The Experience 08-31-12

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F.Y.I. Imporant Dates Aug. 30 Last day to add fall & term classes Aug. 31 Last day to drop without a W Sept. 1-3 College closed for Labor day Sept. 5 Career exploration workshop

Job exploration workshop The career exploration workshop will be held Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 12:30 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 13 at 11a.m. in the library on the second floor of the college complex in room L-214. The workshop is for students who wish to explore a variety of career and training options. To reserve a spot students can register online through the career center at www.losmedanos.edu or call 4392181, ext. 3110.

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Kratochvil takes helm

LMC begins new chapter

By PETER COSTANZA Staff Writer

The LMC campus was in a buzz on the morning of August 16 as classified and un-classified staff gathered in the music cor ridor to mingle with the new college president before entering the Recital Hall for the bi-annual opening day ceremony that started at 9 a.m.

This event provided President Bob Kratochvil the opportunity to address his employees as a whole for the first time since taking the reins this summer back on July 1.

The energy was high as Kratochvil stepped to the podium to share with his staff how happy he is to be a new

member of the LMC family.

Kratochvil commended Richard Livingston, senior dean of instruction, for his hard work and dedication as interim president for the past two years. The audience responded to the praise with a standing ovation for Livingston’s leadership and service.

Kratochvil also thanked those employees who worked during the summer months and welcomed back faculty who had been on summer break. He said he is excited about the upcoming 20122013 school year he intends to work closely with staff to implement changes.

Kratochvil explained in brief his work history, mostly

in Southern California at the state college level before taking his former position at Los Positas community college, in Livermore, as vice president of administration ser vices.

As part of his transition to his new community he said he plans to meet with everyone individually over the next few months.

“One is just having communication with people,” explained Kratochvil during an interview on August 24.

“I think it’s a good thing that they can tell me what they are doing at the campus, and I’m also asking people what they Photo by Irvin Trigueros think the issues are and what President Bob Kratochvil speaks to the LMC are the highest priorities for See NEW, page 6

community at opening day on Aug. 17.

Spring budget in limbo Depends on election results

Help out by giving blood

By SAMUEL GONZALEZ Staff Writer

The Blood drive is Tuesday ,Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the library in room L-209. Students who are interested in making an appointment can call Student Life at 925- 439-2181 ext. 3266, or register online at www. bloodheroes.com and click on Donate Blood and enter sponsor code LosMC. This is for people who want to make a difference and is open for all blood types. Join the cause.

Get cash for used books The Mustang Corner Bookstore will be having a wholesale book buy back on Sept. 9 and 10 from 9 am to 7 pm at the refund window in the hallway of Admissions and Records. Students do not need to bring their receipts or any proof of purchase to participate in the buy back.

Photo by Irvin Trigueros

Los Medanos College, and probably every other public education institution in California, has got its figurative fingers crossed hoping that California voters approve Proposition 30 in the upcoming November elections.

Prop 30 proposes to increase sales and use taxes for all Californians by one quarter of a cent for four years.

The proposition would also increase personal income tax on annual earnings over $250,000 for seven years. According to California’s Attorney Generals Office, the taxes would raise an additional $6 billion in tax revenue annually.

Without the funds generated from these new taxes, California Community Colleges will face another round of socalled trigger cuts.

With this scenario in mind, newly appointed LMC President Bob Kratochvil, along with LMC’s instructional deans, called faculty and staff together Monday, Aug. 20 for a discussion about the future of the college.

“LMC faces an unusual scheduling dilemma for spring 2013,” Kratochvil wrote in the email Aug. 17 announcing the College Assembly. “If the November state tax measure passes, we will need to add sections; if it fails, we will need to cut sections.”

Whether the college gets an opportunity to grow again, or whether it must continue cutting, LMC faces the need to re-address its priorities and figure out exactly what type of institution it wants to be.

Monday’s assembly asked about 80

A’kilah Moore writes down suggetions as Estelle Davi engages in group discussion.

Paychecks at cashiers office Student worker paychecks will now be available for pick up at the new cashier’s window located in Admissions and Records on the third level of the college complex at the main Pittsburg campus. Paychecks will still be available on the 10th of each month between 12:30 and 4:30 p.m.

Pass / no pass deadline The last day to request a Pass/No Pass option on courses marked SC (student choice) is Sept.

15. Students who are interested in Pass/No Pass can fill out all necessary paperwork at Admissions and Records on the third level of the main College Complex on the Pittsburg campus.

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Parking now enforced

Horan fills job of VP

By JARED THOMSON Staff Writer

With each new semester at Los Medanos College comes the need for a new parking permit. The Fall 2012 parking permit is available now exclusively online through WebAdvisor.

Students will need a semester permit if they intend to park at any lot on the Pittsburg campus as well as any other Contra Costa Community College campus lot for the remainder of the year. LMC’s Brentwood Center offers free parking daily.

LMC offers a grace period of free parking during the first week of school. Since the semester began on a Friday, the grace period was extended to Saturday, Aug. 25. The semester permit is only valid for the Fall 2012 semester.

By KELLIE MCCOWN Staff Writer

After a nationwide search and extensive recruitment process, Kevin Horan has been appointed vice president of instruction and student services for Los Medanos College.

Horan is replacing, Bruce Cutler, who has been at LMC for 22 years, and has spent the last three serving as vice president of business administration.

Currently, Horan is the executive dean for both the Diablo Valley College San Ramon Center, a position he has held for the past 6 years, and the Los Medanos College Brentwood Center, which just received center status. He has also held positions as director of campus affairs at California State University East Bay, and was director of student affairs at Samuel Merritt University.

Horan says that his experience working in higher education, and See VICE, page 6

See MEET, page 6

See FINE, page 6

Former LMC teacher passes

By IRVIN TRIGUEROS Staff Writer

Photo by Irvin Trigueros

Kevin Horan appointed Vice President.

After a long struggle with cancer, retired English professor Pablo Gonzalez passed away on July 31 .

He taught English 70 – 90 for 21 years between 1983 and 2004, as a professor and faculty member LMC. He retired from teaching in 2004.

The Los Medanos College faculty See PABLO, page 6

Pablo Gonzalez

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Perspectives

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“Age is a very high price to pay for maturity.”

