President's News Burst for June 2010

The culmination of our year is our Commencement ceremony and it was certainly a spectacular event.  As soon as the ceremonies ended, many of us sighed with relief and hoped to take some well deserved rest.  Others of us rolled up our sleeves, wore jeans and packed our offices for impending moves!

Let me take a moment to thank each of you for serving our students this past year under very challenging circumstances.  You are the very best!

Warm wishes for a restful summer.

Sunny

GC CELEBRATES 2010 COMMENCEMENT

About 4,000 people attended our 49th annual Commencement ceremony held on June 3. The entire college celebrated the 1,057 students receiving associate degrees and 341 students receiving certificates of achievement. The Commencement speaker was El Cajon Police Chief Pat Sprecco, who earned his associate degree in administration of justice from Grossmont College in 1976. His career with the El Cajon Police Department spans 38 years. Because he did not attend his own graduation in 1976, Dr. Cooke surprised Chief Sprecco by calling him to be the first name recited. Cami Perez, who graduated with honors in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, delivered an outstanding speech as the student speaker. Also recognized were the two recipients of the 2009-2010 Distinguished Faculty Award, Renee Tuller and Roxanne Tuscany. Roxanne could not attend because she is currently traveling to China for a speech/debate tournament with our students. Diedrea Lewis, a vocal student with the Gospel Choir, sang a beautiful rendition of our national anthem.  Other Commencement notables: 15 graduates earned a 4.0 GPA during their time with us; 181 students graduated with honors; 64 graduates were from Phi Theta Kappa, the international honors society; 59 graduates wore red, white and blue tassels because they are military veterans who attended Grossmont with the support of their veterans benefits; and 44 graduates were international students.  A new addition to the ceremony had graduates recessing past a “line of honor” (faculty, staff, administrators, Board members) and was extremely well received.

Thank you to Agustin Albarran, the entire Commencement team, our music volunteers and our facilities crew for making the event spectacular!

SUMMER SEMESTER ENROLLMENT

Below are enrollment comparisons as June 2, 2010 for Summer 2010 as compared to Summer 2009:

	Summer 2010	Summer 2009	Count Variance	% Variance
Headcount	5,640	7,662	-2,022	-26.4%
Units	22,852.5	33,309.5	-10,457	-31.4%

The 2010 Summer Semester begins June 14.  Because the number of course offerings have been cut in half, enrollment is severely impacted!  More than half as many students who are currently enrolled have requested to be placed on a wait list.  About 4,600 students are remain on a wait list.

Our faculty will see huge numbers of students wanting to crash their courses the first week of summer session. Our Enrollment Strategies committee has been meeting and developing plans to accommodate concerned students as they try to crash that first week. Also, workshops on proactive steps our students can take will be offered.

  

VOTE FOR GC AS SAN DIEGO’S BEST

Every member of the Grossmont College family and friends are encouraged to vote online for Grossmont College as the Best Local College in this year’s San Diego Union-Tribune 2010 Readers Poll. Let’s not miss this opportunity. Here is the link: http://www.signonsandiego.com/bestof/2010/nominate/san-diego-life/college-or-university/. Voting ends on June 27. All voters can enter to win free groceries for a year from Henry’s Marketplace. Grossmont was selected as “San Diego’s Best” in 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008. So, let’s make it a “high five.”

NURSING PINNING CEREMONY

In front of an enthusiastic crowd of more than 350 on June 1, the GC School of Nursing held a pinning ceremony for its Class of 2010, consisting of 31 two-year ADN graduates and 22 LVN-RN graduates. Student speakers included Lisa Brudvik and Jennifer Smith. The GC School of Nursing began in the fall of 1967 and has graduated over 5300 nursing students.

  

OPT GRADUATION

The Office of  Professional Training (OPT) program graduated its class of Spring 2010 of 23 students at a ceremony held June 4. The graduates received $5,150 in scholarships, which they can use for further education and/or job search expenses. Most of the graduates majored in Accounting or Insurance; 21 students (Fall 2009-Spring 2010) completed the new specialization in Banking/Finance Services. Six graduates completed “double majors” and four completed “triple majors.” Twelve different awards were presented, including the Hugh Leslie Textbook Scholarship, International Association of Administrative Professionals Scholarship, Outstanding Student Awards and Ultimate OPT Award. The OPT program has been training students at GC for 25 years since 1984. With the newest 23 graduates, we have graduated 2,134 students from the program. To graduate from OPT, students must complete 20 week of intense training and attend classes for more than 600 hours and achieve in one semester what a regular Grossmont student might achieve in two or three semesters. The graduation ceremony is an important occasion to recognize their efforts, their families’ sacrifices and the dedication of the entire OPT team.

5K WALK FOR OPT

OPT will host a 5K for OPT fundraiser starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 12, at the Grossmont College track. Entry fees are $20 for each adult entry (ages 13+), $3 for each child entry (ages 12 and under) and $25 for race-day registration. Sponsors include Al’s Sport Shop and OPT Alumni Association. Water and snack stations will be available. Each participant will be entered into a drawing for prizes. For information, contact Mary Leslie at ext. 7533.

