President's News Burst

Thursday, September 1, 2011

President's News Burst for September 2011

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Welcome to a new semester! It is an historic time for our college as we celebrate our 50th anniversary throughout the academic year. For the past five decades, we have created a rich, dynamic educational climate that promotes the economic, civil and cultural development of our community. We also have a track record in the past half century for successfully overcoming challenges while helping thousands of students thrive in their academic performance. This new semester will be no exception. Thank you for all of your efforts in providing an environment conducive to learning and ensuring the highest quality education for our students. Thank you for your commitment to our college and to our vision to change lives through education. This month of September will be very busy with a variety of events and initiatives. Please find a round up, below, and join me in participating and support each other as we serve our students.

WOW! WAS A SUCCESS

My thanks go to everyone who volunteered their time, energy and knowledge to the recent Fall 2011 Week of Welcome (WOW!). More than 70 members of our campus community, led by Sara Glasgow, Director Student Activities, came together to make our college’s first WOW a tremendous success. While the numbers from the many workshops are still coming in, it appears that we served more than 3,100 students. We would like to know what you thought, as well as hear any comments, ideas or suggestions you may have to improve the next WOW. A survey is available at www.surveymonkey.com/s/6TZV968.

NEW ROLES AND NEW FACES

There are several new Department chairs and coordinators for the Fall semester 2011. They include:

Nursing: Deb Delaney, Director; Laurel Vanlandingham and Lisa Maloy, Co-Assistant Directors.

Communication: Joel Castellaw (returning from sabbatical).

Dance: Dave Mullen

Media Communications: Michael Grant.

Music: Fred Benedetti, Co-chair; Derek Cannon, returning Co-Chair.

Math Study Center: Shawn Hicks.

Counseling Department: Kristi Kluka.

Political Economy Department: Brian Jennings.

We also begin the semester with three interim deans:

Sheridan DeWolf, Interim Dean, Career & Technical Education/Workforce Development.

Cary Willard, Interim Dean, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Exercise Science/Wellness.

Diane Glow, Interim Dean, Counseling & Enrollment Services.

9/11 REMEMBRANCE DAY

To mark the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and Flight 93, our students will plant an olive tree of remembrance on campus. The tree planting ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 9 at a lawn area adjacent to building #53. The day before the tree planting, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8, students will have the opportunity to write their thoughts and feelings on small cards and then tie the cards with string to the branches of the olive tree, which will be located on that day along a walkway between classroom building #55 and the Learning Resource Technology Center (LTRC) building. Grossmont College’s 9/11 memorial activities are being planned by the Grossmont College Student Affairs Office and the Associated Students of Grossmont College, Inc.

ASGC FALL 2011 GRANT CYCLE

The ASGC, Inc. Fall 2011 grant cycle is open. Requests for activity and event funding can be submitted to Irene Bauza in the Student Activities Office, Building 36, Room #349, no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9. Required forms are available in the ASGC, Inc. Office, Building 36, Room 340-E. Funding requests for the general grant cycle, which could include grants for classroom equipment, must be submitted to Irene no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7. The grant process also includes an opportunity to personally present your grant request at an ASGC, Inc. finance meeting, which are held at 8 a.m. on Thursdays. You can schedule a finance meeting appointment with Arianna Nevins, ASGC, Inc. comptroller, at ext. #7768.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

The Grossmont College Guitar Guild will present a benefit concert for the Grossmont Guitar Guild Scholarship Fund featuring Music Dept. Co-Chair and guitar instructor Fred Benedetti at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9 in Room #220, Building 26. The concert is open to the public. Admission is $10 per person, and $8 for seniors and students.

A guitar duo performance by Fred Benedetti and Mesa College guitar instructor George Svoboda will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30 in Room #220 on campus. The performance is another fundraiser for the Grossmont College Guitar Guild. Admission is $10 per person, and $8 for seniors and students.

HYDE ART GALLERY

In celebration of Grossmont’s 50th anniversary, the Hyde Art Gallery is now exhibiting a selection of serigraph prints by some of the most influential artist such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Ansel Adams and Pablo Picasso. Also highlighted are some of the outstanding works by artists who have exhibited at the Hyde Art Gallery over the years, including works from famed Japanese ceramicist Hamada to the modern painter Tom Holland. Gallery’s hours are Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. For information contact Ben Aubert, Gallery Curator, at ext. #7299.

SCHOLARSHIP BREAKFAST

The annual Fall Scholarship Awards Breakfast will be held starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, in the 200 Building courtyard. The event will be presented by the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges and the Grossmont College Scholarship Department. These scholarships are competitive and based on a selection process established by the Grossmont College Scholarship Advisory Committee and any additional criteria established by the sponsor. In all, 61 students will be awarded $44,000 in scholarships. Recipients will include 27 students each receiving a $1,000 Osher scholarship, and 34 campus awards totaling $17,000. Scholarship funds will be used to help defray the cost of textbooks, equipment, lab fees and other items beyond registration fees.

CONSTITUTION WEEK

Constitution Week will be held on campus from Sept. 12 to 15. Activities will include an appearance by the Sons of the American Revolution and the “Constitution Wall” where students can use their freedom of speech to write and post notes about what the Constitution means to them, as well as distribution of pocket U.S. Constitutions and patriotic music from Griffin Radio in the Main Quad. Joe Braunwarth, Political Science, will have an instructional classroom component.

