PRESIDENT’S NEWSBURST

MAY 2012

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

This is the busiest and most joyful time of the academic year!  We have a number of events highlighting our student’s talents and accomplishments.  We feature exhibits, performances, guest lecturers and much more.  There are a number of student celebrations that highlight academic excellence, achievement, and perseverance.  We also recognize and celebrate the exceptional work and accomplishment of our employees.  I call it the “march to commencement” and others say the “season of sheet cakes and smiles.”  Whatever you call it, I hope you will make some time to participate and enjoy it!

The culminating event is on Thursday, May 31. We especially need our faculty members to participate in the recessional “Line of Honor.” That’s where our graduates walk past a line of faculty who have contributed to their educational experiences with us. The pathway will take our graduates, along with faculty, family and friends, to the Health and Sciences Complex grassy area for photo opportunities and additional refreshments. If you want to volunteer, please contact Agustin Albarran at ext. 7601. Our volunteers will make a difference in helping us provide a fun, safe and meaningful celebration! Our keynote speaker will be Diana Pico, a GC nursing graduate. Diana is married to Anthony Pico, the elected chairman of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians. Our student speaker will be Danny McKay, who is graduating with honors and with an Associate Degree in Math and Science and a Certificate of Achievement in University Studies. For more information, visit the commencement website, www.grossmont.edu/commencement/.

Other graduation ceremonies include:

·         Police Academy Graduation, Friday, May 11, 6 p.m., Main Quad.

·         Corrections Academy Graduation, Friday, May 18, 6 p.m., Main Quad.

·         Nursing Pinning Ceremony, Tuesday, May 29, 5:30 p.m., Main Quad.

·         Office Professional Training Graduation, Friday, June 1, 6:30 p.m., Main Quad.

·         Middle College High School Graduation, Monday, June 11, 5:30 p.m., Main Quad.

COLLEGE RECOGNITION AWARDS

Please don't miss the opportunity to give your colleagues some well-deserved recognition at the College Recognition Awards ceremony at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 10 in Griffin Gate.  This is one of the important ways that our college applauds and celebrates the good work of our peers. Recognition will include Academic Rank, Faculty Tenure, New Degree Recipients and Recent Publications and Exhibits, as well as Teaching Excellence Awards. Staff awards will include Vice Presidents’ Support Staff Recognition and Chancellor/Classified Senate Award recipients. We also recognize Faculty and Staff Retirees and Club Advisors. The Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges will recognize Faculty/Staff Giving donors and present a “Commitment to Service” award. Also, we will honor Janice Johnson, Articulation Officer/Counselor, as our 2011-2012 Distinguished Faculty Award Honoree, and announce recipients of the President’s Leadership Award and Innovator of the Year Award.  Come slightly early to enjoy the refreshments, fellowship and great seating.

INSTITUTIONAL SURVEY

The Institutional Excellence Council recently deployed a survey asking for your feedback. These survey questions will provide important information on the college’s programs, services, processes, and opportunities.  Your honest feedback will help us to identify what is working well and where we might want to make adjustments. The college plans to administer an institutional survey each year as part of our continuous improvement cycle of PIE (planning, implementation, and evaluation), and we hope that you will continue to provide us your feedback each cycle. The survey will be available until May 25th. Please check your email for the log-in information.

NEWS AROUND CAMPUS

Ø  At the recent College Planning Forum, the word “local” was added to the college’s Mission Statement, which now reads: Grossmont College is committed to providing an exceptional learning environment that enables diverse individuals to pursue their hopes, dreams, and full potential and to developing enlightened leaders and thoughtful citizens for the local and global community.”   

Ø  As part of our 50^th anniversary celebration, adjunct History instructors Kristin Hargrove and Ann Marie Bryan have been videotaping faculty and staff who have been answering the question: “What’s great about being a part of Grossmont College?” Watch the YouTube video: http://youtu.be/yDl5_svxUXc. 

Ø  This summer will mark the third year of Grossmont College’s participation in the Life Science Summer Institute in collaboration with the Southern California Biotechnology Center, San Diego Workforce Partnership, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology (LJIAI), and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. High school juniors and seniors will be at Grossmont from Monday, June 18 to Thursday, June 21, for a grant-funded Biotechnology Skills "Bootcamp" to be taught by Grossmont Biology faculty in preparation for 7-week internships at Scripps, Salk or LJIAI. The success of this program at Grossmont has led to statewide and national interest in further expansion. 

RECENT HONORS

Ø  One of Grossmont College’s finest, Pat Murray, Health Science Lab Technician, has been awarded with a 2012 Community College Classified Employee of the Year award. Pat recently received her award this week at a Board of Governors meeting in Sacramento. The statewide award honors community college classified employees who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to professionalism and community colleges. Pat was one of five classified employees to receive this year’s award among some 100 nominations. There are 24,000 classified employees in the California community college system. Pat was nominated by her colleagues and endorsed by the GCCCD Governing Board. Congratulations, Pat!

