Tag Archives: Naina Patel

2026 Sterling Silver on March 14th

Uncategorized March 22, 2026 Leave a comment

But before I jump into my week, let me start with Sterling Silver, last Saturday, March 14th. It was wonderful seeing friends and colleagues.

With Kate Pluta, Nick Strobel and Janet Tarjan:

It was great connecting with Ravi and Naina Patel. I got to know the two of them very well when we worked on the Peace Gardens at BC and the Regenerative Farm project. The won the philanthropist of the year award at this year’s Sterling Silver.

Talking about the Patels, here is a blast from the past….

In 2020 the Pease Garden was established. Here is a 10-min video where the committee introduced this project to the campus. The speakers in this video include — Sonya Christian, Krista Moreland, Emma McNellis, Naina Patel, Lisa Elzy Watson, Hansa Patel, and Neeraj Rama.

And Corny Rodriguez was recognized with the Sterling Silver Service award. A

Always happy to see Mayor Karen Goh.

Talking about Corny, here is a blast from the past…..

Check out this video celebrating Corny on his retirement:

Back to Sterling Silver. Here is a photo with Romeo Agbalog, Kay Meek & Jean Fuller:

Was so happy that Jean Fuller was able to make it. Here is throwback to when Jean was recognized with the Service award.

Here is the video of Kylie introducing Jean Fuller and her work with Early College.

And another selfie with Kate, Nick & Janet –

Thankful that Janet snapped these pictures.

Here is one with Rudy Salas.

Rudy Salas brought significant resources to Bakersfield College when he was in the Assembly. He received the 2020 Sterling Silver Service Award. Check out this blast from the past. A 3-min video.

And with Yovani Jimenez

And with Norma Rojas-Mora and Gabby Gonzalez

Now, let’s move to this week…. started in Sacramento…

Spring has sprung in Sacramento. Snapped photos of azalea on my walk back with a friend from Zocalos.

More flowers –

And calla lilies –

And dogwood in bloom –

Closed out my week in San Diego.

What’s not to love about San Diego

And at night –

And the icing on the cake – when I met up with Daisy Gonzales and we did our usual walk by the waterfront.

Then it was off to the CEO symposium. Here’s a pic with Anthony Culpepper and Rowena Tomaneng:

This week was also the Rising Scholars Program Convening.

Rising Scholars now spans 104 colleges, supports students in 147 correctional facilities, and connects them to 90 on campus programs that help them continue their education after release.

Chelsea Esquibias, senior advisor at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, started the event with a welcome and network address.

Board of Governors Member and Former President Pamela Haynes held a fireside chat moderated by Assistant Vice Chancellor Erin Larson, with panelists Tyee Griffith, program coordinator at the Prison Education Project and Matthew Caddell, Student Government President/Student Trustee at Chaffey College.

Michael Redding, deputy cabinet secretary and senior advisor for public safety at the Office of the Governor, gave the keynote address on ‘Public Safety and Higher Education.’

Good morning California.
It is March 21, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Cloverlane Foundation Funds New “Jaws of Life”
for Allan Hancock College Fire Academy

 A generous donation is helping Allan Hancock College strengthen hands-on training for the next generation of firefighters.   The Allan Hancock College Foundation received a $25,000 donation from Cloverlane Foundation to support the purchase of a state-of-the-art “Jaws of Life” extrication system for use in the college’s fire academy, along with other essential equipment for fire academy students.

» Read more!

Rep. Juan Vargas secures additional $500K in funding
for San Diego College of Continuing Education

U.S. Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-52) has secured $500,000 in federal funding for critical utility and water infrastructure improvements at San Diego College of Continuing Education.  The investment will upgrade critical campus infrastructure, strengthening SDCCE’s ability to provide hands-on workforce training to approximately 30,000 adult learners each year.

» Read more!

Long Beach City College Opens New Building MM to Help Students Build the Future

Long Beach City College hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus to celebrate the grand opening of the new Building MM complex. The facility supports the city’s growing Space Beach sector and serves as the new home for the Architecture, Anthropology, Carpentry, Horticulture, HVAC, and Plant Science programs, preparing students for careers in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and construction industries expanding across the region.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

He was an undocumented immigrant. Now he runs LA’s community colleges

When Alberto Román was a boy growing up in the Mexican state of Durango, his father was often far from home. Most times, he’d be gone for months.

Román’s father, Javier, had a third-grade education. And when work was scarce in Mexico, he’d venture north to the United Sates and take whatever job he could find.

Román missed his father terribly, and he relished the time alone with him. When his father would return to Mexico, they’d hike to a majestic statue of the revolutionary Pancho Villa, where Román and his father could also look out at their city.

