Peg Hovde, Math Instructor, was one of the employees who accepted the Early Retirement Incentive (ERI). Peg started teaching at Grossmont in 1973.

GCCCD employees who accepted the ERI were honored at a recent celebration held at Cuyamaca College. Among the 29 ERI employees, 13 were from Grossmont, including eight faculty, three classified and two administrators.

Dr. Mary Leslie (in blue jacket) was honored as the Workforce Development Professional of the Year. Next to Dr. Leslie is Mark Cafferty, San Diego Workforce Partnership President/CEO.

Rick Kirby, Cardiovascular Technology Dept. Coordinator, holds a check that announces a $30,000 grant from Abbott Vascular, one of the world’s leading vascular care businesses. Mike Allen, Abbott’s Southern California Regional Manager, is next to Kirby.

The Wells Fargo Foundation donated $13,334 to the Grossmont College Foundation for a perpetual $1,000-a-year scholarship for Grossmont College students. From left: Dr. Sunny Cooke, Grossmont College president; Scott Zardenetta, branch manager of Wells Fargo’s Grossmont Center office; Nicole Burrell-Birt, Wells Fargo district manager; Steven Devan, Grossmont College Foundation board president.

The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) board of directors recently approved a $13,500 grant to the Grossmont College Foundation for a perpetual $1,000-a-year scholarship for GC students. From left: Grossmont College Foundation executive director Ernest Ewin, Grossmont College president Dr. Sunny Cooke and GHD board members Michael Emerson, Gloria Chadwick, Deborah McElravy, Jim Stieringer and Dr. Michael Long.

At the 2009 Fall Convocation, Dr. Sunny Cooke discussed the past year of strategic planning work, the effort to integrate planning with the budgeting process and a follow-up report to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

Professional Development Week, held prior to the start of the Fall 2009 Semester, included the President’s BBQ lunch that was enjoyed by faculty, staff and administrators.

Speakers at a recent Adult Reentry event held this summer included (from left): Leonard Villarreal with the San Miguel Fire Protection District; Cheryl Menard, a Grossmont College nursing graduate; Vern Torres, a veteran and current Orthopedic Technology student; and Lydia Milles, OTP graduate.

The annual Fall Scholarship Awards Breakfast was presented by the Grossmont College Foundation and Grossmont College Scholarship Department. In all, 48 students were awarded scholarships that exceeded $32,000. Recipients were selected based on criteria established by the Grossmont College Scholarship Advisory Committee and any additional criteria established by the sponsor.

For the first time at the Fall Scholarship Awards Breakfast, 13 scholarship recipients were Osher scholars. The 13 scholars were selected based on financial need, and the funds can be used to help defray the cost of textbooks, equipment, lab fees and other items beyond registration fees.

GC hosted the 2009 Emerging, Student and Independent Film Festival in August, and four young girls who attended GCCCD’s summertime “College for Kids” program received an award at the Festival for their two-minute PSA video on taking care of the planet. From left are Katie Cole, Raven Spoor, Magic Cole and Grace Lehman. Their instructor for the digital video production class was Richard Gholson.

Guitarists and singers were invited to perform a song or two at Grossmont College’s recent “Unplugged Music Festival,” held in the Main Quad. Musicians benefited from a concert-quality JBL sound system with professional stage monitors. The Festival was simulcast on Griffin Radio.

On Club Day, Phi Theta Kappa sought new qualified members. PTK encourages academic achievement and scholarship among two-year college students.

The Lady Griffins Women’s Volleyball team practices for their 2009 season. Last season was a rebuilding year for the team. Coach Jamie Ivers has high expectations for the 2009 campaign.

The 30 students who were part of the EOPS/CARE Summer Institute Class of 2009 enjoyed a BBQ between their English 105 and PCD 120 coursework. The six-week, bridge program is designed to assist first-semester freshman students in making a successful transition from high school to college.

The Theatre Arts Department rehearses for “The Tempest,” William Shakespeare’s magical and mystical tale of fantasy. Performances will be held at the Stagehouse Theatre. The classic play creates a storm of intrigue, romance and comedy when the survivors of a sorcerer’s chaotic spell interact with the denizens of an enchanted island.

Constitution Day at Grossmont included a visit from the Sons of the American Revolution in period costume, along with a “Constitution Wall” where students used their freedom of speech to write notes about what the Constitution meant to them.