Rustler Sam Turns 40page 3

4th of JulyCelebrating the Huntington Beach Centennial Celebration page 9

Scholarships & Awards page 5

2009 Graduationpage 4

GWC Staff Recognitionpage 6

SUMMER 2009 ISSUE

GWC Mascot Rustler Sam and his horse Bob

2 Wavelength Fall 2008

Been there, done that… might be the best way to sum up the cyclical budget dance California Community Colleges play year after year. While this time is more severe and the funding future looks very bleak, we are busy adjusting to the current crisis. The situation we are facing could best be reflected in a two arrow graph.

The Student Demand Arrow is in a sharp incline – we have more students flowing in from CSU and UC cuts and soaring fees, unemployed workers returning for retraining, and students staying longer because they can’t get all their classes when they need them or are having to work extra hours because of financial hardship. If you walk the campus with me you will see class after class with lines out the door and while faculty will try to help many of these desperate students, the demand is far greater than their resources, and overcrowding hurts everyone.

The State Resource/Funding Arrow is in steep decline. We have all read about the state budget crisis – every state agency is facing significant cuts. In our case, the state actually took money back from last year’s approved budget and then made significant funding reductions this year, with more cuts expected mid-year. Already this college has had to reduce its budget by $1.8 million (3.6%) and we are now engaged with identifying an additional $1.5 million in reductions this year to ease the pain anticipated for next year.

IMPACTNo doubt these economic challenges will translate into longer lines in Admissions, Counseling, Assessment, Financial Aid, and other important student services. There will be fewer classes – the state has already eliminated funding for growth and slashed an additional 3.8% of funding for classes this year – that translates to 3,893 fewer seats. When teachers graciously add students, which we encourage them to do, the demands for essential student support services increases and delays in tutoring, disabled student services, and open labs like the Student Success Center and library are overcrowded and further impede their progress.

RENEWED COMMITMENT TO OUR MISSIONBehind all this doom and gloom, there is still a deep commitment to the importance of what we do here. We understand that community colleges are an important part of the California solution. This state is dependent on a well-educated workforce. We are part of the heart that pumps life into this economy, providing students with second and third chances at transfer preparation and career advancement. Our teaching faculty is prepared to address the needs of a diverse student body with a variety of educational goals and with varying levels of preparation. They are student-focused and committed to their success. We have a variety of student support services staffed with people who care deeply about the importance of the work we do for our students. Their spirit, their kindness, and their can-do attitude will help the college weather this perfect storm.

The PresidenT’s CornerPERSONNEL ACHIEVEMENTS

DR. BRUCE BALES (Music) was guest director for two Chapman University Early Music concerts and guest honor choir director for the Garden Grove Unified School District. In addition, throughout the past year, Dr. Bales served as clinician/adjudicator for five high school choral festivals around the Southland.

DR. DIBAKAR BARUA’S (English) book of poems, The Womb of Memory, was published in fall 2008 by World Parade Books. A new expanded version of the book will appear in summer 2009. Dr. Barua’s book has been nominated for a P.E.N. Award.

AMANDA BEST (Art) was a panelist at the April meeting of the California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramics Arts. Professor Best’s work has been shown this past year at galleries throughout California.

DR. JOYCE BISHOP (Staff Development/Psychology) was the recipient of this year’s Golden West College Peace Studies Award. The award was given to Dr. Bishop for her long-term contributions as a founder and member of the board of directors of Pathways to Independence, a local non-profit foundation that primarily helps young women living below the poverty level become financially and socially self sufficient through education and counseling.

NANNETTE BRODIE (Dance) and her students presented two concerts this year at GWC and OCC. In addition, the Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre of Long Beach gave 25 performances in Finland, California, Nevada, and Arizona.

MARGIE BUNTEN, Director, Foundation and Community Relations, was appointed to the City of Huntington Beach Centennial Committee.

