dvc 60th anniversary magazine

DVC

DIABLO VALLEY COLLEGE

CEL EB R AT ES 6 0 Y E A RS OF EXCELLENCE

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The greatest resource ever developed is still being developed.

Knowledge is the most powerful tool in life. Which is why at Chevron, we’re committed to supporting education around the world. In California, Chevron Energy Solutions has partnered with the Contra Costa Community College District, installing infrastructure and renewable energy technologies to help Diablo Valley College reach a new level of energy efficiency. These and other improvements are expected to help save the Contra Costa Community College District $70 million over the next 25 years — improving the quality of education and the environment. To learn more, visit us at chevron.com.

Chevron Energy Solutions congratulates Diablo Valley College on 60 years of educational excellence.

CHEVRON, the CHEVRON Hallmark and HUMAN ENERGY are registered trademarks of Chevron Intellectual Property LLC. © 2010 Chevron U.S.A. Inc. All rights reserved.

a message FROM THE PRESIDENT Diablo Valley College has been the foundation of higher education in our community for just over sixty years.

An overwhelming number of people have been touched by the college, either through their own education, the education of their children or grandchildren, or through their professional contributions either teaching or working to support our students at the college. The celebration of this momentous milestone belongs to all of us.

When any of us at the college travel outside our immediate service area, or even out of state, it is not unusual to meet someone who has had a personal connection with Diablo Valley College.

These people often have great stories to tell us about their experiences.

Last year I had the privilege of visiting and speaking with the city councils in all of the communities in DVC’s immediate service area. At each meeting I asked for a show of hands of how many of these community leaders had a personal connection with Diablo Valley College. Everywhere I asked the question, I received a heartwarming response that gave me a reaffirming sense of the great value that we bring to our community through the work we do at the college.

Recently many of us at the college, representing a variety of departments, disciplines and student support areas, came together to review our college mission statement. What we came up with is what we call our “pocket mission statement”. We believe it gets right to the heart of what the faculty, staff and administrators of Diablo Valley College stand for: DVC is passionately committed to student learning through the intellectual, scientific, artistic, psychological, and ethical development of its diverse student body. Diablo Valley College prepares students for transfer to four-year universities; provides career and technical education; supports the economic development of the region; offers pre-collegiate programs; and promotes personal growth and lifelong learning.

While we have no control over the recent decisions by the California State Legislature concerning our budget, we are continuing to do everything we can to offer the courses and services most needed by students to complete their educational goals.

I cannot think of a greater honor or privilege than to lead our dedicated and highly qualified faculty, administrators and professional staff at Diablo Valley College as they work every day with students to change lives, and bring greater opportunity to our community, while improving the economic health of our region.

Sincerely,

Judy E. Walters, Ph.D. President, Diablo Valley College

Diablo Valley College is one of 110 California Community Colleges serving 2,897,531 students, as compared to CSU with 23 colleges serving 316,370 students, and UC with 10 colleges serving 172,774 students

a message FROM THE CHANCELLOR As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Diablo Valley College and the establishment of our District in 1948, I remain in awe of the vision our founders had for the District and its colleges.

Thanks to so many people, that vision is continuing to be fulfilled sixty years later.

Residents and educational leaders of Contra Costa County first began discussing the formation of a junior college district in the late 1930s.

After losing the first countywide vote, residents approved what was then called the Contra Costa Junior College District in 1948.

When Contra Costa Junior College-East Campus (now Diablo Valley College) opened its doors in 1950 in the old Martinez Grammar School, it served 350 students. Today, DVC is meeting the higher education needs of more than 34,000 students annually.

Our District is proud of its role in helping students continue their education at four-year institutions. Diablo Valley College is the top transfer institution to the University of California, Berkeley, and is a major contributor of students to California State University, East Bay. We also provide the training for critical jobs in our community including firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical technicians, and nurses; and we are now poised to lead California’s economic recovery by educating the emerging clean energy workforce.

Despite our successes of the past, the state is now imposing funding reductions that will have an impact on access, programs and services. Although very daunting, these fiscal challenges do not signal the end of higher education in our community. Rather, they provide the opportunity to reevaluate what we have done right in the past, and what we must do differently in the future to continue meeting the needs of our students.

