David Torres, Centric Health Foundation Chairman, put it best “BC may stand for Bakersfield College, but to all of us here in this community, for us, BC stands for Beats Covid.”
I loved his energy and excitement at the clinic:
We also celebrated Community Relations Director Norma Rojas-Mora’s birthday with a drive-through singalong:
On Friday, March 26, Bakersfield College hosted our second big drive-through vaccination event – vaccinating 1,025 people!
I am grateful to everyone whose hard work and dedication helped make BC’s second drive-through Covid vaccination clinic an absolute success.
Manny Mourtzanos, Tom Burke, Mike Giacomini
Chancellor Burke
David Torres
Karen Goh, Jeff Flores
Trustee Romeo Agbalog
T Johnson
Leticia Perez and Noah
Check out more pictures from the March 26 clinic on BC’s SmugMug site.
I’m continuing to share pictures of our vaccinated Renegades. If you’d like to share your vaccination photo, please email it to president@bakersfieldcollege.edu.
BC supporter Nicole Parra got her vaccination at our first drive-thru clinic:
Nicole Parra getting vaccinated
Program Manager for Counseling & Student Success Isabel Castaneda tweeted about her Johnson&Johnson vaccination:
Food Services Manager Fidel Cabuena got his second Pfizer shot:
Department Assistant Cheryl Caswell-Fairbanks got the shot with her husband and Shawn Newsom from the History Department:
Good morning Bakersfield. It is Saturday, April 3, 2021 … a great day to be a Renegade.
This Easter weekend, I wanted to share a few photos of spring flowers:
And the rose season is getting started:
First Lady comes to Central Valley
This week, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited the Central Valley to meet with farmworkers at The Forty Acres. She was joined by Gov. Gavin Newsom in touring The Forty Acres, which was created by Cesar Chavez and became the headquarters for the United Farmworkers of America, and in thanking farmworkers for their hard work during the pandemic. Connie Perez-Andreeson from the BC Foundation Board introduced Dr. Jill Biden…. so cool!
And here is an Instagram post by FLOTUS; the picture is of Connie introducing her.
Sonya Christian, Dolores Huerta, Norma Rojas-Mora
Young Mothers for Peace
Mothers for Peace, the first in a series of seminars through the Bakersfield College Peace Initiative, kicked off on Tuesday this week with a Zoom webinar where panelists reflected on their experiences and concerns as they raise their children, as well as their visions for a peaceful future. Norma Rojas-Mora, served as emcee. Our panelists were Sandy Woo-Cater, Anti-Trafficking Expert; Lauren Skidmore, District Director for Assembly Member Vince Fong; Pawan Gill, Director of HR and Community Development for the City of Arvin; and Antrenette Carr, Human Resources Manager at Amazon.
Here are my opening remarks:
Then, our panelists each gave a short introduction of themselves and their families:
Norma then asked our panelists to reflect on a series of questions.
As a mother, what do you see as the threat?
Let’s fast forward to 2035, your child is now an adult. As you envision that world what do you want it look like?
What do you want to do to reach that vision for a peaceful society in 2035? What is your call to action?
Norma wrapped up the seminar with a few closing comments:
Please stay tuned to the BC Peace Initiative website for information about upcoming seminars, events, and other projects.
Early College Info Night at Valley Oaks Charter
Last Thursday the Early College team hosted a virtual student & parent information night for Valley Oaks Charter School. The session was focused on incoming 9th graders and their parents, but was open for all Valley Oaks students. The student testimonials were the highlight of the event. Two graduating seniors shared their experiences with taking Early College classes through Valley Oaks. They also participated in a question and answer session for the parents and students.
Here are some quotes from our Early College students:
“It’s a really good experience… If you do start, I would start with 1-2 classes.” – Jaxon Young
“I was nervous too. It’s ok to be nervous. It puts a little bit of pressure on you but don’t be afraid to ask your professors for help.” – Elise Mayer
Inmate Scholars Update
Jennifer Craig, an assistant professor of English and the Inmate Scholars Program, sent out the latest edition of the Inmate Scholars Newsletter on March 26.
BC Cheer shared a throwback photo from the 1994-1995 squad:
The Kern Exceptional Family Center shared some pictures from their vaccination clinic in partnership with the Kern Regional Center and Bakersfield College:
History Professor Olivia Garcia spotted some Easter cheer on a trail:
One of our Culinary Arts students was preparing pastry boxes for Nixtamal Cafe:
Job Development Specialist Carlos Medina’s family took a bike ride through the bluffs:
The Story of Kitty
Before I wrap up with the Athletics Corner that Brandon sends my way, I wanted you to enjoy this story written by one of my regular contributors to the blog, Dr. Jack Hernandez, aka “Grandpa Jack” who wrote a delightful short story for his seven year old granddaughter who is a terrific gymnast…she was cartwheeling and flipping when he was visiting in Williamstown.
Kitty was a small, grey fluffy cat. Her older sister, Kiki, loved to musically meow and dance, waving her paws in the air like flags. Her big brother, Cosmic, was a superstar mouse chaser.
But one morning as Kitty watched them from her high breakfast perch she wondered what she could do to be happy like them. She remembered all the things she had tried to do, but hadn’t worked.
First she had tried swimming, but didn’t like her fur all wet, soggy, and heavy. So that didn’t work.
Next she had played catball, but didn’t like waiting for her turn, plus she missed too many. So that didn’t work.
Then she had gone outside on the grass to race snails, but that was too easy. Like even an ant can beat a snail. So that didn’t work.
Finally she had tried tooting a horn, but didn’t like her lips all tired and worn. So that didn’t work.
O me, o my, she thought, what can I do? And as she sat and wondered, she suddenly fell from her perch and without thinking landed upright on her paws! Wow, she said, I can do this, can do tricks in the air!
So when her mama cat, Lipsi, brought her a pancake, she asked her how she could learn to leap and turn, leap and circle in the air.
He mom answered, “I know a place, Kitty, that teaches kiddy cats to do catnastics, and after breakfast I’ll take you there.”
“Thank you, mom,” Kitty purred as she put some syrup on her pancake.
So that very afternoon Kitty began her catnastics lessons. And she practiced and practiced.
Then one day, not too long after, she was cartwheeling her way! Here and there! Everywhere!
O how she could flip and dip! Backward and forward! Up and down! Cat flips to the ceiling, to the floor. Tricks, tricks, and tricks galore!
She was no longer just watching other cats in their jazzy fur. She was now cool, cool Kitty. Jumping. Pumping. Swinging and zinging. Every day. Every way.
And that is how she became Kitty–The Cartwheeling Cat.
Athletics
Volleyball End Spring I Season With Perfect Record
Even though they were not playing competitively for over a year, the Renegade Women’s Volleyball squad is playing like they haven’t skipped a beat. They recently wrapped up play in the abbreviated California Community College Athletics Association (CCCAA) Spring I sports season with a perfect 9-0 record. In the process they swept seven of the nine opponents and only gave up two sets in those nine games. While there will be no conference or state championship for them to play at the end of this season, we are proud of the what they accomplished and how they represented BC!
Coach Littlejohn on KGET Coaches Corner
Be sure to catch our very own Renegade Head Football Coach R. Todd Littlejohn as he joins KGET sports reporter Taylor Schaub to dissect the local high school football games each week. Watch last week’s segment of the first week of Kern High District games by clicking below:
Good morning, Bakersfield.
It is Saturday, February 29, 2020…A Leap Year… A great day to be a Renegade.
Sterling Silver
Liz Rozell, John Petre, Sonya Christian, Kay Meek
Liz Rozell, Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Sonya Christian
left to right: Zav Dadabhoy, Sandi Taylor, Liz Rozell, Dr. William F. Baker, Jr., Sonya Christian, and Romeo Agbalog.Liz Rozell, Rick Kreiser, Sonya Christian, Tom Gelder
We had a beautiful reception at the Seven Oaks Country Club last weekend as part of our 12th-annual Sterling Silver Dinner, which the BC Foundation puts together to honor and recognize the exceptional support that members of our community provide to BC every day. Proceeds from the Sterling Silver Dinner help fund scholarships for students, providing vital opportunities to make higher education a reality for thousands of Renegades.
Liz Rozell, JP Lake, Sonya Christian
Sandi Taylor, Bob Covey, Sonya Christian
Kris Tiner
The evening brought together Renegade alumni and supporters, generous donors, and friends of the college to celebrate this year’s honorees. Under the direction of Kris Tiner, the BC Jazz Ensemble masterfully entertained the crowd as they entered the event. Seven Oaks chef Paul Burzlaff prepared a wonderful variety of culinary delights with help from BC Culinary Arts students.