CAREER CENTER

Career and Student Employment programs will facilitate their first workshop in the fall semester series, “Who Are You”? “Analyze Your Career Dreams”, Wednesday, September 14^th, 2011, from 11:00 am – 12:15 pm, in Building 36 – Room 346. Please alert your students of this opportunity! For additional workshops and seminars scheduled fall 2011, visit www.grossmont.edu/studentempservices. For more information, or to RSVP, please phone, (619) 644-7614. Faculty and staff are welcome to attend also.

CREATIVE WRITING

The Grossmont College community will be treated to a variety of literary events during the college’s Fall 2011 Reading Series to be held on campus throughout the semester. The Reading Series, sponsored by the Creative Writing Program, will feature award-winning authors as well as showcase talent from the campus and the community.

The following events are scheduled:

· Thursday, September 15: Poet James Meetze, Dayglo winner of the Sawtooth Poetry Prize, Hyde Gallery, 7 P.M.

· Wednesday, October 12: Novelist Criss Mazza, author of Various Men Who Knew Us As Girls, Room 26-220, 12:30 P.M.

· Wednesday, October 19: Lester Bangs Memorial Reading featuring Justin Hudnall performing "Vinyl Man", Room 26-220, 7 P.M.

· Monday, Novemeber 14: Lidia Yuknavitch, author of The Chronology of Water: A Memoir, Room 26-220, 7 P.M.

· Tuesday, December 6: New Voices Student Reading featuring the original work of Grossmont College creative writing students, Room 26-220, 7 P.M.

All events are free and open to the public. Professional Development credit is available for faculty. For additional information, contact Sydney Brown at (619) 644-7523 or visit the campus website at www.grossmont.edu/english/Festival/

GOLF TOURNAMENT FOR CVT GRADUATE

The fifth annual Suzanne Donahue Memorial golf tournament will be held on Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort and Spa. Shotgun starts at 12:30 p.m. Cost to play is $150 per golfer. This annual event celebrates the life of Suzanne Donahue, Grossmont College CVT graduate and echocardiography technologist at Naval Medical Center San Diego, who died of cancer at age 43 in 2007. All proceeds benefit the Suzanne Donahue Memorial Scholarship Fund at Grossmont College. To register, visit http://suzannedonahuegolf.dojiggy.com. For more information, contact Dr. Jeff Cavendish, jeffrey.j.cavendish@kp.org, or Dr. Dan Seidensticker, daniel.seidensticker@med.navy.mil.

DANCE DEPARTMENT

The Dance Department will present two dance classes in the Main Dance Studio, Building #24, Room #271, on Friday, Sept. 23. Both classes are open to the public. Cost is $10 per class (cash only). Registration is required. To register, contact Kristine Johanns in the Dance Office at ext. 7766. Beginning “Hip-Hop” dancing will be taught from 6 to 7:30 p.m. by Tracy Seiler. “House” dancing will be taught from 7:30 to 9 p.m. by Vihn Nguyen. “House” dancing emphasizes fast and complex foot oriented steps combined with fluid movements in the torso, and can include skating, stomping and shuffling techniques.

BANNED BOOKS WEEK

Sept. 26 to 30 is this year’s Banned Books Week 2011. The annual national celebration of the freedom to read was launched in 1982 in response to challenges over certain books in schools, bookstores and libraries. Here at Grossmont, Joe Medina, English, will host “A Celebration of Banned Books” from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 29, at Building #34, Room #107. Students, community members and faculty will read selections from Henry Miller’s “Tropic of Cancer” (1934) and Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Howl” (1955), as well as a discussion of Herbert Biberman’s film “Salt of the Earth” (1954). This activity fulfills requirements for Professional Flex hours.

WORLD ARTS AND CULTURES COMMITTEE

The World Arts and Cultures Committee (WACC) is soliciting applications of grant requests for funding of on-campus arts and cultural events to occur in the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 semesters. The events that will be funded must fit within the Committee’s charge, which is: “The World Arts and Cultures Committee aims to foster a climate of appreciation and respect for the diversity of values, ideas and cultural expressions represented by our students, staff, faculty and surrounding community. We will strive to accomplish our mission by bringing cultural events on campus reflecting the college’s position in today’s global society.” Grant requests for events scheduled to occur in the Fall 2011 semester should be submitted to the Student Affairs Office no later than Sept. 30, 2011. The WACC Committee meets on the third Friday of every month to consider grants. Requests will be considered as they are submitted on a “rolling basis” with earlier submissions preferred (please allow at least three weeks for approval). Requests with missing details, requiring extra time seeking clarification or additional information, may not be funded. Also, requests submitted just prior to the event may not be funded. We look forward to working with campus groups to support their events. Please visit the WACC website for more information, www.grossmont.edu/WACC.