Ø  ASGC held its 50th annual Academic/Service Awards on April 25 in Griffin Gate. Outstanding student leaders were recognized for their academic, service, and student life achievements during the 2011-2012 academic year. Among the Division Honor Awards winners: Katherine Rainey, Arts, Languages and Communication; Bobby Morris, Career Technical Education/Workforce Development; Daniel McKay, English & Social/Behavioral Sciences; Carlos Paz, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Exercise Science/Wellness. In addition, Guadalupe Sandoval-Garcia and Tyler Ormsby were named Athletes of the Year, Akashi Panchal was named International Student of the Year, and Carlos Paz and Arianna Nevins were named Woman and Man of Distinction, respectively. The Action Club was honored as Most Outstanding Club of the Year, and Jim Tolbert, Action Club advisor, was named Club Advisor of the Year. Irene Bauza was honored for the Most Significant Contribution to Student Government.

Ø  Adjunct instructor of English, Joseph LePetri has been chosen as one of three San Diego Unified School District 2012 Teachers of the Year. Here is a link to a newspaper article: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/may/04/sd-unifieds-teachers-of-the-year/

Ø  Ron Adams, General Maintenance Worker, reports that his son, a former Grossmont student, is now playing with David Cook’s band and is opening for Jon Bon Jovi. Ron’s son recently played in Las Vegas.

Ø  Isaac Arguelles, one of our own GCCCD interpreters, was recently honored by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama who presented Isaac with the khatag, a traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarf. Isaac was one of the ASL interpreters for the Dalai Lama’s speech at Viejas Arena on SDSU’s campus. The Dalai Lama talked on the topic of upholding universal ethics and compassion in challenging times.

Ø  The Office Professional Training (OPT) program was recently mentioned in the Women Give San Diego blog, http://womengivesd.blogspot.com. Women Give San Diego has granted $15,500 the past two years in support of the OPT program, specifically to underwrite the salary of the program’s counselor, Laurel Klotz, a licensed marriage and family counselor who has served as  OPT program counselor for more than 12 years.

Ø  William Sneed, Media Communications, has been invited and accepted into the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) a professional organization of video engineers. William also belongs to the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) the Southwest Chapter of the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) the National Association of Broadcasters/ Broadcast Educators Association (NAB/BEA) and the BiNational Communications Organization (BINACOM).

UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS

Ø  The Theatre Arts Department will continue this week its performances of “Lost in Yonkers,” a play by Neil Simon and directed by Jeannette Thomas. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on May 9, 10, 11 and 12, and at 2 p.m. on May 12. When brothers Artie and Jay are sent to live with their Grandmother, they find out that their father’s family puts the “fun” in dysfunctional. Set in 1942, Neil Simon’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play is a heart-warming, honest and funny look at how we define “family.”

Ø  The Career Center’s Adult Reentry Program will host “Now That You’ve Been Laid Off,” a free seminar featuring tips on getting hired again, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, in Griffin Center, Building #60, Room #140. Admission is free. The speaker will be Tony Desylvester, a management trainer.

Ø  The Grossmont College Hyde Art Gallery is proud to present “Grossmont College Art Student Exhibition 2012.” You are cordially invited to view this exhibition that opened on May 7 and will close on May 17. This 256-piece exhibition is a cross-section of art produced by art students resulting from their studies within the department. The student award presentation event honoring these emerging artists will be held on Tuesday, May 15th, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Ø  The Grossmont College Guitar Guild will present “Blurring the Edges,” a benefit concert for the Grossmont Guitar Guild Scholarship Fund featuring performance by Grossmont College guitar instructor Fred Benedetti and cousins Peter Sprague on guitar and Tripp Sprague on saxophone, at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 11, in Building #26, Room #220. The public is invited to attend. Cost to attend is $10 per person general admission. Tickets are available at the door.

Ø  The Grossmont College Dance Department will present its final Spring 2011 Master Dance Class on Friday, May 11 in the Dance Studio, 24-271. Guest instructor Michael Kielbasa will teach West Coast Swing from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Guest instructor Suanne Forbes-Vierling will teach African Dance from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. Cost is $10 per class, or $18 for both classes.

Ø  The Grossmont College Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale will present two performances of “Resonantes Musica,” featuring the music of Morten Lauridsen, at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 11, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 625 Pennsylvania Ave., San Diego, and at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 7710 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa. Admission is free, however a freewill offering will be held.

Ø  The Communication Department will present members of the Intercollegiate Speech and Debate Team in a showcase of debaters and speakers starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, in Building #26, Room #220. Cost to attend is $8 per person for general admission and $5 per person for faculty and staff. The event is a fundraiser for team travel expenses. Adult language will be used. For more information, contact Roxanne Tuscany.

