Good morning, Bakersfield.
It is Saturday, January 5, 2019… A great day to be a Renegade.
Gandhi Turns 150
On a planet of more than 7 billion people, it’s striking when the actions of just one individual cause a ripple effect that changes our lives. And yet there are those individuals who set seemingly unattainable goals, work their entire lives to achieve them, and inspire millions of others to follow in their footsteps.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was inspired by his Hindu faith and national pride to become a civil rights activist, fighting to free India from the yoke of colonial rule under the British Raj. Through a lifetime of non-violent civil disobedience and leading by example, Gandhi was able to achieve independence for almost a billion people, which earned him the title “Mahatma”, or “venerable” in Sanskrit. His approach to civil rights would inspire other similar efforts throughout the world, notably Martin Luther King’s non-violent protests in the United States in the ’50s and ’60s, or Nelson Mandela’s anti-apartheid movement in South Africa in the ’80s and ’90s.
October 2, 2019, Gandhi’s 150th birthday, will be celebrated worldwide as the International Day of Non-violence, and recognized in India as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday. In Bakersfield, Gandhi’s 150th birthday will be celebrated with a year-long series of events, kicking off with a screening of the Academy Award-winning film “Gandhi” starring Ben Kingsley in the Fox Theater on Sunday, January 13 at 2 p.m.
On March 30, the Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation and the Institute for Religion, Education and Public Policy will host a Festival for Peace and Non-violence at Cal State Bakersfield’s Don Hart East Lawn. The keynote speaker for the event will be Eisha Mason, Executive Director of the Center for the Advancement for Non-violence, who will give a presentation on the life of Mahatma Gandhi.
As Gandhi famously said, “be the change that you wish to see in the world.” To be that change we must believe in ourselves and act to realize our goals.
Taking the Polar Bear Plunge
Matt Moon and BC’s Swim Team hosted a Polar Bear Swim in the chilly morning yesterday. Participants had the option of taking a quick dip in the pool before jumping right back out, or taking a 25-yard swim across the pool. Either way it sounds like an experience for the daring at heart.
The Bakersfield Californian promo’ed the event in their article “Jump into 2019 with Polar Bear Swim and Dip at BC.” Then they covered it in a piece titled, “Bakersfield College holds first Polar Bear Swim” with some great photos. Here is one — check out The Bakersfield Californian for the rest.
BC Dual Enrollment shining in Santa Barbara
On Thursday and Friday (Jan. 3-4), members of the Bakersfield College dual enrollment, outreach and CTE teams attended and presented at the Get Focused…Stay Focused! conference in Santa Barbara. Dr. Anna Laven co-presented with Claudia Johnson from SBCC on dual enrollment program logistics and with Dr. Darla Cooper of the RP Group on integration of dual enrollment in Guided Pathways. Dr. Laven also facilitated a working session on dual enrollment.
Wondering what Get Focused…Stay Focused! is? It is a well researched curriculum that supports student introspection in college and career choices, culminating in a ten-year plan. Offered as Student Development B3, 9th grade high school students earn college credit while gaining critical insight about their strengths, aspirations and career goals. STDV B3 continues to be the largest single dual enrollment course offering at Bakersfield College, and is an important first step for any student in clarifying their path.
Attendees from across the state learned about the course itself, as well as opportunities to make connections with strong workforce and guided pathways work.
BC had a large group in attendance — Steve Watkin, Kylie Swanson, Savanah Andrews, Tony Cordova, Alexander Clark, Martin Perez, Dawn Mosley, Carlos Medina and Dr. Anna Laven. A special thank you to Letty Garza of Academic Innovations for hosting a Bakersfield College dinner!
BC Food Services Stands Out with Rockstar Student Employees
Stephanie Stuart, Food Service Manager, hires over 20 student employees each semester. They admire her creativity in the kitchen, and would like to be like her!
Stephanie recognized her student employee, Angelica Jauregui for the way she starts every shift with a huge smile, a wonderful attitude that she brings out in others as well, and also for her skills, mastering every station in food service over the past two years.
Measure J is bringing some much needed upgrades to the cafeteria. With that progress comes challenges in the transition, and Aa Food Services Manager, Stephanie has been decisive and creative, soliciting food truck options to keep our students well fed as they study, and even creating a BC Gades Grub food truck of our own! She and her team are also creating new menu items to meet location challenges during the renovation. Follow the food service team on social media @bcfoodscene
Fun Photos: Preparing for Spring!
We’re all hard at work preparing for Spring, but Jennifer has us pause for photo opportunity. So many smiling faces!
Standing, from left to right: Sonya Christian, Liz Rozell, Dan Hall, Andrea Thorson, Rich McCrow, Bill Moseley, Carla Gard
BC Choir Sings in the Sydney Opera House
Congrats to the BC Choir for their role in helping with the premiere of The Secret of the Sea at the famous Opera House in Sydney, Australia! They are in the center–the entire seating chart was based around them!