— Tom Stoppard

Mark Francis

Jared Thomson

PIPE BOMB

DISGRUNTLED RANTS

Welcome to college life

Getting older and wiser now

Ah, another school year begins here at LMC. Everyone who’s anyone is probably busy adding, dropping or being wait-listed into classes; which is a “normal” late-August here at LMC. So to the returning students I say, “welcome back!” And to the new students fresh from high school graduation I say, “Prepare yourself.”

Why is that, you ask?

College to any incoming “newbie” freshmen straight out of high school life could, can, and will most likely be a scary time of change. Between trying to find all your classes on the first week to figuring out a way to cram all your social life demands into an increasingly hectic college schedule, sacrifices must be made.

Did I scare off any freshmen reading this paper? Probably, but it is the truth that adjusting to college life can be a disjointing experience. If you’re already a seasoned veteran of the college life, then you can probably skip this column and read the other column on this page or even our new Editor in Chief’s thoughts for the upcoming semester. As a seasoned veteran, you probably know what I’m going to get into in the following paragraphs.

For you new students coming directly from high school into LMC, the first thing you may notice is the fact that you’re not taking classes back to back to back, like a typical high school day. Instead your classes are scattered about the campus and set up for different days of the week. Depending on what you picked, you may have one hour classes but for three days out of the week. Or a massive three hour class only once a week.

Now, if you loved learning a lot back in high school, you may love those three hour classes; but if you’ve never been a fan of that, maybe a one hour class is more up your alley.

Secondly, the status quo that you held back to dearly in high school has become obsolete. Regardless whether you were the popular student, the nerdy student, or even the “in-betweener” of it all, it doesn’t matter.

The status quo is reset, and honestly no one cares in college.

What we care more about is student budgets, student life, clubs, and basically surviving each semester. We don’t have time for high school drama on campus, save that for your days off. In college, most of you will have to reinvent yourselves, from the way you study, do class work, present yourselves, to how you regard the world and your place in it.

Now comes the third point I was building up to. LMC, many other community colleges, and even big universities are radically different from high school. There are no exact cliques to be a part of. It’s not a group thing anymore, instead it’s a focus on the individual. So in short, don’t be afraid to express yourself artistically, socially, politically or intellectually.

Here at LMC, you have free-reign on how you want to shape your future, so it’s okay if your first semester here at LMC doesn’t go according to plan and you don’t know what your major is. You’re going to rebuild yourself into something that you can see being successful in the long term. I honestly didn’t know that I wanted to pursue Journalism until after my first semester had gone by!

In the mean time, however, test the waters here at LMC. Become more aware of what’s going on in the community and on campus. Don’t be afraid of reaching out to do something new and unique. Enlighten yourself on new subjects and ideas. Don’t keep treating this as an extension of high school life, because if that’s the case then you won’t be be going anywhere in life.

As I creep toward the ripe old age of 30, although I am only 27 now, a sense of overwhelming pressure hovers over me.

I’m getting older. I know that and I have to accept it. But what really bothers me right now is time. There never seems to be enough to accomplish everything that I’d like to get done in a day, not without having to sacrifice it for tasks I really don’t want to be doing.

I have a huge backlog of video games, movies, TV shows, books, and music that I would love to catch up on. There just never seems to be enough time to catch up. As the days go by, more books are written; more movies are filmed; more video games are released; and more music is produced.

Not just that, but technology advances and new gadgets arrive in stores that people, like me, feel pressured to purchase. But is there ever enough time to enjoy it all? Can anyone ever catch up?

If I didn’t have to work or go to school, I might have plenty of time each day to spend doing hobbies, but that’s not living and it won’t bring happiness. I could die tomorrow never having caught up on all the things I wanted to do. In the end, it doesn’t matter.

It goes beyond that though. Spending my days busy at work or school leaves me with less time for seeing my friends and family.

Being with the people you love trumps all physical objects you could ever own, that’s what is really important. The memories I hold of places I’ve been, people I’ve met, and things I’ve done on this wonderful planet are totally better than any movie or video game.

This isn’t about personal possessions or life experiences in particular. I’m talking about time. Time is very valuable and what you do with it is your choice, hopefully what you choose to do with your time will be worth it in the end.

A bucket list is a great thing to have, however I don’t think anyone will ever be able to do all the things they want to. I know I can at least be happy with the things I have done, in hopes that I will have the opportunity and 27 more years to accomplish even more out of life.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned that will help me get the most out of my life, it’s that we need to set goals for ourselves, realistic goals that are within arm’s reach.

Small goals that can be met with ease are nice, but a nice part of life is challenging yourself to attain goals that you can actually feel accomplished about.

It’s important to savor the moments that in life you might not be able to enjoy later.

Why am I worrying about getting older?

Why can’t I just live in the now? I’m a college student today, eager to graduate, but I might miss the college experience when I move on, so, why live with regret?

As much as I loved being a child roaming the neighborhood with friends, my childhood is over and I won’t be a kid again, so why pout about it? One day I look forward to having my own children and watching them run around like I once did. Life doesn’t have to be as stressful as we make it out to be. Set goals for yourself and try to manage your time so that you can enjoy it.

Devote some time in the day to go for a walk or visit with friends or family. Set up a day during the week where you and your significant other can spend time together.

Life’s too short, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make it last.

Cartoon by Chelsea Hamel

Editorial

Achieve a better future

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eing in college is an experience like none other. It’s a time where you’re laying the groundwork to your future successes and sometime failures.

With that comes the danger of falling into a pattern of procrastination.

If you don’t use your time here wisely, you’ll live to regret it. First off, as you may or may not realize, this isn’t high school.

Nobody cares how popular you are.

They don’t care what clique you belonged to or how many yards you ran for in a season.

Everything and everyone starts with a clean slate. Once you step foot on campus the meter has been reset. Everyone here is pushing towards a goal. Don’t underestimate how easy it is for two years to pass right by.

Act with a sense of urgency, because there is nothing cool about obtaining a four-year degree at a two-year school. A big piece of advice is to make sure you have a plan. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Remember that.

Meet with the counselors often. They can help guide you in the right direction. Make sure you’re on the right track. There is nothing worse than finding out you blew two semesters taking the wrong set of classes.

So if that isn’t what you’ve come here to do, I suggest you consider how important your time is. In adulthood, it’s all about accountability. Own your failures, heed the lessons from them and move on.

Time flies and before you know it graduation will be upon those who were grinding towards their degree. But for those who slept, partied, facebooked and text messaged through each semester?

A serious wake up call awaits those people, and there is nothing worse than wasted talent.

