This weekend, many of us will enjoy a three-day weekend as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who would have turned 94 on Sunday. As we pause to remember his contributions as a civil rights leader, I wanted to share a touching monument that also celebrates the love he shared with his wife, Coretta Scott King.
Yesterday, the city of Boston unveiled a memorial to Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King. The statue, titled “The Embrace,” is modeled after an image of the couple hugging.
Boston was an important city for the Kings – Martin and Coretta met while he was a student at Boston University, studying philosophy and ethics, and she was studying opera at the New England Conservatory of Music.
During the ceremony, the Kings’ son Martin Luther King III spoke. His wife, Arndrea Waters King and their daughter, Yolanda Renee King, also gave remarks. You can watch the video on the NBCBoston website.
Yolanda, only 14 years old, closed with:
I am also challenged by their inspiring legacies of vision and courage and hope and healing. But I know that I am not alone. There is a sense in which we are all children and grandchildren of Martin and Coretta Scott King. We are all challenged to carry forth their unfinished work. This is the spirit we must keep as commemorate the 37th Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday.
Let’s make it a great day of community service – a day of brotherhood, a day of sisterhood. A day of using your platform for good. A day of love and healing in the spirit of this wonderful monument.
Check out last year’s post: KCCD Colleges always a “stone of hope” for our communities. Celebrating MLK 2022. https://sonyachristianblog.com/2022/01/15/kccd-colleges-always-a-stone-of-hope-for-our-communities-celebrating-mlk-2022/
Good morning friends.
It is January 14, 2023.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD
Porterville College
Native American Student Orientation
The excitement has started to build for next week’s start of classes as some of our student programs began holding orientation meetings around campus.
The Native American and Alaskan Native Student Services Program welcomed some of its newest students to PC during a lunchtime orientation held on Monday.
Native American Services Program Counselor Katherine Figueroa-Fernandez held the orientation for incoming Freshmen of Native American or Alaskan Native Descent during a luncheon held in the Student Center Conference Room.
Pirate in a Day Helps Students with Last-Minute Registration Questions and Issues
The Student Services office offered last-minute help to nearly 200 last-minute registrants this week during our final Pirate in a Day registration event for Spring Semester.
These events provide a one-stop shop for students who need help with the registration process. Faculty and Staff are on hand to provide counseling and information on helpful programs and services for students such as student support programs and available financial aid. They also help students with course registration and assist with the creation of students’ educational plans.
Cerro Coso Community College
Dr. Hancock at Ridgecrest Chamber Luncheon
On Tuesday January 10th, Dr. Sean Hancock had the opportunity to speak with the community at the Ridgecrest Chamber Luncheon. Dr. Hancock’s presentation highlighted key points about who we are and Cerro Coso’s mission to “improve the life of every student it serves.”
The community was very engaged throughout Dr. Hancock’s presentation and appeared particularly interested in Cerro Coso recently being ranked by Inteligent.com as one of the Best Community Colleges in California in 2023. When asked by an audience member about ongoing partnerships with China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, Dr. Hancock emphasized the college’s role in providing students trained in cyber security technology to the base and the future development of a baccalaureate degree in cyber security technology.
Dr. Hancock went on to highlight Cerro Coso’s work with local military and aerospace employers through the Military and Aerospace Workforce Coalition, meeting with China Lake, Edwards Air Force Base, and Mojave Air and Space Port. Dr. Hancock is always eager for the opportunity to speak with Ridgecrest community members and thanks the Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce for hosting this luncheon.
Bringing the Arcade to the CC Student Center
Desert Valleys Federal Credit Union is a long-time supporter of Cerro Coso Community College’s Foundation, and they recently donated four arcade game machines to the CCCC Foundation! These arcade games are four classics that would be seen in any arcade, bowling alley, or pizza parlor. The free arcade games, The Simpsons, Mortal Combat, Marvel Superheroes, and Teenage Ninja Turtles, are conveniently located in the Student Center of the IWV Cerro Coso campus. The perfect place to wind down and get your gaming on!
Whether students or staff are taking a study break, on their lunch, or in between classes, the arcade machines will be used and enjoyed! It is safe to say most Cerro Coso staff members feel the same way; Cerro Coso staff member Addy Windsor states, “the games in the student center are great- perfect for students to enjoy between classes and fun for the staff too!”
Thank you so much to Desert Valleys Federal Credit Union! We thank you for your continuous support of Cerro Coso Community College.
How Will They Transform the World?