Karen Goh, Sonya Christian
Vince Fong, Sonya Christian, Andrae Gonzales
Several notable Renegade supporters were on hand to celebrate our honorees, including Mayor Karen Goh, Assemblymember Vince Fong, State Senator Shannon Grove, County Supervisor Zack Scrivner, and City Councilmember Andrae Gonzales. Other notable community partners included S.C. Anderson, Diane Lake, and AECOM/Parsons.
Corporate Philanthropist of the Year – Greater Bakersfield New Car Dealers Association
We started off the reception by recognizing the Greater Bakersfield New Car Dealers Association for their long-standing support of BC. The Greater Bakersfield New Car Dealers Association was founded in 1945 and has held several golf tournaments to promote education in Kern County.
Individual Philanthropist of the Year – Mr. Bill Kelly
Bill Kelly receives the Individual Philanthropist of the Year Award
Bill Kelly taught agriculture at BC for 37 years. In addition to being selected Professor of the Year in 2014, he has won accolades across the state for his influence on agriculture education. Mr. Kelly retired in 2019, but he loves what he does so much he is back on campus as an adjunct instructor. However, we honored Bill because he and his family have provided substantial financial assistance to generations of BC students through the Verna L. Kelly Memorial and Kelly Family scholarships, set up to honor his family and strengthen ag education.
Bakersfield College Foundation Service Medal – Dr. William F. “Bill” Baker, Jr.
Dr. William Baker receives the Foundation Service Medal.
Dr. William Baker has served as the Team Physician for Bakersfield College athletics since 1978 and has provided expert medical care to generations of athletes, witnessing milestones such as the 1988 State Championship and the 1990 Potato Bowl. Dr. Baker’s contributions continue in the scholarship that he and Dr. Michael Tivnon established and award annually through the Bakersfield College Foundation. Dr. Baker has a successful practice in town and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and of the International Academy of Thrombosis, Hemostasis and Vascular Medicine. The Bakersfield College Foundation Service Medal recognizes extraordinary service to the Bakersfield College community for fifty-two years of commitment to Bakersfield College and Bakersfield College Athletics, and a lifetime of service to the good health of Bakersfield and Kern County.
Bakersfield College Foundation Service Medal – Rick Kreiser
Rick Kreiser receives the Foundation Service Medal.
Rick Kreiser is a Bakersfield College alum who has served on the Bakersfield College Foundation since 2001, even serving a stint as chair of the Foundation from 2005 to 2007. Over the years, Rick and his company, Carney’s, have helped numerous local charities raise money, especially to fight cancer. There is a scholarship benefiting Bakersfield College students in the name of his late wife, Kris Kreiser.
Thank Yous
Heather Pennella and Norma Rojas-Mora
Thank you KGET for covering the event and for producing the honoree videos. I’d also like to thank Norma Rojas-Mora, Monika Scott, Dylan Wang, Manny De Los Santos and Brandon Urry from BC’s Marketing and Public Relations team for the promotion and social media coverage of this year’s Sterling Silver Dinner.
Sterling Silver is the signature event for the Bakersfield College Foundation, and it wouldn’t be possible without the tireless planning and work of Heather Pennella, our Alumni and Donor Relations Manager. Thank you Heather, as well as the rest of the Foundation team, for coordinating another successful night. A special thanks also goes out to Liz Rozell for stepping in as Executive Director of the Foundation after Tom Gelder’s retirement.
Check out more photos from the Sterling Silver Dinner below, captured with the brilliant photography of April Massirio.
Karen Gohn, Sonya Christian, Christina Scrivner, Shannon Grove
Liz Rozell
Toiyan and R. Todd Littlejohn
Seated: Dr. Michael Tivnon, Gerry Collis Standing: Lorenzo Alvarez, Duane Damron, Carl Bowser, Dr. Bill Baker, Dallas Grider, Carl Dean, R. Todd Littlejohn, Bob Covey, Harvel Pollard.
Diana Johnson, Andrea Brown, Devang Bhurat, Jeannine Cascadden, Jared Cascadden, Stephanie Smith, John Smith, Cheryl Blockley, Ted Blockley.
Victoria Lara, Noor Qwfan, Brianna Hilo, Robert Kostner
Front row: John Turner, Joi Turner, Patrick Beck; Back row: Vince Fong, Julia Turner, Kay Meek, Sonya Christian, Lauraine Cook, Jerry Cook.
BC is recognized nationwide for the work of our African-American Initiatives team with the John W. Rice Award and other accolades, and their success has been aided by the support of leaders in the African-American community who believe in our vision for closing equity gaps in Kern County. We held a special breakfast for African-American leaders in the Levan Center on Wednesday to thank them and show how that support is transforming thousands of lives every day.
Steve Watkin receives a standing ovation.
I always look forward to the African-American Community Leadership Breakfast every year, and I’m glad that we could bring it back for 2020. Our Food Services Department provided another lovely meal for all our attendees, and Steve Watkin organized and emceed the event.
Mayor Karen Goh was in attendance at the event, and she gave a beautiful speech about the power of unity to create systemic change.
Paula Parks
The keynote speaker for the African-American Community Leadership Breakfast was BC’s own Paula Parks to talk about the success of our Umoja Community chapter. The audience erupted in applause when Paula announced an increase of 133 percent for African-American student completion of English at BC, which is a direct result of the leadership and community promoted through Umoja. Listening to Paula’s presentation, even I was surprised at how much the program had grown in the last few years, expanding to cohort courses in English, math, astronomy, biology and more. We now have a sister student organization called the Umoja Club, and the program will begin to offer students internships through Dignity Health.
After Paula’s presentation, representatives from several important community organizations spoke to promote their education initiatives, as well as partnerships with BC and other schools. I loved hearing from Dee Slade of the African-American Network of Kern County, Charles Everly from the Buffalo Soldiers, Dr. Bradford Anderson of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Essie Davis from The Links, Incorporated, Linda McKnight from Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and LaMeka Ross from the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
Essie Davis
Dr. Bradford Anderson
Edwin Peterson
We closed out the morning with a powerful student testimonial from Edwin Peterson, a young man who has turned his back on the mire of the streets to pursue a Culinary Arts degree right here at BC. He credits Steve Watkin and the African-American Initiatives team for motivating him to continue his education.
Thank you to the African-American Initiatives team, Food Services, the Levan Center, and everyone who attended this event to show their love and support for our African-American students.
Steve Watkin, Mayor Karen Goh, Sonya Christian and Charles Everly.
Marisa Bank, Traco Matthews, and Na Tesha Kindred Johnson.
Bakersfield Police Department Captain Jason Matson with Dan Hall from BC.
Steve Watkin, Sonya Christian, Rev. Ralph Anthony, Doc Ervin, Dr. Oscar Anthony
Reggie Williams and Susan Pinza visited the KGET studios early Thursday morning to talk about the Levan Center and the Levan Institute, two important institutions that provide community enrichment and lifelong learning to everyone in Kern County. Thanks, Reggie and Susan! Check out the video above or visit the KGET website.
Art, Architecture and Archetypes: Art as Ritual
Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Ronnie Wrest, Rae Ann Kumelos, and Krista Moreland.
A panel of current and former BC professors engaged in an informative discussion about how art is used in sacred rituals and ceremonies around the world. The Levan Center’s first Art, Architecture, and Archetypes panel of the Spring semester brought together Ronnie Wrest, Rae Ann Kumelos, Krista Moreland and KCCD Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg around the theme of ritual as art.
Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg
Wrest talked about Navajo sand painting and German performance artist Joseph Beuys, whose interpretive piece “I Like America and America Likes Me” portrayed the story of being healed by an indigenous tribe in the Crimea after a plane crash. Kumelos shared Stephen King’s ritual of “intentional dreaming” before sitting down to write his novels, which helps his mind enter a higher level of imagination. Krista Moreland offered a deeper understanding behind the symbolism of the sand mandala, which uses symbolic colors, shapes, figures and object to represent the interconnectedness of life. Finally, Trustee Heitzeberg explained the influences of devotional art in the Catholic faith.
Thank you to the Levan Center, all of our panelists, and everyone who attended this interesting discussion.
Renegade Roundtable on Homelessness
A group of five brilliant BC faculty members shared their views on the homeless crisis at the Levan Center as part of the first Renegade Roundtable of the Spring 2020 semester last week.