Román did not know it then but, soon, that view would become a memory. When he was eight, his father returned; but, this time, Javier took his son, his daughter, and his wife with him back to the U.S. The family settled in Rialto, in California’s Inland Empire. Suddenly, Román had a new home and new challenges to contend with.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Mission College:

Mission College’s Rising Scholars program is partnering with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office on an initiative to revitalize the Elmwood Men’s Library, supporting education, personal growth, and second chances for incarcerated students. Last week marked a major milestone as decades-old furniture was replaced and new furniture donated by Mission College was installed.

*****

From Ventura College:

From galaxies to black holes, Ventura College welcomed a full crowd for an inspiring two-day astronomy experience.

We honored 100 years of science at VC with stargazing, interactive space simulations, and a vibrant evening of discovery for all ages

Dr. Cameron Hummels from CalTech lectured on black holes as part of the American Astronomical Society’s Harlow Shapley Visiting Lectures Program, a nationally recognized initiative that brings leading astronomers to colleges across the country.

Thank you to the Ventura County Astronomical Society for setting up the all the telescopes for the star watching party.

*****

From Ohlone College:

This year’s #WomenInSTEM Dinner was one for the books! Thank you to Ohlone College MESA and our Society of Women Engineers student club for connecting women leaders in #STEM with our Renegades. Cheers to bright futures and #WomensHistoryMonth

*****

From Mt. San Jacinto College:

Enjoying pizza slices and conversations with the president!

And From the Home of the Renegades

Bakersfield College Beach Volleyball Makes History with First-Ever Home Matches

Bakersfield College’s beach volleyball program made history on Friday, March 6, hosting its first-ever home matches on the college’s newly constructed beach volleyball courts. The Renegades rose to the occasion, defeating Cuesta College 3-2 and Glendale 4-1 to sweep the day.

The milestone marked a significant moment for BC athletics, with the new courts giving the program a permanent home to compete and grow. The wins extended what has been a strong start to the season. BC has now won five straight and sits at 8-4 overall on the season.

All home events this season are free and open to the public.

» Follow results and see upcoming schedules!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Remember – our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work.

That’s all for today.
See you next Saturday!

With much hope and joy,

Your Chancellor
-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

Kern CCD Daring Mighty Things Oct 2022

Uncategorized October 8, 2022 Leave a comment

This week we announced the soft launch of the California Renewable Energy Laboratory (CREL)

Thank you Assembly member Rudy Salas, the Governor and other political leaders in California for the $50 million to help establish CREL.

We are creating the future; committed to developing the workforce, creating grid resilience, clean transportation, and leading Kern County in energy innovation. CREL is just the beginning of a promising future in a changing energy landscape, and we are so thankful to have the support of our State and local leaders.

Good morning, friends.
It is October 8, 2022.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

Porterville College

PC Continues Celebration of Hispanic Heritage with Visit from Author Gary Soto

Porterville College continued its celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with a visit from author, filmmaker, and poet Gary Soto this week.  The author joined students, faculty, and community members in the Porterville College Theater to talk about his works and to share stories from his VERY colorful life and career as a writer.   

Gary Soto was born and raised in Fresno, California. He is the author of thirteen poetry collections for adults, most notably NEW AND SELECTED POEMS. He has received the Discovery-The Nation Prize and the California Library Association’s John and Patricia Award [twice], in addition to fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts [also twice], and the Guggenheim Foundation.

Soccer returns to Jamison Stadium after a 20-year absence

A surprisingly large crowd for a Tuesday afternoon watched the return of Pirate Soccer to Porterville College this week as the Woman’s Soccer team hit the field at Jamison Stadium for the first time in over 20 years. 

It was uncertain at the beginning of the semester whether the team would be able to play on-campus this year due to delays in the refurbishing project at the stadium.  The campus was alerted that the stadium project would be complete by the first scheduled home game in the nick of time and the program was able to return home on time.  If Tuesday’s attendance was any indication, it seems like fans are excited to come out for Collegiate soccer in Porterville. 

The team, headed by head coach Amber Hernandez, put up a strong showing, despite being shut out by the Fresno City College Rams in their debut. Regardless of the score, we can’t wait to see what the Pirates bring to the field this year and in years to come!

PC Law Enforcement Academy Hits the Range

Administration of Justice Professor Jeff Jacobs (@theUSinjustice) Shared some photos of our Law Enforcement academy hitting the Porterville Police Department firing range last weekend as part of their training. 