  

MOVING IS UNDERWAY

Our relocation efforts into the modular village in Parking Lot #5 are in full swing. Building 100 offices will be relocated in three shifts to minimize the disruption and to shorten the time each office area is down. Moving activities will be ongoing from June 4 to 10. The next few weeks will be extremely busy as departments work to get their offices packed, moved and their office contents put away at the end of the move. We have worked to try to minimize the disruption, but with a move this size, there will definitely be delays and inconveniences to all involved. This is a monumental task and each area has worked extremely hard to prepare for the move and its impacts on students and staff. Thank you for your assistance, patience and support throughout this move process.

  

CHANCELLORS/CLASSIFIED SENATE QUARTERLY AWARD

The Chancellors/Classified Senate Quarterly Award provides an opportunity to honor employees whose job excellence and work ethic inspires others. The quarterly award celebrates a classified employee with recognition for outstanding work. This nomination will give you an opportunity to describe how the employee has “gone above and beyond” the scope of assigned work duties. We know there are hardworking dedicated employees, but what has the nominee done extra for your area and then tell us about it? Please be sure and give specific examples of how the employee embraces the five key values (Academic Excellence, Unity, Standardization, Alignment and Resources – go to www.gcccd.edu/about/mission.asp for an explanation of these values). The deadline for the next quarterly award is June 11. Submit your nomination today. For more information, please access the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College Classified Senate website at: www.gcccd.edu/class_senate and click on “Chancellors Award.”

  

DEL MAR FAIR

Discount tickets are available now at the Student Activities Window to the 2010 San Diego County Fair. Here are the details:

·         $13 unlimited admission ticket (Go every day of the fair for the price of one day)

·         $7 single-day child admission (ages 6-12)

·         $7 single-day senior admission (ages 62 & older)

·         $51 value pack (4 single-day admissions, 4 drink coupons, 20 ride coupons, 1 parking pass)

·         $39.95 ride lover’s pack (single-day admission, one drink coupon, 50 ride coupons)

·         $15 ride coupon sheet (25 ride coupons; each ride requires 3-6 coupons).

Please note the following about the unlimited admission ticket:

This ticket is not sold at the fairgrounds. Season pass price is $22 at the fair. Any age visitor may use this ticket. The ticket is not transferable and must be presented with a school, state, or government-issued photo ID.

RECENT HONORS

·         GC Women’s Soccer Coach Howie Hawver has been honored as the 2010 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Female Sport Coach of the Year. Hawver is currently battling ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. At the beginning of the season, Howie said he would finish the season, and he did. We applaud Coach Howie for his courageousness, fortitude and determination to finish the season. Hawver is the only head coach the Grossmont College women’s soccer program has ever had. In the past 15 seasons, his teams have made 12 state playoff appearances. This year, the women’s soccer team did not advance to the playoffs. The team finished the 2009 campaign with a record of 7-6-1 in conference play, 8-7-1 overall, and they finished in fifth place out of nine teams.

·         At a San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce breakfast on June 4, special tribute was paid to retiring Grossmont Union High School District Superintendent Bob Collins. Several certificates and proclamations were presented to Bob, including a presentation from GCCCD Chancellor Dr. Cindy L. Miles and Governing Board members Deanna Weeks and Rick Alexander.  Dr. Miles presented Bob with a construction worker helmet that was decorated with pipes “since Bob builds pipelines,” she said. Bob later called GCCCD “the best community college district in the state” and “a community treasure.”

BUDGET NEWS

The State Assembly and Senate have both acted to significantly augment Proposition 98 funding, paid for with taxes in the Senate and a combination of taxes and borrowing in the Assembly. The Community College League of California believes the two versions of the budget for community colleges will include:

Assembly:

*          $129 million for enrollment growth (increase of $3 million from governor's proposal, or about 620 FTES)

*          $22.1 million to eliminate negative COLA

*          $35.8 million to maintain federal funds used last year to reduce categorical cuts, and to eliminate negative

            COLA on categoricals

*          $100 million augmentation for Economic Development

*          rejected $10 million cuts to EOPS and Part-time Faculty Compensation

*          rejected $20 million augmentation to career-technical education

*          rejected adding additional categoricals to flexibility

Senate:

*          $22.9 million to eliminate negative COLA (apportionment and categoricals)

*          rejected $10 million cuts to EOPS and Part-time Faculty Compensation

*          rejected $20 million augmentation to career-technical education

*          rejected adding additional categoricals to flexibility

We haven't seen language yet regarding the $100 million for Economic Development approved by the Assembly, but will work with the committees to ensure that the funds are available for a range of activities, particularly short-term career-technical education programs that help Californians get back to work.

  

UPCOMING EVENTS

·         The San Diego Blood Bank will host a blood drive in the Main Quad from 10 a.m. to 3:30 pm. on Tuesday, June 15. To make an appointment online, go to www.sandiegobloodbank.org. Click on “Appointments” and “Make an Appointment at a Mobile Blood Drive.” Enter the sponsor code: GROS.

