This past week was active with much laughter, hard work, oodles of warmth and love. Here are two especially fun moments captured on camera
Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg and Jim Heitzeberg at Renegade Footbal saturday before Halloween.
Photo of the panel that presented the Program Pathways Mapper at a conference in Merced. More on the conference next week.
Good morning, friends…
It is November 6, 2021.
The sun shines bright over KCCD.
This week, the Pirates, the Coyotes, and the Renegades continue to
#DareMightyThings
Porterville College
PC Students are Friends of the Library Heroes
Check out this email from PC Adjunct Professor of History Leslie Pelon:
“I wanted to update everyone and say thank you for all the support in response to my last about needing help for the Friends of the Library. I just got off the phone with Library and Literacy Commissioner Catherine May who was in tears she was so grateful. She sent this message:
Thank you Porterville College Baseball players and students! The Friends of the Library organization has been serving our community for years and their members are all older. When they asked for help getting people to move books they hoped to get 5-6 people if they were lucky. We ended up with 17 people there today, 12 of them Porterville College Students. Thank you so much for the overwhelming show of support and for making what seemed an impossible task almost easy.
–Catherine May
I’m so grateful to be a part of the Porterville College Community. Our students are truly amazing!”
PC salutes veterans at fifth annual event
On Monday, Porterville College held the fifth annual “Porterville College Salutes Our Veterans” at the PC Veteran Memorial Flag.
U.S. Marine veteran and PC student Tom Bear began the program with a prayer, followed by a welcome from Dean of Counseling & Student Services, Erin Wingfield. Choir professor Sarah Rector sang the National Anthem with a small group of the choir.
Dr. Habib on twitter:
We started November with an early “Veteran’s Day” tribute to those who served. Our heartfelt gratitude for your courage and dedication. We are proud of our veteran faculty, staff and students, we are honored to have you as part of the #PC_Family @PCollegePirates #VeteransDay2021
The event also featured tables promoting resources available to Porterville College student veterans.
Thank you to all our student veterans!
PC Writer & Poet Speaker Series Welcomes Clint Smith
On Wednesday, the PC Writer & Poet Speaker Series continued with a virtual event featuring Clint Smith.
Clint Smith is a staff writer at The Atlantic. He is the author of the narrative nonfiction book, How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America, which was a #1 New York Times Bestseller, and the poetry collection Counting Descent, which won the 2017 Literary Award for Best Poetry Book from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and was a finalist for an NAACP Image Award.
Clint shared what poetry means to him, saying, “Poetry is how I became a writer, and poetry shapes and animates all of the writing I do.”
“Poetry has taught me to pay attention – to a moment, to an idea, to a feeling.”
He told those in attendance that poetry is like a painting – 1,000 people look at one painting and see 1,000 different things.
Clint also read from his newest book, “How the Word is Passed,” which explores how different sites across the country reckon with – or failt o reckon with – their relationship to the history of slavery.
Cerro Coso Community College
Wine and Food Pairing Fundraiser BIG Success!
On November 3, the Cerro Coso Community College Foundation teamed up with Mac’s International Restaurant and Coldwell Banker Best Realty Ridgecrest to host a Wine and Food Pairing Fundraiser. The event was an exclusive, intimate affair to help raise funds that support the financial needs of Cerro Coso students and programs.
A special coursed out dinner experience led by wine expert Eric Le Barbé and Mac’s International Restaurant Owner and Executive Chef Kent McGowan, the evening was a journey for the palate and a deep dive into the world of wine.
Mac’s International Restaurant is one of Ridgecrest’s best kept secrets. Chef McGowan and his team carefully craft delicious meals that leave patrons satisfied and wanting more. It was the perfect venue for the Cerro Coso Community College Foundation’s first fundraising event in two years. A flawless match of wines and foods for different types of dishes.
Chef McGowen created a menu that reflected his globally influenced culinary theme which included: Appetizers of Jalapeno Deviled Eggs, Smoked Pancetta Frittata Eggs with Roasted Peppers, and Quesadilla with Chorizo, paired with Dark Horse Rosé and Barefoot White Zinfandel. This was followed by Salad Greens with Dried Apricots and Balsamic Vinaigrette, and Sweet Potato Salmon Cake with Roasted Brussel Sprouts served with Saint Clair Marlborough New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2020, and William Hill Napa Valley Chardonnay 2019. The main course included Dry Rubbed Short Rib with Parmesan Mash paired with Louise M. Martini Alexander Valley Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2019. S’Mores Pot De Crème was paired with Mia Dolce Piemonte DOC Moscato 2020 for dessert.
Wines for the evening were generously donated by Coldwell Banker Best Realty Ridgecrest.