Cerro Coso Community College

Cerro Coso proud sponsor of Inaugural Women’s Leadership Conference in Tehachapi

Cerro Coso Community College was a sponsor for the inaugural Women’s Leadership Conference in Tehachapi on September 28. 

The event included an immersive day of hands-on workshops, panel discussions and inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and change-makers making an impact in business and the community. 

Cerro Coso faculty and staff in attendance were Vonetta Mixson, Saya Novinger, Denise Allen, and Nicole Griffin. 

Cerro Coso also formed and participated in a Fellows Program, which awarded 8 students in the community free admission to the event. The Fellows awardees were Lauren Willis, Justice Anderson, Kristen Roghair, Jocelyn Botello, Emily Soto, Imanni Brar, Angelina Flores, and Mia Flores. 

It was a wonderful and inspirational event for women in STEM and across multiple industries.

Transfer Awareness Week October 10-14

Transfer Awareness Week will kick off on Monday, October 10th with a workshop on Preparing to Transfer from 12:30 to 1:30 pm in MB 350 B and via Zoom.  Topics will cover the transfer process, Cerro Coso programs, and timelines.  

On Tuesday, October 11 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. is a CSU Application Workshop in MB 318 and via Zoom.  This is a great workshop for students planning to transfer to a CSU and wanting help filling out the CSU application. 

A UC Application Workshop will be held on Wednesday, October 12th from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in MB 318 B and via Zoom.  Want to get a jump start on your UC Application?  This workshop will help students get started and show them the process of filling out the UC application.  

A UC Questions Workshop will be held on Thursday October 13th from 12:30 to 1:30 pm in MB 318 and via Zoom.  This workshop will provide guidance on how to answer, “Personal Insight Questions?”  What UCs are looking for and what to consider while answer the questions will be covered.

A Transfer Resources Workshop will be held on Friday,  October 14th from 11 am to 12 pm in MB 318 and Zoom.  This workshop is designed to provide students with more information on transferring.  Information and useful transfer resources like Cerro Coso’s COL C131: Making Transfer Easy course.  

College employees are encouraged to participate by wearing their alma mater gear and being prepared to share the highlights.

Registration is required to attend any of the workshops via Zoom.  Links and information available at https://www.cerrocoso.edu/studentservices/transfer-center/transfer-awareness-week-2022

Tehachapi Campus hosts Hocus Pocus Movie Night Oct. 28 

The Tehachapi campus of Cerro Coso (SGCC) invites the public to enjoy a unique viewing experience of the popular 90’s classic Hocus Pocuson Friday, October 28, 2022 at 6:30 pm in the quad.  

Join them in the quad for an outdoor fun, free, spooky, Halloween movie night.  

Drive-in movies are virtually a thing of the past – movie goers are encouraged to bring their family, friends, blankets, and lawn chair to enjoy a unique experience.  

Hocus Pocus is a 1993 American fantasy comedy film that follows a villainous comedic trio of witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) who are inadvertently resurrected by a teenage boy (Omri Katz) in Salem, Massachusetts, on Halloween.  The film is directed by Kenny Ortega and written by Neil Cuthbert and Mick Garris.  

Free popcorn and treats, just bring a bowl.

Wear your favorite costume or come just as you are.

The first 30 people to attend will receive a ghoulish goodie bag.  

Kawelmacher Named New Director of Admissions and Records

Congratulations to Jessica Kawelmacher on her new position as Director of Admissions & Records.

Kawelmacher is a Ridgecrest native that managed to move out of Ridgecrest for a few years and experience other places after her high school graduation. She found herself back in Ridgecrest in 2011 with her two older daughters and soon after met her husband Kenneth.

She started working at Cerro Coso in 2015 in the Financial Aid office and moved to the Admissions & Records Department in 2016.

A Cerro Coso alumna, Kawelmacher holds an AA in Liberal Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences (2019), and a BS in Management from Bellevue University (2021).  She is also a 2019 graduate of the KCCD Leadership Academy.  She has plans to go back to school in the spring to earn a teaching credential with the hopes of becoming a CC adjunct professor in the next few years, while also managing the A&R office, of course. 

For fun, Kawelmacher loves to camp, hike, create crafts with her Cricut, paint, work with wood, read, and play The Sims.  

A very reputable motto that Kawelmacher lives by is, “The only time I set the bar low is for limbo.” –Michael Scott (from “The Office”).

Congratulations to Jessica on her new leadership position at Cerro Coso Community College! 

Koiyan Now Director of Financial Aid

Congratulations to Victoria Koiyan on her new position as the Director of Financial Aid.

