News - Winter 2001
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Telecommunication executive Caldwell named Alumnus of the Year

ACU has chosen Royce Caldwell ('61), vice chairman of SBC Communications Inc., for the highest annual honor bestowed on alumni -- the 2000 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award.

"When I was getting out of school, I never would have dreamed this would happen to me -- neither would have my professors," said Caldwell, also named the Distinguished Business Leader of the Year by ACU's College of Business Administration in 1995.

Caldwell began his career with Southwestern Bell in 1963 as a staff assistant, and the company promoted him through the years to leadership positions in human resources, regulatory affairs, and operations. Caldwell became vice chairman of SBC Communications in 1999 after serving for two years as president of SBC Operations and as president of Southwestern Bell Telephone in the mid-1990s.

As vice chairman, Caldwell was responsible for all services of SBC's telephone company operations, which includes Ameritech, Pacific Bell, Nevada Bell and Southwestern Bell brands. SBC Communications has more than 61 million access lines in the United States and annual revenues that rank it among the largest Fortune 500 companies.

He officially retired at the end of last year.

"Royce Caldwell is a great example of an ACU alumnus who has risen through the ranks of corporate America while exhibiting the qualities of a true servant leader," said ACU president Dr. Royce Money ('64). "His integrity and his Christian faith are well known at Southwestern Bell. He and Pat are wonderful role models for Christian professionalism and Christian witness to our students and to all who have the privilege of knowing them."

Along with distinguished professional achievements, the award honors Caldwell's service to ACU, the church and the community.

Caldwell describes this distinction as "humbling."

"It's a little bit amazing to me that I've been honored in this way," Caldwell said. "It means more to me because of what the university stands for -- quality education, but also Christian principles. In my career I've been on a lot of college campuses, and not only does ACU stand for Christian principles, but it is consistent over time in that regard."

Caldwell is a member of ACU's Board of Trustees. He also serves on boards for organizations such as the Salvation Army, the San Antonio YMCA, the Cancer Therapy and Research Foundation of South Texas, the National Captioning Institute, Compaq Computer Corporation Telecommunications, Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc., SBC Corporation, and Telmex, a telecommunications company based in Mexico City.

Caldwell met his wife, Patricia (Taylor '63), through ACU connections. Married for 35 years, they have two children, Kim Mosqueda, mother of two and a doctor of internal medicine, and Bill ('90), an attorney.

"I've worked hard in my career, but I've also been very fortunate," Caldwell said. "I don't think people succeed by themselves; I've had a lot of help."


Diaz creating original art for sale to benefit Honduras mission efforts

"There was a time when I would turn away from the poor," said Rolando Diaz ('82). Today, though, Diaz is getting close to people in need. He's actually seen first hand what true poverty looks like in Honduras, and now he's trying to help any way he can.

"My mom did a lot of things for the poor," he said. "But I was always embarrassed. Over the years, somehow my heart was opened… especially to the relationship of Christ with the poor."

And to help, Diaz is using the talents he was blessed with -- his incredible artistic ability.

Diaz is painting 20 to 25 original works for a show and sale to take place at ACU, beginning during Lectureship in Shore Art Galley.

The money generated from the sale of the paintings will benefit the World Bridges Foundation, a new nonprofit agency established by Jack Walker ('98 M.Div.), missions coordinator at ACU, to specifically support Honduras missions.

Walker said the money raised will help develop community infrastructure in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, allowing improvements of basic needs such as healthcare, food distribution, home construction and other services.

Through such community involvement, the church has become an established player in Honduras, opening the door and hearts to many Hondurans.

Through the art sale, Diaz hopes to make a significant impact for the people of Honduras.

"I've seen the power of what art can do monetarily, so here is a thing I can do," he said. "I can paint on the canvas, and I can be the in-between tool for those who have the finances and those who don't."

Diaz' work has been featured in several Dallas-based magazines, and he has created pieces for Nieman-Marcus, Ciudad restaurants and the Dallas Public Library.

He doesn't describe his work as a particular style, but said its strongest element is color.

Born in Cuba and raised in America, Diaz is a member of the Preston Road Church of Christ in Dallas and also volunteers for Central Dallas Ministries. While on a missions trip to Honduras, he painted murals inside a newly-constructed church.

"If the money comes through from this effort, it will be channeled through this foundation and truly go to the correct thing over there -- something to really enhance the community," he said.

"And there is no doubt we will do some good," he said. "There are people already praying about this effort, and there are many people involved. Good will be done."


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