Governing Board Meeting Highlights - April 18, 2006
 

	“GIZMO” Griffin was introduced to the Governing Board by Adam Paul, ASGC Board Member. Paul noted that GIZMO was recently ‘hatched’ in the Main Quad and would be requesting that Tim Flood build him a birdhouse on top of the LTRC; that Vice Chancellor Lastimado ‘find this bird a job’; and that he be recognized as the official Grossmont College mascot.
	Three new Faculty Emeriti were recognized for their years of service and dedication to students: Mary Donnelly, Mike Matherly and Shannon O’Dunn were introduced by Academic Senate President Beth Smith and Interim President Dean Colli.
	The Governing Board approved new Board Policies regarding intellectual property, open enrollment and adopted revisions to five additional Board Policies.
	Additional Governing Board meeting highlights appear in The Courier, which was distributed electronically April 25. Additional hard copies are placed in the Campus Mail Room.

Join Us for the Season of Celebrations

We anticipate the joy and pleasure of the many celebrations which mark the end of the academic year. Please help us congratulate our students for their achievements and service.

	AOJ Police Academy Graduation, Friday, May 5 p.m. Student Center
	Transfer Achievement Celebration, Friday, May 12, 5:30 p.m., Student Center
	Students of Note, Saturday, May 13, 2:00 pm, Student Center
	7th Annual College Recognition Ceremony, Thursday, May 18, 2 p.m. Student Center
	AOJ Graduation Ceremony Tuesday, May 23, 4:30 p.m., Student Center
	EOPS “Aloha” Graduation , Friday, May 26, 2 p.m., Student Center
	Cruising Into Retirement Recognition Dinner, Friday, May 26, Marina Village, 6:30 p.m.
	Nursing Pinning Ceremony, Wednesday, May 31, 5 p.m. Main Quad
	44th Commencement, Thursday, June 1, 5:30 pm, Main Quad
	OPT Graduation, Friday, June 2, 6:30 p.m., Main Quad
	Middle College High School Graduation, Wednesday, June 7, 4:30 p.m., Main Quad

Third Annual Health and Wellness Fair

The Main Quad was alive with activity for the ASGC, EOPS and the Student Health Services Department’s Fourth Annual Health and Wellness Fair. Thanks to Counselor Jim Tolbert’s continuing diligence and enthusiasm, this activity has grown into a large event. In addition to the announcement of the winning entries for the student essay and Public Service Announcement, the fair featured an array of opportunities for students, faculty and staff to learn more about healthful living. Rod Luck featured the event during his 10 a.m. segment.


 

Grossmont Grad Moves on to Ph.D. Program

Sharon Epps transferred to SDSU from Grossmont College as a biology major, after participating in our “Bridges” summer program, which is coordinated by instructor Michael Golden. We have just learned that she has been admitted to the Ph.D. program in Biophysics and Biochemistry at Texas A & M. At SDSU, she served as president of the Black Student Science Organization, was a member of Sigma Xi, received the Louis Stokes AMP scholarship, and served as Vice President of the College of Sciences Student Council. She has participated in research with Professor F.S.K. Tayman of the Chemistry Department at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and with Dr. Robert Metzer of the Chemistry Department at SDSU. Grossmont College has historically had the largest number of students from San Diego community colleges to participate in the annual summer program. Grossmont College teachers and counselors who have participated include Craig Milgrim, Gopa Patnaik, Janice Johnson, and Claudia Thompson.

 
Fine Arts Affaire

Thanks to the combined efforts of the Grossmont College Foundation and the Arts Council, the “Fine Arts Affaire” held in late March raised more than $15,000 for arts programs at Grossmont college. More than 200 patrons enjoyed the fine food, sampled delicious hors d’oeuvres, and bid on art pieces created by members of the Grossmont College art faculty. Special thanks to instructors Suda House and Paul Turounet of the Arts Council; Howard Kummerman and Gaydeen Dollar of the Foundation; and members of Phi Theta Kappa student honor society for their assistance.

 
Hawaii Police Department Selects Grossmont College
for Physical Abilities Test

Citing Grossmont College’s “warm hospitality, pleasant campus environment, and appropriate facilities,” Sgt. David Do and other officers from the Honolulu Police Department selected the Grossmont campus AOJ Physical Abilities course at the track to test police applicants. The 38 applicants had already successfully completed the written test and interview phases of the pre-screening process. Thanks to instructor Dr. P.J. Ortmeier for his work to assist the coordination of this event.

 
College Publications and Marketing Materials Win Awards

In national competition sponsored by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR), an affiliate AACC council, Grossmont publications and marketing materials won three gold Paragon Awards. Winning entries were: Online Newsletter (Campus Scene); the poster promoting the class on banned books (You’re Not Allowed to Read This); and the direct mail postcard campaign “Value of an Education” (“Sweet” and “Cars”). There were 1,896 entries submitted by 300 colleges nationwide. Our winning entries will be displayed in the NCMPR booth at the AACC and ACCA conference exhibits.