Also known as “Tori”, Koiyan has over 12 years in Financial Aid and worked with Bakersfield College for 6 years before moving to Cerro Coso Community College.  

She grew up in Delano and eventually moved to Bakersfield when she started high school.  She lived in Bakersfield for 18 years before moving to Ridgecrest this past year.

Koiyan holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ashford University.   

For fun, Koiyan likes to dance, sing, do random monologues for her family, occasionally fish, and as it cools down, she will get back into hiking. 

Her motto in life is “Your happiness is worth the risk!” 

Cerro Coso welcomes Tori to her new role as the Director of Financial Aid.  Congratulations!

Bakersfield College

Ribbon cutting held for 2nd Peace and Learning Garden 

This week BC held the ribbon cutting for the second Peace and Learning Garden on campus – the Gandhi Peace and Learning Garden. Thank you Ravi and Naina Patel for helping create this beautiful space for our students and community.

Check out more photos at: https://bakersfieldcollege.smugmug.com/Campus-Photos-and-Galleries/2022-Peace-and-Learning-Garden-Ribbon-Cutting/

Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Takes 1st at WSC Preview

The Renegade Cross Country team traveled to LA Pierce for the 2022 WSC Preview for their fourth meet of the season on Friday, September 30th. A total of 10 teams were ready to compete and see where they would stand in the Western State Conference.

The Men finished 1st with a total time of 1:52:28 on the four-mile course. The highest men’s finisher was BC freshman Francisco Felix finishing on top (1st) with a time of 21:30.

The Women finished 1st with a total time of 1:40:46 on a 5k course. The highest finisher was BC sophomore Rain Gomez finishing on top (1st) with a time of 18:25, a personal best. 

Gandhi Alliance for Interfaith Harmony Conference

Last weekend BC hosted the in-person return of the 25th Annual Gandhi Alliance for Interfaith Harmony Conference to our Renegade Ballroom. In partnership with Bakersfield College’s Distinguished Speaker Series, the event welcomed Reverend James Lawson and several other esteemed guest speakers from various faith backgrounds. The event brought together students, staff, faculty, and the community to discuss the role of faith in promoting peaceful co-existence and non-violent action as a feasible response to modern civil transgressions. The conference allowed for thoughtful dialogue between panelists and audience members to foster a new generation of leaders who can continue engaging in this work. Mayor Karen Goh presented the conference a Certificate of Appreciation for the event’s commitment to  “promoting a message of interfaith harmony, increasing appreciation and respect for diverse faith traditions, and fostering peace and non-violence.”

BC Transfer Pathways Collaboration

Bakersfield College Transfer Pathways continues to prepare prospective transfer students for the upcoming fall application season. Various in-person and Zoom workshops for the California State University and University of California have begun, and will extend through the month of October and November at the Main, Southwest, and Delano campuses. Details of the workshops and participant sign-up may be found on the Transfer Pathways webpage, www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/transfer.  

Highlighting a most recent collaboration for transfer pathways, on September 26th, UC Santa Cruz Admissions Representative Jenny Moreno partnered with the BC Transfer Pathways team to host an in-person UC Transfer Admission Guarantee workshop (UC TAG). UC prospective students anticipated for the fall 2024 class joined at the Fireside Room and received valuable early insight, preparation, and guidance in applying to the UC.

TALE Blog

This week, we had a new submission in the KernCCDTALEBlog – “Entering A Brave New Metaworld: VR and Education.“

Porterville College English Professor Rachel Tatro-Duarte shared her experience using virtual reality to reach students and share virtual experiences.

“Perhaps it’s time for us to — not say goodbye to what learning in the classroom used to look like pre-Covid — but welcome VR, the newcomer, into our brave new post-Covid educational world.“

In the News

Bakersfield College Second Peace and Learning Garden

KGET aired this video about the newest Peace and Learning Garden at BC:

Steven Mayer also wrote this piece for The Bakersfield Californian about the garden.

“These peace gardens are a place for students, faculty, staff and community to reflect, to grow, to find inspiration and to practice engaging others with compassion and tolerance,” said Krista Moreland, chair of Behavioral Sciences at Bakersfield College.

Read more: https://www.bakersfield.com/news/bc-opens-second-of-five-peace-gardens-planned-for-its-panorama-drive-campus/article_ea0408d8-4371-11ed-88b1-5f7cc213f317.html

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

BC Academic Technology wished Pam Rivers a happy birthday on October 7:

Nicole Parra shared this photo with NaTesha Johnson and Rudy Salas:

Porterville High School shared photos of the PC team on the PHS campus for College Day:

BC Rural Initiatives shared this post from the Delano Street Fair:

“2022 Delano Chamber of Commerce-Street Fair. It was great to see so many of our community members walking around after a couple of years of having this event cancelled. it was a great success, we had several families stopping by our table, getting information about returning to in-person classes. Bakersfield College did an amazing job representing we had two tables our Rural Initiatives team as well as out Bakersfield College CTE partners. Providing information about our programs and services we offer to our students is what we do best.”