Even worse a waste of time, as time is money and money is time.

So approach your time here with an attack plan and don’t let the distractions of life hinder you. Challenges will come your way in the form of work, social life, or even kids.

Instead, use it as a motivation to succeed. Any victory earned is a lot sweeter than one given.

Editor’s Note

A new set of changes this semester The 2012-2013 school year is under way and as we get settled in for the fall semester you may notice there have been major changes at LMC, the relocation of the Admissions and Records office, the opening of the newly remolded nursing area, and the hiring of Bob Kratochvil as the new college president, just to name a few.

One thing that will remain the same is the commitment to the college from the Experience student newspaper staff to bring you accurate and relevant news and information.

We are in the mist of producing interesting and important stories not only for students, staff and faculty, but also our community, of what is happening throughout our halls and within our offices at LMC. One of our goals this semester is to re-establish an online edition to broaden our reader base within the surrounding area and let the public know what opportunities LMC is providing for those who are interested in taking part.

We at the Experience are ready to roll up our sleeves and hit the ground running to bring hard-hitting news stories and interesting features to our readers. Please feel free to write the editors with any ideas or concerns you may have. Send to Peter Costanza, Experience, Los Medanos College 2700 E. Leland road Pittsburg, CA 94565, or Pcostanza25@gmail.com. You can also stop by the Experience office in the Journalism lab on the main level of the College Complex, CC3-301. Thank you for reading and have a great semester.

— Peter Costanza, Editor in Chief

Voices

Opinion Policy We welcome Letters to the Editor and Guest Columns. Bring them to room CC3601 or mail to Experience, Los Medanos College, 2700 E. Leland Road, Pittsburg, CA 94565. Submissions must be typed, signed and include a phone number for verification.

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

Experience

Will you be voting in November?

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Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

“Were it left for me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Editor in Chief .................. PETER COSTANZA Perspectives Editor .............. MARK FRANCIS Campus Editors ................. KELLIE MCCOWN and TERESA DATAR

“Yes. I believe in taking the opportunity to participate and make decisions for our country.”

—Aileen NIchols

“Yes, I want California to benefit as a resource for our nation.

— Dion Johnson

“I will, because I want to represent my conservative republican opinion.”

— Harrison Salomon

“No, I’m not registered to vote. I don’t have the time to.”

— Jessica Lopez

“Yes, because I really don’t want Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan anywhere near the President office.”

— Rachel Johnson

“Yes, because my opinion counts as much as everyone elses.”

— Rodney Anderson

Features Editor .......... DEXTER DUNZWEILER and NICK CAMPBELL Sports Editors ......................... CHRIS CHARD and LUKE JOHNSON Photo Editor ....................... IRVIN TRIGUEROS Web/Graphics Editor ................ JESUS CHICO The LMC Experience is published Fridays by the journalism program. The newspaper serves as a laboratory for journalism classes and as a First Amendment forum for campus communication. Opinions expressed in the Experience are solely those of the students and do not represent the views of the college.

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“Be great in act, as you have been in thought.”

— William Shakespeare

Newswatch What’s lost may be found

The Los Medanos College lost and found has numerous items that have been lost on campus. If you have lost an item, check with Police Services, which is located on level one of the main college complex at the Pittsburg Campus. If you have lost or misplaced any items at the LMC Brentwood Center, students can go to the main office to recover their property. Inquiries must be made in person at both locations, or no pick-up will be made.

Book buy back Sept. 9 and 10

The Mustang Corner Bookstore will be having a wholesale book buy back on Sept. 9 and 10 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the refund window in the hallway of Admissions and Records.

Students are not required to bring a receipt, or any type of proof of purchase to participate in the buy back.

An opportunity for saving

Interested in opening up a bank account? Citi Bank will be at the Pittsburg Campus on Wednesday, Sept. 5 from noon to 2 p.m. at the indoor quad.

Students will be able to get advice on how to open up and manage their own personal bank accounts, and learn how to gain financial dependency and receive the motivation to save their money for future goals.

Lipscomb University at LMC

Lipscomb University will be on campus Wednesday, Sept. 12 at the indoor quad from 9:30 a.m. to noon handing out information to interested students.

David Lipscomb and James A. Harding founded Lipscomb University in 1891. The university is a private Christian faith-based college in Nashville, Tennessee which wasranked among the top 18 universities in the south in 2011.

For more information, go to www.Lipscomb.edu or call at (615) 966-1000. Hours of operations are 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Get creative with FIDM

The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising will be at the Pittsburg Campus at the indoor quad Wednesday, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon. FIDM has been open for more than 40 years and has four campuses in California, including one in San Francisco.

The San Francisco FIDM is located on Stockton Street.

Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you are interested and would like to receive more information about the school, check out their website at www.FIDM.edu/ or call (415) 675-5200.

Circle K promotes leadership

Circle K is a community service organization that promotes fellowship, leadership and service. They are international and self-governing, electing their own officers, conducting their own meetings, and creating their own service projects.

Circle K meets every Friday in the science lecture hall room 136 from 4 to 5 p.m. Students who are interested in joining are encouraged to go to a meeting, or email the club president Byron Montilla at lmcckipresident@gmail.com

University transfer info

The Los Medanos College Transfer Center provides information about colleges and universities, and hosts representatives from various institutions. Students interested in transferring can use the Transfer Center as a resource and connection to learn more about these schools. All workshops and appointments are free to attend. Upcoming representative visits include:

Photo by Irvin Trigueros

The new nursing classrooms on campus double as mock emergency rooms, giving nursing students a taste of working in a real life hospital ward.

New digs for courses Upgrade for Nursing and EMS

By KELLIE MCCOWN Staff Writer

Nursing and Emergency Ser vices have been cornerstone programs of success at Los Medanos College since their beginnings in 1974, and now they will continue to serve students at LMC with a brand new building.

Both programs moved into a new, state of the art building located on the third level of the College Core complex at the LMC Pittsburg Campus.

Colin McDowell, Co-Director of the Nursing Program, says that the new hitech buildings are providing more training for nursing students than ever before.

“This technology creates an environment where the student has to collaborate and work in a team,” said McDowell. “It’s really great as our students go forward toward licensure.”

Some of the new technologies that are being used to prepare nursing students for licensure are a new lab, mock training rooms of both a hospital emergency room and ambulance bay, and a new hi-tech life like dummy that has the ability to simulate real life human medical conditions, from high blood pressure to cardiac arrest.