On behalf of the Governing Board, faculty, staff and administrators, I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve the Contra Costa County community. Your ongoing support, demonstrated by the passage of bond measures in 2002 and 2006, is a testament of the value higher education contributes to the future success of our community, the economic recovery of our state, and our overall quality of life. We commit to you our continued focus on keeping these educational options available.

Sincerely,

24% of all the community college students nationwide are enrolled

in a California community college.

Helen Benjamin, Ph.D.

Original DVC site

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Diablo Valley College - buildin Looking back When Contra Costa Junior College East Campus (now Diablo Valley College) held its first classes in the fall of 1950, it bore no resemblance to the campus as it exists today. In fact, there was no campus.

And today, sixty years later, DVC has plans to demolish some of its earliest buildings to make way for exciting changes in the future.

The first “east campus” classes were held in a condemned elementary school leased from the city of Martinez, while other district classes were taught in an American Legion Hall, a bank, Camp Stoneman, a church, a club house, Martinez City Hall, the Court House, and a labor hall, among others.

up “Card iac

Hill” to t he plane tarium

A site for a permanent East Campus was identified in the fall of 1950 in a rural area between Concord and Pleasant Hill - originally part of the 19th Century Mexican land grant. It was purchased for $1,725 per acre, and in August of 1951, architects began planning the campus.

The first building had originally been an officers’ club at the Concord Naval Weapons Station, and was relocated to Pleasant Hill to serve as classrooms and laboratories, and later the Viking Theater. Quonset huts brought over from the Lawrence Science Center in Berkeley as well as bright red and white circus tents also served as early classrooms while permanent buildings were under construction.

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Early DVC parking lot

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District Superintendant Drummond McCunn insisted that no new taxes be levied for the campus, and a series of bond issues failed in the polls, so the district made a commitment to build the new campus on a “pay as you go” plan, so progress moved slowly.

The first campus Master Plan was completed in 1951 and the first new building on campus was the Library, completed in 1955. It later became the Business Education Building and today serves as the Student Services Center. A Student Activities Building constructed in 1956 provided a cafeteria, meeting area, and headquarters for the Associated Students and Student Council. By 1958, a new gymnasium, Maintenance Building, and Technical Education Building were completed.

The original campus Master Plan was finally completed nearly 20 years later, in late 1970s. Nothing new was built until the new Margaret Lesher Student Union Building opened in January of 1998, almost 20 years later. This kicked off a new phase of building and remodeling that continues to the present.

New construction projects following the Student Union Building include: the Math Building (1999), Physical Science Building (2001), Business and Foreign Language Building with separate Conference Room (2002), the new Book Center (2006), the permanent DVC campus in San Ramon (2006), and the new athletic track and field (2008). Campus renovations breathed new life and modern functionality into the Life Health Sciences Building, the Advanced Technology Center, Student Services Center Building, Technical Education Building, and the Planetarium.

Much of the new construction has been made possible through the passage of two district-wide facilities bonds - $120 million in March 2002, and $286 million in June 2006. Thanks to Contra Costa County voters, all three campuses in the district have been able to work on renovating aging facilities and build new ones.

While the construction and remodeling is essential to the learning environment, equally important is the landscaping. The early campus was nothing more than a wide, rugged expanse of bare clay, with gradually rising slopes and a few scattered oak trees.

A graduate with an associate degree

ilding a community college

earns $400,000 more over the course

At a cost of $50 million, the two-phase project will provide a new Student Services Building on the site of the existing quad, which will house all student services. When that is complete, the Student Services Center will be demolished, and the second phase, which will house food services and HRM, will be built in its place. When that phase is complete, the current Cafeteria and Culinary facilities will be demolished to make way for construction of the new Commons central open space.

The project responds directly to the goals of the Facilities Master Plan: to improve campus wayfinding, maximize land use, highlight and integrate the history of the campus, improve pedestrian access, create opportunities for synergies, improve disabled access on campus, and welcome the community.

s upcoming DVC Common Artist’s rendering of the

The first area to be landscaped was near the Planetarium, which, at that time, was a major entrance for community visitors. Two botany students began the project, but when they didn’t finish, they told their teacher, “Dad will take care of it.”

