In honor of its 45th anniversary, the SouthWest College for the Deaf (SWCD) dedicated the pedestrian plaza in the center of its campus as Nexus Plaza. Nexus refers to a connection, as in the college’s connection to the past and the people who made SWCD a reality. Plaques were placed at the trunk of 12 trees in the Plaza, each to honor the individuals and organizations that played an important role in the school’s creation. A large plaque and sculptural element, designed and created by SWCD faculty member Tim Stewart and SWCD students Trent Travis and Donavon Trujillo, has been installed at the entrance of the Plaza. The Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce performed a ribbon cutting for the newly dedicated plaza.
Dr. Cheryl Sparks spoke about the process of making SWCD a reality in the 1970’s and the importance of remembering those who played a role in the school’s creation. Mayor Robert Moore was also on hand to read the proclamation proclaiming Deaf Awareness Week in Big Spring, September 22-28.
SWCD was established on November 6, 1979 by the Howard County Junior College District Board of Trustees. Classes began the following year. In 1981, the governor of Texas signed legislation that established SWCD as a state supported institution.
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