ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Science and the City
Urban ecology has
perfect locale at
downtown college…

Championship Turf Tender
Mesa College gridiron
gets facelift…

Sounds of Success
KSDS scores ratings, awards…

New Home in Urban Village
Mid-City Center opens in
revitalized area…

Reaching Out to Local Teens Outreach coordinator goes into high schools to talk college…

In the Spirit of the Season
Faculty/staff support
holiday charities…

Pace Yourself
Self-paced GED and
basic skills brush-up…

Fill 'er Up With Fries
Biodiesel is fuel source
of tomorrow…

Chancellor's Column
Students need better
info on transfer…

Development News
Fund-raising activities…

Factoids
Miscellaneous tidbits of news…

Newsmakers Accomplishments by faculty and staff…

Factoids

Miscellaneous tidbits of information

DOG WASHES RAISE MONEY FOR STUDENT CLUB. When finding a flea or two behind the ear, proceed to the college bathing event–with your dog or cat, that is.
The dog and cat washes at San Diego Mesa College are designed to raise funds for the Mesa College Animal Health Technician Student Association, a club of students interested in animal health care.

The next such wash is scheduled for March 24 on the campus, followed by another on May 12 as part of an open house celebrating National Pet Week.

The animal health technology (AHT) program at Mesa is part of a two-year, associate of science degree program preparing students to take the California State Registered Veterinary Technician licensing exam. Course work includes lectures and laboratories on animal care and management, the fundamentals of veterinary care, animal anatomy and physiology, and other subjects.

“We also have directed clinical practice, similar to on-the-job training or an externship,” said veterinarian Peggy Fischer, AHT program director. “Most of the graduates do work in the small animal field, but other avenues of employment include specialty clinics, large animal clinics and biomedical research.”

Mesa’s program began in 1977, and was in temporary classrooms for several years before finding a home in the new, state-of-the-art facility on campus in 1992.

“This is the only program of its kind south of Los Angeles,” Fischer said. “The local veterinary community is extremely important. The local association offers three scholarships a year, as well as grant money for program recruitment and equipment.”

Fischer is a San Diego native, a Helix High School graduate who earned her bachelor’s in physiology and her DVM from UC Davis. She practiced dog and cat medicine and surgery for 17 years before becoming program director in 1997. “I love this work,” Fischer said. “It’s nice to find work you are good at and love doing.”

FIDEL AND FILMS. San Diego City College film students got a rare look inside the usually off-limits Cuba when they were part of a group invited to present their films and videos at the 22nd Annual International Festival of New Latin American Cinema in Havana, Dec. 5-15, 2000. The Binational Association of Schools of Communication’s program was presented in the Hall of the Foundation of New Latin American Cinema in downtown Havana, and also at the International School of Cinema and Television, located in San Antonio de los Banos, 35 kilometers outside of Havana. The International Festival of New Latin American Cinema promotes “those works whose significance and artistic values contribute to enrich and reaffirm the Latin American and Caribbean cultural identity.” The festival included meetings and various aspects of cultural interest and a representative selection from the international film community. BINACOM is composed of City College, Southwestern College, San Diego State University and Universidad Iberoamericana in Tijuana, Mexico.

BLACK AND WHITE AND READ ALL OVER. The Mesa Press newspaper captured fourth place in a recent “Best of Show” national competition, reported Virginia Escalante, the paper’s advisor. The weekly student newspaper was awarded the honor in the community college tabloid category by the American Collegiate Press and the Association of College Journalism Advisors at a November conference in Washington, D.C. Moreover, the Mesa Press ranks among the top five community college tabloids in the nation because there were only five awards for each university and community college division, explained Escalante. The national trophy takes on more significance when considering that the revamped student newspaper is only in its third semester.

SCHOLAR ATHLETES. Mesa College’s women’s cross country team has been selected as the Commission on Athletics’ Scholar Team. “This is a special award as it combines the academic and athletic endeavors of all of the members of one specific team. This is an honor that should be the objective of all of our sports teams and one for which you should be extremely proud,“ wrote the Commissioner of Athletics. Jim Cerveny coaches the team.