SUZY BRAZNEY, Women’s Softball was named assistant coach of the US Women’s Softball National Team.

BRIAN CONLEY (Art) was re-appointed to serve another year on the ACCT Public Policy Committee. This committee reviews and lobbies on all national legislation related to community colleges. He was also re-appointed to the statewide Student Assessment Review Board by State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass. Last fall, Professor Conley was re-elected to his sixth term on the Board of Trustees of Rancho Santiago Community College District. He was also elected clerk to the Board. Professor Conley’s art work is exhibited in the State Capitol in Sacramento.

Continued on page 3

STUDENT DEMAND

STATE FUNDING

Wavelength Fall 2008 3

RUSTLER SAM TURNS 40

We Hire Them!

Rustler Sam was created in an era when TV westerns were all the rage and movie cowboys had yet to be replaced by firefighters as the rescue heroes of choice.

Students who admired the nationally syndicated Tumbleweeds comic strip character Tumbleweed wrote to its creator, Tom K. Ryan, in Muncie, Ind., in 1968 to ask if they could use it as their mascot.

Ryan wrote back to say that he didn’t think Sagebrush Sam would work, but he drew them their very own cowpoke instead.

As payment, Ryan asked for an “extra large sweatshirt with emblem imprint when available,” a school pennant and pictures of the college.

Rustler Sam was adopted by the campus as the official mascot in 1969.

FRAN FARAZDAGHI (Peace Studies) organized and hosted the third annual conference promoting peace and nonviolence as part of Golden West College’s Peace Studies Program. The conference involves collaboration with CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU Fullerton, CSU Pomona, UC Irvine, and the City of Huntington Beach.

KEN HAMDORFF, retired Water Polo Coach was recognized with a service award from the Commission on Athletics and inducted into the California Community College Water Polo Coach Hall of Fame.

RYANE HARRIS (English) recently published a student success workbook/reader entitled Tips from an Unlikely Valedictorian, which is scheduled to be published by fall 2009. Her textbook is likely to be used in developmental English courses, college counseling courses, and first year experience bridge programs for students making the transition from high school to college.

DR. COLLETTE HAUSEY (Music) composed and published a successful march entitled Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, in honor of the 1st Marine Division of the United States Corps. She was also guest director of the Santa Ana Unified Middle School Honor Band.

DAMIEN JORDAN (Counseling) will complete his Master’s degree from Loyola Marymount in May.

TOM KUBIS (Music) received the 2009 Distinguished Alumnus for the College of the Arts at California State University, Long Beach, in recognition for his work known internationally as a musician and teacher. The CSULB Alumni Association presents the award each year to alums that are exemplary examples of accomplishment and distinction.

CONNIE MARTEN received a certificate in Online Teaching in Learning last June and will receive her Master’s Degree in June.

SACHA MOORE (English) presented a paper in January at the International Humanities conference in Hawaii.

TED PALMER (Architecture) received awards and recognition on April 25th for his decade of donations of artwork to “The Annual Orange County Foster Parents Conference.” His drawings are used on the brochure covers and mailings. This is an annual advertised event sponsored by County of Orange Social Services for all county social workers, foster parents, and care givers. He and his wife, Patti, are foster parents and have cared for 125 infants in the last 11 years.

Continued on page 6

Personal Achievementscontinued from page 3

The original Rustler Sam had a beard and a cigarette drooping from his lips.

In the 1990s, students concerned about the dangers of smoking sparked a redesign that gave Sam a shave and removed his smoke. He still holds a branding iron, which real rustlers used to change the brands on cattle they had stolen, and a holster on one hip.

Sam’s trusty horse Bob was created by GWC Graphic Designer Dave Dluzak in 2004.