·         The East County Economic Development Council Foundation will present its 2010 annual fundraiser in support of the industrial arts programs of East County schools starting at 6 p.m., on Friday, June 11, at Cuyamaca College’s Communication Arts Center. The public is invited to attend an evening of live music featuring acoustic performances by Doyle Dykes and the Krueger Brothers. A silent and live auction also are planned. Tickets are $50 per person. To order tickets, visit www.EastCountyEDC.org. Outstanding Career Technical Education students from East County high schools and Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges will be honored. Over the years, the Foundation has provided $350,000 in monetary awards to local shop classes for tools, supplies and raw materials, as well as upgrades to machinery. 

President's News Burst for May 2010

Unbelievably, another academic year has nearly passed and it's that stressful, happy season of awards, celebrations and graduations!  It's been a difficult year and yet, we have arrived at the other side of it.  Despite the many financial challenges we face, exceptional work continues on at Grossmont College.  We continue to focus on changing lives through education.  We launched a strategic plan that allows us to focus our efforts through these difficult times.  We continue to focus on student success and learning through our many, many efforts in basic skills, project success, community service learning, student learning assessment just to name a few.  Our students have performed in and participated in many artistic and cultural events including music, dance, theatre, literary and cultural events.  In addition, our coaches and club advisors have been engaging students on the field and outside of class to maximize their potential and passion.  Though we anticipate further challenges into next year and beyond, one thing is for sure, working together and with the spirit of commitment and dedication to our students that is palpable at Grossmont, we will endure!

As this may be the last newsburst you read before summer begins, I hope that this summer will bring you rest, relaxation and rejuvenation!

THE RESULTS ARE IN!

Thank you to all those who responded to the survey this spring which was an abbreviated, follow-up college accreditation survey gauging the perceived improvement in college-district relationships and services.  The results are included in 2010 draft midterm report and described, briefly below.

One of the commission's recommendations from the 2007 comprehensive visit was regarding the need for improved relations among the college, Chancellor and district such that all are working together for the good of the institution.  The college reported on progress made over the past 2 years in its reports to the Commission regarding this and other areas.  Please see the accreditation website for all reports submitted.
"An indicator of improvement in relationships and processes resulting in benefit to the college community can be found in the results of an abbreviated survey completed by Grossmont College employees throughout late fall 2009 and early spring 2010. The survey consisted of a subset of questions that had been part of the comprehensive 2006 survey completed for the 2007 self study. The follow up survey focused on full time employee input, as this was determined to be the focus of the key issues noted in the self study of 2007. The streamlined survey was made available to employees November 2009 through February 2010. At the end of the survey period, approximately 46% of full-time employees had completed the survey. The employees consisted of 280 faculty and 148 staff and administrators of the college.

Survey results indicate that college faculty and staff see a significant improvement in the areas of Governing Board decisions and support, district policy implementation, the chancellor’s communication and inclusion of faculty voices, district information dissemination, and district resource use. "  (2010 ACCJC draft mid-term report)

For more specifics of the survey, please turn to page 60 of the ACCJC mid-term report and the tabular results of the survey including 2006 and 2010 responses by group (faculty or staff) on the intranet: http://www.grossmont.edu/intranet/midtermReport/default.htm   

DRAFT MIDTERM REPORT NOW AVAILABLE FOR YOUR REVIEW

The 2010 Draft Accreditation Midterm Report to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) is now available for your review on the intranet at: http://www.grossmont.edu/intranet. Your login and password are required. A space is available for you to provide your comments. The draft midterm report is going through collegial consultation throughout the month of May.  Feedback received will be discussed by the Steering Committee throughout the summer for potential incorporation.  The final version of the report is expected to go to the Governing Board in August/September with submission to ACCJC by October 15, 2010.  Thank you to the entire Steering Committee for their hard work in getting this report completed.

  

MUSIC DEPT. FUNDRAISER MONDAY NIGHT

A jazz concert benefiting the Grossmont College Music Dept. Scholarship Fund will be held starting at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 10, at Humphrey’s By the Bay. Tickets are $18 per person. All admission fees will go directly for scholarships for Grossmont College music students. The public is invited to attend. Performing will be Grossmont College Music Dept. instructors, including Derek Cannon, Paul Kurokawa, Steve Baker, Ken Ard, Manny Cepeda, Justin Grinnel, Melonie Grinnel and Chris Kilch. Emcee will be Dave Scott of KUSI-TV, who is a jazz trombonist. Also performing will be special guest Jose Molina Serrano on guitar, Tom Stillman on drums and Carlos Arias on bass. Serrano, a Grossmont College graduate and the student speaker at the June 2009 commencement, has played with some of the recording history’s top R&B acts, including Bo Diddley, The Olympics, Thelma Houston and Joe Tex, along with all-night recording sessions with Ike & Tina Turner, Red Bone and Spiral Staircase. He also has gone on tour with Carlos Santana. Serrano’s most recent CD, called “Only by Grace,” was taken aboard a 2008 flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia and his song “Away from Home” was played to awaken the sleeping astronauts. For more information, call the Music Dept. at extension 7254.