Check out the video below to see their wonderful performance.
BC Partners with Local Employers
Meathead Movers, a company new to Bakersfield, was on campus at the end of last semester to recruit student athletes looking for part-time employment. Their company provides their student athlete employees with flexible work schedules and study time, and provides opportunities for promotion — all while emphasizing their mission, “To support student-athletes working their way through college in pursuit of their own American dream.” The company strives to build strong work ethic, accountability, integrity, as well as a sense of social responsibility.
Last semester, 34 Bakersfield College students applied for jobs at the Meathead Movers job fair, and we will partner with them throughout the coming school year. Applications are still available in the Student Employment Lab on campus. Thank you Darrell Ballard, Program Manager, Kinesiology and Domenica Trinidad, Job Developer, for organizing this effort.
Last Chance Express Enrollment
BC will host another Express Enrollment event to assist incoming and returning Renegades with registration for the Spring semester. As we like to say, “It’s possible to become a Renegade in just one day!”
Invite anyone you know who might want assistance to come to campus on January 9th between 1PM and 6PM to get on the path to a college degree, certificate or job ready skill. All they need to do to get started is show up and we’ll work with them to take it from there to success!
Sterling Silver 2019 Coming Soon
Do you have your tickets yet for the 2019 Sterling Silver Gala and Dinner? Or have you marked your calendar for March 23, 2019? To get your tickets just call the BC Foundation Office today at 661-395-4800!
Sterling Silver is a college fundraiser hosted by the Bakersfield College Foundation, and those who have attended know that the Foundation knows how to host a wonderful evening. It’s hard to believe this will be the 11th annual evening of delicious culinary creations, amazing music, fellowship, and giving — creating support for BC students.
Last year, the event took place at BC’s library, a wonderful setting for our 200 guests. A highlight of the evening was honoring Kenneth M. Byrum with a presentation of the inaugural Bakersfield College Foundation Service Medal. Ken has been on the Foundation Board since its inception in 1975, and he continues to serve and support the students Bakersfield College through his work for the Foundation. The generosity and spirit of the Byrum family was present in full force that evening , with family members coming to town from across the country.
Fun Photos: Snow Bunny
Thanks to Carlos Barbaran for snapping this photo of an adorable bunny from Colorado!
Farewell to Christmas Trees
BC has once again served as a community recycling location for Christmas tree recycling. Real Christmas trees are biodegradable, which means they can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes, but make sure before you drop them off that they’re free of all your precious ornaments and decorations!
Fun Photos: Construction on Campus
New year, new progress. The old Campus Center is being demolished to make way for newer and better buildings. I can’t wait until our new campus buildings and renovations are a reality!
Fun Photos: The Talented Mr. Santos
Had a great time with Manny de los Santos this week making a video for Opening Day.
Men’s Basketball Beats Glendale
The Bakersfield College Men’s basketball team hosted Glendale College in their first game of the Western State Classic on Friday evening, and came away with a commanding 81-68 victory.
The Renegades got off to a fast start with a 35-21 lead at halftime. In the second half the Renegades continued to apply the pressure as Glendale tried mounting a comeback. Bakersfield never lost the lead, and led
throughout the half — at times by as many as 14 points.
Leading BC in scoring for the game was Shahadah Camp with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Anieus Medrano added 19 points and 6 rebounds.
With the win the Renegades improve to 9-6 overall on the season.
Fun Photos: Jack Hernandez
I love this photo of Jack Hernandez preaching in downtown Lenox, MA after having a great latte! 😀
Tagged: Bakersfield College, Mahatma Gandhi, Naina Patel, Ravi Patel, Sonya Christian
A long time ago I read about Ghandi because of my interest in his ability to defeat the British, while the Irish never could. What really struck me, and seems to have been the start of his rebellion, was getting thrown off the train. His response to being thrown off the train was vastly different than anything I or my relatives would have done. 😁
Can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store!! Always something dynamic and innovative happening at BC!! Go, Go Sonya!!
Every year the Gandhi Alliance for Interfaith Harmony in conjunction with CSUB’s Institute for Religion, Education & Public Policy holds a Bakersfield Interfaith Conference on the Saturday closest to Gandhi’s birthday. The Patels are part of the Gandhi Alliance. Each conference focuses on a particular topic. Last year’s (2018) was “Who is God?” with speakers from four different religious faiths (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam). Back in 2014, I was a panelist on the topic of science and religion.
I remember seeing “Gandhi” (the movie) way in my undergrad days at the UA. Wow!
Will the video Manny is preparing for Opening Day have you flying around or some other superpower?