FOCUSED ON PALOMAR
the telescope Monday, Aug. 22, 2011
Vol. 65, No. 1
Palomar College, San Marcos, Calif.
GOV. BOARD PASSES SMOKING BAN Joel Ramos The Telescope
Smoking is no longer allowed on Palomar College, the school’s governing board voted over the summer. At the governing board meeting July 12, Palomar College officials voted to pass the smoking ban proposed last semester. The new ban is effective immediately. Students
will not be cited for smoking on campus but will be given literature to help quit smoking. There will be more signs around campus reminding students that the campus is now smoke-free. turn to Smoke , PAGE 2
Palomar displays a new banner between the palm trees by the main entrance to the college visable from Mission Road announcing the ban. (Deb Hellman/The Telescope)
Palomar film student dies in car crash David Leonard The Telescope
A Palomar film student died in a fiery wreck after colliding with a construction vehicle over the summer. Spencer Smith, a 20-year-old Murrieta resident, died Aug. 2 from injuries sustained in a crash on Interstate 15 near the Old Highway (Spencer Smith/Facebook Page) 395 exit, according to a report from the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office. His sedan swerved into a stationary construction vehicle in a mid-afternoon collision and was quickly engulfed in flames. Smith attended film classes at Palomar for two years, his family said. He was described by friends as a budding filmmaker and versatile artist who also dabbled in music and drawing. Family and friends gathered earlier this month to remember Smith’s life. “What me and some others felt toward Spencer is truly unexplainable,” said longtime friend Adonay Pichardo. “It must be divine.” Pichardo, who attends an art college, starred in and helped produce many of Smith’s film projects. A reel of music videos, time-lapse landscape panoramas and goofy buddy-clips made by Smith and his group of friends, who work under the collective title Undermovie Productions, was played after the service. Joe Smith, Spencer’s father, said his son would have wanted his friends to carry on making movies and building Undermovie Productions into a Hollywood-caliber business. “That would be a great way to remember Spencer, to see that movie company take off,” Joe Smith said. Spencer Smith took his keys and left home stressed on Aug. 2, according to his father. His mother, Patty, received a late-afternoon call informing her of the crash. The wreck is under investigation by California Highway Patrol officers in Oceanside. “If he had a destination,” Pichardo said, “nobody knew.” Contact David Leonard, staff writer, at leonard@the-telescope.com
Finance V.P. moves to new district, leaves gap in admin ranks Sydnie Taylor The Telescope
After 20 years at Palomar College, Dr. Bonnie Ann Dowd plans to resign, effective Aug. 31. Dowd currently serves as Palomar’s Assistant Superintendent/Vice President Finance and Administrative Services. President Robert Deegan announced Dowd’s resignation in an email on July 11 to all employees. Dowd will be joining the San Diego
Community College District as the Executive Vice Chancellor for Business Services. “Her leadership and commitment have been integral to the College’s success and growth,” Deegan said in the email. “Her years as a faculty member have touched the lives of many students, as well as her colleagues.” Dowd is leaving Palomar because of her new opportunity at a multi-college district. “I have mixed emotions about leaving ... but I’m excited about the career opportunity,” she said.
The governing board has appointed an interim to take over Dowd’s position until they can permanently fill her place. Deegan sent out the job posting for Dowd’s replacement on Aug. 11. Dowd has served in her current position since January of 2006, where she took responsibility in overseeing the district’s fiscal services; business and contract services; information services; and facilities
go online (Melinda Finn/Palomar College)
turn to dowd , PAGE 2
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