4 Wavelength SUMMeR 2009

42nd COMMENCEMENTThis year 1,402 students received an A.A. degree and/or a certificate of achievement. 821 students received an Associate of Arts degree and 581 students received a Certificate of Achievement, which includes summer 2008, fall 2009, and spring 2009 semesters. Among these students, seventeen countries were represented by our international students. The oldest graduate was eighty and the youngest was nineteen. There were 119 students graduating with honors, having earned a 3.5 grade point average or higher, and 5 graduates with a perfect 4.0.

Chip Marcbank introduced this year’s commencement speaker, Sharaud Moore, an alumnus who gave an inspiring speech challenging the class of 2009 to develop strong shoulders. “We can expect our country to grow if

we ourselves grow. If we want to fix the national economy and politics, we must fix our personal economy and politics. I implore you not to point the finger or place the blame, but to shoulder the responsibility of creating a better, communal, national and global.

The R .Dudley Boyce Outstanding Student Award recipient, Lorena Ortega was introduced by Dr. Dibakar Barua, Professor of English. Lorena has been accepted at Cal State University Long Beach and will major in English Education with an emphasis in Linguistics.

Floral Design Students added a special touch to their mortar boards.

Sharaud Moore, 2009 Commencement Speaker

Lorena Ortega, 2009 R. Dudley Boyce Outstanding Student

Wavelength SUMMeR 2009 5

The 23rd annual Scholarships and Awards Ceremony held last May awarded 177 individual scholarships totaling $176,900. Over three million dollars have been awarded since 1986. The GWC Foundation wishes to thank all the donors, individuals and corporations who make this scholarship event possible.

“When I first heard that I was the recipient of the R. Dudley Boyce Award, my first reaction was to run home and tell my daughters “we did it”. I was so excited to know that all of the hard work, sacrifices, and prioritizing was recognized by the scholarship committee. I am grateful that receiving this award has sent the message to my daughters that education is key at any age.” - Lorena Ortega

SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS CEREMONY

ARE YOU A GWC ALUMNUS?

PLEASE JOIN US!Join the Golden West College Alumni

Association and take advantage of the benefits, discounts, and networking

opportunities that our members enjoy.

www.gwcalumni.org

ASGWC Perpetual Scholarship Recipients

6 Wavelength SUMMeR 2009

NOREEN YOSHIDA-PEER was honored in October as one of Orange County’s most remarkable women in business. Noreen was recognized at the Orange County Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners’ 13th Annual Awards Luncheon. She was honored as this year’s Remarkable Woman nominee from the Coast Community College District’s chapter of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC). Noreen received the award at the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) luncheon October 10, 2008. The luncheon is one of Orange County’s premier events in recognizing women’s achievements.

MARTIE RAMM (Theater) directed a professional production of Sweet Charity this past March at the Curtis Theater in Brea. In addition, Professor Ramm is a contributing writer with Audiofile Magazine and has interviewed and written celebrity profiles with actors Sidney Poitier, John Lithgow, Blair Brown, and Roger Rees.

DANA SEUFERT (Staff Accompanist) will complete his Master’s Degree in Music at CSULB.

RAY SHACKLEFORD, retired Football Coach, Athletic Director was inducted into the Community College Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

SCOTT TAYLOR, Water Polo Coach was named California Community College Water Polo Coach of the Year-Men’s Water Polo State Champions.

DR. PAUL TAYYAR (English) published two books of poetry—Postmark Atlantis (Level 4 Press) and Scenes from a Good Life (Tebot Bach Press). He is a nominee for this year’s Pushcart Prize, which is one of the most prestigious awards in American poetry. In addition, the textbook he co-authored, Around the World in One Semester: a Reader for Freshman Students (Kendall-Hunt Press) will be available this summer. This past spring, Dr. Tayyar traveled to Switzerland at the request of the Swiss-American Studies Association and was the featured visiting poet at several Swiss universities. In addition, he presented two papers in the 2008 American Literature Association Conference in San Francisco.

JULIE DAVIS-WOLFE (Librarian) wrote an article that was published in Library Journal. “Page to Screen: Read the Book, See the Movie.” Library Journal 15 August 2008:128

RENAH WOLZINGER (Recording Arts) is working on a Master’s Degree in Career Technology Education.

