eGrossmont

Volume 13, April 2013 - Previous Editions

Governing Board Meeting Highlights

At the April 16 meeting of the GCCCD Governing Board:

• Governing Board Members participated in a celebration of the 15 faculty emeritus presentations to Grossmont College faculty.
• Board members reported on attending the scholarship breakfast and theatre arts plays and fundraisers.
• President Cooke announced Carlos Contreras as one of the four finalists for the 2013 Teacher of the Year in the second annual Latino Champions Awards sponsored by the UT San Diego.

Other Governing Board highlights will appear in the Courier which is distributed electronically from the District Office.

Student Success Scorecard

The table below shows Grossmont College's scorecard data along with the statewide average. In an analysis of the five-year data on the Student Success Scorecard, Grossmont improved in persistence rate - the percentage of students who remained enrolled for three consecutive terms - and remedial English and remedial math progress rates. Remedial signifies the percentage of students who started at below college-level in English, mathematics and/or English as a Second Language, and who went on to complete a college-level subject in the same discipline.

We remained stable in the 30-unit rate, meaning the percentage of students who earned at least 30 units of credit, and in the Career Technical Education (CTE) rate, or the percentage of students who earned a degree or certificate or transferred to a four-year university in a career technical or vocational field. We decreased in the percentage of students who completed a degree, certificate or transfer-related outcomes, but the result is not surprising considering the extent of class reductions over the past four years. Fewer classes usually results in students who get discouraged, drop out or progress more slowly toward their goal. The statewide trend also experienced a downward spiral in this area.

Recent Honors

ASGC vice president Esau Cortez was named the 2013 Young Luminary in the second annual Latino Champions Awards, sponsored by U-T San Diego. History professor Carlos Contreras was one of four finalists for the 2013 Teacher of the Year award. Esau was lauded for his achievements in student government and for his community volunteer efforts. Carlos was honored for teaching excellence, student mentoring and contributions to diversity and equity.

Gregg Robinson, sociology associate professor, published "The White Working-Class and the Foreclosure Crisis: Tracing the Roots of a Failed Movement in Southern California," a paper he wrote while on a recent sabbatical, in the March issue of "Sociological Perspectives," the publication of the Pacific Sociological Society. The article investigates why no major social movement developed around the foreclosure crisis.

Six students from the Speech/Debate Team were selected to compete at the California Community College Forensics Association's State Tournament in Woodland Hills on March 14 through 17. Jeffrey Adams, Ali Majed Aldhalimi, Darron DeVillez, Mayte Guiterrez, John Price and Samuel Thomas each competed in three different speaking events. Ali won a gold award in Program Oral Interpretation and a bronzein Impromptu Speaking. Mayte won a silver award in Program Oral Interpretation. Congratulations to the team!

Chef Joe Orate and his culinary arts students were asked to participate in the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Festival in downtown San Diego and Balboa Park on March 16. Chef Orate rode in a Corvette in the parade as an honoree for be named Chef of the Year by the Chefs de Cuisine, and he and his students made and served Irish stew at the festival.

College Planning Forum

Invitations have gone out for the April 26 event and we hope that many will accept. GC holds an annual planning forum which is traditionally attended by 50-60 members of the college community. Students, faculty, staff and administrators involved in the college's governance, planning, accreditation, and student success efforts come together annually. The day consists of reviewing data and outcomes on how we are doing as a college, where we need to continue to focus and the specific goals within our strategic plan that will be emphasized in our next planning cycle. Shirley Pereira, Faculty Research Liaison and I will be working with the Institutional Excellence Council on the format and content of the day so that we ensure a wonderful and productive experience for all attendees.

Recent Campus Events

The Theatre Arts Department hosted a Spring 2013 special events fundraiser. Brian Rickel performed David Budbill's "Judevine: A Solo" (adult themes) on April 5. Jerry Hager performed "Stories That Come to Mime" on April 6. The two performances generated $1,860 for the department and its programs.

"The Anatomy of Hate; A Dialogue to Hope," an award-winning documentary film directed by Michael Ramsdell and focusing on individual and collective ideologies of hate was shown during a free screening and Q&A with the director on April 3. The 90-minute film followed the Ramsdell's six-year journey with groups, such as white supremacists and Palestinian militants, as well as U.S. embedded troops in the Middle East.

The Music Department held a series of concerts, including the Grossmont Afro-Cuban and Jazz Ensemble March 21, Gaiana Mndoian, cello, and Robert Wetzel, classical guitar, performing "Cello and Guitar Masterpieces" April 5 and the Grossmont Jazz Ensemble, directed by Manny Cepeda-Rivera, April 11. The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale perform "Paradise Lost" April 12 and 13.

The Office Professional Training held a Walk-a-Thon and Crafts Fair fundraiser on campus on April 13. Participants ran or walked a 5K, with refreshment stations along the way. All proceeds from the event will benefit the OPT program. Last year, OPT raised $1,500.

The Speech/Debate Team hosted a special fundraiser, "A Showcase of Performances," April 12.

The ASL Department held Deaf Deaf World on April 13 to allow American Sign Language students from throughout San Diego County to simulate a Deaf Town where only ASL was used.

Upcoming Campus Events

Martha Barnette, co-host of the public-radio show, "A Way with Words," heard each week by listeners in more than 230 cities across North America and around the world by podcast, will speak from 2 to 3:15 p.m. April 18 in Building 26, Room 220. The event is free and open to the public.

