Good morning, Bakersfield.
It is Saturday, June 8, 2019… A great day to be a Renegade.
BC’s Dual Enrollment Wins Big at Beautiful Bakersfield Awards
On Saturday, June 1, Jamie Swetalla from Aera announced that the Bakersfield College Dual Enrollment team were winners of the Beautiful Bakersfield award in the Education category that recognizes efforts that promote or benefit education at all levels. Hosted by the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, the annual awards gala was attended by more than 700 people at the Rabobank Theater and Convention Center. The Dual Enrollment program was selected from among nine finalists. The Bakersfield College Performing Arts Department was also one of ten finalists in the Arts and Culture category.
Before the awards were announced, the Bakersfield College team enjoyed an opportunity for group photos at a reception with other community partners. Nick Ortiz of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce gave introductions, with welcoming comments provided by Karen Goh, Bakersfield City Mayor and Michael George of Kern Schools Federal Credit Union. After dinner, the awards were announced by sponsors in a wide range of categories recognizing the efforts of nonprofits, corporations, small business and individuals in improving the quality of life in Bakersfield.
Steve Watkin accepted the Education award on behalf of Bakersfield College, and also provided an interview to KGET following acceptance of the award.
Thank you Anna Laven for pulling together the BC proposal, and thank you to Steve Watkin and his team!
BC at the Board of Governors Meeting
On May 20th, Bakersfield College was well represented at the Board of Governors monthly meeting. Pedro L. Ramirez, EOP&S Adjunct Counselor spoke on behalf of Bakersfield College about all the work that has been done to help support our more than 1,000 AB540 students on campus. His presentation included impressive data on increases in AB540 enrollment over the last four years, an increase in CCPG (bogw) Awards, and an increase in Overall Units passed.
In his comments to the Board and Chancellor Oakley Ramirez highlighted how the recommendations from the statewide Dreamers report actually connects directly to the Guided Pathways work, and Supplemental Funding via the SCFF, and he thanked the Board of Governors and Chancellor Oakley for their continued support for AB540 students. The Statewide Dreamers Report provide information on equity and access for students across the state and provides guidelines for statewide institutional practices that will help support students. The complete report and executive summary can be found at https://foundationccc.org/What-We-Do/Equity/Dreamers-Project This project was made possible with the support from the James Irvine Foundation and a Collaborative effort between CCCCO, Immigrants Rising, and the Foundation for California Community Colleges.
Summer Bridge is Off and Running!
With the 2018-19 academic year wrapped up, the focus is on getting students ready for summer and fall.
Summer Bridge to BC program held an interactive day-long orientation that gives incoming freshmen the opportunity to engage with faculty one-on-one and in group settings while touring the BC campus with experienced student mentors. Thank you to Kimberly Bligh and her team for always doing such a great job with this program. We are BC!
BC Students Win Jazz Scholarships
On May 28 the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop held its annual scholarship awards presentation at Temblor Brewing Company. For over 13 years the nonprofit Bakersfield Jazz Workshop has supported the education of jazz students, advancement of jazz musicians, enrichment of jazz enjoyment for the general public, and promoted jazz in our community. This year, music majors in the new Jazz Studies program at Bakersfield College swept the top three awards, and a total of four BC students were awarded scholarships: Izzy Foster (Larry Totten Memorial Award), Marina Martinez (BJW Discretionary Award), Abigail Wilson (Kerry B. Pierce Memorial Award), and Tony Stone (BJW Scholarship). Congratulations to our students for their outstanding talent and dedication to furthering their musical studies!
BC at California Community College (CCC) Health & Wellness/Each Mind Matters
We are so proud of BC students Mataalofa (Lofa) Hubbard and Annette Brasher who were chosen to represent Bakersfield College as Student Wellness Ambassadors for California Community College (CCC) Health & Wellness/Each Mind Matters. Hubbard is President, and Brasher Treasurer of the BC Student Health and Wellness Advisory Club on campus (S.H.W.A.C.). Other S.H.W.A.C. officers include Josephs Morris (Vice-President), and Pamela Harris (Inter Club Counsel Rep.).
S.H.W.A.C. helps with the Health & Wellness promotion events for the BC Student Health & Wellness Services and they’ve done an outstanding job this year with Raymond Purcell, MSN, NP, SHWS Director as their advisor.
