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Welcome to Grossmont College
  • Student Center Fee Election
  • Phi Theta Kappa
  • AOJ / Forensic
    Technology
  • Forensic Technology Workshop
  • Eighth Languages of the World Festival
  • Athletics
  • Fine Dining
  • Fabiola Borges named PCC Woman Athlete of the Week
  • Hall of Fame Induction
  • State Award for Weekend and Evening Nursing Program
  • GC to honor Cesar Chavez on April 5
  • Judith Hersko Sculpture Exhibit opens April 9
  • April in Paris comes to Grossmont on April 11
  • Listening Outpost open April 11 and 16
  • Letter of Commendation
AOJ / Forensic
Technology

The Forensic Technology Program is in the news. Grossmont College instructor Shelleen Arregui's forensic science students were featured in a comprehensive TV report by KUSI news reporter Steve Bosh on March 12. Arregui's students, working in teams, demonstrated crime scene processing techniques and evidence gathering techniques, such as casting for foot prints and tire marks, they are learning in this popular major.

Three Grossmont College graduates, who are now employed as Forensic Specialists by the San Diego Police Department, testified and were subject to cross-examination in a high-profile criminal case that prompted more interest in this rapidly growing career field. Follow up stories about the Grossmont Forensic Technology Program appeared in The San Diego Union-Tribune, and by KFMB-TV, as well. Kudos go to Dr. PJ Ortmeier and his staff for having the only comprehensive associate degree in this field in the State of California.

Athletics

 

We are very proud of the Griffin Men's Basketball team this year. Coming from a 3-9 start, they ended a remarkable season in the playoffs! Sophomore guard John Clark was voted the Pacific Coast Conference Most Valuable Player, and Coach Doug Weber was named PCC coach of the year.

Maybe it was the cheering that helped! The Griffin cheerleading squad won second place last month in a national cheerleading competition held at Las Vegas.

The victories continue! The Women's Tennis team, coached by Megan Lowery, is 13-0 and holds first place in the Pacific Coast Conference

Men's Baseball leads the Pacific Coast Conference, thanks to coach Ed Olson.

Student Center Fee Election

By a resounding 85 percent, Grossmont College students have voted to raise their fees by $1 a unit, up to a maximum $10 a year, to help pay for the remodeling and expansion of the nearly 40-year old Student Center, which serves as a dining hall and activities center. Thanks to a get-out-the-vote campaign that included the debut of online voting for the 17,500-student campus, the voter turnout for the March 11-16 election exceeded the minimum 20 percent required by state law. A special "thank you" to all employees who volunteered to staff the information table for several weeks.

Fine Dining
 

Fine Dining is back...and sold out! The three ROP Culinary Arts Program lunch dates sold out almost as quickly as they were posted, even before the menus were published. This popular opportunity for our Chefs in training is supported campus-wide.

Forensic Technology Workshop

Administration of Justice faculty member Rick Michelson and a group of forensic technology faculty and advisory team members presented a workshop featuring Grossmont College's forensic technology training and education program at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences in Anaheim earlier this month. It was the largest such conference in the world, and draws attendees from all over the globe.

Phi Theta Kappa
Fabiola Borges named PCC Woman Athlete of the Week
The Community College League of California, in collaboration with Phi Theta Kappa and the Community College Foundation, has selected two Grossmont Students for the 2002 Phi Theta Kappa All California Academic Team status. Federico Demaestri and Adam Dince will be recognized in Sacramento Thursday, April 11, by the CCLC and state legislators. Both students also competed for the All USA Academic Team. Academic Excellence is what drives us, and we are pleased to recognize these stellar students.

Congratulations to Grossmont's own tennis star, Fabiola Borges, who was named Woman Athlete of the Week by the Pacific Coast Conference. Borges, a sophomore from Brazil, was instrumental in Grossmont's major win over Palomar 9-0. Borges won 6-0, 6-0 in No. 1 singles and teamed with Lauren Sambrano to win 8-3 in No 2 doubles. The Griffins are ranked No. 3 in the state. Go Griffins!!