Ø  The Music Dept. will host a fundraiser for its Scholarship Fund starting at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 14, at Humphrey’s By the Bay on Shelter Island. Cost to attend is $18 general admission and $10 for students.

Ø  The Department of Philosophy and Religion, with support from the World Arts and Culture Committee, will host a free presentation by B. N. Shen, author of The Uncrushable Rose, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15 in Building #26, Room #220.  For more information, contact Zoe Close.

Ø  The Grossmont College Concert Band will perform its Spring Concert with the Madison High School Band at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, at Cuyamaca College Fine Arts Theatre. Cost to attend is $8 per person for adults and $5 per person for students, seniors and children.

Ø  As part of the Grossmont College Wellness Initiative, the Grossmont College Triathlon Club, along with TREK LA MESA superstore, will host “Bike to College Day” on Friday May 18. The Grossmont Pit Stop location will be in Parking Lot #1 from 6 to 9 a.m., and a “Bicycle Parade” is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon in the Main Quad. Prizes, refreshments and activities are planned. If you would like to sponsor a rider, please contact Agustin Albarran at ext. 7600 or Pat Murray at ext. 7316. For more event info, visit www.grossmont.edu/wellness. Also visit the website for the volunteer-led Activity Group calendar and Fitness Courses schedule for May, along with the GC Biggest Loser Blog.

Ø  The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra will present “Americana,” featuring flautist Suzanne Kennedy, for two performances at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 18, at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, 8086 Broadway, Lemon Grove, and at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, at Paradise Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2701 East 8th St., National City. Admission is free, however a freewill offering will be held.

Ø  The Music Dept. Jazz Studies Program will present “Jazz Night,” featuring Grossmont College jazz studies students under the direction of Derek Cannon, at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, in Building #26, Room #220. Cost to attend is $8 per person for adults and $5 per person for students, seniors and children.

Ø  The Theatre Arts Department will present its Spring 2012 Theatre Arts Showcase at 7 p.m. on May 23 and 24 at the Stagehouse Theatre, Building #21, Room #247. Theatre students will perform musical theatre on Wednesday, May 23, and mime on Thursday, May 24. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Admission is free, however freewill offerings will be accepted.

Ø  The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program’s fourth annual Recruitment Fair will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 24, in the lobby of the Health Professional Building (Building 34). At the event, the OTA class of 2012 will be formally introduced to companies that have job openings for OTAs. The invitation list totals more than 60 companies.

Ø  For details on upcoming student club activities, visit www.grossmont.edu/student_activities/gc_clubs.asp.

Ø  For campus activities, events and performances, visit the Campus Events page on the college website, www.grossmont.edu/events/.

Ø  For recent print news clips collected by the Office of College & Community Relations, visit www.grossmont.edu/newsclips/.

PRESIDENT’S NEWSBURST

APRIL 2012

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The college’s Planning Forum was held Friday, March 23^rd.  Approximately 50 faculty, staff, students and administrators participated in the day-long planning workshop.  As you know, this is the time when we examine what has been, what is, where we are, where we are going and what could be.  Through presentations, group and individual work, the participants engaged in reviewing data about the state of the college, educational master plan, progress on our strategic plan, student achievement, and student learning outcomes.  Through an integrated planning process, we reviewed our college’s vision and mission and made a minor modification.  We also collaboratively prioritized the goals for the next planning cycle.  These goals are listed below and should help units, departments and the college focus on priorities.  It is crucial during the extremely challenging economic times that we focus our limited resources behind our college priorities.  Times are tough but at Grossmont College the tough keep going!

Goals for 2013/14:

Provide an exceptional learning environment to promote student success

Respond to changing community needs

Promote institutional effectiveness

Enhance workforce preparedness

VOLUNTEERING AT COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE

I am writing to say thanks in advance to all faculty, staff and administrators. Your support and participation for the upcoming 50th Anniversary Community Open House on April 13 and 14 will make this event unprecedented in the 50-year history of the college. Thank you again for giving of your time and talents to help us showcase the academic excellence of Grossmont College.

As we inch closer to the event in less than two weeks, let me express my appreciation for helping us spread the news and in encouraging your friends and neighbors to attend. This fun-filled, family-oriented festival will showcase the college’s outstanding programs, faculty, staff and students.  Interactive learning exhibits, activities and performances will showcase the latest innovations in educational programs and technology hosted by the various departments and disciplines, including theatre arts, music, health professions, culinary, math and English, and Exercise Science and Wellness. We especially need every available body to help Grossmont College set a world’s record in the Main Quad at noon on Saturday, April 14.