Senior Office Assistant for the Nursing Program Beth Anne Robertson says that the upgrades made to the nursing department go beyond merely students preparing for licensure, but gives students hands on experience that will prepare them for real life emergency situations.

“The program now has a lot more hi-tech equipment,” said Robertson. “Students will have hands on experience and get more of a feel of what it’s like to work in a hospital ward.”

The Emergency Medical Services Pro-

Photo by Chris Chard

A mock amubulance is just one of the many new hi-tech improvements made to the Emergency Services Programs. gram has also benefited from a modern face-lift. In the past, the EMS department occupied the portables located outside of the cafeteria, a space that was too small to offer a suitable office and lacked the modern tools that are being used in the EMS field today. Since moving to the new building, EMS can now offer students the space, modern innovations, and experience that will prepare them for a career in the emergency services field.

“It’s very important to adapt to the technology and structure of today’s student,” said Troy Hess, Emergency Medical Technician and LMC Fire Program Assistant Professor. “I believe the new building has done this. This new space will allow us as instructors to be more efficient and help provide our students a top flight education.”

With the new advancements of both programs, EMS and nursing students will be able to work together, and simulate a real life emergency situation, from

assessing a patient in an ambulance, to delivering the patient to an emergency room to be treated by nurses.

“The beauty is that we can simulate the whole process of recovering a patient,” said Enrico Aguilar Paramedic Instructional aid at LMC. “From pick up in the mock ambulance bay, to delivering the patient to the mock hospital to be assessed by nursing students. That way, the nursing students see what we do, and the EMT students see what nurses do.”

This synergy is exactly the vision of Kiran Kamath, dean of career and technical education at LMC. Klamath’s hope is that both programs will work together to develop the communication skills needed in both fields.

“I am looking forward for both programs to get together and get to know one another,” said Klamath. “Our hope is that synchronizing the two programs will provide students with beneficial, hands on experience.”

Safety first at LMC

n UC Berkeley: Tuesday, Sept. 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. Make appointments at the Transfer Center; drop-ins welcome. n UC Davis: Tuesday, Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by appointment only. Register at the Transfer Center. n CSU East Bay: Pittsburg Campus, Thursday, Oct. 4 from 9:40 a.m. to 1 p.m. At the Brentwood Campus, Thursday, Sept. 27 from 9:40 a.m. to 1 p.m. n Sonoma Fall 2013 Admissions Workshop: Students who have applied or are intending to apply for SSU Fall 2013 semester and are currently attending LMC may learn about SSU’s admission practices, major requirements, deadlines and more. The workshop will be held Tuesday, Oct. 30, 11:30 a.m. in L109. Register at www.sonoma.edu/ admissions.

By PETER COSTANZA Staff Writer

Brandman University visits

Representatives of Brandman University will be at Los Medanos College in the indoor quad Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. handing out information and helping students interested in transferring. Brandman was founded in 1861 and is accredited. If you are interested, you can get information from their website, www.brandmanuniversity. edu or call (800) 746-0082.

How to get news published

If you have an idea for a news or feature story, or would like to annouce a campus event in the Experience, please send your information to editor in chief Peter Costanza, LMC Journalism, 2700 E Leland Road, Pittsburg, or email it to pcostanza25@gmail.com. You can also drop it by in the Journalism Lab, room CC3-301. Please make sure to give about two weeks lead time for items to be published.

Photo by Chris Chard

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

Officer Fernando Salamanca chats with Transfer Coordinator Tara Dale Sanders as he keeps a watchful eye while patrolling the College Complex.

“Don’t ever, ever leave your belongings behind and say I will be back in a second because it only takes a second for your property to go missing,” said Lt. Huddleston in an early morning interview on August 28.

One student found this out the hard way on August 20. While attending class in room CC-102, she left her purse unattended, walked to the front of the class and her wallet was stolen.

To be unaware just for one second seems to make all the difference in if you walk away from your class with all of your belongings.

Every year around the start of the fall and spring semesters, LMC experiences a rash of thefts. Four bikes, a bike seat, a vehicleß, and a textbook were among the items stolen See SAFE, page 6

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Features Marquee Music events

The Los Medanos College Music Department will offer various performances.

Some performers will be students and faculty, some visiting performers. Many concerts are free or low cost, and are held in the Recital Hall. For more information, call 439-2181 ex. 3218. n Thursday, Oct. 4 7:30 p.m. — LMC String Ensemble with special guest.

Admission: free. n Oct. 14 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. — LMC Concert Band Concert with LMC Concert Cand and Diablo Wind Symphony. n Oct, 17 7:30 p.m. — Jazz Concert with special guests.

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“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”

— Confucius

Artistic reach

At the El Campanil

The El Campanil Theatre is presenting the following shows: n Friday, Sept. at 8 p.m. — Hotel California: A Salute To The Eagles n Friday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Sept, 16 at 2 p.m. — Beauty & The Beast performed by El Campanil Children’s Theatre n Saturday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. — Close To You: A Live Tribute To The Carpenters These events are located at 602 West Second Street in downtown Antioch, For more information, visit the website at www. elcampaniltheatre.com.

Photo by Irvin Trigueros

“Egyptian Cobra” by Gilbert Amaral.

Faculty and staff on display

New movies

Just Released n“The Possession” Rated PG-13, Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller n“The Good Doctor” Rated PG-13, Genre: Drama, Thriller n“For A Good Time Call…” Rated R, Genre: Comedy, Drama n“Chicken With Plums” Rated PG-13, Genre: Drama n“The Tall Man” Rated R, Genre: Drama, Thriller

By ANTOINETTE BUNN Staff Writer

Coming Soon n“The Bachelorette” Rated R, Genre: Comedy n“The Worlds” Rated PG-13, Genre: Drama n“Stolen” Rated R, Genre: Action, Thriller n“Hello I Must Be Going” Rated R, Genre: Drama, Romance

— Compiled by Dexter Dunzweiler

Photo by Irvin Trigueros

“Hold That Pose!” by Martin Guzman is on display in the gallery.

The LMC Art Gallery is kicking off the school year with Roll Call 2012, the annual faculty and staff art exhibition featuring the work of more than 10 featured artists. The new show opens Aug. 21 and runs through Sept. 12.

On display this fall are a variety of creations ranging from traditional paintings and photographs, to woodcarvings, and even computer film shorts displaying the creative process.