YOU DO THE MATH. In less than one semester, the City College MESA program has attracted more than 140 students in math-based majors. Furthermore, the San Diego MESA Regional Alliance has been identified as a statewide MESA model for regional collaboration in support of academic achievement. MESA stands for Mathematics, Engineering and Science achievement grant. Regional members include City, Southwestern and Cuyamaca colleges, SDSU, UCSD, San Diego City Schools and Campo’s program for Native Americans

NEW GREEKS. In early November, Miramar College celebrated the official chartering of the Beta Iota Lambda chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, established in 1918 for two-year colleges. Today there are more than 1.2 million members in the society that promotes scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship. Phi Theta Kappa members are eligible for more than $30 million in scholarships yearly. Ninety-seven Miramar College students were inducted as charter members. Each inductee must have a minimum 3.25 GPA in at least 12 credit hours toward an associate’s degree. Miramar English professor Carmen Jay and counselor Palisa Rushin are co-advisors for the new chapter..

THAT’S THE SPIRIT. The district’s College Police Department won the Martin Luther King Spirit Award at the MLK parade held Jan. 13, 2001. The Black Law Enforcement Officers’ Association annually recognizes a law enforcement agency that demonstrates the most spirit, interest and support for the parade, which garners participation from almost every local, state and federal law enforcement agency.

“I am very proud of the men and women from the College Police Department who come out on their day off to represent the district and the department on this important occasion,” said David Worden, college police chief. “This year we were really pleased to host the staging of the entire law enforcement contingent at City College and gratified to have been named the recipient of the law enforcement spirit award and trophy.”

FLYING HIGH. Responding to a request from Mike Wilson, assistant curator of the San Diego Aerospace Museum, Miramar College’s aviation faculty, led by Wheeler North, conducted a tour of the college program and aviation training facilities for the good folks at the museum. Museum administrators invited aviation students to volunteer as craftsman at the museum, not only to expand the ranks of volunteers, but also to decrease their average age, which is now 77 years young.

APPRECIATION OF THE CLASSICS. Visit Miramar College on the first Sunday of each month and your eyes will widen at the beauty of exotic and restored classic cars on display during the monthly Barrett Classic Auto Show. Classic car fans and owners come from hundreds of miles away each month to participate, according to show owners Pat and Joe Barrett. The Barretts, who are passionate about classic cars, arrange the impressive swap, show and sales event, which also includes awards, raffles, door prizes and refreshments. General admission is $5 (children under 12 are free); show/sales and vehicle space is $15 and swap reserve space is $20.

TECHNO TERRIFIC. Equipped with 130 computers hooked to the Internet and a variety of software, the new Miramar College Independent Learning Center (ILC) opened its doors last fall, basically doubling the capacity for student access to computer labs. The lab offers advanced technology to students and the public, including educational software, multi-media tutorials and Internet access. Students taking online courses or enrolled in ESL, Spanish, speech and psychology classes can now supplement their education in the lab by completing group or research assignments using the computers.

FACE TO FACE. San Diego City College is one of 30 colleges nationwide taking part in a $280,367 grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities to San Diego Mesa College, in conjunction with the Community College Humanities Association, to fund the Faces of America 2000, Family History Photo project. The two-year project, coordinated through the World Cultures Program, will enable the campus and collaborative community programs to research and celebrate ethnic contributions to America.

CROSS TRAINING. In early January, the Miramar College aviation department hosted the first IA Renewal/Pilot Symposium for more than 100 aviation maintenance technicians and pilots in the industry who are required to meet annual certification regulations of eight hours FAA-approved training each year. While the college has hosted the aviation maintenance technician seminar for several years, this marks the first year the FAA has combined the two disciplines in an effort to cross-educate personnel.

LIGHT A CANDLE. Miramar College commemorated annual World AIDS Day with a candlelight memorial in December. The program, coordinated by psychology professor Mary Meiners, included music; comments from David Blair, executive director of Positively Speaking of San Diego; the lighting of candles; and the wearing of a bracelet to honor someone who has died of AIDS

KEEP ON TRUCKIN’. Donations keep driving onto the Miramar College campus! In the fall, Dale Snow from Toyota of El Cajon and Steve Sweet of Toyota Corporate each donated Toyota Tacoma trucks to the college’s T-TEN training/internship automotive technology program. Not to be out-paced, David Pearl of Chrysler Corp. donated a fiery red Dodge Viper to the Chrysler CAP apprenticeship program.