CULINARY ARTS DINNERS

Culinary Arts Dept. will host on several Thursdays, from Sept. 22 to Nov. 17, a five-course dinner to be prepared by students enrolled in Grossmont’s Quantity Foods class. The dinners will start at 5:30 p.m., and be held in the patio area outside bungalow #58G, in parking lot #5, near the parking structure. Cost is $20 per person. The dinners will feature soup, salad, entree, dessert and coffee service. Vegetarian dinners are available with 48-hour advance notice. Space is limited and some dates may already be fully booked. Dates are Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6, 20, 27, Nov. 3 and 17. Reservations can be made by phoning Michele Martens in the CTE office at (619) 644-7550, or by e-mail at michele.martens@gcccd.edu.

ALLIED HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY

Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) students will provide free screenings for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the Sharp Grossmont Hospital Senior Resource Center, Brier Patch campus, 9000 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. The screenings will test the arterial blood flow to the legs and blood pressure at the ankles and arms. Symptoms of PAD can include aching, cramping or pain in your legs after walking or exercising. An appointment is required for the free screening. To register, call 1-800-827-4277, or visit www.sharp.com.

School of Nursing students will be volunteers at Kids Care Fest, a free event featuring health care screenings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Briercrest Park, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. Organizers expect more than 1,000 children under age 12, including many from low-income and under-insured families, will receive free, potentially life-saving health care screenings, including hearing and vision screenings, from healthcare professionals at the event. Event sponsors include the City of La Mesa and Grossmont Healthcare District, along with Sharp Grossmont Hospital and Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. For more information, visit www.KidsCareFest.org.

THEATRE ARTS: DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE

Grossmont College Theatre Arts is celebrating 50 years of award winning community theatre. We would like to invite everyone to attend our 2011-2012 performances. Staff and Faculty pricing is $11 per ticket per performance. Season tickets are available for $40 (6 plays). The season’s first play will be “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Martin Katz. Performances are on October 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15 at 7:30 p.m. and October 8 and 15 at 2 p. m. The plot: A café, a dead man, and a cell phone that won’t stop ringing. When Jean, a stranger from the next table, decides to answer it she sets in motion a chain of events that is, by turns, baffling, mysterious, comic, and grim. As Jean becomes involved with the dead man’s wife, mother, mistress and brother, she begins to suspect that her life will never be the same again. The box office phone is ext. #7234. All reservations must be paid and /or guaranteed 24 hours prior to the performance you wish to attend. Call Alexis Popko at ext. #7267 to make your reservations. We accept all major credit cards.

‘FIFTY AND FANTABULOUS’ ON OCTOBER 22

“Fifty and Fantabulous” is the theme of our 50th anniversary fundraising celebration from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Health and Sciences Complex. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges, the recently-formed fundraising organization that supports students and educational programs at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges. Guests are encouraged to dress in the attire they may have worn as a college student, whether it’s the peace beads of the 1960s or the acid-washed jeans of the 1980s.

Heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts and a no-host bar will be featured. Several hundred silent and live auction items are expected to be available to the highest bidders. Also located in different areas of the two-story Health and Sciences Complex will be displays of photographs, memorabilia and videos chronicling the college’s 50-year history, as well as live entertainment showcasing Grossmont College’s performing artists. Guests can look forward to listening to their favorite pop tunes heard during the previous five decades. Discounted tickets can be purchased online at www.foundation.gcccd.edu.

SPORTS REPORT

Men’s and Women’s Water Polo have matches against Miramar at the Kroc Center on Wednesday, Sept. 7.

Women’s Volleyball hosts Golden West College on Sept. 7 and Saddleback College on Sept. 9. Both matches begin at 5 p.m.

Women’s Soccer hosts El Camino at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept 2, then travels to Chaffey on Sept. 7 and Long Beach on Sept. 9.

Kickoff for the season’s first home football game will at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 against cross-town rival Southwestern College. All employees are invited to watch community college football up close. All faculty, staff and administrators can enjoy the game with free admission (show your college I.D. at the gate).

Monday, August 1, 2011

President's News Burst for August 2011

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

I hope you have been enjoying a wonderful summertime. We’re looking forward to our Fall 2011 Convocation that begins with a continental breakfast at 7:45a.m. on Monday, August 15 in the Main Gym. Be sure to dig out your favorite tie dye t-shirt, dress casually and wear sneakers to protect the gym floor. The continental breakfast is partially sponsored by the new Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges and the Grossmont Schools Federal Credit Union. The breakfast will be held between the Main Gym and the Exercise Science and Wellness building, overlooking the football field. Just after breakfast, the Convocation program will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. in the Main Gym. If you have a stadium seat, please feel free to bring that with you, too. We encourage all employees to attend the fall kick off. All staff members are encouraged to check with your supervisor about attending this activity so that there is appropriate office coverage in your departments during the morning hours. For those of you who cannot get away from your desk, the Convocation will be broadcasted on the website.

CONVOCATION

Win a prize for wearing a tie dye t-shirt at Convocation

To highlight our 50th anniversary celebration, a competition with prizes will be held for the best tie dye t-shirts worn that day. Everyone is encouraged to participate and possibly win a prize. Categories are expected to include “Most Colorful,” “Most Outrageous,” “Most Faded,” “Most Attractive with Accessories (such as peace beads, acid-washed jeans or flowers in your hair)” and “Best Demonstration of Grossmont School Spirit.”

If you don’t have a tie-dye t-shirt to wear to Convocation, then you can make your own (for free!) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 11 in the parking structure. Just bring your own white shirt (100% cotton) and then have fun creating your own unique design using a variety of available colors.