At the start of every fall, the art department gives LMC faculty and staff a chance to show off some of their work. One piece by ceramics teacher Lucy Snow is a clear favorite of students and faculty visiting the gallery.

“My favorites are the ceramic pigs done by Lucy Snow. They give a really old message,” said fine arts student Laura Morgan.

The collection she is referring to is the War Pig, the Banker Pig, and the Politician Pig with money falling out of his pocket.

“I always love the stuff that Lucy does,” added Morgan, who also works as a gallery assistant.

One of the artists on display, LMC gardener Gilbert Amaral, is also a fan of Snow’s work.

“I love the pigs,” he said. “I love what she created.”

Amaral, a first-time entry in the faculty and staff art show, said Snow inspired him to enter his hand carved walking sticks.

“I shared my work with Lucy and she encouraged me.”

Sandra Avalos, a social welfare major, said she liked all the art on display, especially Amaral’s carved walking stick of the cobra.

See ART, page 6

OUR TOWN

Maya reels into the old Brenden theater

Cal State East Bay

low-income communities in general. The cinema does offer The Brenden Theaters said Spanish films upon request its goodbye after 22 years of according to Project Manager service to its community. While Joe Madrid. “If enough people many may wonder why it closed request it, we can do it. Just go down so abruptly, the company to the website.” Madrid has simply decided to not renew been with the company for its lease due to the lack of two years, originating from the Bakersfield business. Award location. winning producE s p a r z a er of well-known “would wake films, such as up because he Selena, starring would have Jennifer Lopez, dreams about entr epr eneur how he wanted and community his theaters to activist, Moctebe. He dreamt suma Esparza, that we would 63, grasped this have higher opportunity right ceilings, larger away.

Esparza is the Photo by screens and betLarena Hernandez ter speakers with CEO of Maya Cinemas, founded in 2007. surround sound,” says Amanda There are two Maya Cinemas Daoud, House Manager. While locations nationwide, the first the entire building has been being in Bakersfield, CA and restored and has been reconsecond in Salinas, CA. Esparza structed a bit, to match its is looking to expand the chain theme, there are a few changes and by grasping the opportu- that many locals can appreciate. nity of the Pittsburg location, With 10 theaters inside, two of that is just what he is doing. them are the Maya Premiere Why Maya Cinemas? Many Experience. Similar to IMAX, members of our community “It’s the best out there. You have asked. What does that have 28 speakers in each themean? Esparza’s goal in all that ater, stadium seating, surround he does is to promote positive sound, and bigger screens with and inexpensive activities for digital projection screens,” the Latino community and See MAYA, page 6

Now Accepting Upper Division Transfer Applications for Winter 2013!

By LARENA HERNANDEZ Staff Writer

Apply now through November 1 for upper-division transfer student admission to Cal State East Bay for Winter Quarter 2013 (classes start in January).

Apply online at www.csueastbay.edu/apply. Admission requirements, application and document deadlines can be found at www.csueastbay.edu/deadlines.

To inquire about Hayward campus tours or pre-admission advising, please contact 510.885.2556 or e-mail: admissioncounseling@csueastbay.edu.

To inquire about Concord campus tours or pre-admission advising, please contact 925.602.6399 or e-mail: cctransfercenter@csueastbay.edu.

Where All Your Possibilities Come Into View.

H AY WA R D

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CSUEB_PEMSA_ad_LosMedanos.indd 1

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Sports

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FRIDAY,

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“The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer.”

— John Madden

Photo by Chris Chard

Offensive line coach Dave Reinders talks with his linemen on August 22 in anticipation for LMC’s first football game of the season. Players stand poised for action.

Hot days, cool Mustangs LMC coaches fired up for the football season

By CHRIS CHARD Staff Writer

Photo by Chris Chard

Wide Reciever TJ Bossett (17) begins his drills at practice on August 22 to prepare for LMC’s first game at home this Saturday.

healthy

lifestyles

HELPING YOU thrive

Eating Healthy Isn’t Dieting

By William Lide, MD

A

ll foods can be part of a healthy eating plan when eaten in sensible amounts. Everyone can benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables, which are full of vitamins, minerals and fiber, not to mention most are low in fat and calories. Some even have compounds that may help prevent heart disease, high blood pressure and some types of cancer.

Healthy eating takes some planning and an effort to include a variety of foods on your plate. Here are some easy ways to add more fruits and vegetables to your meals: • • • • •

Mix it in: Add fresh or frozen berries or a sliced banana to cereal or yogurt.

Put apple slices in your oatmeal. Blend bananas, berries or oranges with fatfree or low-fat yogurt or milk for a healthy smoothie anytime.

Pile ‘em on: Add lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion or bell peppers to sandwiches. Put extra veggies on your pizza, such as mushrooms, peppers, spinach or broccoli.

Blend in: Add vegetable puree to soups, stews and stir-fries.

Close at hand: Keep carrot sticks, celery and other veggies handy for snacks.

Buy them pre-sliced so they’re ready when you are.

Sweet treats: Have fruit for dessert. Try baked apples or pears with cinnamon, or have fresh berries or melon with vanilla yogurt.

For more healthy eating tips, please visit the Kaiser Permanente website at www.kp.org.

Thisarticle articleisis proudly proudly sponsored This sponsored by

by Kaiser KaiserPermanente.

Permanente.

WilliamLide, Lide, is a Physician Site Leader tha Promotion PleasantonforMedical Offices.

William MD,MD is Associate Physician-in-Chief for for Health the Diablo Area.

LMC Mustang football is right around the corner as coaches and players return from their long summer break and begin to prepare for this Saturday’s game.

After what seemed like a long off-season to dwell on the difficulties of the past year that ended in a 0-10 record, both head coach Chris Shipe and offensive line coach Dave Reinders are thrilled to be back on the field again and are ready to get started. Shipe explained that the student athletes have all brought there “A” game and are playing at a much higher level in their abilities than the previous year. He said that they are more focused and mindful of the downfalls of 2011.

“LMC is beyond ready,” said Shipe. “We are not going to accept mediocrity anymore.”

Shipe had worked hard all off-season to try and spread the work out amongst him and his coaches. He made several adjustments to the staff, hiring a new quarterback coach to help with the young sign callers, which allowed him to take a lot of the pressure off himself and focus on the more important aspects of being the head coach for the Mustangs.

“It allowed me to move around more at practice and get a full view of the team,” he said.

“I feel more confident in my staff than I have in previous years. I love the communication that we have developed.”

