Factoids

Miscellaneous tidbits of information

URBAN ECOLOGY LECTURES. A unique new honors course at City College in urban ecology will feature guest lectures which are open to the public. Urban ecology has existed as an intellectual focus in Europe, but is only now emerging in the U.S. Guest lecturers from a variety of fields—biotechnology, transportation, urban planning—are scheduled to discuss both natural and cultural factors that affect biodiversity. For information on individual lectures, see the district’s online events calendar at www.sdccd.edu/events.

YOUNGEST STUDENTS. The Miramar College Child Development Center has been granted a three-year accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a distinction conferred on only seven percent of early childhood programs seeking accreditation nationwide. According to Sally Nalven, center director, NAEYC accreditation is a rigorous, voluntary process by which early childhood programs demonstrate that they meet national standards of excellence. Child care centers, preschools, kindergartens and before- and after-school programs are eligible to pursue NAEYC accreditation. The process includes self-study, research and evaluations, and site visits.

DEGREES OF LIFESAVING. Don Rohrer, president of the United States Life Saving Association, presented the world’s first associate degree in open water lifeguard training to Michael Clegg at Miramar College’s graduation ceremonies in May 2000. This unique program trains lifeguards for most coastal communities in San Diego County, and attracts students from as far way Australia and South Africa.

FLAG WAVING ON THE 4TH. More than 75 Miramar College students, faculty and staff were on board five decorated vehicles traveling through the Scripps Ranch and Mira Mesa July 4th parades. The college entry—which consisted of two fire trucks, a stakebed truck, a small pickup and a van, each decked out with international flags, college program banners, and balloons—took top honors as “Best Decorated Float” in the Mira Mesa parade and placed fourth in the “Civic Pride” category in the Scripps Ranch parade. Putting the college entry “over the top” was the college’s own true clown, Ray Quon, who passed out “animal” balloon sculptures to children along the route.

MORE MIRAMAR GRADUATES. Miramar College held its 24th Annual Commencement in May 2000 and celebrated a large increase in graduate numbers. More than 800 degrees and certificates were conferred to 578 graduates, up 31 percent from one year ago. Other significant statistics include the dramatic increase in graduates receiving associate degrees and certificates of completion with honors, up 58 percent and 47 percent respectively

MEETING OF THE MESAS. Mesa College visits Mesa College? True. A group of faculty from “the other Mesa College”— in Mesa, Arizona—visited San Diego Mesa College on Sept. 26. The Mesans traveled to their namesake to observe and learn more about San Diego Mesa’s open entry/open exit computer courses within the college’s Computer Business Technologies (CBTE) program. “Once again, CBTE program has been recognized as a model for best practices and innovative computer applications education,” said the program dean Al Taccone.

A PENNY SAVED. The District Advancement Office sponsored an educational seminar on personal finance for managers in June. The workshop “Strategic Planning for Your Financial Success,” featured two well-known speakers who provided valuable information on how to evaluate and reposition your personal finances. Kathy Warren, president of Educators Financial Planning, explained how to take advantage of the money you earn and secure your future with tax-deferred dollars. Aubrey Morrow, author and radio talk show personality, shared his expertise on how to protect your assets with savvy estate planning. Many of the participants commented that it was a workshop they couldn’t afford to miss.

EXPRESS BUS TO MIRAMAR This fall 30 Hoover High School students are being bussed to the Miramar College campus three days a week to take a Personal Growth 30 class as part of a new program to give Hoover juniors and seniors a closer look at college and public safety careers. The students learn what it takes to train to be a firefighter, lifeguard, law enforcement officer, legal assistant and emergency medical technician. They also hear guest speakers in those careers and get firsthand experience on field trips.

DRIVING THE MESSAGE HOME. Vons trucks parade huge heads of lettuce and bunches of carrots, Office Depot vans showcase oversize chairs and desks, and now the district has joined the ranks of businesses carrying their message to the marketplace via the streets and highways.

The brainchild of Lou Murillo, District Advancement president, the vehicle graphics project features photos of real district people on nine SDCCD vehicles (one mail and eight maintenance vans) that travel to destinations around the 196-square-mile district daily.