Creating a Sustainable Campus Through Landscaping
Our amazing M&O department has a lot of projects going on this summer, including installing artificial turf at the Panorama and Haley corner of campus with the BC monument. This area looks so beautiful, and I love that we will be conserving water by using this turf. One of our core values at BC is sustainability, as is evident in how the college is run, as well as the physical upgrades we make to campus facilities Director of Facilities Bill Potter has done a great job of helping to create a sustainable landscape on the BC campus, as evident in the xeriscape (drought tolerant) flower beds.
BC In the News: “BC to bring several Career and Technical Education programs fully online next year”
BC was featured in The Bakersfield Californian this week in a great article by Ema Sasic about our CTE programs being offered online next year. Making college more accessible to students is one of our main goals here at Bakersfield College. In partnership with the California State Online Education Initiative and the California Virtual Campus, we have received a $500,000 grant to bring between five and 10 programs online within the next year.
Fun Photos
President’s Cabinet
BC’s President’s Cabinet is made up of key staff members who work hard, but who also like to have some fun! I feel so lucky to work with such a great team!
Todd the Rule Breaker
Tamara Baker snapped this shot of Todd Coston at the Classified Appreciation event where he was channeling his inner bad boy. Love it!
Congrats to Ashlea Ward!
Anna Laven posted on her facebook page that our very own Ashlea Ward in the Outreach Department earned her Master’s Degree. Congrats Ashlea!
Academic Technology Retreat
Bill Moseley posted this great pic of his team in Academic Technology at their retreat earlier this year with the comment “All set for another year of innovation!”
Congrats to Renegade Golfer Matt Sakowski!
Sophomore Renegade Golfer, Matthew Sakowski (Garces HS) has signed to continue his academic and golf career at Benedictine University Mesa this coming fall. Matt was a key piece to this springs men’s golf team advancing to the CCCAA SoCal Regionals for the first time since the early 2000’s. Wishing you much success at the next level!
Wes Coble Named Coach of the Women’s Golf Program
Our current Renegade Men’s Golf Coach Wes Coble has also been named the Women’s Golf Coach. Coble will take over for former women’s golf coach Jacque Servadio who served for two years in the role. Servadio steps away from the position to have more time to focus on running Kern River Golf Course, where she has served as director since 2018. BC athletics wishes Jacque all the best in directing the Kern River Golf Course and will always welcome her as a member of the Renegade Athletics family.
2019 BC Basketball Academy Dates Announced
Coach Paula Dahl and the Bakersfield College Women’s Basketball program are excited to announce the summer 2019 BC Basketball Academies. The first, the BC Basketball Academy, will run from Monday, July 22nd through Thursday July 25th from 10:30am-1:00pm each day. It will be co-ed for kids ages 9-18 and cost $60/ camper or $100 for two siblings. To register for this academy click this link: https://bit.ly/2WsvnIL. The second, the Elite BC Basketball Academy will run from Monday, July 29th through Thursday August 1st from 10:30am-1:00pm each day. This session is for female players from 7th to 12th grade and will cost $65/camper and $55/extra sibling. Team discounts are available. To register for this academy click this link: https://bit.ly/2YQ3Sqa. For further questions, contact Coach Dahl at pdahl@bakersfieldcollege.edu.
Tennis Announces Creation of Junior Tennis Circuit
Men’s and Women’s Head Tennis Coach Noel Dalton announced this week the creation of the Bakersfield Junior Tennis Circuit. The circuit is intended to empower junior tennis players and parents in order to increase player’s skill level and help them learn and enjoy the game. The first 40 participants to register will receive a complimentary membership to the Junior Tennis Circuit. The new circuit will kick-off with an Opening Day on June 15th at the Bakersfield College Tennis Courts. Participants may play in other affiliated tournaments in Fresno and other cities. Players will have the ability to earn Universal Tennis Rating points since the tournaments is UTR certified. To register for the circuit, visit: https://urlzs.com/PquGS or contact Bakersfield Junior Tennis Circuit Director and BC Head Tennis Coach, Noel Dalton at 661-332-9579 or by email at noel.dalton@bakersfieldcollege.edu.
Tagged: Anna Laven, Bakersfield College, dual enrollment, Sonya Christian, Steven Watkin
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