Erin Miller
This edition of the Renegade Roundtable featured Michael Harvath, Jack Hernandez, Steve Holmes, Erin Miller and Neal Stanifer. Each of these educators brought their years of scholarship to the table to approach this important issue from different perspectives. Hernandez, the former director of the Levan Center, encouraged audience members to think of the homeless as individuals instead of statistics. Stanifer and Horvath proposed solutions to getting people off the streets and into homes, and Erin Miller took a closer look at how mental health affects the ways that homeless people tend to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs.
While the panelists had different ideas about how to deal with homelessness, all agreed that we can’t keep ignoring the problem any longer. Thank you to all of the panelists, as well as Reggie Williams and the Levan Center, for offering a space to encourage insight into this ongoing problem. Events like these are important for fulfilling BC’s core value of community, honoring our obligation to “build an environment in which all members participate as a community through democratic engagement”.
BC’s Core Value of Community
Community Voices: Michele Bresso
Michele Bresso
In a Community Voices column earlier this week, Michele Bresso shared a story from one of her communication classes that brings home the impact of homelessness on the lives of our students and the power of education to change it.
When she assigned her small groups communication class to volunteer at the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter as part of a class project, she found out that one of her students used to be a resident of the shelter before she became a Renegade. The student vowed never to return to the shelter once she got back on her feet, but her experience as a volunteer for Michele’s class convinced her to have a change of heart:
“She met a young woman living at the center who was much like herself years before. My student committed to a weekly volunteer schedule at the center so that she could mentor this young woman and model a way to achieve independence.”
Grounds for Dreaming
Lori Flores speaks in the Levan Center
Stony Brook University professor Lori Flores visited the Home of the Renegades to host an enlightening discussion on the agriculture labor rights movement in California during the early 20th Century.
Lori Flores
As an historian of agricultural labor in the United States, Flores was excited to come to the Central Valley for the first time. After all, this is the place where so much of that history was and continues to be made. The Social Justice Institute invited Flores to the Levan Center last week to share from her book “Grounds for Dreaming: Mexican-Americans, Mexican Immigrants, and the California Farmworker Movement”. “Grounds for Dreaming” is a deeply researched account of how immigrant laborers from the Bracero program and Mexican-Americans came together to organize for better working conditions in the 40s and 50s, decades before Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta founded the UFW.
Thank you to Lori Flores for sharing her years of scholarship with our students, and thank you to Oliver Rosales, Andrew Bond for organizing the event.
This Week at BC: Financial Aid
For the newest edition of This Week at BC, marketing student workers Ramon Carreido and Juan Reyes take a closer look at the Financial Aid office ahead of the March 2 deadline for filling out the FAFSA.
I love seeing our student workers get more comfortable with their video skills while spreading the word about all of the awesome programs and initiatives here at BC. Great job, Juan and Ramon!
Renegade Athletics
Watch this week’s edition of the Renegade Report on the Bakersfield College Athletics Facebook page featuring our Renegade Men’s Golf Team out at Stockdale Country Club. Head Coach Wes Coble and student athletes Blake Keesey, Caleb Jameson and Quinn Walker sat down with host Kenny Calvin to discuss their season so far. On Monday the team will host a conference match out at Stockdale Country Club and we know they will represent us well!
Coach Goodman Reaches 100 Career Victories
Congrats, Coach Goodman!
A special congratulations go out to Renegade Softball Head Coach Casey Goodman, who just collected her 100th victory as a head coach. In her third season at BC she has collected 66 victories and the other 34 came from her time as the head softball coach at Louisiana State University, Alexandria. As a Renegade Casey has captured back-to-back Western State Conference Championships and the team looks to make that three in a row this spring. Congrats Casey – we are lucky to have you!
BC Football at the Mission
This last Saturday our new football coach R. Todd Littlejohn and a number of our Renegade football student athletes spent the morning serving our community at the Mission of Kern County. We are glad to have the relationship with the Mission that allows our students to give back!
Men’s and Women’s Basketball All-Conference Renegades
With basketball season coming to a close we had multiple men’s and women’s basketball student athletes who were awarded post-season conference awards. From Men’s Basketball Tyrell Coleman (1st-Team), Michael Guillory (Co-Defensive MVP and Honorable Mention) and Isayas Aris (Honorable Mention) all received recognition. From the Women’s team Dasia Wandick was named All-Conference for the second year in a row, along with teammate Alyssa Gonzalez.
Next Level Gades – Eamon Sullivan
Eamon Sullivan signs to the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.
Eamon Sullivan from Renegade Football has signed to continue his academic and athletic career at University of Virginia’s College at Wise located in Wise, VA. Eeamon played the last two season at BC and is excited to continue his career at UVA Wise. We wish him the best and know he will always represent BC!
Valley Strong Credit Union Renegades of the Week: Feb. 16 – Feb. 22
Renegade Athletics is proud to announce this week’s (2/16-2/22) Valley Strong Credit Union Renegades of the Week:
Dasia Wandick, Women’s Basketball – Dasia matched a career high and had a season-high total of 30 points in the women’s basketball season finale against Canyons. She also received WSC South All-Conference honors for the second straight year.
Esteban Robles, Men’s Swimming – Esteban was the only individual with an event win for BC (100 Free and 50 Fly) at the 2020 Ram Crush this last weekend at Clovis College. He was part of the 200 Free Relay team who took 1st where he put up big anchor leg for the win. He was also part of 3 other relays all placing in the top 4 at the meet. For his efforts he was named the Sprint Master and Butterfly Master of the meet. To win the award one must have competed in the 50/100/200 of the strokes and score the highest cumulative points in the events. He swam in all 6 races and took the title in both strokes.
Be sure to put on your Renegade Red and cheer on our student athletes as they compete this coming week. If you can’t make it in person, check GoGades.com to catch the livestream. Events include:
Mon. 3/2 – Men’s Golf hosts WSC #4 at 9am, Stockdale CC
Tues. 3/3 – Women’s Tennis vs Bakersfield at 2pm
Tues. 3/3 – Baseball vs LA Mission at 2:30pm
Sat. 3/7 – Softball vs. Fullerton at 12pm
Sat. 3/7 – Softball vs. Pasadena City at 4pm
Sat. 3/7 – Baseball vs LA Mission at 1pm
That’s all for now.
Until next time.
With much Renegade Pride and Collegiality.
sonya- the luckiest and happiest college president ever
Good morning, Bakersfield.
It is Saturday, September 14, 2019… A great day to be a Renegade.
Who doesn’t love looking at the moon. Always beautiful….always kindling emotions within our souls… Last night was a special full moon…A full moon on Friday the 13th! Enjoy the photo I snapped while walking Neo and then the other taken by Nick Strobel.
New Faculty Reception
Per tradition, we welcomed our new faculty before the first football game of the season last Saturday.
We had lots of great food, prepared by our food services.
Our Deans were there to welcome everyone.
Dean Corny Rodriguez
Among the dignitaries present, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh energized the group with her usual upbeat message ending with the BC chant….We are BC!
Trustee Romeo Agbalog and Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg greeted the new faculty
Trustee Romeo Agbalog
Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg
Was happy to have Congressman Bill Thomas at the event. Was a real treat that he brought as his guest retired faculty member Gaylen Lewis.
Bill Thomas and Gaylen Lewis
Bill Thomas
Gaylen Lewis, Sonya Christian
Steve Holmes, Academic Senate Pres.
Aren’t these Renegade tattoos great?
Catherine Rangel, Sonya and Jo Ellen Barnes
Football Season Begins
A highlight for me was hearing the BC Men’s Choir for the first time. Jen Garrett you just keep raising the bar on our music program. Thank you!
Men’s choir with the National Anthem
Sonya Christian with Jen Garrett and the BC Men’s Choir
Love this photo by Manny De Los Santos
Thanks to Measure J funding, the Renegade football team opened up the 2019 football season running out onto the beautiful, newly installed field turf field of Memorial Stadium. The field, the first football field in Bakersfield to have field turf, was the focal point of the evening as more than 5,100 fans packed into the stadium for the home opener. The game was broadcast locally on KGET, and I was the halftime show guest with Nick James. The game was also streamed on GoGades.com where over 6,000 fans tuned in, and broadcast on the radio at KERN 1180.
While the team had a tough game against Mt. SAC, they look to bounce back tonight on the road at El Camino at 6pm. The game stream will be live through GoGades.com and on the radio at KERN 1180. The next home game is September 28that 6pm against Golden West. Be sure to fire up your grill for tailgating at that game as a $500 prize will go to the winner of the ‘Mexican Fiesta’ tailgating theme. Judging will begin at 4:30pm and end by 5:30pm. The winner will be announced at the game.