“Dad” was Harry Nagawara, a successful Danville landscaper. He completed the museum project, and then was hired on a project-by-project basis until he was hired as DVC’s full time head gardener also serving as a consultant to all the architects who worked on campus. His visionary legacy lives on in the beauty of the campus as it exists today.

Looking forward One of the most important objectives of the current DVC Facilities Master Plan, approved in 2007, is to provide a new central campus area. This objective has been achieved with the recently completed design of the new DVC Commons Project. This two-building complex funded by the 2006 bond measure will replace two of the oldest buildings on campus - the original Library (now the Student Services Center) and the Cafeteria, both at the heart of the original campus.

of a lifetime than someone with a high school degree.

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Further, this project will incorporate sustainable LEED gold standard design principles and seek carbon neutrality in building operations. The college is incorporating sustainable building design strategies such as green roofs, building integrated photovoltaics, radiant heating and cooling, natural evaporative systems, natural day-lighting and air ventilation, low-flow water fixtures, recycled content building materials, and efficient artificial lighting and controls. ❖ Margaret Le sher Student Union

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Student life on campus Diablo Valley College students have been involved in campus life from those very first classes in fall of 1950, forming the first committees and student clubs almost immediately.

The first student newspaper, East Contra Costa Junior College, also began in the fall of 1950. The paper has continued through the years, as East Campus, the Viking Reporter, and today as the Inquirer.

The Associated Students of Diablo Valley College (ASDVC) is the student government at the college.

The ASDVC is responsible for advocating for and representing students’ perspectives on college and district committees, councils and task forces.

Currently there are 55 clubs on campus to meet students’ current needs and interests. Clubs range from lacrosse, soccer and Kendo, to nursing, business and architecture; from cultural, political and religious clubs, to free enterprise, clean campus, Red Cross, and International Students clubs.

For more information, visit www.dvc.edu/students. ❖

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DVCfaculty FACULTY……

DVC not only excellent instructors

not only excellent instructors

The faculty at DVC is a very hardworking and dedicated group of people, The faculty at DVC is a very hardworking and dedicated group of people, who are quite passionate about fostering the success of their students. We who are quite passionate about fostering the success of their students. We are continuously told by former DVC students who have transferred to a are continuously told by former DVC students who have transferred to a four-year college how much they miss the quality of teaching and individual four-year college how much they miss the quality of teaching and individual attention they received while they were at DVC. But classroom instruction attention they received while they were at DVC. But classroom instruction isn’t the only thing our faculty does well. Among their countless accomplishisn’t the only thing our faculty does well. Among their countless accomplishments the following is a small sampling of the many published authors we ments the following is a small sampling of the many published authors we have on our campus: have on our campus: Jayne Stahl’s Jayne Stahl’s first collection of poetfirst collection of poetry, Riding With Destiny, ry, Riding With Destiny, will be published in will be published in the spring. the spring.

Jessica Barksdale Jessica Barksdale has published 12 has published 12 novels since 2001, novels since 2001, including the best including the best selling Her Daughter’s selling Her Daughter’s Eyes, The Matter of Eyes, The Matter of Grace, and When You Grace, and When You Believe.

Believe.

Michael Lester Michael Lester published a book, How to published a book, How to Have Fun with Your Body, with Have Fun with Your Body, with Houghton Mifflin, and his Houghton Mifflin, and his work has been published in work has been published in more than two dozen major more than two dozen major publications. publications.

Community college students who earned a vocational Community college students who earned a vocational degree or certificate in 2003-2004 saw their wages jump degree or certificate in 2003-2004 saw their wages jump from $25,856 (for the last year before receipt of the from $25,856 (for the last year before receipt of the award) to $57,594 three years after earning their degree award) to $57,594 three years after earning their degree (2007), an increase of over 100 percent.

(2007), an increase of over 100 percent.

Marcia Renée Goodman Marcia Renée Goodman has published a number has published a number of poems, essays, a short of poems, essays, a short story, and academic story, and academic articles. articles.