  

PLANNING & RESOURCES COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING ON MAY 12

All faculty and staff are invited to attend a special Planning & Resources Council meeting from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12 in Griffin Gate. The purpose of this meeting is to provide the entire campus with a sampling of the Strategic Plan activities submitted by departments last year that received funding to implement the activities for this current year. The departments will provide an overview of the funding they expended and the progress they have made towards achieving their anticipated outcomes. Please make plans to attend this special Planning & Resources meeting and listen to the progress being made towards achieving the College’s Strategic Plans. Please mark your calendars for this important event

  

2010 COLLEGE RECOGNITION AWARD CEREMONY

Please join in the celebration of accomplishments, achievements and successes at our campus’ 11th annual College Recognition Awards ceremony, starting at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, in the Student Center. It will be the final College Recognition Awards to be held in the existing Student Center before re-building begins. The afternoon event will feature a variety of awards, honors and presentations. The categories include Distinguished Faculty, Academic Rank, Faculty Tenure, New Degree Recipients, Recent Publications and Exhibits, Teaching Excellence Awards, Vice Presidents’ Support Staff Awards, Chancellor/Classified Senate Awards, Kudos, Faculty and Staff Retirees Recognition, Club Advisors Recognition, Grossmont College Foundation Awards (Faculty/Staff Giving and Commitment to Service), Innovator of the Year Awards, and President’s Leadership Awards. Refreshments will be served. So come congratulate your colleagues and bid a fond farewell to our Student Center!

  

ALL MY SONS

The Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department will present “All My Sons,” Arthur Miller’s classic drama, at 7:30 p.m. on May 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 15, and at 2 p.m. on May 8 and 15, at the Stagehouse Theatre. “All My Sons,” directed by Henry J. Jordan, is the story of the Keller and Deever families, their tragic losses and misfortunes, greed and injustice, denial and love -- all ending in an intensified climax as only Miller could have written. “All My Sons” won the Drama Critics Award in 1947, and launched the long distinguished career for one of America’s preeminent play-writers. Admission is $10 per person. Children under age 10 are not permitted in the theatre. The box office will be open one hour prior to all performances. For more information, phone extension 7234.

GROSSMONT COLLEGE FOUNDATION WALK OF FAME ON MAY 21

At 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 21, the Grossmont College Foundation will induct two new members into the Grossmont College Walk of Fame, a permanent display of bronze plaques embedded in concrete in the Main Quad that features names of distinguished Grossmont College alumni. This year’s inductees are the late Leslie Conway “Lester” Bangs, a rock music journalist who attended GC from 1966 to 1968, and Christina Csanadi Deckard, one of the today’s internationally recognized experts in laser technology who attended GC from 1979 to 1980. Mr. Bangs, who passed away in 1982, has been called “America’s Greatest Rock Critic.”  He wrote for “Creem,” “Rolling Stone,” “Village Voice” and countless other magazines, and was known as one of the most influential voices in rock criticism. Ms. Deckard is the recipient of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Role Model Award. After Grossmont, she earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in physics, and a master’s degree in math, all from SDSU. She is currently a Senior Scientist assigned to the Ocean Systems Division of the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance/Information Operations Department at the Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center Pacific in San Diego. She taught as a math and science adjunct instructor at Grossmont 1989 to 1998, and her father Frank Seeley also taught in the 1970s and 1980s. The Walk of Fame program began in 1989. Among the 19 previous Walk of Fame recipients are community leaders, medical researchers, political advocates, artists, athletes and actors.

  

RECENT HONORS

      On Friday, May 7, Grossmont Police Academy Graduation celebrated the graduation of 26 cadets who comprised the 30th Academy Graduating Class. The 415 hours of training lasted about 8 months, from September 19 to May 7. Barry Mahler was named the Honor Recruit, earning as well the Firearms Award and Academic Award. The Honor Recruit is selected by the training staff for his leadership, commitment to excellence and willingness to motivate and assist other recruits.

      On Saturday, May 8, the Students of Note ceremony was held. Twelve GC students were honored for achieving their educational goals while overcoming significant barriers, as well as exhibiting persistence, courage, dedication and a drive to succeed. The program concluded with some of the students delivering inspirational and tearful remarks of gratitude to their faculty members. The Students of Note Awards has been an annual event at GC since 1991.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

      Mark your calendars for our college’s Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 3, at 5:30 p.m. in the Main Quad. El Cajon Police Chief Pat Sprecco (class of 1976) will be the featured speaker. His career with the El Cajon Police Dept. spans 37 years. The criminal justice administration graduate first joined the El Cajon PD as a volunteer cadet at age 16 in 1972.

      The GC Art Student Exhibition 2010 will run from May 10 to 20 at the Hyde Art Gallery. This exhibit is a cross-section of art produced by students resulting from their studies within the department. The works on display were selected and submitted by their instructors for this exhibition. The Opening Event and Awards will be presented at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18.

      The GC Jazz Ensemble will perform with guest artist Wendell Kelly on trombone at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, at the Cuyamaca College Fine Arts Theater. Admission is $8 per person.

      The Transfer Center will host the Transfer Achievement Celebration at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 14, at the Student Center. Students who have been accepted to a four-year college or university for Fall 2010 will be honored.

      The Corrections Academy graduation will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 14, in the Main Quad.

      Robert Wetzel will perform in a fundraiser for the Grossmont Guitar Guild at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, in Room 221. Admission is $8 per person.

      The GC Music Dept. will present “Jazz Night,” an evening of students performing a variety of different styles of jazz, starting at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 16, in Room 220.  Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and children.