Foundation President Derrick Hu said, “fundraising has been hard with the earthquakes of 2019 and the uncertainty of the ongoing pandemic. It was really great to get back out there and engage with the public. We are looking forward to more smaller events, that will help us raise funds that support scholarships, the Cerro Coso Promise, Coyote Cupboard, special grants, Phi Theta Kappa, and professional development.”
Wine Expert Eric Le Barbé and Executive Chef Kent McGowan used their expertise to pair the right combination of food flavors that highlight, harmonize, and enhance the features of the available wines, making the entire culinary experience a memorable one for guests.
The Cerro Coso Community College Foundation is a 401c3 nonprofit foundation whose primary mission is to ensure that students have access to an affordable, quality college education locally.
Flag Raising at Cerro Coso to Kick-off Military and Veterans Week Celebration
In honor of all veterans and military and their families who have sacrificed so much for our freedom, Cerro Coso’s Military and Veterans Services will be kicking off a week of celebration with a Flag Raising ceremony at the Ridgecrest Campus at the flag pole at the main entrance on Monday, November 8th from 9 to 9:30 a.m.
The community is invited, especially veterans from all branches of the armed services.
Guest speakers will include Retired Naval Officer and KCCD Trustee Jack Connell, Mayor and Cerro Coso alum Eric Bruen, and college president Dr. Sean Hancock.
Other activities include a virtual Wall of Courage available at https://www.cerrocoso.edu/studentservices/military-veterans-service-center/virtual-wall-courage. The Wall of Courage is also on display in the Student Center for the entire month of November. A Veterans Day BBQ lunch Celebration will be held on Wednesday, November 10th from 12:30 to 1:30 on the Front Lawn of the LRC for staff and students.
The College will be CLOSED in observance of the Veterans Day holiday on Thursday, November 11, 2021 to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Bakersfield College
McFarland Early College Celebrates Dia de Los Muertos
Bakersfield College is proud to highlight our students from McFarland High School Early College.
Our students who are in a pathway to complete their Spanish Associate in Arts have joined the Spanish Club on their campus and working hard in their classes at BC. This year the students came together to celebrate El Dia de Los Muertos to remember those that are no longer with us. Students joined in on several activities as they celebrated this special day.
Way to go, McFarland Cougar Renegades!
Bakersfield College Jazz Ensemble to Host Fall Concert
Bakersfield College’s Performing Arts Department and Jazz Studies program are set to present a one-night-only performance by the BC Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos on Monday, November 15 at 7:30 PM in the Edward Simonsen Indoor Theater.
The concert will feature student ensembles led by Jazz Studies director and Performing Arts Department Chair Kris Tiner.
This concert will feature classic works by Duke Ellington and Neal Hefti as well as arrangements of tunes by modern jazz artists such as trumpeter Lee Morgan and pianist Chick Corea, who passed away earlier this year. The ensemble will also play a new composition by Ayn Inserto entitled “Notorious RBG”, a hip hop-inspired tribute to the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Students in the BC Jazz Combos will open the concert with a selection of original compositions and jazz standards.
Admission for the concert is $12 for general admission and $8 for students, staff, and seniors. The venue will be limited to 40% capacity (160 guests). Tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite and are likely to sell out; if tickets sell out in advance, no tickets will be available at the door.
Masks are required while indoors and campus visitors must complete BC’s Daily Health Tracker on the day of the performance.
BC To Be Recognized as “Statewide Champion of Higher Education”
Bakersfield College has once again earned statewide recognition for our innovative work to advance student success, and was named this year’s Champion of Higher Education by the Campaign for College Opportunity. This recognition is a tribute to the dedication of BC’s faculty and staff and I am proud of your commitment, focus, and energy.
Our campus community is inspired by our students, many of whom are first generation and qualify for assistance and support services. We know that it is our responsibility as a Champion of Higher Education to think big, be creative, reduce barriers, increase support, and lead these Renegades on an efficient path towards degree attainment.
Thank you faculty and staff, for all you do to support Renegades. This is the 4th year that BC will be recognized with such a prestigious award and it is because of your engagement and commitment to our students.
The formal recognition will be made virtually during the annual Champions of Higher Education and Equity Champions for Excellence in Transfer celebration on November 16, 2021 at 10:00AM.
Register to participate in the Campaign for College Opportunity Event
Workshop Series: Kern High Roads Regional Workforce Project
Bakersfield College, the Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment and the UC Merced Community and Labor Center will hold several public workshops over the coming weeks as they begin to develop the Kern Strategic Workforce Plan.