***

In August, I was the invited speaker to the DKG, AAUW and League of Women Voters event celebrating Women’s Equality Day. I wanted to leave you with a video of my remarks:

====================

That’s a wrap for now.
See you next Saturday!

The future is bright at KernCCD.

-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor

#KernCCDDaringMightyThings

Bakersfield College – A Peace Garden of Learning, Reflection & Renewal

Uncategorized August 29, 2020 Comments: 2

Have you met Dr. Naina Patel? Well, she is a quiet force in our community promoting peace and wellbeing. I got to work alongside Naina last year as she she was coordinating the Gandhi celebrations here in Bakersfield. During these celebrations, we had the fortune of having Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Arun Gandhi speak to the students in our Early College Program in Delano. What a treat! Check this out in my October 5, 2019 blog titled – Live simply so others can simply live https://sonyachristianblog.com/2019/10/05/live-simply-so-others-can-simply-live/

Here is a 9:31-minute video from Opening Week where we unveiled the Peace Garden project. If you don’t have time to watch the whole video, then start at the 6:56 timestamp and hear the message from Dr. Naina Patel and the Gandhi committee.

Good morning Bakersfield.
It is Saturday, August 29, 2020…a great day to be a Renegade

Friends, let me introduce you to Abel Guzman, BC’s Exec Director of Rural Initiatives. You will see why he is a “20 under 40 to watch”.

If you want to read more check https://www.bakersfield.com/bakersfield-life/20-under-40-people-to-watch-abel-guzman/article_ca10b660-db37-11ea-85b3-2fe32045cc28.html

Community Voices

Romeo Agbalog, Trustee for the Kern Community College District, wrote a great piece in the Bakersfield Californian highlighting the work the college has done to continue providing quality education to our students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the midst of widespread unemployment and economic austerity, now has never been a better time to enroll at Bakersfield College. While most of us are sheltered in place, we can take advantage of this time to upskill or chart a new career path to compete in tomorrow’s job market, or post-COVID-19 economy, and be able to do this all from the comfort and safety of your own home.”

Slowing Down

Here is another poem from the fabulous Jack Hernandez:

He did not notice
his steps were less
quick jaunty
a past tense,
then he heard
he was slowing
down to that pace
reserved for snails
and wobbling legs.

He rejected those words
even as young walkers
passed him as though
a sign stuck in place,
“slow” is a relative
term he thought,
philosophy giving him
the nudge he needed.

Panorama Creative Music Summit Goes Virtual

Presented by the Jazz Studies and Commercial Music programs at Bakersfield College, the Panorama Creative Music Summit is an annual showcase for acclaimed musicians, local performers, and BC faculty, students, and alumni performing original music and exploring a range of styles and creative approaches across the jazz-pop continuum.

Ordinarily the summit takes over our beloved Simonsen Performing Arts Center for a weeklong series of workshops and live concerts. This year, thanks to support from the Lydia Jennings Finlinson and Burns L. Finlinson Endowment of the Bakersfield College Foundation, the music summit is transitioning to an online format that will feature weekly live sessions with guest artists.

Each artist will give a 20-30 minute solo performance followed by an artist talk and Q&A with students. These sessions will be held on Zoom and broadcast free to the public via Facebook Live on the Bakersfield College Jazz Studies page.

Check out Blue Bayou performed by Josh Ottum and Kris Tiner for Opening Week.

#LightACandle: A Juneteenth Conversation

I am continuing to share videos from Bakersfield College’s #LightACandle: A Juneteenth Conversation productions from June. Today, I am wrapping up with the videos from the June 17th program.

Daron Mackey, Educational Advisor with Outreach & School Relations:

Traco Matthews, Social Pastor and Adjunct Professor:

Please visit the Bakersfield College website to see more videos, testimonials and resources from the #LightACandle project.

BC Foundation presents online newsletter

Did you catch the premiere issue of the Bakersfield College Foundation‘s new newsletter, Panorama?

This first issue includes a welcome from the Foundation’s new executive director, Cheryl Scott. Previously Cheryl served on the foundation’s board of directors for 7 years, and was also active in the Measure J campaign.