Mayor Goh and Trustee Agbalog
Sonya Christian, Nick Strobel
Charles Daramola, Sonya Christian
Romeo Agbalog, Karen Goh, Lilly Agbalog, Yasmine, Sonya Christian
Jackson with his grandma Janet Tarjan
Sonya Christian, Steven Holmes
Thomas Blackwell visits BC
Thomas Blackwell, fresh off the plane from Japan, explained during his Distinguished Speaker presentation, “The Liberty of Our Language Revealed,” on Monday, “challenges are just opportunities for growth.”
During his presentation, Blackwell brought up a few volunteers to demonstrate the ways that words affect our body. The audience could see how positive words made the person’s body language stronger, while negative words made their body language weaker.
In the evening, Blackwell gave a community presentation in the Edward Simonsen Performing Arts Center (PAC) Indoor Theater.
Blackwell was the first of nine Distinguished Speakers scheduled for the 2019-2020 semester. The events are organized by the Office of Student Life to offer thought-provoking discussions to the campus community.
I would like to thankthe Office of Student Life, Dr. Jennifer Garrett, and BC Performing Arts Department for bringing this speaker to campus. Don’t miss the next Distinguished Speaker, Arun Gandhi, grandson of civil rights leader Mohandas Gandhi, in Delano on September 30 at 11:00 a.m.
You will be found
Right before she introduced Thomas Blackwell for the community presentation, Dr. Jen Garrett had the Chamber singers perform You will be Found. A beautiful piece with great words. Enjoy BC’s Chamber singers.
Have you ever felt like nobody was there? Have you ever felt forgotten in the middle of nowhere? Have you ever felt like you could disappear? Like you could fall, and no one would hear?Well, let that lonely feeling wash away Maybe there’s a reason to believe you’ll be okay ‘Cause when you don’t feel strong enough to stand You can reach, reach out your handAnd oh, someone will coming running And I know, they’ll take you homeEven when the dark comes crashing through When you need a friend to carry you And when you’re broken on the ground You will be found So let the sun come streaming in ‘Cause you’ll reach up and you’ll rise again Lift your head and look around You will be found
Last week, I was invited to speak at the annual Onam celebration organized by Bakersfield Malayalee Association.
Onam is an annual harvest festival in the state of Kerala in India, as well as a major religious and cultural celebration practiced around the world by Malayalees, which is Kerala’s primary ethnic group. The event was a lot of fun and given the passing of my mom, I particularly enjoyed immersing myself in the sights, sounds and smells of all things Keralite.
Thank you President Chinnu for the invitation. Thank you to my dear friend Valsa to hanging out with me and catching up. Time is a precious gift….the struggle is always finding enough of it.
President Chinnu Joseph, Sonya Christian, Solly Benny
Valsa Chandy, Sonya Christian, Anita Patel, Chinnu Joseph
Transfer Day
We’re less than a quarter of the way through the Fall 2019 semester, but students are already thinking about where they’re going to go next year after graduating from BC. To make students aware of all their transfer options, BC’s Transfer Pathways team organized a resource fair in the Renegade Crossroads on Monday with representatives from colleges and universities around the country.
I’d like to thank the Transfer Pathways team, Outreach, and everyone who helped organize this year’s Transfer Day as an important resource for students looking to continue their education.
Early College Tiny Renegades visit Delano
The Early College Initiative at Bakersfield College has been serving high school students for several years now, and most recently has grown to serve more high schools throughout Kern County. While early exposure to college in 9th grade is important, the Rural Initiatives team has partnered with Delano Elementary School District to expose students as early as Pre-school! This past Monday morning the team welcomed a group of tiny Renegades from Albany Park Elementary to the Delano Campus. The students got a tour of the campus, got to do some chalk art in front of the Science and Technology building, and walked away with some BC souvenirs. They even learned the “We are BC” chant! Thank you Abel for sending me the 15-second video. Loved it! A big thank you to Rural Initiatives coordinator, Carolina Madrigal, and the rest of the team for making this visit possible.
Wounded Heroes Fund Lunch
Bakersfield College turned out for the Wounded Heroes Fund Annual Barbecue Fundraiser. A number of BC employees purchased the lunches, prepared by Café Med, Mexicali and JM’s Café. Our own Veteran Services was there giving out information and BC Nursing students were on hand helping put the food together.
According to their website, the Wounded Heroes Fund (WHF)’s mission is, “To act as a service organization for those veterans and their families affected by the war on terror in an effort to provide them with support and appreciation they need for a healthy return to civilian life.” Edie Nelson, and her husband John, went above and beyond, driving to the site of the barbecue to bring back lunch for the a number of staff members, including the President’s Office. This busy day saw 2,850 meals sold!
Armando Trujillo and Ilene Garcia, Veterans Club Pres.
On August 14, 2019 Bakersfield College Communication faculty member, Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone traveled to the Stanford University Campus for a summer intensive as part of a fellowship on teaching.
The fourth of these goal is “Engage: Engage productively in all levels of society – interpersonal, community, the state and the nation, and the world”.
With this goal in mind Communication faculty Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone applied and was accepted as Stanford EPIC fellow.
2019-2020 Stanford EPIC Fellows Retreat
The EPIC fellow retreat hosted several renowned Stanford faculty to collaborate on materials and content with the goal of increasing global competencies. The first collaborative session for fellows was facilitated by Jeremy Weinstein the Faculty Director, Stanford Global Studies Division. Director Gary Mukai and instructional designer Jonas Edman, from the Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE) shared existing resources on various topics aligned with common core standards. Open Education Resources (OER) or free online textbooks provide cost savings to students. Stanford has created a free application that challenges learners to engage with digital materials in complex and meaningful ways. The application called Lacuana Stories provides an interface where individual’s annotations can be inserted into the text.
Dr. Cruz-Boone Project: Establishing Best Practices for Early College: Using Lacuna Stories in Culturally Responsive Teaching
Dr. Cruz-Boone uses digital learning resources, specifically Lacuana, as a mechanism to increase student engagement in the Arvin Early College program. Class materials will be designed for general education classes and aim to engage students to simultaneously explore relationships in cultural context of globalization and integrate these skills in the process of effective communication.
Very proud of Chris Cruz-Boone … very proud of BC faculty.
Fun Photos
Stephanie Stuart, Interim Food Services Manager worked all day Saturday to cover special functions, such as the New Faculty Welcome Dinner and the first home game of the football season, and still found time to help one of our long time BC football fans.
With Cooper at new faculty reception.
With Cooper, son of Faculty Heather Silva and future Renegade Football player, at new faculty reception.
Good looking team supporting Renegade Baseball fundraiser.
Tom Burke, Tonya Davis, Corny Rodriguez, Tony Cordova
Athletics Update
Football Breaks in New Turf (Time-Lapse)
Check out this great time-lapse video (above) captured by Manny De Los Santos from May-August of the construction. The photos were taken by Brandon Urry and show the difference in the field from fall 2018 to fall 2019. We cannot thank Kern County enough for voting yes on Measure J!
Before
After
Student Athlete Spotlight – Zach Hernandez, Renegade Football
Enjoy this week’s Renegade Student Athlete Spotlight video on Zach Hernandez from football. Zach talks about why he chose to come to BC and shares advice for future BC student athletes. This video was shot and edited by fellow BC digital media student Jacob Amado. Great work, Jacob!
Congrats to the 9/1-9/7 Kern Schools FCU Renegades of the Week!
Renegade Athletics is proud to announce this week’s (9/1-9/7) Kern Schools Federal Credit Union Renegades of the Week:
Penelope Zepeda, Volleyball – In helping the team to three impressive wins over Santa Barbara, Long Beach and Pasadena, Penelope totaled 47 kills and 60 digs! She also added 40 perfect passes with a 2.43% passing percentage and 64% perfect pass percentage.
Christian Gonzalez, Men’s Soccer – Scored the tying goal on the road against San Francisco City on Friday and had an assist in Saturday’s 4-1 win at Mendocino in playing 177 out of 180 minutes in both contents.
Men’s Golf Serves the Community
This past Saturday our Men’s Golf team represented the college providing service to the Kern County Mission, helping sort and prepare food and make sure water cups were filled! Thank you Coach Coble and team! We love to see our Renegades out in the community making Bakersfield a better place.
Our Renegade Wrestling squad opens up their season at home this weekend in the Gil Bishop Sports Center. Coach Brett Clark is excited for the new year and says “Expect our team to compete and wrestle to the end.” Coach Clark and the team placed 6th at the state CCCAA state tournament last year and we are expecting big things from them this season. Read their wrestling season preview.