Cerro Coso nursing students celebrated their completion of the program by participating in a Pinning and Capping Ceremony on the afternoon of Friday, December 9th.
The students lit lamps, recited pledges and received caps and pins as symbols of their preparedness to serve as compassionate caregivers. Family and friends filled the College Lecture Center to witness the ceremony and support their loved ones as they celebrated the completion of the highly respected and rigorous vocational nursing program at CCCC.
The thirteen nursing students honored were: Shannon Davis, Dezerea Edulag, Natalie Grubbs, Crystal Hardison, Rana Khalifeh, Kylee Koch, Valerie Lucero, Dawnell McKnight, DeAnnaSamantha Mellor, Kyla Mercado, Esteffany Ponce, Sesli Watson, and TaMara Williams.
The capping and pinning ceremony signifies the official initiation into the brotherhood and sisterhood of nurses. It is a proud moment for the students as they are welcomed into the nursing profession.
“You have chosen an honorable profession. One that is demanding both psychologically and physically, and holds a lot of responsibility,” said Cerro Coso President Dr. Sean Hancock. “You may be sitting there thinking – I’m not prepared for what is next. I am here to assure you that you are. I have great confidence in the education you have received here at Cerro Coso,” he said. “I declare, you are well equipped to accept the challenges ahead. Whatever they may be.”
Bakersfield College
BC Staff Move Into New Welcome Center
Bakersfield College staff are thrilled to have a new facility opening soon for students to use as a one stop shop for resources and answers to questions. Staff have now started moving in before the facility officially opens.
Garden Fest is Back!
Bakersfield College’s Garden Fest is returning Saturday, April 15th, 2023 from 9am-4pm. This year’s theme is “Here We Grow Again” and will feature presentations and artisans sharing how we can incorporate nature in our daily lives. The event will be filled with activities, vendors, food trucks, and several of BC’s student clubs and organizations. This event is for the whole family, so mark your calendars and get ready for another great Garden Fest!
In the News
College president shares latest news with Chamber members
The Daily Independent of Ridgecrest published this article about Cerro Coso President Sean Hancock’s report to the Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce.
“I am very appreciative of Cerro Coso families who went through earthquakes, Covid, weather, forest fire threat, and all kinds of things that were attacking our operation. We persevered. Whenever we face a challenge, we will figure it out. We have done it over and over again,” said Hancock.
BC unveils new women’s wrestling team at spring media day
Did you catch this update from The Bakersfield Californian after BC’s spring media day? Bakersfield College debuted their new women’s wrestling team.
“I think for any first program, we just want to build a strong foundation,” (coach Andrea) Prise said. “We want to have our fundamentals solid so that from here we can just keep building and building.”
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
Norma Rojas-Mora shared this update:
Thank you to my Councilwoman Manpreet Kaur for the appointment to Bakersfield Public Safety/Vital City Services Measure N Citizens Oversight Committee & to Chancellor @sonyachristian for your ongoing support-ready to serve Ward 7 my community & @KernCCD #communityfirst #womenlead
Nicole Parra spoke at Rotary and shared this post:
Thank you Pete Leveroni for inviting me to speak at Rotary this morning! Great to see so many KernCCD Rotarians like Cheryl Harris Scott and Chancellor Emeritus Tom Burke! Thank you Stacey Shepard and Sara Sullivan KernCCD CREL team for joining me!
I am proud to be part of a team at KernCCD helping to lead our community in efforts to bring more resources, leverage relationships and support efforts to continue to feed, transport and defend our State. #Energy #workforcedevelopment #crelkccd
#community #hustle
Thank you Chancellor Sonya Christian & our KernCCD Trustees for supporting our teams to move the work!
Here are a few photos she shared of some of our Kern CCD team:
NaTesha Johnson shared this post:
Thank you Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for inviting me to be a guest speaker for your Business Academy in Delano! I had the best time sharing about business and all the free business resources offered at the Bakersfield College Launchpad!!!
I truly enjoy working with our newest entrepreneurs in Kern! Continue the great work!!! Bringing Business Back!
Launchpad #bakersfieldcollege #BCLaunchpad #entrepreneurship
And check out this beautiful sunrise that Bill Moseley shared:
*****
That’s a wrap for now.
See you next Saturday!
The future is bright at Kern CCD.
-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor
#KernCCDDaringMightyThings
Tagged: #KernCCDDaringMightyThings, Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso College, Kern Community College District, Porterville College, Sonya Christian
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