Reinders is excited to see a lot of his players return to the field this season and how quickly they are “buying into the system.”

“Our system is not just about football,” Shipe explained. “It’s about life, communication, teamwork, and a positive representation of yourself on and off-campus.”

The offensive line coach discussed the growing pains of a lot of young players last year.

He explained that after the proper adjustments were made the team is finally gelling together as a cohesive unit. Even with the returning players, Reinders described the work they did recruiting and how that added to the system that Shipe and him begun to form.

“We added more depth to the offensive line this year,” he explained. ‘So many guys are so

Soccer players wanted

If watching Hope Solo and the American team win Olympic gold medals inspires you to work as a team and test your own limits, LMC’s intercollegiate woman’s soccer is still excepting students to try out for our team.

If you’re interested in this rigorous sport, contact Coach Mark Bryant at PE room 1004.

You can also call at 550-2137 or email him at mbunitog@ sbcglobal.net.

versatile that it will help everyone out, in case someone needs to take a breather.”

Even the students agree.

Chase Carole, offensive tackle for the Mustangs, has bought into Reinder’s system early.

Since this is his second year with the football team, he has been there for the good and the bad, but has nothing but positive things to say about his fellow teammates and his coaches.

“I feel that this is going to be a very good season because of the talent that we have and how well we all work together,” he said. “This year we have a lot of skill on both sides of the ball, but as a team we are closer and more cohesive which will help a lot.”

All 11 coaches have also stepped up their game this year to help the students on and off the field. Many of the players have full-time class schedules, jobs, and families. Shipe commented that they are still making it to every practice and work extremely hard to become not just better players, but better people in general.

“I’m impressed with how these players handle representing LMC,” Shipe said. “Not only as athletes, but as students as well.”

Reinders discussed that several of the sophomore players started to “come out of the wood work” and take up the mantle as leaders for the younger players. Showing them the ins and outs of LMC football mentality and college life. Unity was the keyword that was thrown around during the meetings and it clearly shows in players and coaches a like.

“The coaches have been working hard to make each other better as a team,” Reinders said. “The communication is amazing and short, but the point is always received.”

Don’t expect to see the same Mustang football as last season. Both coaches described how the players have grown into a solid and unified group. The Mustangs will take the field at 1 pm September 1st against the Hartnell Panther’s.

The Panthers had an impressive season last year going 7-4 with their first winning season since 2005. Despite last year’s struggle and the strength of their upcoming opponet, both coach Shipe and Reinders are fired up.

“We got some good stuff,” Reinders said.

“This is gonna be a fun year to watch.”

LMC Sports Schedule Football Opponent

Date

Time

Location

Harnell

9/1

1 p.m.

LMC

Cabrillo

9/8

7 p.m.

Cabrillo

College of Sequoias

9/15

7 p.m

LMC

Monterey Peninsula

9/22

6 p.m.

Monterey Peninsula

West Valley

9/29

6:30 p.m.

West Valley

BYE

10/6

Shasta

10/13

3 p.m.

LMC

Mendocino

10/20

1 p.m.

Mendocino

College of Redwoods

10/27

3 p.m.

LMC

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Back Talk

SAFE

MAYA

VICE

items stolen since the start of this semester totaling 10 in all.

Incidences like this accrue all over the LMC campus, from the parking lot to the classroom and ever ywhere in between. These crimes are crimes of opportunity, and are preventable.

The best crime deterrent is paying attention to your surroundings and using common sense. Such as not leaving your iPad on the front seat of a car with the window cracked or leaving valuables in plain view when unattended. These can be steps in the right direction of protecting yourself and your property.

Anything and everything that is not tied down or not looked after closely can be considered, for some people, up for grabs.

That means paying attention at all times is crucial.

Something Cesar Santos has implemented since starting at LMC two years ago. He attributes his cautious behavior from the advice he received from Art and Journalism Professor Curtis Corlew “I’m always careful, I never leave my stuff hanging around and I try to take my stuff everywhere,” said Santos. “I had Curtis Corlew, when we would start class at the beginning of the semester he would always remind us to be extra vigilant with our stuff.”

“I tell them even though this is a wonderful place and almost all the students are wonderful, there are people on campus, and some of them are not even students, that just come on campus and will take your things,” said Corlew.

Corlew has had some experience with things going missing. His computer and backpack have been stolen, and once his daughter had her sunglasses brazenly stolen from the lunchroom table were she was eating lunch.

This is a problem that plagues all of society, but for some reason people seem to be more relaxed in a college setting. This is a mistake, and leaves the unsuspecting student easy marks for those who cannot control their urge to take what is not theirs.

“It’s like a kid. When they see that piece of candy or cookie, more often than not their going to take it,” Huddleston said “easy access leads to easy pickings.”

The LMC police services can’t be everywhere all the time, so they urge the college community to call and report anything out of the ordinary or suspicious activity.

LMC is a pretty safe place in the way of personal safety but if you find your-self on campus late at night and feel uneasy about walking alone to your vehicle, you can request an escort from an available officer or officer aid.

To put it plainly, people steal.

If you like your stuff take care of it, keep an eye on your belongings at all times, and don’t leave anything of value out in the open. Make sure your car doors are locked and the windows are rolled up. If you leave a room, lock it or take your belongings with you, or have someone trustworthy watch over it.

By being mindful, and aware of your surroundings, can make the difference of being victimized or not. By dialing 925-439-2181 ext. 3228 you can report a crime, request an escort or provide information.

Daoud adds. While the Maya Premiere Experience displays a high quality by utilizing stateof-the-art technology, every theater in Maya Cinemas has the most advanced speakers, stadium seating, digital projection screens for the clearest picture, and comfortable rocker seats with cup holders. When asked what makes Maya Cinemas different compared to its competitors Daoud responded with, “Our customer service.

We treat every customer like a celebrity walking in, because we want them to have a good experience and come back.

Without them, we wouldn’t have jobs. Also, our prices.

We are able to maintain the best customer service for only $9.50, I visit our competitors, and you don’t get that.”

In celebration of Maya Cinemas’ grand opening, the theater offers Family Day every Tuesday with an admission fee of only $5.50 excluding all Sony Pictures, $2.00 hot dogs available Mondays and Tuesdays, as well as Wednesdays being Senior Day with an admission fee of $4.00. Regular admission, fees are $9.50 for adults and $6.50 for children ages 3-12, and $6.50 for a matinee. There is an additional fee of $2.50 for any 3D films. Brentwood resident, Jane Hall enjoyed her first visit to the theater, “It’s beautiful! You can’t beat a senior price of $4.00.” She and her husband came to see “Bourne Legacy”. While many are enjoying their first visit, many have already become familiarized with the theater.