Each side of each vehicle displays a different photo collage. Altogether, the images statistically represent the demographics of our district students, proportionate to age, gender and race. Each vehicle also carries a unique message on its rear: three tout transfer from our colleges to UCSD; another advertises the district’s jazz radio station, KSDS-FM 88.3; and the rest promote affordability and educational missions such as career training, re-entry and basic education.

Many thanks to these brave men and women—busy on the job and unavailable to be in this photo—who, along with Bob Thompson, drive the district’s message home in these highly visible vehicles: Bob Herman, locksmith; Jenny Bojorquez, HVAC; Larry Mendibles and Dane Lindsay, painters; John Williams, alarm technician; and Chris Saylor and Dave Quinlan, plumbers.

The pilot project was funded jointly by District Advancement and the districtwide marketing committee. Look for more colorful district vehicles on the road. The districtwide marketing committee has approved a second-year allocation to expand the project in 2000-2001.

Donn Betz, left, maintenance manager, and Bob Thompson, mail delivery driver, in front of two of the marketing message adorned district vehicles.

WHAT DID THAT SUBTITLE SAY? Mark your calendars for a return of the popular Miramar College Foreign Film Series this fall, which includes “Artemisea” (Spanish), “Lovers of the Arctic Circle” (Spanish), “Indochine” (French/ Vietnamese) and “Insomnia” (Norwegian). Discussions regarding the film and the respective culture follow the free Friday night presentations. For dates and times, contact Mary Meiners, Miramar College’s global education coordinator, at 619-388-7463 or see listings on the districtwide events calendar at www.sdccd.edu/events.

BEYOND BURL IVES. Under the direction of Mesa College music professor Richard Chagnon, members of the Mesa College Chorus traveled to the Baltics this summer for a two-week concert tour. The choir sang folk songs from each of the countries they visited in their original languages. At the Estonian Song Festival, Chagnon and his students were the only Americans to participate in the two-mile festival march along with 8,000 others.

HISTORICAL VIDEO. “Democracy Under Pressure: Japanese Americans and World War II,” a 27-minute video documenting the internment of the San Diego Japanese American population during World War II, is available for classroom use through the San Diego County Office of Education, Community College Media Consortium. The video premiere on May 31 at the downtown San Diego Public Library was a great success with more than 300 viewers. Contact professors Susan Hasegawa and Don Estes at City College’s history/political science department for teacher curriculum information.

FEEDING MIND AND BODY. A record 500-plus students and parents turned out for the fourth annual Mesa College Student Orientation and Welcome Program on Aug. 12. Inside the gym, faculty and staff counseled visitors on a variety of subjects. Student and faculty representatives of clubs, programs and organizations staffed information tables on the main quad after administrators, facilitators and student leaders spoke to new students and their families during opening activities in the gym. The admissions and financial aid offices, math lab, tutoring center and bookstore were open for the event. Later, outside on the quad, the Associated Students hosted a complimentary barbecue. The half-day event is modeled after orientations at four-year colleges and universities. Most community colleges offer only brief counseling sessions.

15 MINUTES OF FAME. Have you done something noteworthy, either professionally or personally, that you’d like to share with the readers of this newsletter? Just send your item to your campus information officer (Sandi Trevisan at Miramar, John Nunes at Mesa, Lynne Mayfield at Continuing Education) or directly to WE editor Kristin Tow at the District Office.

GOLD MEDALISTS. Not all gold medalists are in Sydney. This newsletter, produced by District Advancement, has again been honored as the recipient of the Gold Medallion for Excellence by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, District 6. John Nunes, information officer at Mesa College, received a Gold Medallion award for Media Success Story. Kristin Tow, newsletter editor, also won a Silver Medallion for the districtwide student website at www.communitycollege.net. NCMPR is the national organization of public information officers for American Association of Community Colleges member colleges. District 6 covers Arizona, California, Hawaii, Micronesia, Nevada, Northern Marianas, Utah, American Samoa, Australia, Guam, New Zealand, Trust Territories and Wake Island.