Our Time at TCC—Priceless

For Bob and Eva Bonilla, education—especially their education at Tarrant County Junior College—is priceless because it led to more than knowledge: it led to love.

Eva Sandoval came to TCJC in 1967 to study in the University Parallel program, which allowed students to complete their basics before transferring to a four-year college or university.

She was working in Financial Aid at the time she met fellow work-study student Bob Bonilla. Like other work-study students, he had to file his timesheet with Eva. He quickly fell for her.

“I was smitten and had to see her,” Bob said. To be close to Eva, he began hanging around the Financial Aid office until his supervisor reprimanded him. Once, to avoid getting in trouble, he actually hid under Eva’s desk until he could leave.

Later, while eating lunch with Bob, Eva started talking about a yellow ’66 Corvette Stingray she had noticed in the TCJC parking lot. She wanted to know the identity of the driver.

“What would you do if you knew?” Bob asked.

“Well first, I would ask for a ride,” Eva replied. “Then, I would tell him he shouldn’t take up two spaces.” She didn’t believe it when Bob admitted the car belonged to him and was a gift from his father. They still have the car today.

Bob and Eva married in June 1971. “I got my MRS degree!” she laughed. They have three daughters: Jessica, Catarina and Breanna. Catarina, also a TCC alumni, graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Christian University and now serves as a critical care nurse for Texas Health Resources in downtown Fort Worth.

Bob, who originally planned to study architecture, switched his major to elementary education because Texas Christian University offered a scholarship from the Fort Worth ISD and he needed help paying for college. Ultimately, Bob joined the FWISD as a teacher and taught adult education for 42 years.

His retirement from the FWISD lasted a mere two years, before Eva determined it was “time for him to go back to work.” Bob now teaches English as a Second Language at two community locations as an adjunct instructor for TCC.

“He is dedicated and committed to his students,” says Betina Jones, Bob’s supervisor at TCC. “He has established a rapport with each of them and displays genuine concern for their welfare. Because of his dedication, the students are highly motivated and continue to work hard in pursuing their goal to learn English.”

Eva, who originally planned to be a pharmacist, was employed by Merck & Co. for more than 29 years, working her way up from statistical clerk to senior region office administrator.

Eva considers education important because of the doors it opens. “She values education, and she talks about education—and TCC—everywhere, and especially to Hispanics in Tarrant County,” Trinity River Campus President Tahita Fulkerson said.

Although it wasn’t required for her job, Eva decided to complete her bachelor’s degree at age 57, two years before she retired. It was important to Eva because she mentors senior high school students through the Latinas in Progress (LIP) program, which she co-authored. The program is administered through the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas.

Eva and Bob were the first in their families to attend college. “Back then, we didn’t know what the world had to offer,” Eva said. “TCJC opened our eyes and gave us opportunities we didn’t know were there.”

Eva’s father, Jesse Sandoval, modeled community involvement for Eva. Bob describes his father-in-law as “a concerned citizen.”

During the “60s, America faced the challenge of the Vietnam War. That resonated with many who attended TCJC, including Eva. “Because of my upbringing and my dad’s influence, I had a hunger for social justice and was attracted to others with the same purpose on campus,” she said. “Many of these were Vietnam veterans who were filled with anger or were confused and looking for an outlet or answers.” Some who fought in the conflict didn’t return. “We lost friends in the war,” Eva remembers.

Eva’s interest in social issues matched Bob’s and they longed to make a difference in the world. As college students, they joined the Mexican American Youth Organization. The group traveled to Crystal City to participate in a political experiment to register all Latinos to vote and elect Latinos to political offices. At that time, although the majority of the population was Tejano, political offices were filled with Anglos. The experiment proved successful. In the next election, Tejanos filled the majority of local political offices.

The Bonillas remain active in social initiatives today. Eva serves as vice president for the board of MANA, an organization that empowers Latinas through leadership development, community service and advocacy. She was a founder of the Latina Art Show in Fort Worth, now called ArtSi, and has raised more than $1 million in scholarships for LIP high school senior Hermanitas. Eva also is secretary on the board of directors for Fort Worth Sister Cities International.

In addition to serving in numerous organizations along with Eva, Bob, a confirmed music lover, is a DJ and has provided the soundtrack for events and celebrations for more than 40 years with his company, ESO ES SOUNDS.

Strong believers in higher education, the Bonillas are pleased to see the changes in TCC since they attended in the ’60s. Bob appreciates the technical training available to students. “It is a great college that has grown as the population has,” he said.

Eva values programs like Dual Credit, which prepares students to go on to a university while saving their families’ money.

What do the Bonillas consider TCC’s legacy to be? Success. “It isn’t about making money,” Eva says. “It is about making a difference, impacting lives.”