      The GC Afro-Cuban Ensemble will perform with Ritmo Caribe with Manny Cepeda at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 20 at the Cuyamaca College Fine Arts Theater. Admission is $8 per person.

      The Grossmont Master Chorale will perform at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, at Fredericka Manor in Chula Vista, and at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25, at Mt. Miguel Covenant Village in Spring Valley. Admission is free.

      The Grossmont Concert Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, at the Cuyamaca College Fine Arts Theater. Admission is $8 per person.

      The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra will perform with guests artists Suzanne Kennedy and Kay Van Tassel, flautists, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 21, at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in Lemon Grove. Admission is a free-will offering.

      The Nursing Dept. Pinning Ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, in the Main Quad.

      The Office of Professional Training graduation will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 4, in the Main Quad.

      The Middle College High School graduation will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 7, in the Main Quad.

SPORTS REPORT

The Lady Griffs Softball Team (29-9) triumphed in the Southern California Softball Regionals, held May 1 and 2. The team completed a two-game sweep of College of the Canyons with a run-scoring base hit in the 8th inning for a 9-8 victory in Sunday’s (May 2) decision. The victory advanced the Griffins to the Super Regional, consisting of a four-team, double-elimination tournament the following weekend.   Unfortunately, the Griffs’ season ended with a 5-3 defeat against top-rated Cerritos in the opening game on Friday, May 7, followed by a 5-2 loss to Mt. San Antonio on Saturday, May 8. Overall, it was an excellent year for the team and coach Rick Trestrail, who was selected as 2010 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

President's News Burst for April 2010

Welcome back from what I hope was a restful and rejuvenating spring break!

LITERARY ARTS FESTIVAL

The Creative Writing Program will host the 14th annual Literary Arts Festival featuring several on-campus events from April 19 to 29. Instructors Stephanie Mood, Karl Sherlock, Sydney Brown, Julie Cardenas and Ryan Griffith have done an excellent job in organizing what promises to be an outstanding festival.  A sampling of the events is listed below but please visit www.grossmont.edu/English/Festival where a complete schedule about these incredible two weeks of presentations can be found.  All events are free and open to the public. Staff development hours also are available. The schedule includes:

      Monday, April 19, 12:30 p.m., Griffin Gate. Marilyn Chin, internationally acclaimed poet, fiction writer and Co-Director of SDSU’s MFA Program in Creative Writing: Revenge of the Mooncake Vixen (Norton 2009).

      Tuesday, April 20, 2 p.m., Griffin Gate. Write Out Loud, a presentation by professional actors delivering dramatic readings of selected literature.

      Wednesday, April 21, 7 p.m., Griffin Gate. Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum, UCSD writing professor, fiction writer, Iowa Writers’ Workshop grad: Madeleine Is Sleeping (Harvest, 2005) and Ms Hempel Chronicles (Harcourt, Inc., 2008).

      Thursday, April 22, 7 p.m., Griffin Gate. New Voices: A Student Reading, features standout students from the Creative Writing Program’s current semester of courses reading their original short fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, novel excerpts, drama and mixed media literary works.

      Monday, April 26, 7 p.m., Griffin Gate. Ella de Castro Baron, memorist, poet, fiction writer: Itchy Brown Girl Seeks Employment (City Works Press, 2009), with vocalist and guitarist.

      Tuesday, April 27, 2 p.m., Griffin Gate. Brandon Cesmat, journalist and poet: Driven Into the Shade (Poetic Matrix Press, 2003) and Light in All Directions (Poetic Matrix Press, 2009).

      Thursday, April 29, 7 p.m., Student Center. Festival Keynote Author Matt de la Pena, novelist: Ball Don’t Lie; Mexican WhiteBoy (Delacorte 2005, 2009) and We Were Here (Random House, 2009).

Funding for the Creative Writing Program’s Literary Arts is made possible from the generosity and support of the Grossmont College World Arts and Cultures Committee, Poets & Writers, Inc., Associated Students of Grossmont College (AGSC), Grossmont College Foundation and American Federation of Teachers, Local 1931.

ENTRANCES AND EXITS

Grossmont College’s Dance Department will present their annual dance concert, “Entrances and Exits,” at 7:30 p.m. on April 22, 23 and 24, at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre. Tickets are $10 pre-sale, $12 at the door. Cash only. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased from dance instructors or from the Dance Office, Building 24, Room 272. For tickets and general information, call (619) 644-7766. The faculty-choreographed show will feature several dance genres, including ballet, hip-hop, modern, jazz, musical theater and social and ballroom.

Also on Friday, April 23, the Dance Department will host a “High School Outreach Day,” which will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Joan B. Kroc Center. Dance students from high schools throughout San Diego County are invited to attend a lecture, demonstration and a portion of “Entrances and Exits.” Also planned are student interactive improvisation and a repertory class where students will learn choreography from the dances that were highlighted in the lecture demonstration. Cost to attend on April 23 is $10 per student.