Educational Master Plan to be discussed at Convocation

GCCCD has been working for several months on developing an Educational Master Plan that will serve as the blueprint for our future. Our Educational Master Plan is a long‐range, comprehensive document intended to guide institutional and program development at both the college and district levels. The priorities established in the Educational Master Plan will serve to guide College and District decisions about growth, development and resource allocation. Information for a trend analysis has been collected in six taxonomy areas, including Society, Technology, Economy, Environment, Politics and Legal Issues and Education. The information from the environmental scan has become the foundation for our long‐term master plan. A brief update on the EMP will be presented at Convocation on Monday, Aug. 15. Other sessions will be held during flex week on August 16^th @ 8:00-8:40 a.m. or August 18^th @ 4:00-4:50 p.m. room 525.

Keynote speaker at Convocation

Vicki Halsey, author, speaker and vice president of applied learning for The Ken Blanchard Companies, has agreed to be our Convocation keynote speaker from 10:30 to noon in the Main Gym. “Learning is the gateway to optimal life experiences,” writes Vicki. “Learning transforms people’s lives, and teaching, in any forum, is the art and science of bringing out the brilliance that drives those transformations.” Don’t miss hearing the keynote. More details about Professional Development Week Fall 2011 can be found at http://www.grossmont.edu/staffdevelop.

COLLEGE COMMITTEE WORKSHOP ON AUGUST 11

All employees at Grossmont College and District Services are invited to join Dr. Cooke and the Classified Senate at the College Committee workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11, in Room #455-524. This presentation will introduce Grossmont employees to organizational structures and the importance of team work. It will be a great opportunity for folks to learn more about the California community college system, our district and college and our governance process. You will walk away with relevant information and tools for effective committee service.

Please encourage those within your area (faculty, staff, administrators or students) who are new or want to learn more about getting involved to attend. All are welcome. If staff, please check with your supervisor about attending. Supervisors have been asked to find a way to support staff participation as it takes an informed engagement for effective collegial consultation. Please RSVP to Pat Murray at extension 7316, or e-mail, pat.murray@gcccd.edu on or before Aug. 10.

ANSWERS FOR NEW STUDENTS FROM ASGC

The Associated Students of Grossmont College, Inc. has a message for all faculty and staff. Here is updated information to share with new students whom you may see crisscrossing the campus looking for ID cards and transit passes. Student ID cards are available at the Admissions & Records Office in Building 58-B. Beginning August 4, ID cards will also be made at the Tech Mall, Building 70. Students must be enrolled in a class at least 24 hour hours prior to requesting their ID, and they must bring along their driver’s license, state or military ID. Students who already have a Grossmont College ID card but who need an update sticker for the current semester can get one at Admissions & Records in 58-B, the College Cashier by the bookstore, or the Student Activities Window at Building 36, Room 350. In addition, Student Benefit cards are available through WebAdvisor (with a credit or debit card) or for cash only at the Student Activities Window, Building 36, Room 350. Faculty and staff can buy the benefit card, too. Visit http://www.asgcinc.org/students/benefits/. Bus and trolley passes are available for cash only at the Student Activities Window, Building 36, Room 350. To get a discount transit pass, students must already have their Grossmont College photo ID and be enrolled in at least seven units (wait lists don’t count). Helpful information is available at the ASGC, Inc. website www.asgcinc.org and the MTS website www.sdmts.com or by calling Student Activities Office, extension 7603.

WEEK OF WELCOME FALL 2011

Student Affairs will host “Week of Welcome!” (WOW!), Aug. 22-26. The mission of WOW! will be to provide a unified campus-wide welcome to new students and welcome back to returning students via information and programming. The week will be packed with information and events on campus that range from campus tours and workshops to salsa lessons and the All-Campus Activity Fair. There will something for everyone during this exciting week. All Departments/programs are encouraged to host workshops, events, information sessions and/or activities.

A highlight of WOW! will be a number of Information Booths on Monday and Tuesday that will be set up at three different locations: Building 36 (east side), Building 27 (east side) & Modular Village (west side). The WOW! Info Booths are intended to welcome new and welcome back returning students, as well as inform students of the services and resources available to them. At each Info Booth, departmental and programmatic information is on display and faculty and staff members are on hand to answer questions. We still need volunteers for the Information Booths. If you can spare 1 hour (or more), please let us know! Another highlight will be a WOW! Information & Activity Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 24, from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Main Quad. There are still a few more tables available. Let us know if you’d like to reserve one for your department/program. WOW! will be one week with endless possibilities!

CHANCELLOR/CLASSIFIED SENATE HONOREE

The GCCCD Governing Board recently honored our own Maria Baeza, Secretary, Office of Student Affairs, with the Chancellor/Classified Senate Quarterly Award. Maria was introduced to the Board by Wendy Corbin and Dr. John Colson read comments from Agustin Albarran. Maria was recognized for her professionalism, dedication, leadership and patience in working with students, as well as her organization efforts for Commencement. Congratulations, Maria!