The Dance Department's annual fundraiser is "Entrances and Exits," a faculty choreographed dance concert at 7:30 p.m. April 25, 26 and 27 at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre, 6611 University Avenue. Tickets are $10 pre-sale and $13 (cash only) at the door. For ticket and general information, call 619-644-7766.

The 17th annual Literary Arts Festival will be held on the Grossmont campus April 29 through May 2. The Creative Writing Program sponsors the festival, which will feature award-winning authors and showcase talent from the campus and community. All events are free and open to the public. Visit the English Festival website for further details.

• Highlights of this year's festival include an engagement with internationally renowned author Tobias Wolff, one of the most important American short story writers of our time. His most widely recognized works are his frequently anthologized story "Bullet To The Brain," and his memoir about an abusive stepfather, "This Boy's Life." Wolff will read and sign books on at 7 p.m. on May 1 in Griffin Gate.
• Award-winning Chaldean American poet Dunya Mikhail will read from her highly acclaimed collection of poems, "The War Works Hard," named by the New York Public Library as one of the 25 books to remember. Mikhail will read and sign books on from 2 to 3:15 p.m. April 29 in Griffin Gate. Visit the English Festival website for the complete schedule.
• Local poets Chris Baron, Heather Eudy and Cali Linfor read verse and narrative to launch their new book from San Diego City Works Press, "Lantern Tree: Four Books of Poems."

The Music Department features numerous concerts in the next few weeks. General admission for concerts is $10, $8 for faculty and seniors, and $5 for students unless otherwise noted.

• Robert Wetzel also will offer a solo performance, "Four Centuries of Guitar Masterpieces, Volume II" from 8 to 10 p.m. April 16 at Cuyamaca College's Performing Arts Theater, B-117.
• Fred Benedetti directs the Grossmont Guitar Ensemble in a free performance at 2:30 p.m. April 17 in 26-221.
• Russ Sperling directs College Band Night with the Grossmont and Cuyamaca concert bands, and San Diego State University and Pt. Loma Nazarene University bands at 7:30 p.m. April 18 at Cuyamaca Performing Arts Theatre, B-117.
• The Grossmont Music Faculty in Concert will be held at 7 p.m. April 21 in 26-220. The concert will feature Ken Anderson, vocal and piano; Fred Benedetti, guitar; Doug Booth, guitar and bass; Melanie Grinnell, vocal and piano; and James Morton, drums; with special guest performer Jeff Pekarek, bass.
• The Grossmont Guitar Guild presents "Blurring the Edges," with Peter Sprague, Tripp Sprague and Fred Benedetti at 8 p.m. April 24 in the Cuyamaca Performing Arts Theatre, B-117. Odeum Guitar Duo, Benedettiand Robert Wetzel, will perform "Four Centuries of Two Guitars," at 8 p.m. May 3 in 26-221.
• The Grossmont Symphony String Quartet presents "An Evening of Chamber Music" at 7:30 p.m. May 2 in 26-220 and at 8 p.m. May 3 at All Saints Episcopal Church at Sixth and Pennsylvania avenues in Hillcrest. Directed by Randall Tweed, the concert features Kay Van Tassell, flautist and Katherine Petrosyan, pianist. General admission is $10 and $5 for students for the May 2 concert. Donations are requested for the May 3 performance.

Grossmont College Theatre Arts will present "An Ordinary Day," written by Dario Fo and Franca Rame and directed by Martin Katz at 7:30 p.m. May 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18, and at 2 p.m. May 11 and 18. Zealous consumerism, the stress of relationships, the notion of betrayal, the madness of solitude, and the exhilaration of contributing to other's lives are all played out in this tragic-comedy. General admission is $15; $12 for faculty and staff, seniors and military; and $10 for students with identification. Contact Alexis at (619) 644-7234, or visit the website at www.grossmont.edu/theatrebrochure. Tickets are also on sale at the box office, one hour before each performance at the Stagehouse Theater, 26-220.

In The News

• Roxanne Tuscany, communications professor, and two members of the Speech and Debate team, Darron DeVillez and Ali Aldhalimi, were featured in a story in U-T San Diego about their upcoming trip to China to compete in an international parliamentary debate competition. Read more about this upcoming trip.
• U-T San Diego featured ASGC vice president Esau Cortez, who was named the Young Luminary of the Year for 2013, in its special Latino Champions section March 30. Full Story - Photos of the Event.
• The La Mesa Courier ran a story on the two fundraising performances - Brian Rickel's "Judevine: A Solo" and Jerry Hager's "Stories That Come to Mime" - benefiting the Theatre Arts Department program. Read more about these fundraising performances.
• Grossmont College was named one of the most affordable colleges in the nation at Affordable Colleges Online.

Sports Report

• The Lady Griffins Softball Team are 8-3 in conference and 22-10 overall and are currently tied for first place with four games to play.
• Baseball is 14-5 in conference and 22-8 overall and are currently in second place in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference. The Griffins win over Southwestern, Thursday, will likely earn them a slot in post season play.
• Men's Volleyball victory over visiting Orange Coast College Wednesday secures the Griffins place as the 2013 PCAC Champions.
• Both Men's and Women's swim and a dive placed 3rd at recent invitational consisting of multiple southern California community colleges. Both squads are poised to make a run at the PCAC Championships.
• Both Men's and Women's Tennis Teamsare competing at the PCAC championships. Both squads are likely to qualify multiple players for the regional championships.
• Badminton has recent victories over conference foes Mesa and Fullerton and will likely qualify three players for the state championships being hosted by Pasadena Community College.