Editors Note: Tivy Lynn Nobles has been awarded the Young Alumna Achievement Award, presented to alumni who have graduated within the last ten years and whose civic or professional work sets a standard of excellence and exemplifies a well-rounded, values-centered education.

As the cement truck rumbled and roared outside the Children's Habilitation Center in San Antonio, Tivy Lynn Nobles, development director, patiently awaited the arrival of the media.

The occasion: a "photo op." Gary Pools Inc. had donated materials and its company's expertise using a spray-on concrete to create a smooth surface on a 142-foot span of rough rock wall surrounding the area that will become the center's new therapeutic, completely handicapped-accessible playground.

The playground is a vital tool in the center's work to inspire and motivate children with disabilities and developmental delays to become more independent and successful in society. As Nobles, a 1991 Southwestern University graduate explained, "When you take [the children] to a playground, they are ... not even going think of it as therapy."

For two years, Nobles has planned, organized and coordinated project funding and public relations for the center. She says she is proud of "everything" about the center, which covers every need aspect for clients from birth through their 21st birthdays. From custom-fitted wheelchairs to computerized communication aids, the center works to get clients ready for and then provides help during school.

Since the center first opened in 1952, it has served 35,000 clients. In 1996, the center served 1500 clients-65 percent of whom were from low-income families. "The center has a policy and a history of never turning away a client in need of care or services because the family cannot afford it either personally or through insurance. So we have grant writing and private funding and special events that help to offset some of those costs," Nobles said.

Nobles said she couldn't be more fulfilled. "As development director I'm in charge of all the grant-writing, special events and public relations, ... but I'm down playing all the time with the kids, and getting hands on with the therapists. I'm doing observations and working and learning with them because it is important for me to know what they're doing," she said.

This high level of involvement is not unusual for Nobles. She is an active volunteer with San Antonio Habitat for Humanity, serves on the board of directors for the Cloggers' Showcase of San Antonio, is a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, and serves on the steering committee for San Antonio's Black & Jewish Dialogue Group.

However, she says she gives most of her time to St. John's Missionary Baptist Church.

"I'm involved in all ministries in the church-youth ministry, young adults' ministry, women's ministry. I just joined the choir. Within each one, there's so much room to do: from spending time with the elderly at a nursing home, to planning a scholarship dinner, to taking kids on a Christian youth retreat."

So much focus on children and youth may seem odd for a woman who initially planned a completely different career--the law. As a "military brat," Nobles had lived at U.S. Air Force bases all over the world. When her father was transferred from Yokota Air Force Base in Japan to Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Nobles said she knew nothing about colleges in the states.

"I was headstrong and thought I was going to go into law school. So I was just going to pick a college in San Antonio where my folks were stationed. But my basketball coach was determined to get me out. She wanted me to go tour schools and do the visiting.

"So I agreed to one: it happened to be Southwestern," Nobles said. "My dad and I went up to Southwestern. As soon as I got to the campus I fell in love ... the people were friendly, it was beautiful and I was impressed with the academic credentials."

As a business major, Nobles was active in Alpha Kappa Psi, a national professional fraternity for business students. As an officer in the organization, Nobles met Red McCombs, a Southwestern alumnus and chair of the University's Board of Trustees, when he spoke to AKP members.

Later, McCombs gave Nobles the contacts she needed to land her first job after graduation with KLRN, San Antonio's public television station. "I did a lot and I learned a tremendous amount. KLRN was the best experience," Nobles said. "I was placed early on in a leadership role, not only managing all the financial dollars, but actually out there in meetings and calls with presidents and CEOs of every major company in San Antonio. It was an incredible experience."

At KLRN, she worked on a $4 million capital campaign that provided a permanent home for the station. Then she moved over to the development and marketing team, honing skills and developing a reputation that led to her current position at the Children's Habilitation Center.

"You know, Southwestern was the absolute best college choice. What I've learned and developed since then has been God working, leading me step by step and getting people to direct me to that next level. Seeing kids achieve their unlimited potential is a good feeling. This is so rewarding. I know it's God leading me."