Renegade Swim Hosts 5th Annual Free Community Swim Lessons
This last Saturday, the Renegade Swim Program led by Coach Matt Moon opened up the BC pool to host the 5th Annual Free Community Swim Lessons. Participation from the local community was great and those kids who attended were able to get a 25-minute swimming lesson followed by a snow cone! If you missed the event this year, be sure to join us next year!
That’s all for now.
Until next time.
With much Renegade Pride and Collegiality.
sonya- the luckiest and happiest college president ever
Good morning, Bakersfield.
It is Saturday, March 30, 2019… A great day to be a Renegade.
Annual Foundation Sterling Silver Dinner
Chancellor Tom Burke, Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Sonya Christian, and Stewart and Lynda Resnick
The 11th annual Sterling Silver Dinner, held last Saturday, recognized exceptional support and service to the BC Foundation and to the College. The beautiful event, at Seven Oaks Country Club, directly supports the Bakersfield College scholarship program providing educational opportunities for Renegades today and tomorrow.
The event brought together college supporters, donors, alumni, and friends for an evening of live entertainment featuring Kris Tiner and the BC Jazz Ensemble and culinary delights from Seven Oaks Executive Chef Paul Burzlaff and the BC Culinary Arts students.
Sonya Christian, Kris Tiner, and Trombone Player in the Renegade Jazz Band
BC Culinary Arts students pose at Sterling Silver
Sonya Christian, Lynda Resnick
It was great to see Renegade supporters like Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Mayor Karen Goh, Senator Shannon Grove, and Assembly Member Vince Fong.
Karen Goh, Shannon Grove, Vince Fong
Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Sonya Christian, and Kiyoshi Timono
This year, our 2019 recognition’s included:
Lynda and Stewart Resnick as Individual Philanthropists of the Year
Sonya Christian, Stewart and Lynda Resnick, and Tom Gelder
Lynda and Stewart Resnick have championed education, health care and community development across the Central Valley. Together, they have transformed the lives of countless students by making college an achievable goal through generous scholarships and a robust education program. Their long-standing support for Bakersfield College has provided significant opportunities for youth throughout the region.
Aera Energy as Corporate Philanthropist of the Year
Tom Gelder, Christina Sistrunk of Aera Energy, and Sonya Christian
Aera Energy has supported Bakersfield College and students throughout Kern County with consistent and generous donations, creating opportunities and spaces such as the Aera STEM Success Center, inspiring young people to pursue STEM education and careers with their involvement in BC’s MESA program, ensuring Bakersfield’s success with participation in advisory boards, and offering internships as a vital part of a hands-on education.
featuring Christina Sistrunk of Aera Energy
Tom Burke, Kevin McCarthy, Christina Sistrunk, Sonya Christian, Tom Gelder with the recognition for Aera Energy.
Jerry Ludeke as BC Foundation Service Medal Winner
Jerry Ludeke has served the Renegade community for over 60 years, starting with her position teaching English and Art and eventually teaching in the Learning Center, receiving the Margaret Levinson Faculty Leadership Award, the Shirley Trembley Outstanding Teacher Award, and the Distinguished Service Award presented by the Kern Community College Board of Trustees. More recently, Ludeke spends her time giving back and preserving history with the BC Archives department.
Tom Burke, Kevin McCarthy, Jerry Ludeke, Sonya Christian, Tom Gelder
Sonya Christian, Stephen Waller, Adele Waller and the AECOM Parsons team
Thank you KGET for covering our event, see the KGET Video.
Thank you Tom Gelder, Norma Rojas-Mora and team for the 2019 Sterling Silver. Thank you Heather Penella for leading this effort. Thank you Tamara Baker and Dylan Wang for the social media support for the evening. We are BC!
Check out all the pictures by the talented April Massirio Sterling Silver Dinner on BC’s Smugmug.
Local sculptor and community arts supporter Betty Younger passed away at the age of 88 — see the article by Steven Mayer in the Bakersfield Californian on Thursday. Betty was a champion for Bakersfield College along with her husband Milt, and dedicated her sculpture “Circle of Friends” in honor of Dr. Jim Young to the Panorama campus in 2014.
Back in 2014, I wrote about the dedication of Betty’s “Circle of Friends” sculpture. It’s a beautiful symbol of what higher education is all about – providing an environment where information and experiences are shared to make our community stronger and cultivating a better understanding of the world around us. “Circle of Friends” was created in honor of Jim Young, a KCCD Chancellor from 1978 to 1999 – you can visit the sculpture yourself on the hill between the Humanities building and the Child Development Center on Panorama Drive.
Betty’s history with the Renegades goes back as far as the 1940s and 50s, as her aunt Hattie Hoenshell was a chemistry teacher at BC when Betty was a young girl. Betty later attended classes at BC before embarking on a career as a painter and sculptor, as well as a patron and connoisseur of art in Kern County. Jerry Ludeke recalls that legendary BC administrator Grace Van Dyke Bird purchased one of her paintings.
I also wrote about Milt Younger at his passing in 2017 in the blog Bakersfield College – A Place of Dreams. The Renegade family misses Milt and Betty Younger, but their legacy lives on everywhere you look in Kern County, from BC, to CSUB, home of her sculpture “Owl of Knowledge”, to the Bakersfield Symphony and all of the wonderful programs and non-profit organizations that they supported.
Dual Enrollment: Helping all Students Gain Access to College
The first week of April is the first-ever Dual Enrollment Week across the state of California, and I want to observe the occasion by highlighting the amazing work our Dual Enrollment team is doing to make a college education more accessible for high school students.
Dual Enrollment First student to sign up in 2016
BC offers UC/CSU transferable courses and Career Technical Education to more than 30 high schools, reaching approximately 10,000 students. BC’s Dual Enrollment program is estimated to be the largest in the state and within the California Community College system. The program started as a grant partnership with the Wonderful Company providing an Associate of Science in Ag Business to high school students in the Wonderful Academy. It has now expanded to four local high school districts, saving students and their families more than $2 million in education expenses.
Dual Enrollment Week was approved by the California state legislature last year to raise awareness of programs that give high school students the opportunity to earn transferable college credit at no cost. During Dual Enrollment Week, KCCD has invited the Get Focused…Stay Focused program to give an overview workshop at the Larry E. Reider Education Center at 2000 K Street on Friday, April 5. Get Focused…Stay Focused is a course for high school freshmen to learn more about college and make a ten-year plan for their education and career. Visit the Academic Innovations website to register and learn more information about the workshop.
Summer Bridge
As the Bridge to BC sessions for Summer 2019 are rapidly approaching, I thought it would be a great time to highlight Joseph Luiz’s article in the Bakersfield Californian from last year about the phenomenal growth in our orientation program for incoming freshmen and their families.
Last year, 1,200 students participated in the Bridge to BC program, and we expect even more students this summer. Bridge to BC, which is offered as a one-day class titled Academic Development B55: First Year Student Success, has been instrumental in getting our students ready for college and, with an emphasis on reaching out to first-generation students of color, easing the anxiety many students feel about starting their college journey.
During Bridge to BC, students are given a tour of the campus and information about financial aid, counseling and other resources. They also form teams and create a poster representing the path they’ll take from high school graduation to BC Commencement and beyond. “We want [students] to understand how to be a successful person in college and also how to successfully navigate our resources,” says Kimberly Bligh, faculty director of the program.
Registration for Bridge to BC sessions in Summer 2019 are available now. Visit the Bridge to BC website for more information.
Early College Launch in Shafter
Abel Guzman and Trustee Romeo Agbalog at Early College Info Event in Shafter
Thursday night, the incoming Shafter High Class of 2023 flooded the Shafter High auditorium in a kick-off event for 9th-grade registration. When Shafter High School Principal Russel Shipley took the stage to tell incoming students and their families about the opportunities they would have in high school, he had an amazing new opportunity to share with them — Early College. Head Counselor Juan Leyva explained to the high school students that they would have the opportunity to earn college credits during and after the traditional school day right on their own high school campus. To assist with the program debut, Kern Community College District Trustee Romeo Agbalog was invited to share some remarks.
“We are committed to improving access and opportunities for Shafter High students to reach their academic and career goals, as well as supporting the college going culture in the community of Shafter. Through the Early College program, each student will be on a guided path to earn college credit while in high school,” said Agbalog. “These efforts translate directly into time and tuition savings for the student, savings for the taxpayers, and securing a brighter future through the power of education,” he added.
Following the presentations in the auditorium, students went into the quad to learn more about the opportunities they would have in high school. Staff from BC’s Rural Initiatives, Dual Enrollment, and Outreach teams (Jaime Lopez, Kylie Swanson, Steve Watkin, Debra Anderson, and Jessica Garcia) were present from BC to share with both incoming 8th graders and current high school students and their parents about the Early College program and the jump start that it provides students for their college education and career.