Bakersfield College Foundation Executive Director Cheryl Scott and I

I also loved seeing the “Your BC Story” section of the Panorama newsletter. This issue featured Bob Meadows, Class of 1975. Bob wrote about his time writing for the Renegade Rip and how he met his wife Vicki at BC:

“I grew up at BC, I discovered my abilities at BC, I overcame challenged at BC, and I found love at BC. My life’s foundation was built at BC and has supported me ever since. Thank you Bakersfield College.”

“Your BC Story” will be a regular feature in the Panorama newsletter, and I am excited to hear from more of our proud alums. Those interested in sharing their stories can fill out the form on the Foundation website.

You can read the newsletter on the Bakersfield College Foundation’s website. Thank you Cheryl Scott and Heather Penella.

  • Olivia Garcia, Heather Pennella
  • Nan Gomez, Heitzeberg, Heather Pennella, Sonya Christian
BC’s MESA Program in the news

Bakersfield College faculty and students recap the first week of virtual learning by Tyra Majors

https://tinyurl.com/y2agtdaw

#GoodTrouble: Celebrating the Life of John Lewis

This week, I am sharing two videos from Bakersfield College’s #GoodTrouble: Celebrating the Life of John Lewis production. These videos focus on Congressman Lewis’ political contributions.

R. Allen Bolar, BC Political Science Professor:

Michael Bowers, Vice President of Public Affairs & Government Relations at Centric Health California:

You can see all the videos from the #GoodTrouble production on the Bakersfield College website.

Opening Week 2020

This Thursday, we wrapped up our Opening Day celebration. This year’s celebration was virtual, and ended up spanning two weeks, with five days of productions.

I’d like to share my introductory remarks from Day 1 of the Opening Week festivities:

Commencement 2020

As you may know, this year the Bakersfield College Commencement celebration went virtual with a Special Televised Commencement Tribute broadcast on July 11, 2020 on KGET, Telemundo and steaming on Facebook.

Today, I’d like to share a few videos from that production.

There’s a Pathway for Everyone at Bakersfield College:

Health Sciences Program Spotlight:

Graduates Part 5:

Videos and photos from this year’s Commencement festivities, including the Early College celebration, can be found on the Bakersfield College website.

Spotted on Social Media

I wanted to share this heartwarming post from Jessie Ryan, executive vice president at The Campaign for College Opportunity:

Heart bursting: My daughter asked me to take her to Target tonight to use the allowance she had saved to buy some special school supplies – our first outing in weeks. Unfortunately, Target was closed due to a COVID case. Brooklyn was disappointed but as we drove home she saw an elderly homeless woman. Without thinking twice she produced her $20 bill and said, “Mother pull over and give it to her.” “Are you sure honey, that’s all your savings”. She didn’t hesitate, “Yes, she needs it more than me”

Endee Grijalva, Adult Education Program Manager for South Kern, modeled her new Bakersfield College mask (and fantastic Renegade Red hair!):

And in honor of National Dog Day this week, I’d like to share a few of the posts I caught from our Renegade family. Carlos Medina, Lesley Bonds, and Mindy Wilmot all shared pictures of their pets:

Athletics

Throwing it back to the beginning of Renegade Athletics

We are just a few years short of the 100th anniversary of Renegade Athletics in the year 2022. Originally with just a football team founded in 1922, the department has grown to its current total of 20 men’s and women’s sports over the last century. In the process our Renegade athletic teams have captured a total of 184 team conference championships, 15 state championships and 10 national championships. In addition they have won countless individual conference and state championships in a variety of sports. Pictured above is the original 1922 Renegade football team (thanks to our fabulous BC Archives team). This makes our football program one of the oldest in the state! 

Jon Baker finds success as an agent

I wanted to share this article from the Bakersfield Californian about Bakersfield native Jon Baker, who is a successful sports agent. Jon was a star athlete at both Foothill High School and Bakersfield College.

Renegade football runs deep in the Baker family – Jon’s father, William Baker was hired as the team’s official doctor in 1979.

And Jon has continued to assist the BC football team. R. Todd Littlejohn, who was hired as BC head football coach in January, is represented by Jon and said that Jon’s connections have been helpful to him in his new role.

“He can point out people to me that I need to get involved with. When you’re gone and you’ve been away for so long, your pool of people might get smaller.

That’s all for now.
Until next time.
With much Renegade Pride and Collegiality.
sonya –
the luckiest and happiest college president ever

2019, here we come…..

Uncategorized January 6, 2019 Comments: 3

Good morning, Bakersfield.
It is Saturday, January 5, 2019… A great day to be a Renegade.