SPORTS REPORT

Men’s basketball coach Doug Weber is inviting all boys and girls entering the 3rd through 9th grades to Grossmont College’s annual youth summer basketball camp, from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday, Aug. 8-11. The camp will feature instruction on fundamental skills, group and individual contests and three-on-three tournaments, along with life lessons about sportsmanship, communication and goal setting. Cost is $75 per camper, which includes t-shirt, contest prizes and giveaways. For more information, visit www.grossmont.edu/athletics, or phone (619) 644-7878.

Friday, July 1, 2011

President's News Burst for July 2011

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summertime. It remains a busy time on campus despite the reduced course offerings and students. We are preparing for several faculty and staff to travel to Brooklyn, New York, for a week at Kingsborough Community College. Kingsborough has been awarded a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIFSE) for a project titled “The Community College Jigsaw: Putting the Pieces Together.” GC is partnering with Kingsborough to design a flexible and adaptable model of programs that will have a positive impact on student success. Also, hats off to our dedicated summer school faculty. For example, William Snead’s class is producing a 12-minute video documentary on GC’s 50-year history. The students have met with several of our staff members. Also, the Governing Board at its June meeting heard a fascinating presentation from Carlos Contreras, History, about his recent sabbatical in Mexico. His presentation included a video about his travels throughout the valley of Mexico, including visits to historical archeological sites such as the pyramids of Teotihuacan.

OSHER SCHOLARSHIP FUND EXCEEDS A HALF MILLION

I am proud to acknowledge the incredible fundraising efforts by Ernie Ewin and the Grossmont College Foundation. It all started in May 2008 as a three-year fundraising challenges was launched to create the largest-ever scholarship endowment for a community college system in the nation’s history. Thanks to the efforts of many, many people, we exceeded our goal of $548,530 or 40 perpetual Osher scholarships with $580,500, representing 43 Osher scholarships. When added to the initial gift of 13, that provides Grossmont College with 56 yearly Oshers FOREVER! Grossmont College is among 31 of the 112 community colleges in California to meet or exceed their Osher fundraising goal. Thousands of donors gave to this cause over the years, ranging from small gifts to those in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many of these donors were new to the system, opening the door to new philanthropic relationships that we hope will benefit our community college for years to come.

THE FOUNDATION FOR GROSSMONT AND CUYAMACA COLLEGES

A new Foundation, called the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges (FGCC), has begun and will replace the two foundations that have been serving our colleges. Over previous years, our college foundations have done remarkable work with starkly limited staff and committed community volunteer boards. However, the new joint structure will help take our fundraising to even higher levels. The new foundation will maintain all current services to our colleges while enhancing our focus on major gift development, annual campaigns, donor relations, social networking, and will better connect with the hundreds of thousands of students who have attended our colleges to broaden the sources of money that we receive. The new foundation board will be led by co-presidents and co-treasurers from the current college foundations.

FOUNDATION WILL BENEFIT FROM 50^TH BOOK SALES

Every member of the Grossmont College family is encouraged to join in the celebration and purchase your copy of “Grossmont College, Celebrating 50 Years,” our 50th anniversary commemorative book, which is now on sale at the campus bookstore. The cost is $19.61 (classes began 50 years ago on Sept. 11, 1961). A portion of proceeds from each book sale will benefit Grossmont College programs and scholarships. Be the first in your department to own your piece of Grossmont College history and your support the Grossmont College Foundation.

PLANNING IS CONTINUING FOR APRIL 2012 COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE

Please plan to support and participate in the college’s Community Open House on Friday evening, April 13, 2012, and all-day Saturday, April 14, 2012. Our goal will be to host a fun-filled, family-oriented festival that will showcase the college’s outstanding learning environment and a rededication of the college’s place of prominence in the local community. We want our community to see the latest innovations in educational programs and technology as hosted by the various departments and disciplines, including theatre arts, music, health professions, culinary, math and English. We plan to offer interactive, hands-on experiments in the sciences. Coaches will offer youth sports clinics and inspire young athletes. A number of entertaining performances are planned. Informative tours of new buildings will be available. Campus clubs, organizations and groups will be on hand. For input about this event, please contact Rick Griffin at ext. 7840.

ADULT REENTRY FALL 2011 ORIENTATION

The Grossmont College Adult Reentry Program will host “Recreate Yourself,” a free orientation meeting for adults interested in returning to school to upgrade workplace skills, re-career, and/or earn an Associate Degree or Certificate. The Adult Reentry Orientation is scheduled for Tuesday, August 2, 2011, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in Building #34, Room #107 on the college campus. For more information, phone Nancy Davis at (619) 644-7615 or Susan Esparza at (619) 644-7697, or visit www.grossmont.edu/adultreentry.

WEEK OF WELCOME FALL 2011

The Student Affairs Office (SAO) is proud to introduce “Week of Welcome!” (WOW!), Aug. 22-26. The mission of WOW! is to provide a unified campus-wide welcome to new students and welcome back to returning students via information and programming. To accomplish this mission, the Student Affairs Office is coordinating a WOW! calendar that will be distributed campus-wide in the form of posters and flyers. We encourage all departments/programs to host workshops, events, information sessions and/or activities. To ‘calendar’ your event, please make your reservations by simply responding to Sara Glasgow with the following information by Tuesday, July 26:

1. Date of Event

2. Time of Event

3. Name of Event

4. Location of Event

5. Sponsoring Department

6. Contact Information

Remember, the fall semester will be here before we know it, so please submit your WOW! calendar submissions in as soon as possible. A few activities already scheduled for the week include:

· Transfer Strategies Workshop - Mastering the transfer process to a 4 year university

· Academic Integrity - What does it mean & how does it affect you?