We need your help! Community members, staff, faculty, students and family (over 18) are welcome and encouraged to volunteer for the event! Please take a minute and fill out the online volunteer form. Sign-ups and more details are available on our college’s 50th Anniversary Celebration website, www.grossmont.edu/50years. Forward it to your friends, neighbors, former GC employees, and others who might want to be involved. All volunteers will be asked to complete a waiver form. If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact Pat Murray at ext. 7316. Your support and participation will make our college proud. Honestly, I don't know how I can ever thank you enough!

CLASSIFIED STAFF APPRECIATION DAY

Classified Staff Appreciation Day was held on April 2 (Monday of Spring Break) on the Grossmont campus. The theme was “Enriching Classified – Mind, Body & Soul,” and the keynote speaker was Pam Smith of the County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and Aging & Independence Services. The many raffle prizes included a beautiful hard body guitar donated by Taylor Guitars, and Bradford Portraits donated a $5,000 portrait package.

GROSSMONT COLLEGE FRIENDS OF MUSIC

The Grossmont College Friends of Music will host its second annual Friends of Music Gala fundraiser to benefit the Grossmont College Symphony and Master Chorale from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, at Griffin Center, Grossmont College’s new Student Center. Admission is $50 per person. Corporate sponsorships are available for $750 for a table of 8. The event will feature live music, dinner, and a silent auction, along with an opportunity drawing. For more information, call Lisa Oberndorfer at (619) 743-2010, or lisakay@gmail.com. To purchase tickets, please visit www.grossmontsymphony.tix.com.

BRAD DALUISO GOLF CLASSIC

The Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges, the non-profit organization that directly supports students, faculty and staff at both colleges through scholarships and educational equipment, supplies and programs, will host the 10th annual Brad Daluiso Golf Classic, a fundraising tournament, starting at 11 a.m. (shotgun start) on Friday, May 4, 2012, at the Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort, 3007 Dehesa Road, El Cajon. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Grossmont College Athletics Programs. Player spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Entry donation to play is $250 per person, which includes green fees, cart, a fitting for TaylorMade clubs, tee prizes, goodie gift bag, unlimited range balls, putting contest, course games, raffle tickets, BBQ steak lunch, snacks, beverages, player awards and after-golf awards reception.  Sponsorship opportunities are available and donations of merchandise and/ professional services for the silent auction and raffle are welcomed. Please share this information with your circle of contacts. Event brochures are available for distribution. Please contact Laurie Corbin at 619-644-7109 or laurie.corbin@gcccd.edu with any questions or to receive brochures to share. You may also drop by the Foundation office to pick up your supply of brochures. Our thanks again to Brad who lends his name, talents and time to making this an annual premier event. For registration information, visit www.foundation.gcccd.edu.

RECENT HONORS

Speech and Debate

Congratulations to Grossmont’s Speech/Debate Team for their success against 42 colleges and universities at the Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensics Association’s Spring Championship Tournament. Recognition was earned by the following students.

·         Darron DeVillez, 1st Place in Jr. Division of Program Oral Interpretation

·         Gabi Johnson, 2nd Place in Novice Division of Prose Interpretation

·         Ali Majed, Bronze Award in Jr. Parliamentary Debate and 6th Place Speaker Award in Jr. Parliamentary Debate.

·         Vanessa Spear, Bronze Award in Jr. Parliamentary Debate

·         Darron DeVillez, Bronze Award in Novice Parliamentary Debate

·         Joey Zaliagiris, Bronze Award in Novice Parliamentary Debate

Honors

·         Honors student Ralf Schuster received the Director’s Award for the HTCC (Honors Transfer Council of California) conference last week in Irvine. This is the top award given to honors students in California community colleges. His award was for research done in a Science 110 -- Introduction to Scientific Thought class last Fall. His will receive $1,000 and his work will be published in a professional journal. Also to be honored at the conference: Daniel McKay received an Exemplary Achievement Award; Heather Roth received for her Henrietta Lacks essay.

·         Donald H. Harrison, creator and editor of San Diego Jewish World, an online newspaper, and an adjunct instructor for the class that produces the student newspaper called The Summit, has written a story about Tate Hurvitz, Assistant Professor, Department of English, and Tate’s work on the Henrietta Lacks Project. Here is a link to the article. http://www.sdjewishworld.com/2012/03/20/interdisciplinary-inter-campus-movement-expands-in-san-diego-grossmont-college-english-prof-hurvitz-helps-shape-trend/

CAMPUS EVENTS

·         The Hyde Art Gallery’s “Beyond the Limit,” a ceramics exhibit with works by Kelly Berning, Yoonchung Kim and Sasha Koozel Reibstein, runs through April 12.  This exhibition features 42 pieces, including dancing tea pots that resemble human forms, ceramic boxes with the history of ceramics in the Korean language and ceramic internal organs.