Personal Achievementscontinued from page 3

The order of the day was to wear a Hawaiian shirt to the annual Staff & Faculty Appreciation Breakfast, held this past May 27th in the Student Center. The table center pieces had a Hawaiian theme and were constructed using bamboo, miniature pineapples and anthuriums, arranged by students in the Floral Design classes. President Wes Bryan welcomed the 170+ attendees and kicked off the program by honoring the 15 retiring colleagues who represented 425 years of service to GWC. Retiring faculty members included Brian Blackburn, John Grajeda, Cherie Kay, Suey Quan, Harvey Reynolds, Dave Walker and Bud Yeargain. Retiring classified employees included Elizabeth Bowers, Cathy Edmonson, Dolores Harper, Gladys Lavoie, Frank Maldonado, Pam Peconic, Michelle Schroeder and Scott Steidenger.The college was pleased to have the Schools First Credit Union as a second year sponsor for this event.CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO ALL THE HONOREES!

TEACHER OF THE YEARDavid Moore, Professor, History

Students appropriately have the honor of nominating faculty for this award. The Teacher of the Year Committee is a subcommittee of the Academic Senate, which ranks the student nominations and makes the final selection. David will be honored next fall with other secondary and post secondary faculty nominees for the Orange County Teacher of the Year Award in an impressive ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel.

Lois Miller, Vice President, Instruction, presented David Moore with a certificate.

2009 STAFF & FACULTY APPRECIATION BREAKFAST

Christina Irvin, Holly Van Dorn, Laurie Camody, and Susanne Orsini welcomed guests Hawaiian Style.

Wavelength SUMMeR 2009 7

This award honors a full or part time staffmember who has exhibited exceptional service to the college or the community for a particular activity, over time, or to colleagues.

Dr. Joyce Bishop – In addition to being a wonderful teacher and campus leader,

Joyce is a founder and member of the board of directors of Pathways to Independence,

a non-profit organization that serves young women in Long Beach and Orange County who are living below the poverty level, who come from an abusive background, and who have a serious desire to receive an education and become financially and socially self-sufficient. Since its inception in 1991, Pathways has served over 230 young women and roughly 80% of those entering the program succeed in graduating from college and becoming independent, contributing members of society.

Nominations were solicited campus wide and were rated by this year’s task force. This was not an easy decision—all the nominees were very deserving. Four finalists’ names were recommended. The three runners up were were Dr. Arnold Brender, a part-time Physician in the Student Health Center and provides pro bono services to the Athletic Teams; Noreen Yoshida-Peer, Staff Assistant Senior-Technical Support Services; Norma Pollaro, Administrative Assistant to Vice President of Instruction.

CHARLIE SIANEZEXCEPTIONALSERVICE AWARDDr. Joyce Bishop, Professor,Psychology

Janet Houlihan, Vice President, Administrative Services, presented Fonzy with his award.

GWC President Wes Bryan presented the awasd to Joyce.

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEARJanet Houlihan presented the Employee of the Year award to IIdefonso, “Fonzy,” Flores.

The outstanding group of Classified Employees of the month that were nominated included: Anita Renninger, Academic Senate/ IPD & Staff DevelopmentFonzy, GroundsMichelle Schroeder, Student Health CenterDale Slagle, College Support ServicesJuli Van Dorn, New MediaJavier Alcala, International Students

GWC Student Takes Top HonorsThe Honors Transfer Council of California gave its highest award to GWC honors student, Ryan Millett this past spring for his work comparing elements in paintings by Vincent van Gogh with musical elements in the impressionistic compositions of Claude Debussy. This marks the third year since the conference began in 2001 that the GWC Honors Program has earned this honor. In addition, GWC honors student, Randall Deeb was given the Outstanding Abstract award for his research comparing the spiritual principles of the Muslim and Christian religions. A GWC honors students has received the top abstract award four years in a row since 2006 when this award was established. These students were mentored by former Honors Program coordinator, Chuck Whitchurch (English).