· Hyde Art Gallery Exhibit

· Transfer Admissions Guarantees Workshop – Q&A, Facts and Fiction

· Student Involvement & Leadership Tips Panel Discussion - Information on clubs/student organizations (Student Affairs)

The campus-wide Information Booths that take place the first two days of the semester, including Monday, Aug. 22 and Tuesday, Aug. 23 from 7:30 am to 7 p.m. at three different locations: Building 36, Building 27 & Modular Village. The WOW! Info Booths are intended to welcome new and returning students, as well as inform students of the services and resources available to them. At each Info Booth, departmental and programmatic information is on display and faculty and staff members are on hand to answer questions.

If you are able to volunteer at a WOW! Info Booth, please sign up for a time by Thursday, Aug. 4 by contacting either Maria Baeza at x7600 and/or Maria.Baeza@gcccd.edu or Camara Watson-Lee at x7157 and/or Camara_Watson-Lee@gcccd.edu. At your WOW! Info Booth, you can provide literature about your class/department/program, etc.

Additionally, all Departments/Programs are invited to participate in the WOW! Information & Activities Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 24, from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Main Quad. Departments, Programs and Student Organizations are invited to sign up for a table to disseminate information and/or host activities. To reserve your table, please respond to this email by Thursday, Aug. 4, and indicate the number of tables & chairs needed, what information, activities, etc. will be provided, do you need access to electricity and who is the contact person and what is his/her contact information.

WOW! is one week with endless possibilities! Thank you for your participation and we look forward to an exciting Fall semester.

2011/2012 PERFORMANCES AT STAGEHOUSE THEATER

The Theatre Arts Dept. has announced its 2011-2012 season of performances at the Stagehouse Theatre:

· “Dead Man’s Cell Phone,” Oct. 6,7,8,12,13,14,15 at 7:30 p.m., Oct.8 and 15 at 2 p.m.

· “Aesop’s Fables,” Oct. 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 22 at 2 p.m.

· “Tata Twins: The Remix,” Dec. 1,2,3,7,8,9,10 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 3 and 10 at 2 p.m.

· Inside the Actor’s Process, Readers Theatre, Feb. 3,4 at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.

· “The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” March 8,9,10,14,15,16,17 at 7:30 p.m., March 10 and 17 at 2 p.m.

· “Lost in Yonkers,” May 3,4,5,9,10,11,12 at 7:30 p.m., May 5 and 12 at 2 p.m.

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED FOR GOSPEL CHOIR TRAVEL TO CARNEGIE HALL

We are proud to announce that our Grossmont College Gospel Choir, with 30-voices strong, has been booked to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City, one of the world’s premier concert venues, on Sunday, Nov. 13, as part of an afternoon performance of gospel music. Our Gospel Choir, under the direction of Ken Anderson, GC Gospel Choir Director, is scheduled to perform in Stern Auditorium on the Perelman Stage. While some funds already have been raised for travel expenses, additional donations are needed. Checks can be made payable to the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges noting the Gospel choir in the memo area.

SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO HEALTH PROFESSIONS STUDENTS

The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD, a public agency that supports various health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County, has selected four GC students for its 2011 Health Tech Careers scholarships. The students applied for the scholarships by submitting an essay on “Where I will be in my career five years from now.” Alyson Erica Payumo and Angela Rizzuto, both of whom are respiratory therapy (RT) students, each were awarded $2,000. Two others were awarded $500 scholarships, including Sarah Tran, an RT student, and Mandy Michele McGuffie-Eller, studying to be an occupational therapy assistant.

BUDGET NEWS

In Sacramento, the Legislature recently passed the 2011-12 state budget in a majority-vote deal hammered out between the governor and Democrats. The adopted budget cuts $1.7 billion from higher education, on top of the deep 2009-10 cuts. If the optimistic tax projections don't come through, another $302 million could be on the chopping block. It could have been much worse. In an "all cuts" scenario, there was discussion about a $502 million reduction in general fund money. During the six-month budget fight, a cut as high as $900 million was discussed. Regardless of your position on community college fees, the move to $46/unit implemented after registration for spring begins is absurd to ask students to come up with $150 after they have already registered. It is also likely to be an administrative nightmare. Most of the new projected tax revenues, if they materialize, will be from income from technology IPOs, which apply to a small segment of the population.

PADRES GAME WITH EAST COUNTY CHAMBER

Since Grossmont College is a member of the East County Chamber of Commerce, all faculty and staff are invited to join the Chamber for a special night at a Padres game on Wednesday, Aug. 3, at a 7:05 p.m. game against the L.A. Dodgers. For the discounted price of $26 per ticket, you will receive one field level reserved seat and one voucher good for a hot dog and small soda. All GCCCD employees and East County Chamber members will be seated together. Checks can be made payable to the San Diego Padres, and mailed to Juan David Londono, San Diego Padres, Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101. For credit card purchases send an e-mail to Juan at JLondono@padres.com, or call (619) 795-5193. Your tickets can be picked up on the day of the game at Petco Park at a will-call window, or your tickets can be e-mailed to you and then printed on a printer.