“This is my third visit and I love it,” says local Denise Grahm, while purchasing snacks before viewing “Lawless”.

The theater is working on adding two more theaters as well as an arcade, and benches in the lobby area. There is no set date as to when this will be done, but management is hoping for Christmas.

To fulfill your enjoyment during your comedy, drama, or thriller, you can expect the traditional snacks such as popcorn, pizza, ice cream, nachos and churros for about $1.50, a price that is less than any other theater in the area. To avoid customers waiting in long lines, they also offer self-serve touch screen soda machines with over 125 different flavors to choose from.

Relying on word of mouth advertising, if you plan on attending the Pittsburg Seafood Festival, there will be snack coupons on the back of your tickets.

As for Brenden’s previous employees, Maya Cinemas did their best to contact them for employment opportunities.

During the month of September they will be promoting their Blockbuster Film festival by showing some of movie viewer’s past time favorite movies such as “Jurassic Park”, “Grease”, “The Princess Bride”, and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” for only $6.

Maya Cinemas would like to give Los Medanos College students the opportunity to tell them what movies they would like to see back in theaters and they will happily extend the film festival. To do so contact Amanda Daoud at Pittsburg16@mayacinemas. com The theater’s hours of operation are seven days a week 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Hours may vary depending on showtimes.

Stop by the Maya Cinema, and enjoy the friendly atmoshphere.

as executive dean of two colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, has prepared him for his new role as vice president.

“It was the perfect training ground,” said Horan.

Under Horan’s leadership, Diablo Valley College San Ramon moved from a leased building to a college owned property, giving DVC San Ramon Center Status, an accomplishment that Horan considers to be one of the highlighting moments while serving as executive dean.

“I know that I’m leaving this institution in a better place then when I had arrived. It’s one of my proudest moments,” said Horan.

As vice president, Horan will be responsible for facilitating important discussions about the future of LMC, some of which may be difficult with more looming threats of budget cuts within community colleges of California, as well as over-seeing the direction of academic and student support programs at LMC. According to Horan, the most important key to success is for students, staff, and faculty to work together to bring LMC to a united front.

“It is impor tant for the college to come to a united vision,” explained Horan about his new position. “I hope to have a positive impact at the college, to build on the strengths that are already happening at the college, and to bring in new energy and optimism.”

With Horan moving from executive dean of the Brentwood Center to vice president, President Bob Kratochvil said finding someone to assume the responsibilities of Executive Dean while keeping the focus on the students of Brentwood is top priority.

“It is critical that we maintain a focus on meeting the needs of both students seeking educational opportunities at the Brentwood Center and the faculty and staff that serve them,” stated Kratochvil.

“Particularly in light of the growth and developments expected.”

Horan officially assumes duties as vice president Sept. 4.

From page 3

From page 4

FINE From page 1

The cost of a parking permit is $40 for automobiles and $25 for motorcycles and motorized scooters, while students with the Board of Governors fee waiver only pay $20.

Students have the option of purchasing a single-day pass from the parking lot ticket machines for $3, however, even if students are only enrolled in courses for one day in a whole week, the cost of daily permits are greater than the cost of a semester permit.

LMC’s police services routinely patrol the lots looking for vehicles without a permit.

These vehicles will receive a ticket violation of $40.

Visit losmedanos.edu for more information and order your permit through WebAdvisor via the InSite Portal.

Students without internet access may use computers available on campus.

To pay with cash, students can print out a voucher on specific computers located outside of the cashier’s window, and in the EOPS department. These vouchers must be brought to the cashier’s office where the cash payment can be made.

Permits are delivered through the mail, but a temporar y permit valid for seven days can be printed out after the purchase.

Web

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From page 1

ART From page 4

“I am in awe,” she said of the show. “I love the diversity.”

The film short submitted by Eric Sanchez and Matt Reynoso shows how much time goes into actually doing a piece of art using a video of a mural they put together for Google.

You can also find photographs, marketing brochures, and even one silkscreen.

If you would like to take in Roll Call 2012, viewing hours are. Tuesday through Thursday, 12:30-2:30 and 4-6 p.m.

PABLO

F R I D AY,

MEET From page 1

members of the college community to begin doing that by addressing four questions prepared for the event: n Should the college prioritize certain students and de-prioritize other students?

If so, what are the priorities? n What should our curricular mix look like? What programs and courses should the college offer or not offer? n Are there ser vices or programs we should provide more of, less of, streamline, or not provide? n Do you have other suggestions for reducing the budget, growing the budget or becoming more efficient?

Before the discussion got under way a few ground rules were set.

“Please be cautious about taking things too personal and trying to establish what some may call sacred cows, your own territory, the viewpoints of your disciplines,” Kratochvil said. “Let’s try to have a perspective that is holistic and institutionally based as best we can, keeping in mind what’s important for our community and our students.”

Kiran Kamath, dean of career and technical education at LMC, also spoke before people were divided into groups for

AUG.

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6

Follow the LMC Experience online at lmcexperience.com

Ideas generated at assembly The following ideas were generated by members of the college community at the Aug. 20 College Assembly in response to the current budget crisis and the need to re-think the college mission. n Required counseling sessions and mandatory educational plans linked to priority registration. n Concurrent enrollment reduction. n Examine reassigned time. n Not allow high school students to make up units here. n Limit the number of degrees a student can earn at LMC. n Possible reduction developmental education. n Create better more tightly woven learning communities on campus. A first year experience-combine/ collaborate/consolidate. n Look at and study the successful programs/units on campus to see how we can do this across campus. n Faculty/Classified/Management support groups for Prop 30 and parcel tax.

the discussions.

“What we want today is to have a philosophical dialogue, and not get down to the numbers, about who we should ser ve and what programs and services we should offer,” Kamath said.

The four groups each had about 40 minutes to discuss the questions presented to them. A wide range of ideas were proposed by the groups, from changing the way priority enrollments are handled to preventing high school students from mak-

ing up units at LMC. (For a summary of ideas generated at the assembly meeting, see accompanying sidebar.)