Susan Browne Susan Browne has won numerous has won numerous awards, and has apawards, and has appeared in Ploughshares, peared in Ploughshares, Subtropics, River City, The Subtropics, River City, The Mississippi Review, MarMississippi Review, Margie, and other literary gie, and other literary journals and antholojournals and anthologies. Her second book gies. Her second book of poetry, Zephyr will be of poetry, Zephyr will be published in fall 2010. published in fall 2010.

Top galle Top artart gallery, ryd,radrama Bottom cu ma Bottom lina arts, football culinary ry arts, foot ball

FANTASTICtheater THEATER Fantastic at affordable prices, and much more at affordable prices, and much more

From its very humble beginnings, Diablo Valley ColFrom its very humble beginnings, Diablo Valley College has always sought to be a “community” college, Kathryn Abajian lege has always sought to be a “community” college, Kathryn Abajian with educational programs designed for not only the is the author of a memoirwith educational programs designed for not only the is the author of a memoirbiography, First Sight of the students, but also for the surrounding community. biography, First Sight of the students, but also for the surrounding community.

Desert: The Life and Art of Desert: The Life and Art of Ella Peacock. She was also One of the first programs to engage the community Ella Peacock. She was also One of the first programs to engage the community recently named the San was drama, which has been in existence for more than recently named the San Ramon Valley Rotary Club was drama, which has been in existence for more than 50 years. DVC drama continues to thrive and grow, Ramon Valley Rotary Club 50 years. DVC drama continues to thrive and grow, Educator of the Year.

Educator of the Year. providing excellent theatrical education opportunities providing excellent theatrical education opportunities to its students as well as a passionate display of artistic David Vela has been cited in a number of publications to its students as well as a passionate display of artistic David Vela has been cited in a number of publications excellence. DVC drama produces five shows each for his writings on Latin Americans. excellence. DVC drama produces five shows each for his writings on Latin Americans. season, with each season selected to reflect the current season, with each season selected to reflect the current Debra Stevens published Making Sense: A student and community interests and needs. Its offerJim Jacobs has been named five times to the Who’s Debra Stevens published Making Sense: A student and community interests and needs. Its offerJim Jacobs has been named five times to the Who’s Guide to Sound Reasoning and Critical Thinking Who Among College Teachers, and will soon publish ings range from classical Greek dramas to experimenGuide to Sound Reasoning and Critical Thinking Who Among College Teachers, and will soon publish ings range from classical Greek dramas to experimen(Pearson) which is now in its 5th edition. a novel, “Transgressions”. tal comedies, and everything in between. DVC offers (Pearson) which is now in its 5th edition. ❖ a novel, “Transgressions”. tal comedies, and everything in between. DVC offers fantastic theater at affordable prices. fantastic theater at affordable prices.

Brandman University Congratulates Diablo Valley College on its 60th Anniversary

Brandman University in partnership with Diablo Valley College provides a unique opportunity for students working toward completing their degree.

Through engaging online instruction and unique in-class interaction, we are innovating adult education. We offer degree, certificate and credential programs, in addition to professional development credits.

Call 800-581-4100 or visit us at www.brandman.edu/walnutcreek for more information.

2950 Buskirk Avenue, Suite 200 Walnut Creek, CA 94597

Other DVC programs that encourage community Other DVC programs that encourage community participation include the culinary arts program with participation include the culinary arts program with its dining room open to the public; horticulture, with its dining room open to the public; horticulture, with the community garden and plant sales; music, both the community garden and plant sales; music, both choral and instrumental, including the jazz, classical choral and instrumental, including the jazz, classical and more; dance, film (with the free film series), the art and more; dance, film (with the free film series), the art gallery, dental hygiene, and ethnic storytelling festival. gallery, dental hygiene, and ethnic storytelling festival.

And of course, DVC offers intercollegiate athletics, And of course, DVC offers intercollegiate athletics, with probably the most visible being Viking football, with probably the most visible being Viking football, basketball and baseball. basketball and baseball.