Eighth Languages of the
World Festival
The Eighth Languages of the World Festival brought 800 GUHSD students to campus March 14. Thanks to the foreign language faculty, we were able to showcase each of the seven foreign languages we teach at Grossmont, with dance exhibits, traditional food, and displays. We also are announcing that we will begin offering Mandarin Chinese classes in the fall. Ni Hao Ma? (KNEE HOW MA AH?) (How are you?)
Hall of Fame Induction
  On March 16, Joyce Sake, Exercise Science Instructor, was inducted into the California Community College Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame "due to her outstanding record of achievement displayed at the Community College level." Joyce is congratulated on her distinguished achievement.
Picture of a blender and fruit
3d torus animation
State Award for Weekend and Evening Nursing Program

The Board of Governors and Chancellor's Office will present one of ten statewide awards for innovation to the Grossmont College Weekend and Evening Nursing Program during the 11th annual Chancellor's Conference and Student Success presentation April 11 in San Francisco. Kudos to the nursing faculty, Dr. Elisabeth Hamel, Associate Dean for Health Professions, and Dr. Lois Knowlton, Senior Dean for Business and Professional Studies.

GC to honor Cesar Chavez on April 5
Singer and songwriter Agustín Lira will perform in concert with his group "Alma" in room 220 Friday, April 5 beginning at 7 p.m. Lira co-founded "El Teatro Campesino (Farmworker's Theatre) in 1965 with Luis Valdez in support of the movement led by César Chávez. The two-part presentation will include a discussion focusing on the role of art and culture in society, followed by a musical program celebrating César Chávez and the struggle of the United Farm Workers. The event is free and open to the public, sponsored by WACO and the ASGC.
Judith Hersko Sculpture Exhibit opens April 9

An exhibit of sculpture titled "The Glass Bead Game" opens with a reception in the Hyde Gallery April 9, 7 - 9 p.m.

Listening Outpost open April 11 and 16
The Grossmont College Listening Outpost, located in the Student Center, will be activated April 11, when President Martinez, will be on hand to discuss any concerns and suggestions between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Dr. Dean Colli, vice president for academic affairs, will staff the Listening Outpost April 16, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
April in Paris comes to Grossmont on April 10
Food, art and music of France will transform the college into a Parisian café and street scene April 10, complete with artists, food vendors, and musicians. The free events begin at 11 a.m. in the Student Center Quad. If you are interested in gourmet dining, join your colleagues for Le Café de Paris and a multi-course feast prepared by the culinary arts team. Reservations (x 7109) are $40 per person and proceeds will benefit the students clubs and scholarships in art, music and French. This event is also co-sponsored by WACO.
Letter of Commendation

Dear Dr. Martinez:

Joel Castellaw graciously took on the responsibility of liaison between La Mesa-Spring Valley School District and Grossmont Community College for LMSVSD AM/PM Latchkey Program's recent Speech Competition. His assistance was invaluable.

Following are a few of the areas where Joel volunteered his help:

  • Reserved 37 classrooms for competition categories.
  • Assigned Grossmont College students to collect prizes through donations from neighboring businesses for the children in our competition.
  • Categorized the prize donations for distribution to our participating children.
  • Assisted in distributing the gift bags.
  • Organized and presented training sessions for Grossmont College students judging the competition.
  • Provided televisions and VCRs for training sessions.
  • Provided a room with television and VCR for LMSVSD children awaiting transportation.
  • Organized Grossmont Community College Campus tours for our visiting children.
  • Was always available for any and all questions and problems.

Joel's dedication to our competition made this event a huge success. He is already looking ahead to next year's competition and thinking of ways to help us improve.

It was a pleasure working with Joel and we are looking forward to working with him again. His generosity is greatly appreciated by everyone involved in the Speech Competition.

Pat Stewart, Director
Extended School Services
La Mesa-Spring Valley School District

eGrossmont Solicits Your News!
I will make every effort to send a similar e-mail by the 15th of each month. I look forward to receiving your e-mails by the first of each month. Congratulations to all our students, faculty, and staff, and thank you for all your hard work!

Best Regards,

Ted Martinez, Jr.