“It was kind of a preliminary thing, kind of to get the heartbeat of the faculty,” Kratochvil said last Friday about the faculty discussion, adding that they plan on continuing the discussion throughout the semester.

Kratochvil said he plans to call a town hall meeting after the election to decide how to respond to either the passage or failure of Prop 30.

the new president to deal with.”

He also said this strategy allows people to have their voices heard because some may not speak up in college assemblies and larger campus meetings.

“One of the things that I’ve learned over time,” said Kratochvil. “Is if you and I are talking, you’re probably going to confide in me things that maybe you wouldn’t in a group setting,” Beyond his formal remarks the new president took the opportunity to share with the audience a little about himself, like his principal values of love, collaboration, communication and engagement.

Kratochvil showed slides of his family – he has a wife and two sons, and a menagerie of pets – and displayed a sense of humor cracking jokes along the way. He was deadpan in explaining the reason he is standing under a low-lying tree in his family portrait is to hide his receding hairline.

All College Day’s busy agenda included a visit by Contra Costa Community College District Chancellor Helen Benjamin, who was there to introduce Kratochvil ,but before she did she had a few encouraging words for the faculty and to talk about LMC’s success despite the gloomy state budget cuts to

education.

“There is ver y clear evidence that this college is moving forward,” Benjamin said “You have done and are doing amazing work in securing grants in focusing on equity and completion.”

Benjamin said that with having an attitude of resolve that the faculty can control their destiny with everyday actions and not having a blasé attitude of what is going to happen will happen.

“It is obvious to me that we believe in self-efficacy, the idea that we have a measure of control over what happens to us and that approach continues to be critical to our success,” said Benjamin.

A highlight of the morning event was when United Faculty President Jeffrey Michels took his turn to address the LMC community with a playful poem he wrote to welcome Kratochvil to his new role and to the realities of the tight education budget he must deal with.

An excerpt: But now that you’re unpacked and on task On behalf of those assembled, I’ve been deputized to ask, Is it true you’re a painter?

‘Cause our walls are peeling.

And do you own a ladder? Will you do the ceiling?

We’re short on substitutes.

You can teach, right? And

we’re hoping you’ll stay late and lock up at night.

They say you’re a doctor; I need medication. And so much to write. Do you take dictation?

We need new computers; are you a programmer? Our lecterns are broken. Can you use a hammer?

Our counseling department is just overtaxed. If you’d fill in on Fridays they’d feel more relaxed....”

The ceremony wound up with formal recognition of those who have recently retired and those who have achieved milestone markers of 10, 15, 20 and even 40 years of service at LMC or in the district.

Among these long-timers who retired over the summer are Gil Rodriguez, Dean of Liberal Arts and Science a former math instructor who served LMC for 35 years; Pat Wagner who taught math for 24 years, and Vice President Br uce Cutler, who put in 22 years and also served as business manager.

Appliance instructor Len Price was also recognized for his 40 years of service “and still counting.”

Following a hearty applause, Price took to the podium, and while, some in the crowd may have expected him to give a date for retirement, instead he announced, “I will retire when I quit having fun.”

his students that made him the passionate professor that his students and faculty knew him for.

His student’s success was his highest priority. He would encourage and motivate every one of them by saying, “Si, se puede,” or “Yes, you can!” in English.

According to Ybarra, he was also “particular to students that needed to take the basic skills in college.”

His premise in education was that a college classroom can be “a community of friends who learn from each other,” and that “teachers are [the] resources setting the stage for positive classroom communities.”

“He was real, he always laughed with students,” said counselor Marco Godinez, who has Gonzalez as an English instructor when he was a student in the early 1990s.

What made Gonzalez so unusual apar t from most of the faculty was the wide fan-base he gained from the students he taught. Faculty members would always notice the long lines emitting from the constantly open doors to his office, as if he was a nation-wide celebrity.

“Every student would come by and see him, and gave

him thanks for what he did for them [as an instructor], no matter what [grade] they got in his class,” said Yeong.

“He [always] made time, he never shied anyone away, he was approachable and gave salutations to his students.

He really loved his job,” said Godinez.

Yeong has always considered Gonzalez a dear friend. “[Pablo was] a good friend of mine, he was really the first friend I had in the 20+ years I’ve been here [at LMC],” said a heartbroken English Professor Michael Yeong, who has been teaching since the 1990s.

He tearfully reminisced the first day he started working at LMC. He was invited to dinner that night at a local Silvia’s restaurant in Pittsburg.

Considering it a good gesture, he considered Gonzalez “the first person to really welcome me to the college.”

The legacy Gonzalez left to the college would never be forgotten. His influence can be seen in the instructors teaching today.

“The things this wonderful man taught me about encouraging struggling students, listening to them and giving them the support they need are still in use every day I am

here,” said Biology Science Professor Denise Speer, who reminiscent on her Tutoring Committee years with Mr. Gonzalez in the same faculty email. When she was first hired, he was one of the first faculty members she worked with.

Especially memorable to Speer was when her son, after returning from France, took English 90 with Gonzalez during his senior year of high school to graduate. The results he showed were nothing less than exceptional.

“When he was done, he told me that what he learned from Pablo in 16 weeks was more than what he got out of four years of high school English,” she said.

To Yeong, he was “a big man, but [with] a heart bigger than he was,” and to Godinez, a man with a very young spirit who “dressed to the nines.”

Ybarra will never forget the “booming” voice and laughter he had, and feels no one who knew him will.

Gonzalez will be remembered as a wonderful human being with a heart of gold.

“I was sad when he retired and am even sadder to hear that he is now gone from the planet. I will miss him, as will we all,” said Speer.

NEW From page 1

From page 1

and staff were devastated upon hearing news of his passing last Tuesday in an email sent

by LMC retiree president Richard Livingston.

“He was very active in the life of the college and was crucial in the establishment of our Puente program,” said Livingston.

During his life as an English professor, Gonzalez was the coordinator and “founding father,” instrumental in bringing the Puente problem in the mid-1980s. He was the organizer for the AVANCE program at LMC. In 2004, Gonzalez was awarded the Stanback-Stroud Award. Named after the former Academic Senate President Regina Stanback-Stroud, the award is granted by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges to honor faculty members who have made special contributions addressing issues involving diversity.

In his acceptance comments, Gonzalez stated that his philosophy – and ultimately his commitment – was that students come first.

English Professor Nancy Ybarra, who has taught since 1980, believes it was his “complete and utter dedication” and “150% commitment” to