Adult students also learned about the many evening course options being offered in collaboration with Shafter High School on their campus. Working at the forefront of the partnership between BC and Shafter, Executive Director of Rural Initiatives Abel Guzman shared:
“The City of Shafter is an incredible partner of BC, committed to the success of students throughout the community. Together, as we incorporate more educational opportunities and offerings, like the Early College program, we will level the playing field. And by bringing college closer within grasp for these students, we are granting them a head start towards a college degree and successful career.”
Starting in the 2019-2020, Shafter High School’s incoming 9th-grade students will follow a plan to complete over 30 general education units prior to their high school graduation through a combination of dual and concurrent enrollment courses. Students will also have access to additional CTE dual enrollment opportunities in the areas of agriculture, welding, and woodworking. As the partnership between BC and Shafter High continues to grow, the goal is for students to be able to complete complete college-level certificates and degrees during their time at Shafter High School.
Filmmaker Laurie Coyle came to BC for a screening of her documentary about one of the forgotten heroes of the 20th-Century farm worker rights movement in the Indoor Theater on Thursday night. Coyle hosted a panel with five BC DREAMer students to talk about how they related to the story of Maria Moreno, a farm worker with 12 children and a second-grade education who became a spokesperson for a nationwide agricultural union.
Professor Jessica Martinez moderating the screening and panel.
The film, titled “Adios Amor: The Search for Maria Moreno”, documents the search for Maria’s family and details about her life through photographs, news articles reel-to-reel audio tapes and video footage recovered in attics, archives and museums across the United States and Mexico. Years before the grape boycott and before Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta led the work that would blossom into the United Farm Workers organization, Moreno was picked to be a spokesperson for the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) was funded by the AFL-CIO. Moreno would travel the nation telling stories about the extreme poverty her family faced in the fields of the Central Valley and how her oldest son once became blind from starvation when their family didn’t have enough to eat.
“Adios Amor” screenshot
Moreno eventually disappeared from public records after the collapse of AWOC, and Coyle wasn’t able to find the rest of Moreno’s story until one of Moreno’s granddaughters reached out to her. After leaving the organization, Moreno became a Pentecostal preacher who travelled the desert between Mexico and the American Southwest feeding the poor and hungry in every town she stopped at. Some of the most powerful moments of the documentary are when Moreno’s family are reconnected with old photographs and footage of their mother and given the chance to visit their childhood home.
Production costs for “Adios Amor” were funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the film has been screened across the American Southwest. Coyle said she was surprised that the Endowment would fund the film since they usually only fund projects about well-known historical figures, but Moreno’s story as an immigrant Mexican woman organizing a labor union was an important one to document.
left to right: Jovana Espinoza, Jesus Arias, Pedro Coata
After the film, BC students Jovana Espinoza, Jesus Arias, Pedro Coata, Edith Mata and Maria Jaimes sat on a panel with Coyle to talk about how they related to Moreno’s story as the children of first-generation immigrants themselves. Many of the students saw glimpses of their own mothers in Moreno’s strength and resolve in the face of adversity, and the women on the panel felt empowered by the ways that Moreno challenged the norms of how women were expected to act in traditional Mexican culture and were inspired to speak up against injustice regardless of the consequences.
left to right: Maria Jaimes, Edith Mata Jovana Espinoza, Jesus Arias, Pedro Coata, Laurie Coyle
Coyle encouraged people in the audience to find stories about people in their community that aren’t being told in any medium available to them. “History is about how we get by, and the values that we take with us wherever we go,” Coyle said. “Does your family have a story that isn’t being represented?”
Director Laurie Coyle
I’d like to thank the Social Justice Institute, the National Endowment for the Humanities, Director Laurie Coyle, moderator Jessica Martinez, and the five DREAMer students who spoke for making this event a huge success.
left to right: Edith Mata, Jovana Espinoza, Jesus Arias and Pedro Coata.Retired broadcaster Jose Gaspar asks a question during the Adios Amor panel.
Rosales wrote that the film sheds light on one of the forgotten heroines of the agricultural farm labor movement of the mid-20th Century. Rosales describes “Adios Amor” as “a beautiful mosaic of borderlands history” that provides an important resource of representation for first-generation college students and immigrant families to connect with the story of the California farmworkers’ movement. Rosales wrote, “these stories offer a vital link to past struggles for civil rights and inclusion.”
Blue and Gold Day
It’s never been easier for BC Renegades to transition into CSUB Roadrunners, and CSUB hosted Blue and Gold Day in the CSS Lawn Area on Thursday to inform BC students about all of the transfer services and educational opportunities that are available to them.
The CSUB Student Transfer Center hosted a tent in the middle of the lawn with information about Finish-in-Four and the California Promise, and representatives from CSUB’s social science, STEM and graduate studies departments lined the perimeter with booths about all of their degrees and programs. There were also representatives from CSUB Financial Aid, the Veterans Center and various student organizations to get the word out about all of the support that our students can receive when they decide to join the Roadrunner family.
I’d like to thank everyone at CSUB who made this event possible, as well as BC’s Transfer Initiatives team for facilitating the creation of Blue and Gold Day. As we continue to develop our partnership with CSUB and begin construction of the new BC SouthWest Center on the edge of the CSUB campus, informational events like these will only become more important.
BC Art Student Exhibition
“Go to Sleep” by Jessica Campos
BC students are showing off their talents in a variety of media during the 2019 BC Art Student Exhibition in the Wylie and May Louise Jones Gallery inside the library. The annual gallery event celebrating the best work created in BC art classes is running from now until May 2 during the Jones Gallery from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. An opening reception was held on March 14.
“The Apostle” by Nicolas Zuniga
Everything from paintings, illustrations, photographs and sculptures to mixed media, collage, digital art and video projects are on display in the exhibition, and everyone is encouraged to take time to celebrate our students’ creativity .
“Uzamaki” by Scott Johnston“Good Morning Clem” by Keiolani Mahinan-Brockenbrough“Quetzalcoatl Head” by Jovani RodriguezA variety of vases from David Ekern’s Ceramics class are displayed in the Jones Gallery.
Former SGA President Encourages East-High LUPE Students
This week BC’s LUPE students were inspired by the success story of Ms. Danitzia Romo – (BC Alumni and former SGA President). Her uplifting presentation revolved around working diligently to succeed in college, and her appreciation for the educational opportunities BC has to offer.
Ms. Romo urged students to bring their parents’ hardworking mentality into their current and future studies and to persevere through any obstacles that may come their way. Students were inspired by her humble beginnings as an immigrant, her professional development, and successful career path. Ms. Romo addressed the significance of community involvement, embracing hard work, and the importance of portraying the success of immigrants, regardless of their immigration status.
Building upon the momentum from the STDV B2 class, LUPE students conducted a student panel at East Bakersfield High School where they addressed graduating AB540/Dreamers/DACA seniors and spoke about their personal success stories and strategies, barriers, and challenges, persevering through adversity, and the importance of not letting their immigration status negatively impact their educational goals. The panel was made possible through the assistance and collaboration of the entire EHS Administration & Counselors, CSUB’s ETS Trio Program, CalSOAP, EOP&S, and above all, the fantastic LUPE students.
World Autism Month
April is World Autism Month and April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, so I wanted to take a few moments and share a quick story about a colleague, Nicholas Hernandez. If you haven’t met Nick, he works at the District Office as a Construction Project Manager.
Nick has a grandson named Nicholas (or Bubba) who was officially adopted almost one year ago. Bubba has autism and they are trying to raise the needed funds for an Autism Service Dog. I’m a major fan of dogs and especially these service dogs. You can read about their story, and donate to the cause if you’d like, at Paws for Bubba
Bubba
Nick’s granddaughter also came up with the idea to make “Paws for Bubba” bracelets as a way to help raise funds and to promote Autism awareness in general. We hope that Bubba gets his Autism Service Dog!
Paws for Bubba Bracelets
L to R: Nick Hernandez with Bill Potter and John Smith
Email Worth Sharing: BC Student Heading to Baghdad
I wanted to share this email I received from Paul Beckworth this week:
Hello all,
Just a heads up that one of our BC students, Elaine Moreno @00[…], is being deployed with the National Guard to Baghdad. She is currently in Georgia training up to go overseas. She is a nursing major and has been at BC since fall 2017. Here is a clip of her from last semester.
She knew she was being called up so she did not enroll for spring but did call Armando yesterday to ask about taking summer online BC classes from Iraq. Quite a resiliency, if you ask me!