SPORTS REPORT

· Men’s basketball coach Doug Weber is inviting all boys and girls entering the 3rd through 9th grades to Grossmont College’s annual youth summer basketball camp, from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday, Aug. 8-11. The camp will feature instruction on fundamental skills, group and individual contests and three-on-three tournaments, along with life lessons about sportsmanship, communication and goal setting. Cost is $75 per camper, which includes t-shirt, contest prizes and giveaways. For more information, visit www.grossmont.edu/athletics, or phone (619) 644-7878.

· The Grossmont College women’s tennis team is very familiar with a winning tradition and this season was no different. Read the story in the recent issue of the Mission Times Courier newspaper: http://www.missiontimescourier.com/article/Sports/Community_Sports/Grossmont_College_Womens_Tennis_Reigns_As_Conference_Champions/29611

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

President's News Burst for June 2011

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The month of May in is the busiest (and happiest) time on our college! It is marked by ceremonies celebrating heroic achievements and excellence. We’ve had awards ceremonies, honor society induction, graduations, retirement parties and Commencement. The long and challenging semester ended with applause, cheering, laughter and tears of joy. Below, you’ll find a highlight of this happy season.

The 50^th annual Commencement went off without a hitch. The event also marked the start of our yearlong 50th anniversary celebration. The evening was very successful on several fronts. Back by popular demand, the recessional featured the Line of Honor where our graduates walked west past a line of faculty who have contributed to their educational experiences. The pathway took the graduates, along with faculty, family and friends, to the Health and Sciences Complex grassy area for photo opportunities and additional refreshments. Many thanks to all those who participated in, planned or volunteered at the event. You made a difference in helping us to provide a fun, safe and meaningful celebration!

We heard inspirational messages from keynote speaker Christina Deckard and student speaker Timothy Snowball. Christina wanted to become a physicist, but was not permitted to enroll in physics classes at a four-year university because she was a female. The year was 1978. So, she returned to her El Cajon home and enrolled at Grossmont College in the Fall 1979 semester. She was the only girl in her physics class at Grossmont College, and earned an “A” in Robert James’ physics class. Christina transferred to San Diego State University to earn a bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees from SDSU. She also taught math and science as an adjunct instructor at Grossmont College from 1989 to 1998. Today, she is an internationally recognized expert in laser technology.

Timothy did not graduate from high school, but he graduated with honors with two associate degrees in Political Science and University Studies. Unfortunately, frequent episodes with depression left him with a deficiency of units, so he left high school during his senior year and started working in restaurants. At age 25, with encouragement from family and friends, he applied to Grossmont College and enrolled in an American politics class. "Before Grossmont, I did not even know that Political Science was a college major," he said. In his three years at Grossmont, Timothy has earned a place on both the President's and Vice President's Lists and induction into Grossmont College's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honors society that recognizes and encourages academic achievement of two-year college students. Timothy will attend UC Berkeley in the fall and is a shining example of how Grossmont College changes lives through education.

As the kickoff to our yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, we introduced five alums, each one representing each of the previous five decades. The alums included: Jose Molina Serrano, jazz guitarist, song writer, producer and band leader (2000s); Sheila Erickson, a nurse manager in charge of the Acute Stroke and EEG departments at Sharp Grossmont Hospital (1990s); Brad Daluiso, former NFL player and current financial planning specialist with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (1980s); Clara Harris, founder of Heartland Human Relations Association, now called the Center for Social Advocacy, and a recent inductee into the San Diego County Women’s Hall of Fame (1970s); and Ron Oliver with Edco Disposal (1960s). Ron, who served as student body president during 1966-1967, was adorned in a tie-dye t-shirt with wire-rim granny glasses (think John Lennon glasses). When his name was announced, Ron stood up and flashed the peace sign. However, his theatrics were mild compared to his campaign for student body president in 1966. For the candidates’ debate, he received permission from the Federal Aviation Administration and arrived in a helicopter, landing in the campus’ Main Quad area in front of the library.

The Grossmont College Police Academy celebrated on May 6 the graduation of 20 cadets who comprised the 31st Academy Graduating Class. The 415 hours of training lasted about 8 months, from September 11 to May 6. In addition, the Grossmont College Corrections Academy held its graduation of 64 cadets on May 13.

Our School of Nursing recently held its graduation pinning ceremony for its Class of 2011, which included 47 graduates who earned a two-year associate degree in nursing. The pinning ceremony is a tradition for graduations of new nurses and the pin bears the Grossmont College seal and mascot. Established in 1967, Grossmont’s School of Nursing has graduated more than 5,000 nurses during its four-decade history. The nursing program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), and is currently in its third year of a five-year accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Grossmont also offers an accelerated path to a bachelor’s degree in nursing for Grossmont nursing graduates through Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Phoenix. Under a transfer agreement with GCU, Grossmont nursing students can begin earning their bachelor’s degree in 16 months following their final semester at Grossmont. Grossmont students also may be eligible for scholarships if they maintain a 3.0 grade-point-average while enrolled in GCU classes.