Ryan Millett

8 Wavelength SUMMeR 2009

Lois Miller at a Coast Community College District Management Association picnic this past June introduced Ron Lowenberg as the Manager of the Year. Ron is entering his 6thyear as Dean and Director of the Golden West College Criminal Justice Training Center. Ron is a retired police chief with over 35 years of experience. GWC has been the recipient of the talent that allowed him to command one the most prestigious law enforcement agencies in California.

Let me tell you about some of the innovative programs that I mentioned earlier. There are many examples, but here are just a few that have been created recently through his personal contacts and influence in the private and government sectors to benefit GWC students, college staff, and the community we serve: Ron was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger as one of 14 commissioners for the CA Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) - POST regulates all police training and hiring standards in California. Last year, Ron served as the chair of this committee.

Ron has worked the past three years to secure funding for a weapons simulator training facility to be constructed at GWC, through his contact and working relationship with House of Representatives in the U.S. Congress, and local police educators.

Ron has been instrumental in establishing the Returning Combat Veterans Scholarship Program - The scholarship program is dedicated to those who have served in all branches of the military. It is designed to financially assist these fine citizens as they return to their communities following military service. Through this program, qualified veterans can attend the GWC Police Academy with all expenses paid.

Yet another program Ron has established is the Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Program - Dealing with the mentally ill is a challenging task for law enforcement personnel. GWC’s CIT program is funded through a state grant in cooperation with the Orange County Department of Mental Health and allows GWC to train 1,000 peace officers, within the next two years,

in techniques in how to effectively deal with the mentally ill.

And, last but certainly not least, Ron was recently given a very special award by Pope Benedict XVI. It is called the Benemerenti Medal. Pope Gregory XVI (1832) instituted this medal which he called merit-medal to reward civil and military daring and courage.

We cannot think of a more qualified person to be the “Manger of the Year” than Ron Lowenberg. Ron epitomizes the definitions of dedication, loyalty, character, professionalism and modesty.

MANAGER OF THE YEARRon Lowenberg

William PooreInstructor, Math & Science Charter faculty member, 5/02/60 – retired 6/01/83

Fred KofmehlInstructor, Graphics 9/13/60 – retired 5/26/95

Leo ByrdCustodian 9/15/83 – retired 4/14/04

In Remembrance

Wavelength SUMMeR 2009 9

4th of July Salutes the CentennialOne hundred and five years ago, the residents

of Huntington Beach held a 4th of July

parade even before the city was incorporated!

Golden West College and the Boys and Girls

Club of Huntington Valley participated

the centennial celebration with their float entry. Riders on the float were

IIdefonso Flores GWC Classified Employee of the Year, Lyvyane Tran-ASGWC

Homecoming Queen, David Lopez-ASGWC President, Clarisa Malhiot-ASGWC

Homecoming Queen. Also riding on the float from the Boys and Girls Club

of Huntington Valley are Outstanding Club members who help staff make a

difference to kids at the club through their commitment to volunteerism and

willingness to help. On the float once again this year, the Jon Kubus Band played

great patriotic music to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd of parade goers.

Driving the G-Dub was Wes Bryan, GWC President and riding shotgun was

Shirley Dettloff, Foundation President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington

Valley.

“My experience at the Fourth of July event was magical. I was very honored to be given an opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful tradition that every American can share with one another, and I am especially honored because I was able to be on the float that represented my school. I had a wonderful time! Being in and at the parade I was able to sing and dance and share wonderful moments with everyone that came to the event. Seeing waving flags and our country’s colors – blue, white, and red – I believe on that day, everyone was able to connect and rejoice with one another. I know we were all proud to be Americans!”

- Lyvyane Tran, ASGWC President