I will let the veterans know tomorrow so we can get some care packages sent out to her soon.
Fun Photos: Chief Student Services Officers Conference in LA
Michelle Pena, Dan Hall, and Becky Weaver (consultant) presenting: Plan, Nudge, and Schedule: Using Ed Plans, ALERT’s, and the Course Schedule the Ultimate Integrated Approach to Student Success.
Becky Weaver (consultant) and Michelle Pena
Dan Hall
L-R: Abel Guzman, Imelda Valdez, Zav Dadabhoy, Angelica Vasquez, Marisa Marquez, Michelle Pena, Lisa Robles, Dan Hall
Fun Photos: Circle of Friends
Just to show how much the Circle of Friends is a part of the Bakersfield College Campus, here are some fun photos taken during the IT/Marketing retreat last summer.
Clockwise from top: DO’s Justin Wallace, MPR’s Dylan Wang and Aricia Leighton, IT’s Zach Wharton and Ian Mason
Clockwise from top: IT’s Chris Leithiser, Judy Ahl, Yin Vang, MPR’s Earl Parsons and IT’s TJ Mason
Fun Photos: Abel Guzman at the Beat
L-R: Danny Morrison, Sal Avalos, Abel Guzman
Renegades of the Week
Renegade Athletics is proud to announce this week’s (3/17-3/23) Wells Fargo Renegades of the Week.
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Sarah Lopez, Beach Volleyball – Went 2-0 last week with partner Lanie Camarillo, with wins over Glendale and Victor Valley.
Isaiah Muhammad, Men’s Track & Field – Finished 1st in his first time out in the 110 hurdles with a 15.79, which ranks 5th in the conference. He also finishes 2nd in the 400m hurdles, which moved him into the 7th place ranking in the conference.
Jeremy Staat Selected for the 2019 CCCAA Hall of Fame Class
Former Renegade Football and Track and Field student athlete and current BC Welding Instructor, Jeremy Staat has been selected as a member of the 2019 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Hall of Fame Induction Class.
Staat, a native of Bakersfield who has returned to his hometown where he’s a welding instructor at Bakersfield College, was a three-time state champion discus and shot put thrower for the Renegades while also earning Western State Conference MVP accolades and setting school records in both.
He lent his prowess to the football team as well, helping Bakersfield to a 20-2 record and two Potato Bowl championships over his two-year career, while adding all-conference recognition both seasons. Staat was selected as Bakersfield College’s Freshman Athlete of the Year in 1995 and, subsequently, was the Most Outstanding Sophomore Athlete a year later.
After a standout football career at Arizona State, Staat was second-round NFL Draft Pick in 1998 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, beginning a professional tenure that lasted until his retirement in 2003. He then followed the inspirational lead of former ASU teammate Pat Tillman and joined the Armed Forces. Staat served a tour in Iraq before returning to finish his education and begin the Jeremy Staat Foundation. He is also currently a sought after motivational speaker.
“The CCCAA Hall of Fame induction to me is the pinnacle of achievement for my junior college career.” Staat said, “I am so grateful to my family and to Bakersfield College, my coaches, and teammates that supported me during my time here at Bakersfield College. Bakersfield College was the catalyst that propelled me to achieve everything in my life up to this point. Bakersfield College helped make it happen and I am very thankful, honored, and blessed to have been selected for such a prestigious honor.”
Staat, along with four other inductee’s, was honored at a ceremony on Wednesday, March 27 at the Hilton Concord during the CCCAA’s annual convention. Read the CCCAA press release.
Cynthia Maner selected to the CCCAA Scholar Athlete Honor Roll
Renegade Athletics is proud to announce that former swimming student athlete, Cynthia Maner has been selected as a member of the 2018 California Community College (CCCAA) Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll.
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Being selected as a member of the Student Athlete Honor Roll is an accomplishment only a handful of the over 24,000 student athletes in the CCCAA system receive annually. Manor was honored at a luncheon on Wednesday, March 27 at the CCCAA Celebration of Scholar-Athletes Luncheon in Concord, CA as part of the CCCAA’s annual convention.
Good morning Bakersfield. It is Saturday, September 15, 2018….a great day to be a Renegade
This week we remembered September 11th from 17 years ago. Families still grieve, lives were forever changed. This week we reflected on our friends, mothers, fathers, men, women, daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, heroes who lost their lives that day.
We will never forget.
Football Wins Season Opener & New Faculty Reception
Last weekend, BC’s football team won their season opener against El Camino College, 20-15. The game was thrilling to watch and it was great to see all of our fans (approximately 5,000 attended the game) in and around the stadium throughout the evening. Many watched on KGET.
Victor Diaz spoke behalf of Academic Senate and Mayor Karen Goh who is a fan of Renegade Football was also in attendance to welcome our newest educators.
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I also have to mention the amazing food prepared by BC Food Services. The meal prepared each year is impressive and this year did not disappoint! Thank you Chef Stephanie!
Sonya Christian, Trustee Romeo Agbalog, Mayor Karen Goh
Students from McFarland High School attending Renegade Football
The Renegade Rooter Bus brought some special visitors from McFarland High School who attended the first Renegade Football game of the season. For making this happen, I must thank Abel Guzman, Jesse Oropeza for coordinating the visit, Chef Stephanie Stuart for the concessions, and the leadership team from McFarland including Maria Herrera, CTE Specialist, Miquel Martinez, Welding Instructor, Brian Bell, Principal, Aaron Resendez, Interim Superintendent, Ambelina Garcia Duran, Deputy Superintendent, Jim Beltran, Board President, and Eleso Garza, Board Member.
The game was covered in depth by Jon Mettus of the Bakersfield Californian in his article, “Renegades hang on for first win of 2018 season.” Nick Ellis also took some incredible photos during the game like the one below:
Shon Stephens works to defend a pass reception made by El Camino’s Trevon Clark, Photo by Nick Ellis
Be sure to come out to the game this Saturday at 6pm at Memorial Stadium against Santa Monica.
2018 College Night
BC was at the 19th Annual Kern County College Night last monday. Over 125 colleges were present, and of course BC was there to represent! This event is great for giving prospective students not only the chance to get to see what the colleges have to offer, but also they’re able to learn how to pay for college. Thank you to the Outreach team and all who attended to represent that #WeAreBC!!
Special thank you to Tim Heasley and the BC Drum Corps who always puts on the best performance to get everyone in the house revved up.
OneBook Event Kickoff & Distinguished Speaker Series: Jim St. Germain
Gorgeous weather, outdoor venue, and conversation made for a beautiful day at BC! In collaboration with the Kern County Library, One Book, One Bakersfield kicked off at the Campus Center Main Stage on Thursday. Addressing the crowd was Emerson Case from CSUB, Danyel Ritter from Student Life, and Dezi Von Manos on behalf of Free on the Outside Student Organization. The kickoff concluded with a presentation from the first Distinguished Speaker, Jim St. Germain. This author’s heart shone through in every word he spoke. He spent time getting to know our students, hearing their personal stories, and offering words of mentorship and encouragement to each person he came in contact with. Thank you, Jim, for sharing your life with our students!
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Thank You Sequoia Paints for Your Generosity!
This week, Sequoia Paints owner Jim Elder made a $100,000 donation to our Athletics department. I cannot thank Jim enough for his generosity, and what it means to the BC family. You can read about it in the Bakersfield Californian’s article by Jon Mettus titled “BC Athletics gets $100,000 donation.”
BC Ag Teams Up and Cleans Up
Love seeing our Ag department get ready for the next year. Last Friday our wonderful faculty members removed materials to build the showcase farm that BC deserves! Thank you Chris McCraw, Jim Selgrath, and Matt Riley for your hard work!
Renegades of the Week
The athletics department is beginning a new weekly tradition – naming Renegades of the Week. Each week they will be honoring one male and one female student-athlete of the week based on how well they competed in their sport and led their team from the previous week. Please join me in congratulating our first two Renegades of the Week for this year: Jessica Merante from women’s volleyball and Elisha Ortiz from football. Jessica had 108 digs and a 2.51 passing % in helping her team to a 3-1 record at the SBCC Quad and Elisha Ortiz of football had 221 all-purpose yards and 2 TD’s to lift the Gades over El Camino.
Renegades Put the Student in Student-Athlete
A huge thank you to Maria Wright and the Academic Support Services team, Darrell Ballard and all the coaches in athletics for helping guide our student-athletes to be excellent students in and out of the classroom. We have recently seen growing numbers of our students athletes using academic support to study and excel as students in the classroom. Shown below are student athletes on the softball team and our football Quarterback, Josh Medina using academic support. Great examples of superstar students and athletes!