POW WOW

The 22nd annual Grossmont College Pow-Wow, a celebration of American Indian culture, will be held on Saturday, April 24, in the Student Center. The day-long event will begin at noon with bird singing and gourd dancing. There is a meal break from 5 to 6 p.m. Throughout the day, vendors will sell American Indian cuisine, clothing, art and jewelry. The Grand Entry, which begins at 6 p.m., features American Indian dancers and drummers, recognitions, honor songs and invitations for spectators to participate in some of the dances. Everyone is welcome and there is no admission charge. Sponsors include the GC Native American Club, GC World Arts and Cultures Committee, Grossmont College Foundation, GC EOPS Dept., Barona Band of Mission Indians, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and San Diego Unified School District Indian Education Program. Francis Steindorf, Associate Dean, EOPS, and Instructor Danny Martinez are serving as faculty advisors for the event. Head Staff include: Frank Gastelum, Head Man; Chamese Dempsey, Head Woman; Chandler Hood, Head Young Man; Melda Cadotte, Head Young Woman Dancer; Fred Burrow, Head Gourd Dancer. Pow-Wow Chair is Ginger Rogers, Chair of the GC Native American Club. At 6 p.m., Tom Gamboa, retired GC Instructor, will be honored. Tom started the Pow-Wow at Grossmont College in 1987. He retired in August 2009, after 22 years at Grossmont, as the Coordinator of the Cross Cultural Studies Department.

  

MEMBERSHIP AT BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

During these economically challenging times, the Boys and Girls Clubs of East County is offering children of staff and faculty who work for the schools and colleges in the East County a free annual membership ($35 value) and 20 percent off Spring and Summer Camps, which will be held at the El Cajon, Lakeside, La Mesa and Santee Clubhouses. For more information, visit www.bgcec.org.

  

RECENT HONORS

v  GC Ceramics Instructor Steve Garcia has signed a recording deal with Sunset Records. Sunset, which internationally distributes albums by pop rock artists from all over the world, recently signed Steve to a multi-album recording deal. Steve will also produce his debut CD due to hit stores by summertime this year, according to a press release from Sunset Records. Don Lichterman of Sunset Records first saw Steve perform on YouTube. “I knew right away his songs have exceptional writing. Every song the guy has turned over to me in the last month has been ready to go onto a CD, which is something I marveled at working on the label end.”

v  GC English Instructor Tate Hurvitz participated at this past weekend’s Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair. Tate is active with Cal-PASS designing curriculum as well as training and collaborating with faculty from San Diego area campuses. He also is a fellow at the San Diego Center for Ethics in Science and Technology, helping to plan and coordinate public outreach events and writing about current science and technology issues.

v  San Diego News Network (SDNN), a local web-based news group, recently featured GC nursing student Ester Guiterrez in an article that’s part of SDNN’s “Faces of the American Recovery” series. Guiterrez participated in a job training program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the San Diego Workforce Partnership. You can read the story at: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2010-03-16/blog/sponsored-blogs/san-diego-at-work/faces-of-the-american-recovery-ester-gutierrez.

  

UPCOMING EVENTS

v  The Grossmont College Foundation will host the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Breakfast on Friday, April 9, in the Student Center. Breakfast begins at 7:15 a.m. About 125 people are expected to attend. April 9 is the second Friday of the month because the first Friday, April 2, is Good Friday. Speaking at the breakfast will be GC President Sunny Cooke. Also speaking will be Laura McDonald, project manager for SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink Project.

v  GC Instructors Nancy Pipkin, Virginia Berger and Maria Pak will make a presentation on Community Service Learning at 4 p.m. on April 20, building 31, room 370. They will provide a brief history on how CLS is helping students as part of the CLASS discussion with the GCCCD Governing Board. CSL is an educational program at Grossmont College that allows students to do community service related to their course work.

v  Our 11th annual College Recognition Awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2010, @ 3 p.m. in the Student Center.  Kudos Awards can be submitted online between now and April 30. The Kudos Award is designed to help thank and recognize a member of the Grossmont College community who represents teamwork and excellent service. Also, If you have received a new degree or have had a significant publication since May 2009, please submit this information soon to Pam Amor.  Thank you for your cooperation.

v  The Hyde Art Gallery will present “Ceramic Works,” an exhibit of ceramic artwork by Patsy Cox and Eric Rempe, on display from March 15 to April 22. The exhibit is open to the public. Cox’s work consists of thousands of small objects combined to form one large installation, featuring a blend of blending, hybridizing and cross-pollination. Rempe offers a variety of ceramic vessels, featuring an array of glazes, textures and shapes. The Hyde Art Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Admission is free.

v  The Grossmont Guitar Guild will present “Blurring the Edges” with Fred Benedetti, Peter Sprague and Tripp Sprague at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 9, in Room 220. Admission is $10 per person.

v  The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra will perform with guest artist pianist Jessie Chang at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, at Point Loma Nazarene University, Crill Concert Hall, 2900 Lomaland Dr., San Diego. For ticket information, call (619) 849-2200.

v  The annual 2010 Spring Leadership Retreat will be held on Friday, April 23 at the Community Center in El Cajon.  Constituent group leaders are invited to attend and participate.

v  The Brad Daluiso Golf Classic, benefiting the Grossmont College Foundation, will be held on Friday, May 7 at Sycuan Resort. Volunteers are welcomed. There are a variety of exciting volunteer assignments ranging from beverage cart driver to putting contest judge. Faculty and staff are invited to lock-in your price and play at a reduced rate. Register and pay before April 3 to earn $150 off the regular foursome price of $800 (your price will be only $650). Individual golfers are eligible for a 12.5 percent discount and play for only $162.50. For more information on volunteering or playing, contact Alexis at extension 7109.

v  Mark your calendars for our college’s Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 3, at 5:30 p.m. in the Main Quad. El Cajon Police Chief Pat Sprecco (class of 1976) will be the featured speaker. His career with the El Cajon Police Dept. spans 37 years. The criminal justice administration graduate first joined the El Cajon PD as a volunteer cadet at age 16 in 1972.