·         The Grossmont College Dance Department will present “Entrances and Exits,” a faculty-choreographed dance concert featuring performances by Grossmont College dance students demonstrating various genres of dance. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 26, 27 and 28. All performances will be held at the Kroc Theatre, and feature dance performances in salsa, tap, ballet, contemporary, modern and hip hop. Admission is $12 per person at the door. For more information, phone the Grossmont College Dance Dept. at (619) 644-7766, or visit www.grossmont.edu/dance.

·         The Grossmont College Creative Writing Program and the World Arts and Cultures Committee are thrilled to present the 16th Annual Literary Arts Festival to be held April 24-May 3. The festival will feature award-winning authors as well as showcase talent from the campus and community. Highlights of this year's festival include author Sandra Cisneros, an American novelist, short-story writer, essayist and poet.  Cisneros is best known for her novel House on Mango Street. She will read and sign books on Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m. in Griffin Gate. Additionally, Grossmont College welcomes Tim O'Brien's in Week 2 of the Festival. O'Brien, considered one of our greatest living American authors and inspirational speakers, is best known for his novel The Things They Carried. O’Brien will lecture and read from his work on Thursday, May 3 at 2 p.m. in Room 220. 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.

·         The 50th annual Associated Students of Grossmont College, Inc. and Inter-Club Council Scholarship and Service Awards Ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 25 in Griffin Gate.  A pre-reception will be held outside of the Griffin Gate at 5:30 p.m. Outstanding student leaders will be recognized for their academic, service, and student life achievements during the 2011-2012 academic years. For more information, contact Barbara Bender, ASGC, Inc. secretary, at Barbara_Bender@gcccd.edu.

·         The Theatre Arts Department will present “Lost in Yonkers,” a play by Neil Simon and directed by Jeannette Thomas, at 7:30 p.m. on May 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and at 2 p.m. on May 5 and 12. When brothers Artie and Jay are sent to live with their Grandmother, they find out that their father’s family puts the “fun” in dysfunctional. Set in 1942, Neil Simon’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play is a heart-warming, honest and funny look at how we define “family.” With an uncle who is a small-time gangster, an aunt with the mentality of a child, and a formidable, steely grandmother who struggles to understand love, Artie and Jay are thrust into a crazy world that they must somehow survive. Will it be the longest ten months of their lives? Or will they all learn that “love” comes in many forms?

·         For details on upcoming student club activities, visit www.grossmont.edu/student_activities/gc_clubs.asp.

·         For recent print news clips collected by the Office of College & Community Relations, visit www.grossmont.edu/newsclips/

PRESIDENT’S NEWS BURST

FEBRUARY 2012

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

I'm sure you would agree with me that our two new buildings are very impressive. The Student and Administrative Services Building, Building #10, is serving us well as a one-stop center for student services, including admissions and records, assessment, counseling, transfer center, international students, veterans affairs, and financial aid. I admire the use of color, natural lighting and large open spaces. It is a welcoming and gracious center for all who enter.

In addition, the Griffin Center, our Student Center, serves as a wonderful educational centerpiece with much-improved dining and food service areas and a variety of study locations. Students finally have a place to call their own. The Griffin Center, Building #60, accommodates Associated Students, Culinary Arts, Student Health Services, Extended Opportunity Programs and Services, Disabled Student Programs and Services and Career Center, as well as lounge areas, adjunct faculty offices, student affairs office, student club room and Griffin Gate.

KUSI-TV was on campus on the first day of school with live remotes from both new buildings. We captured on film the looks of surprise and shock on our students faces as they entered Griffin Center.

Meanwhile, I recently visited Sacramento to meet with state legislators with a team from GCCCD and also the 9 colleges in San Diego and Imperial Counties (SDICCCA). The budget news is not encouraging. The prospects are still unclear due to great ambiguity associated with state revenues, the legislative turmoil in Sacramento, and the high stakes gamble of November ballot measures. In January, Gov. Jerry Brown released a draft budget that that counts on voters approving tax increases in November. Bottom line is: If the tax increase passes, education won't be cut. So, in the best-case scenario, California's funding for education will remain flat. However, our college's costs go up every year. Some of the basic costs of doing business like paying for utilities and gas rise due to inflation, as they do for everyone. Since 2008, the amount of money sent to community colleges by the state has been declining, despite increasing costs. Therefore, only by working collectively and collaboratively, will we get through these worst of times in California public education. Thank you for your support. We will continue to keep you posted as news comes in.  Our college's planning and resource council as well as our district strategic planning and budget council are the groups that are elbow deep in state budget news and also in helping us devise solutions.  Please be sure you know who your representatives are to these two important councils.   The generic positions of those serving on councils can be found at http://www.grossmont.edu/org_gov_structures/ .  Please contact Bernadette Black for names. 