Gandhi Turns 150

On a planet of more than 7 billion people, it’s striking when the actions of just one individual cause a ripple effect that changes our lives. And yet there are those individuals who set seemingly unattainable goals, work their entire lives to achieve them, and inspire millions of others to follow in their footsteps.

I saw this ad for “A Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi” in the Bakersfield Californian last week.
Ravi and Naina Patel

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was inspired by his Hindu faith and national pride to become a civil rights activist, fighting to free India from the yoke of colonial rule under the British Raj. Through a lifetime of non-violent civil disobedience and leading by example, Gandhi was able to achieve independence for almost a billion people, which earned him the title “Mahatma”, or “venerable” in Sanskrit. His approach to civil rights would inspire other similar efforts throughout the world, notably Martin Luther King’s non-violent protests in the United States in the ’50s and ’60s, or Nelson Mandela’s anti-apartheid movement in South Africa in the ’80s and ’90s.

October 2, 2019, Gandhi’s 150th birthday, will be celebrated worldwide as the International Day of Non-violence, and recognized in India as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday. In Bakersfield, Gandhi’s 150th birthday will be celebrated with a year-long series of events, kicking off with a screening of the Academy Award-winning film “Gandhi” starring Ben Kingsley in the Fox Theater on Sunday, January 13 at 2 p.m.

On March 30, the Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation and the Institute for Religion, Education and Public Policy will host a Festival for Peace and Non-violence at Cal State Bakersfield’s Don Hart East Lawn. The keynote speaker for the event will be Eisha Mason, Executive Director of the Center for the Advancement for Non-violence, who will give a presentation on the life of Mahatma Gandhi.

As Gandhi famously said, “be the change that you wish to see in the world.” To be that change we must believe in ourselves and act to realize our goals.

Taking the Polar Bear Plunge

Matt Moon and BC’s Swim Team hosted a Polar Bear Swim in the chilly morning yesterday. Participants had the option of taking a quick dip in the pool before jumping right back out, or taking a 25-yard swim across the pool. Either way it sounds like an experience for the daring at heart.

The Bakersfield Californian promo’ed the event in their article “Jump into 2019 with Polar Bear Swim and Dip at BC.” Then they covered it in a piece titled, “Bakersfield College holds first Polar Bear Swim” with some great photos. Here is one — check out The Bakersfield Californian for the rest.

Alumni Al Black jumps in to BC’s Pool. Photo by Alex Horvath of The Bakersfield Californian
I ran into KCCD staff member Cynthia Munoz at an exercise class early Saturday morning – come join us in 2019!

BC Dual Enrollment shining in Santa Barbara

On Thursday and Friday (Jan. 3-4), members of the Bakersfield College dual enrollment, outreach and CTE teams attended and presented at the Get Focused…Stay Focused! conference in Santa Barbara. Dr. Anna Laven co-presented with Claudia Johnson from SBCC on dual enrollment program logistics and with Dr. Darla Cooper of the RP Group on integration of dual enrollment in Guided Pathways. Dr. Laven also facilitated a working session on dual enrollment. 

Wondering what Get Focused…Stay Focused! is?  It is a well researched curriculum that supports student introspection in college and career choices, culminating in a ten-year plan. Offered as Student Development B3, 9th grade high school students earn college credit while gaining critical insight about their strengths, aspirations and career goals. STDV B3 continues to be the largest single dual enrollment course offering at Bakersfield College, and is an important first step for any student in clarifying their path. 

Attendees from across the state learned about the course itself, as well as opportunities to make connections with strong workforce and guided pathways work. 

BC had a large group in attendance — Steve Watkin, Kylie Swanson, Savanah Andrews, Tony Cordova, Alexander Clark, Martin Perez, Dawn Mosley, Carlos Medina and Dr. Anna Laven. A special thank you to Letty Garza of Academic Innovations for hosting a Bakersfield College dinner!

BC Food Services Stands Out with Rockstar Student Employees

Stephanie Stuart and Angelica Jauregui

Stephanie Stuart, Food Service Manager, hires over 20 student employees each semester. They admire her creativity in the kitchen, and would like to be like her!

Stephanie recognized her student employee, Angelica Jauregui for the way she starts every shift with a huge smile, a wonderful attitude that she brings out in others as well, and also for her skills, mastering every station in food service over the past two years.

Measure J is bringing some much needed upgrades to the cafeteria. With that progress comes challenges in the transition, and Aa Food Services Manager, Stephanie has been decisive and creative, soliciting food truck options to keep our students well fed as they study, and even creating a BC Gades Grub food truck of our own! She and her team are also creating new menu items to meet location challenges during the renovation. Follow the food service team on social media @bcfoodscene

Fun Photos: Preparing for Spring!