President's News Burst for March 2010

SCIENCE DECATHLON ON SATURDAY

About 120 middle school students will be on campus on Saturday, March 6, for the Southern California Regional Science Decathlon. Eighteen teams are planning to compete. Students will represent middle schools in Poway, Vista, Quartz Hill, Chula Vista and Lakeside. Activities will include bottle rocket launchings, flying rubberband-powered airplanes and forensic crime scenes.

  

AEROSPACE LEGEND WILL VISIT GROSSMONT ON MARCH 18

As part of Women’s History Month, aviation pioneer Col. Mary Wallace “Wally” Funk will visit Grossmont on Thursday, March 18. Mrs. Funk was a member of the “Mercury 13” Women in Space program in the 1960s. From 12:30-1:45 p.m. in Room 220 she will share her amazing journey through her historic aviation career, to be followed by a private reception in Griffin Gate with Grossmont Middle College High School students and the Gillespie Field Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, an organization for retired women pilots. In 1961, at age 21, Wally volunteered for the “Women in Space” program. Only 25 women were chosen for testing. Wally underwent a series of rigorous physical and mental tests and was third in a field of 13 qualifying candidates. Despite the fact that these “Mercury 13” women met the same requirements as their more famous male counterparts, Congress directed NASA to cancel the final training phase of the Women in Space program. Funding for Mrs. Funk’s appearance is being provided by World Arts and Cultures Committee, the Grossmont College Foundation and ASGC. Also assisting is the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

COLLEGE RECOGNITION AWARDS

Save the Date!  The 11th annual College Recognition Awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2010, @ 3:00 p.m. in the Student Center. Calls for nominations have been issued for several awards. Innovator of the Year nominations are due to Linda Daley by March 31^st (date extended).  Excellence in Teaching awards are due to the Division Dean’s office by March 8.  Kudos Awards can be submitted online between now and April 30. The Kudos Award is designed to help thank and recognize a member of the Grossmont College who represents teamwork and excellent service. Finally, if you have received a new degree or have had a significant publication between June 2009-January 2010 , please submit this information soon to Pam Amor. Thank you for your cooperation.

  

CULINARY ARTS DINNER

Our Culinary Arts Students display their skills on Thursdays beginning Feb. 25 by preparing and serving a five-course dinner served at 5:30 p.m. through April 29. Cost for the dinner is $20 per person. Proceeds will go to the Culinary Arts program and the Competition Team for Culinary Arts. The dinner is prepared by students enrolled in the CTE Fine Dining class. Entrees for Spring 2010 include Herb Crusted Breast of Chicken, Roasted Pork Medallions, Braised Beef with Sautéed Mushrooms, Pasta Alfredo and Baked Fish. Vegetarian meals also are available. Reservations can be made by phoning Michele Martens at (619) 644-7549, or by e-mail at michele.martens@gcccd.edu. Space is limited and some dates may already be full.   

  

WALK OF FAME NEEDS YOUR NOMINATIONS!

It's that time of year again to honor one of our highly successful alumni!  The Grossmont College Foundation is seeking nominations for its 2010 Walk of Fame Alumni Award. The Walk of Fame, located on the Main Quad area, is a display of several bronze plaques embedded in concrete that features names of previous distinguished alumni. Nominees must have completed a minimum of 12 units at Grossmont College, earned a minimum 2.0 grade point average and contributed significant achievements and leadership in their field. Deadline for submission of entries is Monday, March 15. Names can be submitted via e-mail to Ernest Ewin, or call Alexis Popko at x7109 for a nomination form. New honorees are expected to be announced in May. The Foundation’s efforts help fund scholarships, facility improvements and educational supplies, equipment and programs. The Walk of Fame program began in 1989. Among the 19 previous Walk of Fame recipients are medical researchers, political advocates, artists, athletes and community leaders.

  

MEMBERSHIP AT BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

During these economically challenging times, the Boys and Girls Clubs of East County is offering children of staff and faculty who work for the schools and colleges in the East County a free annual membership ($35 value) and 20 percent off Spring and Summer Camps, which will be held at the El Cajon, Lakeside, La Mesa and Santee Clubhouses. For more information, visit www.bgcec.org.

  

RECENT VISITORS TO CAMPUS

·         10th graders from Helix High School Health Pathways program.

·         Coronado High Schools students who toured DSPS and Assistive Tech Lab.

·         75 students from Warner High School and Middle School toured the Career Center and Health Professions.