VALENTINE’S DESSERT RECEPTION CELEBRATION

As part of our college's 50th anniversary celebration, we have invited happily married couples that met their spouse at Grossmont College to join us for a very special pre-Valentine's Day Sweethearts Dessert Reception Celebration on Friday February 10. We anticipate approximately 100 people will attend.  The reception will feature delicious dessert stations featuring chocolates, baked treats and non-alcoholic beverages, along with live musical entertainment. A musical quartet with Steve Baker, Grossmont's Dean of Arts, Languages & Communication, will perform love songs from the past five decades. We always knew Grossmont was a very special place but these couples have an everyday reminder of what a wonderful place it truly is!

COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE IN APRIL

As part of our 50th anniversary celebration, we are inviting the entire community to our campus for a free Community Open House, a fun-filled, family-oriented festival on Friday and Saturday, April 13 and 14. The theme is "50-Year Spectacular! A Sizzling Weekend Celebration." We are encouraging all faculty, staff and administrators to support, participate and attend. Over two action-packed days, we will feature events where you'll jump and jive to the sounds of the dazzling decades, plus make history with a Guinness Book of World Records attempt.

On Friday, April 13, the scheduled activities include student performances (singers, guitars, jazz, and more) in the Main Quad from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., followed by a "Sock-Hop Dance" in the Main Gym featuring live music from our very own Rick Trestrail's "Footloose" band playing classic tunes from the '50s, '60s and '70s. The dance (free admission) runs from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., and will include prizes and giveaways. Classic cars will be on display, and food specials will be available from  "Ms. Patty Melt" and "Sweets in Motion" food trucks.

Then, on Saturday, April 14, everyone is encouraged to attend the 9:30 a.m. dedication ceremony for our two brand new buildings, followed by a Departmental Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring exhibits, interactive demonstrations, activities and classes showcasing our faculty and all that Grossmont College has to offer. Let your divisional dean know your plans for showcasing the college's outstanding learning environment. In addition to the Department Fair, our community members will be able to indulge in culinary creations from a dozen of San Diego's most famous food trucks, offering free samples and an abundance of luncheon choices.

Most importantly, at noon, we will put Grossmont College on the world map by setting a Guinness World's Records attempt in the Main Quad. A free t-shirt will be available for every participant who attends the world's records attempt.

So, mark your calendars and join in this celebration! Families are invited, especially ages 12 and up (no child care will be available). For updates, tell your friends and neighbors to visit www.grossmont.edu/50years.

WELLNESS INITIATIVE

Kick off the New Year and join our Wellness Initiative, a campuswide effort for faculty, staff and administrators to get healthier in 2012. Our Wellness Initiative complements the efforts of the East County Health and Human Services (HHS) Division of the Live Well, San Diego!: Building Better Health Initiative and the 3-4-50 concept. The staggering numbers indicate that three behaviors cause four diseases that result in 50 percent of the deaths nationally. These behaviors, which include smoking/alcohol use, poor diet and lack of activity, are crucial aspects to promote health and well-being among East County residents. We intend to change lives by educating and changing the behaviors of our employees while planning to scale up efforts in subsequent years.  Our Wellness Initiative includes several opportunities for participating, including volunteer-led activity groups, wellness/exercise fee-based classes, healthy eating options and smoking cessation workshops and support. For more details, including activity group descriptions and schedules of fee-based classes, visit www.grossmont.edu/wellness. Register now for one of the fee-based courses offered by visiting http://www.cuyamaca.edu/preview, or calling 660-4350. Join your colleagues in a fitness rebellion against sedentary living because you're the one with the most to gain. And lose.

WACC GRANT REQUESTS

A deadline of Tuesday, Feb. 14 has been set for submitting grant requests for funding from the World Arts and Cultures Committee (WACC) for on-campus arts and cultural events to occur during the Spring 2012 semester. Grant requests can be submitted to the Student Affairs Office. Requests will be considered as they are submitted on a "rolling basis" with earlier submissions preferred (please allow at least three weeks for approval). Event proposals must fit within the Committee's charge, which is as follows: "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."  For more information about WACC, visit the website, www.grossmont.edu/WACC.

Among the events that already have been funded by WACC for the 2011-2012 academic year: Celebration of Mexican Independence Day (16 de Septembre); Henrietta Lacks Project, including film screening and guest appearance by Joe Sargent (director) and Donald Morgan (cinematographer); Dia de los Muertos; Butoh Theatre Workshop; Fall Draw; New Voices Student Reading; Lecture on "Islam and China" by Alex Steward; Black History Month events; A celebration of Chinese New Year; 50th Anniversary Spring Art Festival; 16th annual Literary Arts Festival, including Sandra Cisneros reading and book signing and Tim O'Brien reception, reading and book signing.