Our Office Professional Training (OPT) program graduated its class of Spring 2011 of 22 students on Friday, June 3. The graduates received a total $3,350 in scholarships, which they can use for further education and/or job search expenses. The majority of the graduates, 15, majored in Insurance with seven in accounting and eight in banking. Nine graduates completed “double majors” and one completed a “triple major.” Three students – Kathy Austin, Marcia Berger, and Kim Casillas – each received a national InVEST (Insurance Vocational Education Student Training) scholarship for $500. OPT also received a generous check from this group. The OPT program has been training students at GC for 26 years since 1985. With the newest class of 22 graduates, we now have graduated 2,180 students from the program. In addition to acquiring professional skills, the OPT program helps its graduates obtain employment and become economically self-sufficient.

The National award winner is an OPT instructor. Bob Captain, our Insurance instructor in the OPT program, has been recognized by InVEST as 2011 Instructor of the Year (he also won this award in 2001). Bob received the National award this week at a meeting of the Insurance Brokers and Agents of San Diego as part of its I-Day celebration. In his acceptance speech, Bob mentioned that teaching Insurance at Grossmont College means a lot to him because he trains students who will later enter the industry; and then he has the opportunity to work with them as colleagues.

Grossmont Middle College High School will graduate 38 seniors on Monday, June 6, at 5:30 p.m. The high school is a collaborative effort between the Grossmont Union High School District and Grossmont College. High school students concurrently take classes for both high school credit and college credits for admission to a four-year degree. By the time they graduate from high school, most students have approximately 30 units of college credit. This year’s graduating class of 38 students has earned approximately $150,000 in scholarships.

VOTE FOR GC AS SAN DIEGO’S BEST

Every member of the Grossmont College family is encouraged to vote online for Grossmont College as the Best Local College in this year’s 15th annual San Diego’s Best Readers’ Poll from the San Diego Union-Tribune. Let’s not miss this opportunity. The competition is stiff. Voting takes place June 3 through 25. This year, you will need to be logged in to vote for GC. You can register to vote at www.signonsandiego.com. If you try to vote and you are not logged in, you will be automatically sent to a login/registration page to login or create a new account. When you are logged in, you will be able to vote once per day per category. Look for Grossmont College under the “San Diego Life” category. Grossmont was selected as “San Diego’s Best” in 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2010. This year’s winners will be announced in September in the Union-Tribune and on www.signonsandiego.com.

STUDENTS OF NOTE

We want to acknowledge the recent “Students of Note” ceremony that featured honors to 12 students who were nominated by Grossmont College faculty and staff. Students are nominated based on struggles they have had to overcome in order to achieve their goal of graduating or preparing to transfer to a university. Among the recent honorees was a student with cerebral palsy who is confined to a wheelchair. Another honoree was born deaf but it wasn't discovered until he was two years old. Another honoree was a student who lost her 8 year old son while she was attending school. Instead of it destroying her, his death motivated her to push forward and complete her education. Also honored was a student from Africa who had been orphaned as a young child. The Students of Note program is run by our EOPS department.

UPCOMING EVENTS

· Our nursing students will participate with an exhibit booth in the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Healthcare, the largest annual free health fair in San Diego’s East County region, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday June 11, at the Grossmont Center mall near the movie theaters. Our students will provide information about the nursing program and our college. The Chamber expects more than 75 exhibit booths will feature health screenings for strike, blood pressure and blood glucose/diabetes, as well as the latest information on health-related techniques and products.

· The Student Activities Window (Building #36) is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, for any staff member interested in purchasing discounted tickets to the 2011 San Diego County Fair. Unlimited and single-day admission tickets are available, along with ride coupons. For more information, contact Irene Bauza, ext. 7603.

· “Grossmont College, Celebrating 50 Years!” Our 50th anniversary commemorative book is now on sale at the campus bookstore. The cost is $19.61 (classes began 50 years ago on Sept. 11, 1961). Let me encourage all faculty and staff to buy your copy of this historic book. Don’t delay because quantities are limited. Be the first in your department to own your piece of Grossmont College history. Discover little-known facts you never knew before. A portion of proceeds from each book benefits the Grossmont College Foundation enabling the support of student scholarships and college programs. Books can be purchased online or at the bookstore.

· The Hyde Art Gallery has announced its 2011-2012 exhibition schedule. It includes the following:

ü Selections from our permanent collection (mixed media), Aug. 22-Sept. 15.

ü Adjacent and tangental painters (painting), Oct. 3-27.

ü Artists who teach (photography), Nov. 14-Dec. 15.

ü Works by Lea Anderson (sculpture), Jan. 23-Feb. 23.

ü Kim, Reibstein & Berning (ceramics), March 12-April 12.

ü Art student exhibition 2012 (mixed media), May 7-17.

PADRES GAME WITH EAST COUNTY CHAMBER

BUDGET NEWS

Discussion is continuing regarding proposed changes to the spending plan in the governor’s May Revise. Agreement is expected to be reached by June 15, although it is unclear whether there has been any movement toward agreement on either the tax extensions or additional spending cuts needed to make the budget balance. With the pressure to pass a budget by June 15 this year, without which legislative pay checks and per diem payments would be forfeited for the first time, there is some optimism that a deal can be reached in the next few weeks.