In statewide competition sponsored by the Community College Public Relations Organization (CCPRO), our winning entries included: first place awards for Internal Newsletter (Campus Scene); Online Newsletter (Campus Scene); and Direct Mail (“Sweet”) Postcard. The poster won second place; and third place awards were presented for the print advertisements based on the “Value of an Education” concept; and for the direct mail “cars” postcard.

Thanks to the team of writers, editors, proofreaders, graphic professionals, photographer, webmaster, and our own print shop staff for their efforts to promote Grossmont College. The Paragon statues and CCPRO awards were displayed during the April Governing Board Meeting.
 

 
WACO Events Enhance Classroom Experience

Thanks to the continuing efforts of the World Arts and Culture Organization (WACO) we have been treated to a series of outstanding events this semester. The latest was the World Cultures Festival in early April, featuring student language clubs, international dancers, and international cuisine. Kudos to instructors Sonia Gaiane and Yolanda Guerrero and the volunteers who help make these special events a reality. The next, and final, event in the series is the Cinco de Mayo celebration which will be held in the Main Quad, Thursday, May 4 beginning at 11 a.m.
 

 
Literary Arts Festival Began April 26

Readers and writers from near and far were on campus at the end of April for the ninth annual Literary Arts Festival, presented by the English Department’s Creative Writing Program. The festival began April 26, with an appearance by Duff Brenna, author of the best-selling “The Willow Man,” who met and talked with students in Griffin Gate. Nick Flynn, a University of Houston professor and author, appeared April 28 in Room 220 to discuss his prize-winning poetry and read from his 2004 memoir about homelessness. Grossmont Creative Writing Program students shared excerpts from their original essays, stories, and poems May 2. The Avante-Bard Poeticians starred May 3 in “The Subcutaneous Word Trafficking Conspiracy.” The festival closed May 4 with an “Old School Faculty Talent Show” at 7 p.m. in Griffin Gate. The festival was supported by the Grossmont College Foundation and Poets and Writers Inc., through a grant received from the James Irvine Foundation, and by WACO.

 
Life Safety Road

Students, faculty and staff returned to campus after spring break to find new lane configurations which will provide additional lanes exiting the campus from the Grossmont Perimeter Road. This new pattern will allow twice as many cars through each signal change at both exit points. We have also redesigned the traffic flow to Parking Lot 7, prohibiting access from northbound traffic on the east side of the Perimeter Road, and providing direct access only from the new Griffin Drive entrance. These changes will alleviate traffic back up leaving campus.

 
Pilot Test of Emergency Enunciator System

Based on a recommendation of the Emergency Operations Committee and with the assistance of the Risk Management staff, a team of administrators and staff members conducted a pilot test of the All-Campus Enunciator (Announcement) System, which operates through telephone speakers in offices and classrooms. The test was conducted during spring break as a prelude to a classroom evacuation exercise planned for May 12. A full emergency simulation is contemplated for next fall.

 
Joe Orate and Culinary Team Win Gold Medal

Congratulations to Joe Orate, Grossmont College’s ROP culinary arts chief instructor and team manager, and ROP students for their recent win in the 10th Annual Restaurant Expo and Culinary Arts Show, a national competition. Orate was assisted by students Blake Richards and Modie Moore. They created an intricate and complicated “island style” buffet platter for the event.

 
Study Abroad Program in Florence is Full

So many students have registered to participate in next fall’s study abroad program in Florence, Italy, that a waiting list has been formed. Kudos to Kats Gustafson and her team for their outstanding work promoting the Semester Abroad experience, which will begin September 15 and conclude December 9.

 
Tennis Teams Make Progress Toward State Titles
 

The Women’s Tennis Team is pursing yet another state championship, competing aggressively against top teams and is currently ranked second in the state. The Men’s Team competed in the Southern California Semi-Championships.

New Buildings Take Shape

The Digital Arts and Sculpture Complex buildings are taking shape, with their outlines now clearly visible to bystanders. The Digital Arts Building was recently ‘topped out’ with a beam signed by Division Dean Roger Owens (who also signed for Shannon O’Dunn), Jim Wilsterman, Evan Wirig, and Janice Tatro, as well as GAFCON’s Jim Davies. The beam was then lifted into place, creating the roof line above the second story. The New Science Laboratory Building is nearing completion, with a move-in date of mid-September anticipated because the timeline is ahead of schedule.

Upcoming Events
 

	The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus, May 4 – 13, Stagehouse Theatre
	Grossmont College Foundation’s Brad Daluiso Golf Classic, Monday, May 8, Sycuan Resort, Check-in 10 a.m.; Shotgun start 12 noon.
	“Cuban Celebration” with the Grossmont Symphony Orchestra; Grossmont Guitar Ensemble; Afro-Cuban Ensemble; Jazz Vocal Ensemble, Friday, May 12, East County Performing Arts Center, 8 p.m.
	“Americana” Grossmont Symphony Orchestra, Sunday May 21, East County Performing Arts Center, 3 p.m.