  

SPEECH TEAM RESULTS

The Grossmont/Cuyamaca Speech and Debate Team recently attended two tournaments. At the Cerritos Tournament on Feb. 14, Joe Fejeran placed first in Open Division Program Oral Interpretation. At the CSU-LA Tournament on Feb. 28, the results included: Colton Salaz, 2nd place in Open Division Persuasion and Open Division Extemporaneous, and 3rd place in Open Division Duo;  and Vanessa Estrella, 3rd place in Open Division Duo. Vanessa also was a finalist in Open Division Speech to Entertain. Nitzan Harel also was a finalist in Open Division Impromptu Speaking.

  

CALWORKS HAS STUDENT WORKERS

Are you in need of assistants? CalWORKs has students who are looking for work study opportunities. CalWORKs has an increase in the number of students who are in need of work experience through work study, which is fully funded. If your department can use some help, please contact Gerardette Nutt at extension 7785.

  

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

v  Announcements from Student Health Services include:

ü  March is National Nutrition Month. Information on healthy food choices is available at Health Services.

ü  March 8-12 is “Save Your Vision Week.” Vision screening and optometrist referrals are available at Health Services.

ü  A H1N1 (Swine Flu) Prevention and Education Exhibit will be on display on March 15 and 16 in the Main Quad.

v  ASGC General Grant Requests are due Friday, March 5, by 2 p.m. in the ASGC Office.

v  Friday, March 5 is the deadline to submit Student Add Cards. Late Student Adds will not be accepted after the sixth week of the semester.

v  The Lady Griffs Women’s basketball team is in the state championships Sweet 16 round. The next game is Saturday, March 6, at Fullerton. A booster bus will depart from the flag pole in front of the college at 3 p.m. Roundtrip cost is $15 per person.

v  The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra will perform “The Music of Will Todd” at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 11451 Blue Cypress Dr. in Scripps Ranch. Admission is free.

v  The Career Center will host “Be A Star Performer,” a free informational meeting on soft skills that can give you the edge in a job search and career success, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, Room 60-627. Speaking will be Nancy Davis, Student Development Services Supervisor.

v  The Theatre Arts Dept. will present “I Love You Because” at 7:30 p.m. on March 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20 and at 2 p.m. on March 13 and 20. Tickets are $10 per person. This modern-day, musical love story is set in New York City and features a young, uptight greeting card writer and a flighty photographer. Along with their eccentric friends and siblings, they learn to love each other, not in spite of their faults, but because of them.

v  The Hyde Art Gallery, located on campus, will present “Ceramic Works,” an exhibit of ceramic artwork by Patsy Cox and Eric Rempe, from March 15 to April 22. The exhibit is open to the public. Cox’s work consists of thousands of small objects combined to form one large installation, featuring a mix of blending, hybridizing and cross-pollination. Rempe offers a variety of ceramic vessels, featuring an array of glazes, textures and shapes. The Hyde Art Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Admission is free.

v  The Grossmont Symphony Woodwind Quintet will perform at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 14, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 5150 Wilson St. in La Mesa. Admission is free.

v  Faculty and staff wishing to present a workshop during Fall 2010 Professional Development Week (Aug. 16 to 20) can submit a workshop proposal on or before March 17 using the online workshop submission form. The theme for Fall Flex Week is “A New Generation,” focusing on the new generation of students, technology and assessment. Workshops will be organized into one of four tracks: Assessment, Contemporary Teaching Techniques, Technology in Education and General.

v  The Grossmont College Foundation will host the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Breakfast on Friday, April 9, in the Student Center. Breakfast begins at 7:15 a.m. The GC Foundation has opportunities available for you to display information about your departments to our local East County business professionals. About 150 people are expected to attend. Deliver your materials by March 26 to Alexis Popko at the Foundation office.

v  The Grossmont Guitar Guild will present “Blurring the Edges” with Fred Benedetti, Peter Sprague and Tripp Sprague at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 9, in Room 220. Admission is $10 per person.

v  The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra will perform with guest artist pianist Jessie Chang at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, at Point Loma Nazarene University, Crill Concert Hall, 2900 Lomaland Dr., San Diego. For ticket information, call (619) 849-2200.

v  The 2010 Spring Leadership Retreat will be held on Friday, April 23 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon.  Forty to 50 constituent group representatives from across the college will be participating in the day-long event. 

v  The Brad Daluiso Golf Classic, benefiting the Grossmont College Foundation, will be held on Friday, May 7 at Sycuan Resort. Volunteers are welcomed. There are a variety of exciting volunteer assignments ranging from beverage cart driver to putting contest judge. Faculty and staff are invited to lock-in your price and play at a reduced rate. Register and pay before April 3 to earn $150 off the regular foursome price of $800 (your price will be only $650). Individual golfers are eligible for a 12.5 percent discount and play for only $162.50. For more information on volunteering or playing, contact Alexis at extension 7109.

v  Mark your calendars for our college’s Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 3, at 5:30 p.m. in the Main Quad. Come and applaud our students on their major achievement!  El Cajon Police Chief Pat Sprecco (class of 1976) and Walk of Fame Honoree will be the featured speaker. His career with the El Cajon Police Dept. spans 37 years. The criminal justice administration graduate first joined the El Cajon PD as a volunteer cadet at age 16 in 1972.