ASGC GRANT REQUESTS

The ASGC, Inc. Spring 2012 grant cycle is now open. Activity/Event grant requests must be received in person by Barbara Bender at the ASGC Office or Irene Bauza at the Student Activities Window no other than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10. The deadline for requests for the general grant cycle is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 23. After submitting your grant request form, please remember to call the ASGC, Inc. Comptroller at extension 7768 to schedule a time to personally present your grant at an ASGC, Inc. Finance Meeting (Thursdays at 8:00 a.m.). This is an important step that helps the board understand and prioritize the many requests received. You may send a representative to the meeting if you cannot attend yourself.

               

DREAMKEEPERS GRANTS AVAILABLE STARTING MARCH 5

Developed with support from the Lumina Foundation for Education and the Wal-Mart Foundation, the Dreamkeepers Emergency Financial Assistance program can provide GC students with emergency funding to allow them to remain in school when faced with unexpected financial hardships.  The new application period for Spring 2012 semester will begin on Monday, March 5. Dreamkeepers grants are available to students who are enrolled in at least six units with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and can demonstrate an "emergency" need. Some examples of such emergencies include child care, rent, gas money, and utilities. Expenses not considered emergencies, and will not be covered, include tuition and fees, books and supplies and normal academic related expenses. If you have questions regarding the Dreamkeepers program, you may contact the Grossmont College Scholarship Specialist at (619) 644-7121 or by e-mail at selam.gebrekristos@gcccd.edu.

PRESIDENT’S LEADERESHIP AWARD

The deadline for nominations for the annual President's Leadership Award has been extended to Friday, March 30. The recipient will be recognized at the College Recognition Awards on May 10. We encourage each of you to consider nominating an outstanding individual member of our college community for this award. Nomination forms are available from Bernadette Black. The President's Leadership Award was established to recognize individual leadership in service to students, faculty and staff, and to encourage continuation of that excellence. Nominations of full-time administrative staff and other individuals in leadership positions at Grossmont College may be submitted by any member of the college community who has personal and direct knowledge of the nominee's work, and who can comment on the unique and outstanding characteristics in support of the nominee's excellent service to students, faculty and staff. Last year's recipient was Tammy Huston. For selection criteria, visit http://www.grossmont.edu/awards/.

OPT GRADUATION

The Office Professional Training (OPT) program recently held a graduation ceremony for its class of Fall 2011, which consisted of 21 students. At the event, attendees heard inspiring success stories of major life changes that have occurred as a result of this intense, challenging program that is offered through the Business Office Technology Department. The OPT program transforms lives by providing educational training and support services that empower unemployed students to compete in a high technology environment. OPT provides up-to-date skills training for jobs in professional office settings in the accounting, insurance, and financial services fields. The program consists of a 20-week semester with about 600 hours of classroom work, the equivalent of what many Grossmont College students complete in two or three semesters. In addition to providing professional skills training, the OPT program helps its graduates obtain employment and become economically self-sufficient. The OPT program, which has been training unemployed individuals at Grossmont College since 1985, has more than 2,200 graduates.

RECENT HONORS

      Al Ventura, Ceramics Technician, was recently presented the Chancellor/Classified Senate Quarterly Award. The Mission Times Courier newspaper published a story about Al's award: http://www.scoopsandiego.com/mission_times_courier/community_news/grossmont-college-ceramics-tech-fires-up-students/article_47011a94-4dbf-11e1-be3d-0019bb30f31a.html. In addition, here is a story about Al that ran in The Patch: http://mounthelix.patch.com/articles/grossmont-college-ceramics-tech-relishes-lighting-a-fire-under-students, http://santee.patch.com/articles/grossmont-college-ceramics-tech-relishes-lighting-a-fire-under-students, and in East County Magazine: http://eastcountymagazine.org/node/8527

      Joe Orate, Coordinator for Culinary Programs, has been honored with the "Chef Educator of the Year 2012" award from the San Diego Chefs Association. Joe received an engraved medallion and embroidered chef coat. He also will ride in a Corvette in the San Diego St. Patrick's Day Parade. In addition, two Grossmont culinary students, Cindy Meyer and Vanessa Huynh, received President's Medallion awards for their hard work and participation on fundraising events on behalf of the San Diego Chefs Association. Vanessa also won a $500 scholarship. Congratulations.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Each February, Black History Month becomes a time to celebrate and honor the contributions African-Americans have made to the U.S. culture and history. Black History Month will be celebrated at GC with a series of events that will honor the movements, traditions and legacies of peoples of the African diaspora:

      Grossmont students with the Inter-Club Council participated on Saturday, Feb. 4 in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service project. They washed the Home of Guiding Hands fleet of service provider vans. The East County Herald newspaper published photos and a video from the event: http://eastcountyheraldnews.com/east-county-san-diego-news/grossmont-and-cuyamaca-colleges-students-serve-community/

      Thursday, February 9 and Thursday, February 23
Jazz Kitchen with Soul Food Specials

Thursday, February 16
Jazz Kitchen with Jamaican Food Specials

Location:  Griffin Grill, Griffin Center, Building 60
Soul/Jamaican Food lunch and dinner specials, with performances by the Grossmont College Music Department's Jazz Studies Program.

