Bakersfield College closed out what will go down in the history books as an unusual semester… Spring 2020-the semester of the pandemic. There was much to celebrate this last week… the resilience of our students, the caring nature of our faculty and staff, and much much more. It seemed as it the skies were celebrating the Renegades when the jets flew over the Memorial Stadium this week. Check out the photos capture by 23ABC
Thank you 23ABC photographers Grant Simpson and Javier Posadas. Aircrafts from the 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno flew over the city of Bakersfield in a show of support for nurses and other professionals working to help fight the coronavirus.
Good morning Bakersfield
It is Saturday, May 16, 2020…A great day to be a Renegade
Check out the opening photo roll for Closing Week, Day 1, put together by Dylan Wang
Every spring, we hold a Closing Day celebration on campus to reflect on the academic year and honor the accomplishments of our BC faculty and staff.
This year, we took our celebration online and shifted to a shorter format over 4 days. You can visit the Closing Week 2020 website to see videos from each day’s celebration. As part of the BC tradition, I recognize individuals, departments, and teams for leadership from the previous years.
This year, I honored the Academic Technology Department, College and District Information Technology Department, the Public Safety Program Pathway, the Nursing Department, Carlos Barbaran, Student Affairs, the Budget Committee, COVID-19 Response Team, Jennifer Johnson, Todd Coston, and Paul Beckworth (announced in Fall 2019) as recipients of the President’s Leadership Awards.
I also honored retiring Athletic Director Sandi Taylor and retiring Dean Corny Rodriguez with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Bakersfield College will truly miss both of you, and I am grateful for the years of service you both have given to the college.
Sandi Taylor — Lifetime Achievement Award
Corny Rodriguez — Lifetime Achievement Award
Paula Parks and Faith Bradham were announced as the Norm Levan Faculty Colloquium speakers for 2020-2021.
Gayle Richardson and Phil Feldman received the Margaret Levinson Faculty Leadership Award.
Arnie Andrasian was named the Shirley Trembley Distinguished Teacher Award winner.
And of course, the week would not have been possible without the Closing Week planning team. Thank you to Todd Coston, Nicky Damania, Jennifer Serratt, Tarina Perry, Manny De Los Santos, Shannon Musser, Dylan Wang, and Earl Parsons for the hard work you put into our weeklong celebration.
Additionally this week, Chris Doyen (English), Gina Herera (Art), Javier Llamas (History), Josh Ottum (Music) and Kris Tiner (Music) were announced as winners for the Norman Levan Summer Grants.
Check out last year’s closing day at https://sonyachristianblog.com/2018/05/12/a-commencement-of-firsts/
Early College Virtual Support Events
Early College is holding multiple virtual support events to help onboard students. There are recommended courses lists and information on how to apply/update student applications.
High school students can enroll in tuition-free courses that can be transferred to a 2- or 4-year degree. You can learn more about the Virtual Support Events, or register for the sessions on May 20, May 27, June 3, or June 10, on our website.
You can also visit the Early College website for more information about the program.
Check out last year’s commencement at https://sonyachristianblog.com/2019/05/19/bcs-105th-commencement/
BC Nurse inducted into Nurses Honor Society
Debra Strong, RN, our college nurse at the Student Health and Wellness Center, was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurses Honor Society on May 2. ‘You can check out the induction video below:
Nu Upsilon Virtual Induction from Nu Upsilon on Vimeo.
M&O taking care of campus
This week, I received an email from Caroline Walth commending members of our M&O staff, Martha Gonzalez and Ofelia Hernandez, who have been taking great care of our administration building plants while campus is closed.
Thank you Martha Gonzalez and Ofelia Hernandez!
And here is a photo of Caroline Walth from my wordpress photo album. Thank you Caroline for sharing your excitement about your department and staff.
Celebrating our students
This semester, our students have risen to the challenges they faced, and they adapted quickly to unexpected changes. I could not be more proud of our student Renegades and all they have accomplished this year. And while we were not able to have our traditional commencement last night, we are finding ways to celebrate our students’ achievements – and we will continue to find more ways. I wanted to share a few of the things we have done so far:
You can visit our BC website to see a page that celebrates our graduates who will be transferring to other institutions.
We have also created a virtual flipbook to celebrate our Honors Students.
Through donor support, 436 students were named for the 545 award opportunities available, and over $500,000 will be awarded for the 2020/2021 academic year.
The Bakersfield College Scholarship program could not be possible without the generous donors that contribute to the Bakersfield College Foundation.
Community Voices
Chris Cruz-Boone from our Communication Department wrote a wonderful piece in the Bakersfield Californian about the shift to online teaching at Bakersfield College, and how how we at BC are continuing to move forward and find innovative ways to serve our students during this pandemic.
“It is a strange moment in history, and I will proudly remember that I was working at Bakersfield College where we are training people for the workforce, to learn a new skill or get credits until they can move on to a university.”
BC Chamber Singers
Performing Arts Department Chair Jennifer Garrett shared this video she put together about the BC Chamber Singers‘ experiences before the pandemic and shelter in place orders.
Amazon presents to Industrial Automation
On May 6th, Career Education welcomed Amazon Representatives to present on their current positions available within their Robotics, Maintenance and Engineering Department. Industrial Automation Students learned about the position qualifications, application process, examination and training opportunities.
Fun Photos
I love this throwback trivia from our Athletics Twitter:
Educational Advisor Isabel Castaneda shared a glimpse into how she spent her last day of the semester:
The library shared their well wishes for our graduates:
And librarian Mindy Wilmot posted this image encouraging us all to keep going:
Nice Facebook post by Matt Garrett about emailing his students.
Athletics
Our talented media intern in the athletics department, Jacob Amado, put together highlight videos for both our men’s and women’s basketball season this last year. Click below to see his excellent work. Great work, Jacob!
2019-20 Renegade Men’s and Women’s Basketball Highlights
2019-20 Men’s Basketball Highlights:
2019-20 Women’s Basketball Highlights:
Dasia Wandick is Headed to Webber International University
Fresh off winning the Renegade Athletics Career Achievement Award this year, Dasia Wandick of Renegade Women’s Basketball has signed and committed to continue her academic and basketball career at Webber International University in Florida. Dasia has been an extremely hard worker and leader for Coach Paula Dahl the last two years and we are excited for the next step in her journey!
That’s all for now.
Until next time.
With much Renegade Pride and Collegiality.
sonya –
the luckiest and happiest college president ever