There truly is something for everyone at DVC. Visit There truly is something for everyone at DVC. Visit www.dvc.edu/events to find what interests you. www.dvc.edu/events to find what interests you. ❖

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In celebration of our 60th year In celebration of our 60th year anniversary, DVC is kicking off its new anniversary, DVC is kicking off its new

DVCAlumni AlumniAssociation!

Association!

DVC If you or someone you know has If you or someone you know has completed 12 or more units at DVC, then completed 12 or more units at DVC, then you’re a DVC Alumnus...go Vikings! you’re a DVC Alumnus...go Vikings!

o ns orizons urr HHoriz o Y ing You anding Exxppand E

Visitour ourwebsite websiteat at Visit www.dvc.edu/alumniand andfind find www.dvc.edu/alumni out how you can get involved. out how you can get involved.

COMMUNITY outreach OUTREACH Community programs

programs

youlive livein inone oneof ofthe thecommunities communitiessurrounding surrounding IfIfyou Diablo Valley College, then it is likely thatyou youare are Diablo Valley College, then it is likely that acquainted with at least one of the many and varied acquainted with at least one of the many and varied DVCprograms programsthat thatprovide provideopportunities opportunitiesfor forstudents students DVC of all ages. of all ages.

Collegefor forKids Kidsisisaasummer summerprogram programthat thatprovides provides College challenging enrichment classes at affordable pricefor for challenging enrichment classes at affordable price students entering the 4th through 9th grade. students entering the 4th through 9th grade.

Transferstudents studentsfrom fromcommunity communitycolleges collegesto to Transfer theUniversity Universityof ofCalifornia Californiaaccount accountfor for48% 48%of of the

80%of offirefighters, firefighters,law lawenforcement enforcement 80% officers,and andEMTs EMTsare arecredentialed credentialed officers, atcommunity communitycolleges. colleges. at

UC’s bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, SummerTheater TheaterProgram Programfor forany anycollege-eligible college-eligiblestustu- UC’s bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, Summer dents,including includinghigh highschool schoolstudents, students,offers offerstransfertransfer- engineering engineeringand andmathematics. mathematics. dents, able college credit, and provides professional instrucable college credit, and provides professional instructionin inacting, acting,scenic scenicdesign, design,lighting, lighting,costuming costumingand and tion make-up.

Auditions are required. make-up. Auditions are required.

Engineering,Construction Constructionand andManufacturing ManufacturingCamp Camp Engineering, offers summer enrichment opportunities for high offers summer enrichment opportunities for high schoolstudents studentsand andteachers. teachers.This Thisweek-long week-longactivity activity school blends hands-on exploration, field visits in industry, blends hands-on exploration, field visits in industry, problem-solving,and andexpert expertindustry industryviewviewproblem-solving, points. points.

ExpandingYour YourHorizons Horizonstargets targetsmiddle middle Expanding school girls, and exposes them to a variety school girls, and exposes them to a variety of accomplished women in relative and of accomplished women in relative and interesting careers and occupations that interesting careers and occupations that have math, science and engineering attheir their have math, science and engineering at educational foundations.

The program educational foundations. The program isis usuallyin inMarch.

March. usually

EducationalTalent TalentSearch Searchseeks seeksto torecruit, recruit, Educational motivate and retain low-income high school motivate and retain low-income high school students on a path to becoming first generation students on a path to becoming first generation collegestudents. students.The Thegoal goalof ofthe theprogram programisisto to college lay the foundation for these students early and lay the foundation for these students early and thenoffer offernecessary necessarysupport supportservices servicesthrough throughcolcolthen lege graduation.

This program is year-long with lege graduation. This program is year-long with aa specialsummer summerprogram. program. special

BACHELOR’S

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NDNU and You!

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EmeritusCollege Collegeoffers offersnot-for-credit not-for-creditclasses classesto toolder older Emeritus adults and is taught in many convenient locations adults and is taught in many convenient locations throughoutDVC’s DVC’scommunities. communities.❖ throughout

It’s possible to get the education you deserve at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA. With smaller classes, personal attention, and quality instructors, NDNU is the answer to your college plans.

Accepting applications for Fall 2010.

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Kaiser Permanente congratulates

Diablo Valley College

...on 60 years of educating an entire community of students.