Earlier this year, KCCD and BC were awarded $2 million to develop and implement a blueprint for the future energy, workforce, and industry needs of Kern County and the central valley. This initiative, known as The Kern Regional Workforce Coalition is a High Road Training Partnership (HTRP), aimed to create a stronger, healthier, and more economically resilient community by focusing on equity, education, industry security, and job quality.
The project takes into consideration key local industries including energy, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics, and others with the goal of bolstering and strengthening these sectors with stable job growth, offering family sustaining wages and ample employment opportunities for skilled workers throughout the region.
Learn more about the Kern Strategic Workforce Plan and their plans for creating a “High Road” workforce by registering for one of the three virtual workshops planned for this week.
- Wednesday, November 3rd from 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM
- Friday, November 5th from Noon to 1:30 PM
- Saturday, November 6th from 10:30 AM to Noon
Register Here: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-5ahtjFaSMuRDEVLbkfaTg
Vaccine Requirement Goes Into Effect
Kern Community College District announced in August that it would require all students and employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 1, 2021, and masks were to be worn at all times in its facilities, following the Kern Community College District (KCCD) Board of Trustees adopted resolution of August 12th.
“While our vaccination numbers continue to climb throughout the fall semester, we believe the vaccination requirement is necessary to ensure the educational experience in and outside of the classroom is not disrupted this spring” said Cerro Coso Community College President Sean Hancock.
The district uses the KCCD Campus Pass app, one of many virus mitigation tools launched in February, to monitor in-person engagement on campus. The app is used to track symptoms, get daily campus passes, scan QR codes for contact tracing, self-reporting, and to upload proof of vaccination. Those who have provided proof of vaccination or have an approved exemption will check in daily with the app to receive a green pass if they are not symptomatic. A green pass will allow them access to college facilities.
Students and employees may request exemption from the vaccine requirement due to a medical reason or a sincerely held religious belief. Those with an approved exemption will be required to test on a regular basis at the college. Visitors are asked to bring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test administered within 72 hours of accessing any college facilities.
More information about the requirements is available on the KCCD website atwww.kccd.edu/chancellors-office/coronavirus-update.
Chancellor’s Seminar Series
This week, the Chancellor’s Seminar Series continued with “A COVID Conversation With Our Employee Leadership.”
I was unfortunately unable to attend the seminar, but Todd Coston was my designee to lead the seminar. Attendees also heard from KCCD CCA President Matt Crow, BC CSEA President Tina Johnson, KCCD Management Association President Manny Mourtzanos, Cerro Coso VP of Instruction Corey Marvin, and Cerro Coso HR Manager Resa Hess.
Check out the full video below:
You can catch up on all editions of the Chancellor’s Seminar Series at https://www.kccd.edu/chancellors-office/chancellors-seminar-series.
Jack’s Poetry Corner
A Baby
The scene of a starving baby
appears before me on the news,
its shriveled body punctuated
by a skeleton of bones,
a mother equally wizened
holds it in desperation,
tears of hope long gone.
I watch from my place
of good fortune born
and raised in joyful days,
warm bed mother’s meat loaf,
now comfortable
in my destiny’s location.
That baby’s life tells me
I must be aware
that my life’s safe room
is not shared everywhere,
that fortune is random
that I must care for those
whose day is dry bones.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
BC Student Life Program Director Nicole Alvarez took her son Isaac to get an ice cream cone after he got his fist dose of the COVID vaccine:
Cerro Coso Library shared a post highlighting Native American Heritage Month and inviting students to check out their selection of books exploring heritage, traditions, and culture:
Corny Rodriguez share this photo from the FHS Hall of Fame Golf Tournament – I spy Alex Gomez and Joe Saldivar!
PC President Dr. Claudia Habib shared this photo from Dia De Los Muertos:
#DiaDeLosMuertos#Familia#CulturalHeritage Un pequeño tributo a mi papá y mi hermana que siempre vivirán en mi corazón.
(#DiaDeLosMuertos#Familia#CulturalHeritage A small tribute to my dad and my sister who will always live in my heart)
Kimberly Bligh also came out to support Renegade Football:
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That’s a wrap for now.
See you next Saturday!
The future is bright at KCCD.
-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor
#KCCDDaringMightyThings
Tagged: #KCCDDaringMightyThings, Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso College, KCCD Daring Mighty Things, Kern Community College District, Porterville College, Sonya Christian
I attended the first HRTP Meeting and it was an interesting start. It came across as vague regarding what exactly they propose to do. The Hall of Fame Golf tourney was very FUN and Big Mike G can crush a golf ball!!! We need to acknowledge the 5-Days of light that as you probably know, (sorry, I don’t know what it’s Hindi name is) a big event in India.