to earn a BMET certificate in five months and complete an associate degree while employed is an exceptional opportunity for our veterans, many of whom are challenged in the transition from military to civilian life,” said General Myers.

All tuition and fees have been privately funded since the launch of the General Richard B. Myers Veterans Biomedical Technology School in 2013. MediSend President and CEO Nick Hallack credits organizations such as Strasburger, ReserveAid, Hillcrest Foundation, Zale Foundation, Hawn Foundation and Orix Foundation with the growth and success of the school. On April 1st 2016, the program will be approved for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. MediSend projects 26 veterans in 2016 in three classes, increasing to 36 veterans for 2017.

For more information on the General Richard B. Myers Veterans Biomedical Technology School, go to http://www.MyersBMET.org .

Texas Instruments employees teamed up with CitySquare for the annual Socktober event. After weeks of bad weather in October, Socktober finally took place on a perfect November afternoon at the CitySquare Opportunity Center located at Malcolm X Blvd. and I-30. TI folks  served lunch and healthy snacks to over 320 neighbors. Neighbors also received socks, gloves and hats for the approaching cold weather.

CitySquare fights the root causes and effects of poverty through service, advocacy and friendship. For more information on CitySquare and how to join the fight against poverty, go to CitySquare.org.

2015 Dallas Cocktails for a Cause brought over 200 guests together at The Goss-Michael Foundation in the Dallas Design District on October 8th. Co-chairs Flauren Bender and Amanda Shufeldt planned a fun evening for attendees who perused the interesting and whimsical art, nibbled Food Company yummies, drank signature cocktails and bid on fabulous silent auction items. Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas CEO Ken Lambrecht voiced his appreciation to the co-chairs and the attendees for their support and loyalty. Proceeds from Cocktails for a Cause help Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas provide essential healthcare and education services to women, men, and teens in North and Central Texas.

The growing demand for faith-based online graduate programs has prompted Abilene Christian University (ACU), a national leader in Christian higher education, to bring a campus and expanded degree offerings to North Texas. The new location will provide a broad group of adult, non-traditional students and the university's sizable alumni base in DFW with convenient access to high-quality graduate degrees such as a new doctorate (Ed.D.) in organizational leadership and an MBA. 

After an extensive search, ACU leaders have leased 25,000 square feet at One Hanover Park, 16633 N. Dallas Parkway in Addison. The new location is highly visible from the North Dallas Tollway and centrally located for students throughout the Metroplex. ACU Dallas will be the first and only university in Addison.

“We are excited to be expanding our presence in the Metroplex and so appreciative of the enthusiasm we already are receiving from students in the region," said ACU president Dr. Phil Schubert. “By offering ACU's distinctive brand of Christian higher education, we will fill an important need in the marketplace and become a real asset to the community.”

The new campus will provide a home base for an expanded selection of online degrees but also allow for evening, weekend and short courses to be taught on site. Leaders of the ACU Dallas campus will be vice president for academic affairs Dr. Stephen Johnson and executive vice president Jay Goin.

Since 2013, Abilene Christian has had a presence in the Metroplex through an award-winning partnership with nonprofit CitySquare. ACU at CitySquare on North Akard Street in downtown Dallas will continue to offer unique opportunities for undergraduate students who study and serve alongside CitySquare staff to help fight poverty in an urban setting.

Online classes have already started for several graduate degree programs and the ACU Dallas location will open this fall. For more information, go to acu.edu/grad.

CitySquare Thrift Store’s annual Christmas in July is in full-swing. The sales event that runs now through July 25^th features 50% off of all holiday décor. It’s a great opportunity to pick up bargains on holiday items from some of Dallas’ finest homes. The store is loaded with all kinds of treasures from fine china to gently used furniture. Plus, all purchases help support CitySquare’s poverty-fighting programs. The CitySquare Thrift Store is located at 1213 North Washington and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.