SWTX Radiologic Technology Students Earn Inaugural Ralph Gonzalez Scholarships
Press Release from Southwest Texas College 4/21/26
Southwest Texas College radiologic technology students Jessica Sandoval of Uvalde and Cheyenne Walling of Del Rio have been named the first recipients of the Ralph Gonzalez Scholarship, a new award created by Radiology Associates of Uvalde to honor longtime imaging leader Ralph “Freddie” Gonzalez.
The scholarship provides 2,000‑dollar awards to current students in the SWTX Radiologic Technology Program who show strong academic performance and professional promise. Gonzalez, a retired radiology director at Uvalde Memorial Hospital who now serves as the hospital’s radiation safety officer, helped build regional pathways for radiologic technologists and has served on the program’s clinical advisory board since its launch in 2007.
During a recent meeting in the college’s radiologic technology lab, Gonzalez thanked college and hospital leaders for their support of the program and encouraged students to see themselves as professionals from the moment they enter the clinic. He urged them to act as ambassadors for the program, saying that every patient encounter is an opportunity to exceed expectations and inspire future imaging professionals.
Program faculty and hospital representatives also praised the scholarship applicants, noting that many graduates now work in advanced imaging areas across Uvalde Memorial Hospital’s expanded department, which grew from a small diagnostic X‑ray unit to a multimodality service under Gonzalez’s leadership.
Southwest Texas College’s radiologic technology program has graduated more than 120 radiographers and continues to partner with Uvalde Memorial Hospital to meet regional workforce needs in medical imaging.
About Southwest Texas College
Southwest Texas College is a regional, “open door” institution serving an 11-county area that stretches from the Texas Hill Country to the US-Mexican border. Since 1946 SWTX has provided accessible, affordable, high-quality education that prepares students to successfully transfer to senior colleges and universities; enter the job market; pursue their professional and personal goals; and contribute to the economic growth of the region. The college’s mission is to enrich lives and advance growth through the education of our diverse communities.
To learn more about SWTX, visit swtxc.edu. For more information on this story, contact Ismael Martinez, SWTX Social Media/Public Relations Specialist at 830-591-2942 or imartinez@swtxc.edu.
PHOTO ID: From left, Judy Gonzales, Southwest Texas College applied sciences division chair; Janna Whyrick, radiology director at Uvalde Memorial Hospital; Bonnie S. Clinebell Esquivel, SWTX coordinator of radiologic technology; Jesica Sandoval, radiologic technology student; Ralph Gonzalez, Uvalde Memorial Hospital radiation safety officer; Cheyenne Walling, radiologic technology student; Denise Vanderlick, SWTX radiologic technology clinical coordinator; and Armando Mondragon, SWTX dean of applied sciences.
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