      Thursday, February 23, 7 p.m.Location: Building 26, Room 220
Grossmont College Gospel Choir and Master Chorale Performance
The Grossmont College Gospel Choir and Master Chorale will celebrate Black History Month with two performances of gospel music. The first performance will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, at Grossmont College. The second performance will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, at College Avenue Baptist Church, 4747 College Ave., in San Diego. The public is invited to attend. Admission is free at both performances. For more event information, phone the Grossmont College Music Department at (619) 644-7254.

      Monday, February 27, 2 p.m.
Kadir Nelson presents Heart & Soul:
The Story of America and African Americans
Location: Building 26, Room 220
Award-winning artist, illustrator and author presents artwork from his new book and winner of the Coretta Scott King Book Award, Heart & Soul: The Story of America and African Americans. Mr. Nelson’s work focuses on African American culture and history and is featured in museums throughout the world, including the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles and the Yokohama Citizen’s gallery in Japan. His work has been featured in television and film and Mr. Nelson has collaborated in creating children's books with several authors, including Ntozake Shange, director Spike Lee and actors Debbie Allen and Will Smith. In 2009, he published Change Has Come, with illuminated quotations from President Barack Obama. Mr. Nelson created the mural used as cover art for Michael Jackson's posthumous 2010 album Michael.

      Thursday, March 1, 7 p.m.Documentary Showing of Louder than A Bomb Location: Building 26, Room 220
This award-winning, inspiring and high energy film follows four diverse students from equally diverse schools as they prepare for and compete in the world’s largest youth poetry slam in Chicago.

RECENT MEDIA COVERAGE

A video shot by Anne Krueger with students talking about the amazing Griffin Center:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf2_grEIUs8&context=C3c6b358ADOEgsToPDskJ-KdkRq3ltPPKYpKEFUTkE.

Here is a recent news story about the new Student Center:

http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/the-new-griffin-center-becoming-a-hot-spot-at-grossmont-college

Here are recent news stories about the Valentine’s reception:

-- http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jan/10/grossmont-college-looking-couples-who-met- campus/

-- http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jan/26/tp-taking-courses-in-the-romance-languages/

-- http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jan/25/taking-courses-in-the-romance-languages/

-- http://www.scoopsandiego.com/la_mesa_courier/local_news/noteworthy---feb/article_e042a48e-4dce-11e1-9ab9-0019bb30f31a.html

ADDITIONAL CAMPUS EVENTS

      The Spring 2012 Scholarship Awards Breakfast will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11, in the Student Center. Food service begins at 9:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10 a.m. The event will be presented by the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges and 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. Scholarship funds can be used to help defray the cost of textbooks, equipment, lab fees and other items beyond registration fees.

      The San Diego Blood Bank will host a Blood Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14, and from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 in the Main Quad.

      The Career Center will present "Occupational Outlook for 2012" from 11 a.m. to 12:15 on Wednesday, Feb. 15, in Room 60, Room #140. Presenting will be David Narevsky, labor market information business analyst with the San Diego Workforce Partnership.  In addition, Career Center's Adult Reentry program will present "Roadmap to Success," a seminar presented by Sylvia Montejano, EOPS Counselor, from 10 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Feb. 23. To register for either workshop, call the GC Career Center at 644-7614, or visit www.grossmont.edu/adultreentry. The college's Adult Reentry program serves adults who are interested in returning to school to reenter the workforce, learn a new career, earn a college diploma or upgrade their skills for a job promotion.

      As part of the Spring 2012 Master Class Series, the Dance Department will present two classes with master class instructors on Friday, Feb. 24 at the college's main dance studio, Building #24, Room #271. A beginners class on Hip Hop taught by Vanessa Andrada will be taught from 6 to 7:30 p.m., followed by a class on Hip Hop for intermediate and advanced students by David "Darkie" Simmons from 7:30 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.grossmont.edu/dance, or call the Dance Department at 644-7766.

      "Walk the Walk, Talk the Walk," consisting of a 30-minute walk and talk with a nurse from Health Services will start at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26.

      The Hyde Art Gallery, located on campus, is presenting "Multiplicity," a free exhibit of three, three-dimensional sculptures by Lea Anderson, a Grossmont College graduate, through Feb. 23. The exhibition features a confluence of semi-transparent and opaque sea creatures floating around the walls of the Gallery. Lea will deliver a lecture from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Gallery. The 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.