Soccer Gets Huge Win at Home
Our men’s soccer team hosted East LA college at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday and scored a huge victory, 2-1. Scoring goals for the Renegades were Edgar Gonzalez and Jose Lara. Come out to Memorial Stadium this Tuesday for the men’s and women’s soccer double-header. Women play at 5pm and the men at 7pm.
Wrestling Goes 2-2 Over the Weekend
On Friday our wrestling team hosted Victor Valley in their first home dual of the season and won 56-0. The following day they hosted the BC Duals in the Gil Bishop Sports Center. We had seven other teams from across the state in attendance which drew a large crowd to watch the action. Our Renegades went 1-2 on the day and head to Sacramento City College this weekend to take on the Panthers in a dual meet. Go Gades!
Free Swim Lessons
Reminder to attend the 4th annual free community swim lessons The Bakersfield College Men’s and Women’s swim team will be hosting the 4th annual Free Community Swim Lesson and Six-Hour Relay on Saturday, September 15th, 2018 at the BC Pool. The event will last from 8a-2p and feature a free 30-minute swim lesson for each child. In addition, parents will receive water safety tips. Attendees are encouraged to attend whenever they are able to throughout the day. The event is free and open to anyone who would like to participate.
Emails Worth Sharing
This week, Welding Professor Jeremy Staat received an email from a previous student. The email reads:
“I just wish to let you know that currently I have been in Texas near Houston for the past 2 weeks. At the moment I interned with a pipeline company called Strike and have been learning what the life on the pipeline is like with each passing day. Thanks to you sir, I have been able to show a sense of purpose and often times even assist some welders as a welders helper. Currently I am assigned as a ground holder for the welders creating the root pass, and at times dealing with the welders behind who deal with the hot pass. Even though the work is repetitive, it is often filled with slight differences due to the time of day and weather.
One of the many things that has helped me since starting is when you would tell us that those who have an education higher than higher than high school will be more sought after. Honestly simply because I still remember how to stick weld and have some college background, I am receiving $2 more than what the standard position pays. To which I have you, Mr. Grays, and Mr. Ralls to thank, for instituting not only the basics of knowledge but also the practical work ethics and safety requirements such as signing in and out when entering the lab each day.
Thank you for being such a huge influence sir, may you continue to share your knowledge with others and may more people stay the course even during the tough moments.”
Here is a photo of Professors Jeremy Staat and Tommy Tunson at the 2018 Commencement in front of the Collins Campus Center.
Professor Jeremy Staat and Tommy Tunson
“This is what education means to me” – Kim Arbolante
Kim Arbolante, BC’s lead in the Writing Center also sent an email worth sharing. She said,
“Today I was confronted with asking myself what education means to me and why I chose to work in education. I just tutored a student on his English speaking skills for an autobiography speech he was about to deliver in his COMM B1 course. He plans to tell the class that he majors in English because he is from Guatemala, and when he was a young boy a local gang would stand in front of the school so that children could not enter unless their parents had sent them to school with money to pay off the gang. His family had no money, but he desperately wanted to learn. So, he risked it all and snuck in the back door of the school to attend class. The gang found out and waited outside the doors for him after school. He was afraid to leave, so his teacher offered him a ride home. He graciously accepted. On their way in the car, she made him promise to keep up his schooling no matter what. The gang was following them, and shortly after he made her that promise, the gang boxed her car in, which forced them to stop. They pulled her out of the vehicle and murdered her in front of his eyes. He was just eight years old.
Now, at eighteen years old, he is a student at BC and there are no words for how much I want him to succeed! He has crossed miles and miles of dangerous roads, uncertain outcomes, and unnavigable immigration procedures to fulfill that promise he made ten years ago in his teacher’s car. This selfless woman sacrificed her life to see that his might be better.
This is what education means to me. Education is not merely meaning making and skill learning. Education is social mobility. Education is the means by which we can alleviate poverty, diminish violence, and create a more peaceful, equitable world. Education provides hope to those who may find themselves in hopeless situations. I am just a tutor. I help students with their academic needs. However, today, my student taught me a more valuable lesson than I could ever give: he taught me why I do it. Today, more than ever before, I am PROUD to be a Renegade.”
President’s Challenge
The President’s Challenge to carpool to campus is still going strong. Aricia Leighton, in BC’s Marketing and Public Relations team sent me her selfie on Thursday morning as she rode the shuttle from BC Southwest!
Panorama Creative Music Summit
Is this year’s Panorama Creative Music Summit on your calendar? Taking place on September 21-22nd at BC’s Indoor Theater, the Panorama Creative Music Summit will showcase acclaimed visiting artists, local performers, and BC faculty, students, and alumni performing original music and exploring a broad range of styles and creative approaches across the jazz-pop continuum.
Thanks to support from the Lydia Jennings Finlinson and Burns L. Finlinson Endowment of the Bakersfield College Foundation, as well as an Arts in the Community Grant from the Arts Council of Kern, all events at the summit are FREE ADMISSION, open to the public and the campus community.
2018 Emsi Conference: Visualizing the Future Workforce
The BC team was at it again this week, attending the 2018 Emsi Conference in Coeur D’alene, Idaho. Our very own Michele Bresso, Amber Hroch, Stephanie Baltazar, Tony Cordova, Alma Livingston, Klint Rigby and Cindy Collier were at the conference, learning about how to better use labor market data to target our programs in the region. Go BC!
Student Employment Kudos Corner
Each month the Student Employment Office selects an On-Campus Supervisor for their outstanding service. The Supervisor then has the honor to highlight one of their top student employees. This month, Cristina Martinez Gonzalez, Executive Secretary for Public Safety has been recognized because her student employees say that she fosters a great work environment and is always willing to help. Chief Counts is so pleased Cristina joined 8 months ago and has become not only a supervisor to the 50+ students but also a mentor and leader. Cristina has selected to recognize student assistant Justina Alston for bringing their mission to life. She assist students with campus emergency calls as well as faculty, staff, and our BC community with parking and other issues.
Fun Photos
History Professor, Olivia Garcia and her family enjoying the BC campus over the weekend! She said, “Sometimes, you just can’t stay away from BC. Me, my husband Julio and my little guys, Joaquin and Cruz. Julio and I ran, did some repeats under the shady solar panel parking area while the boys cycled. Beautiful day!”
Dean of Instruction, Andrea Thorson shared some fun photos of running into CSUB President Lynette Zelezny and Assemblymember Rudy Salas at the Democratic Women event.
The CSUB president and Equity Officer
Kristen Mercer,Andrea Thorson and President Lynette Zelezny
Andrea at the Democratic Women event with Rudy Salas and Marisol
BC in full strength at the Central Valley Counselors Conference:
Jennifer Johnson and Grace Commisso presented at the Counselor Conference on Friday.
Grace Commiso speaking on Guided Pathways
Jennifer Johnson speaking on the Program Pathways Mapper
Post from Anna Laven’s Facebook post:
Great day at the annual Technology, Jobs and Future of Work Counselor Conference! First heard from Sonya Christian about our amazing work on Guided Pathways, both at Bakersfield College and across the state. Then some really interesting breakout sessions on curriculum and labor market data. And finally an inspiring and humbling closing speaker making a very clear argument for intentionality in counseling and student success. It was also delightful to run into so many people doing amazing work to support students!
and here is a post from Pam Gomez:
It’s been a busy and productive week. College Night, Business expo, Ag Club Mtg, Ag Expo planning mtg, and today we went to Clovis (2 hrs north) for the 4th annual Counselor’s Conference. Involved late nights and an early morning. We shook hands, spread the word about our great college and networked. Just a few things I enjoy about my job.
We are BC.
That’s all for now.
Until next time.
With much Renegade Pride and Collegiality.
sonya — the luckiest and happiest college president ever
The Workforce & Economic Mobility Blog blog shares approaches to workforce and economic development, with a goal of supporting economic mobility for our community while staying committed to the health of our people and the health of our environment.
In the Bhambi & Christian blog, Dr. Brijesh Bhambi join together joined together with the goal of facilitating healing and conversation in our community.
Kim Arbolante, BC’s lead in the Writing Center also sent an email worth sharing. She said,
The BC team was at it again this week, attending the 2018 Emsi Conference in Coeur D’alene, Idaho. Our very own Michele Bresso, Amber Hroch, Stephanie Baltazar, Tony Cordova, Alma Livingston, Klint Rigby and Cindy Collier were at the conference, learning about how to better use labor market data to target our programs in the region. Go BC!