We’re all hard at work preparing for Spring, but Jennifer has us pause for photo opportunity. So many smiling faces!

Sitting, from left to right: Corny Rodriguez, Steve Waller, Abel Guzman, Michele Bresso
Standing, from left to right: Sonya Christian, Liz Rozell, Dan Hall, Andrea Thorson, Rich McCrow, Bill Moseley, Carla Gard

BC Choir Sings in the Sydney Opera House

Congrats to the BC Choir for their role in helping with the premiere of The Secret of the Sea at the famous Opera House in Sydney, Australia! They are in the center–the entire seating chart was based around them!

Check out the video below to see their wonderful performance.

BC Partners with Local Employers

Meathead Movers, a company new to Bakersfield, was on campus at the end of last semester to recruit student athletes looking for part-time employment. Their company provides their student athlete employees with flexible work schedules and study time, and provides opportunities for promotion — all while emphasizing their mission, “To support student-athletes working their way through college in pursuit of their own American dream.” The company strives to build strong work ethic, accountability, integrity, as well as a sense of social responsibility.

Meathead Movers Job Fair on campus

Last semester, 34 Bakersfield College students applied for jobs at the Meathead Movers job fair, and we will partner with them throughout the coming school year. Applications are still available in the Student Employment Lab on campus. Thank you Darrell Ballard, Program Manager, Kinesiology and Domenica Trinidad, Job Developer, for organizing this effort.

Last Chance Express Enrollment

Registration Rocks at BC!

BC will host another Express Enrollment event to assist incoming and returning Renegades with registration for the Spring semester. As we like to say, “It’s possible to become a Renegade in just one day!”

Invite anyone you know who might want assistance to come to campus on January 9th between 1PM and 6PM to get on the path to a college degree, certificate or job ready skill. All they need to do to get started is show up and we’ll work with them to take it from there to success!

Sterling Silver 2019 Coming Soon

Do you have your tickets yet for the 2019 Sterling Silver Gala and Dinner? Or have you marked your calendar for March 23, 2019? To get your tickets just call the BC Foundation Office today at 661-395-4800!

Tom Gelder, Sonya Christian, Marko B. and Theo Zaninovich

Sterling Silver is a college fundraiser hosted by the Bakersfield College Foundation, and those who have attended know that the Foundation knows how to host a wonderful evening. It’s hard to believe this will be the 11th annual evening of delicious culinary creations, amazing music, fellowship, and giving — creating support for BC students.

Last year, the event took place at BC’s library, a wonderful setting for our 200 guests. A highlight of the evening was honoring Kenneth M. Byrum with a presentation of the inaugural Bakersfield College Foundation Service Medal. Ken has been on the Foundation Board since its inception in 1975, and he continues to serve and support the students Bakersfield College through his work for the Foundation. The generosity and spirit of the Byrum family was present in full force that evening , with family members coming to town from across the country.

The Byrum Family at BC
See all the photos on my blog from 2018!

Fun Photos: Snow Bunny

Thanks to Carlos Barbaran for snapping this photo of an adorable bunny from Colorado!

Bunny in snow

Farewell to Christmas Trees

BC has once again served as a community recycling location for Christmas tree recycling. Real Christmas trees are biodegradable, which means they can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes, but make sure before you drop them off that they’re free of all your precious ornaments and decorations!

Fun Photos: Construction on Campus

New year, new progress. The old Campus Center is being demolished to make way for newer and better buildings. I can’t wait until our new campus buildings and renovations are a reality!

Fun Photos: The Talented Mr. Santos

Had a great time with Manny de los Santos this week making a video for Opening Day.

  • Camera equipment
  • Manny and Sonya with camera
  • Manny with teleprompter

Men’s Basketball Beats Glendale

Men's Basketball Beats Glendale in Western State Classic

The Bakersfield College Men’s basketball team hosted Glendale College in their first game of the Western State Classic on Friday evening, and came away with a commanding 81-68 victory.

The Renegades got off to a fast start with a 35-21 lead at halftime. In the second half the Renegades continued to apply the pressure as Glendale tried mounting a comeback. Bakersfield never lost the lead, and led
throughout the half — at times by as many as 14 points.

Leading BC in scoring for the game was Shahadah Camp with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Anieus Medrano added 19 points and 6 rebounds.

With the win the Renegades improve to 9-6 overall on the season.  

Fun Photos: Jack Hernandez

I love this photo of Jack Hernandez preaching in downtown Lenox, MA after having a great latte! 😀

Sonya Christian
Sonya Christian's Blog