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Alternative Fuels Program Spotlights Veggie Cars

For three years, Instructor Mark Armstrong has been developing an Alternative Fuels Program to identify creative fuel options. Focusing on the use of multiple fuels versus only “one big replacement," Mark’s advanced class held an open house on May 21 displaying diverse alternative fuel projects. Students built vehicles that “go from point A to point B fueled on plant-based veggie oil and plant-based alcohol, i.e., French fry grease and fermented grape juice,” Mark says. “This fuel has the potential of being the fastest, the cleanest, the cheapest, the most adaptable, and by far the most plentiful. This fuel is electricity.”

At the open house students’ veggie car conversions running on veggie fuel were displayed. Discussions were held about how ethanol fuel (rotten grapes) can turn pistons and how water/alcohol injection works as a cooling agent to counteract the temperature-increase in super high fuel efficient motors. Guests and media reps experienced firsthand how the Alternative Fuel fulfills its motto: “We teach and help you build a better machine using a better fuel.” The North Bay Electric Automobile Association also met on May 21 to drive the alternative “electrical fuel” point home. Electric Vehicles (EV) owners plugged into the Trade Tech building for a “fuel off” from newly installed solar panels on Trade Tech’s roof, essentially fueling up free. Click here to explore more.

Saldana-Talley Selected VP/Ex Dean Petaluma Campus

On July 11, Dr. Jane Saldaña-Talley, Ph.D. assumed the position of Vice President / Executive Dean of SRJC’s Petaluma Campus. Saldaña-Talley received a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of California, Davis/California State University, Fresno joint doctoral program, and bachelors and master’s degrees in Psychology from California State University, Fresno. Since 2002 she has served as Vice President of Administrative Services at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, Arizona, and was formerly Dean of College Planning and Budget at Modesto Junior College where she also was Dean of Allied Health/Family and Consumer Sciences and an adjunct Psychology faculty. She served as Vice President for Student Services at Columbia College in Sonora, and Director of Research and Planning for the Yosemite Community College District. She was also employed by the California Department of Education and Research in Sacramento, Fresno County Office of Education, University of California, California State University, and an urban K-12 school district.

Student Newspaper Oak Leaf Receives Awards

At the statewide Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC) convention in Sacramento, nine Oak Leaf editors and staff members accompanied by Faculty Advisor Ann Belden competed in on-the-spot competitions and attended journalism-related workshops. Competing with 700 students from 55 community colleges, the Oak Leaf staff returned with top awards.

Oak Leaf Cartoonist Max Scoville won first place in on-the-spot editorial cartooning. Former Oak Leaf Writer and current Journalism 2 student Mallorie Kerrigan won a second place in the opinion story category for her first-person article on the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol, and, as a result, the San Francisco Chronicle printed Mallorie Kerrigan’s article. Oak Leaf Editor William Cooley won honorable mention for front page layout. Photo Editor Jared Wallace won an honorable mention for a feature profile photo he took of Administration of Justice Instructor Michael Meese. At the conference, Oak Leaf Editor William Cooley was also elected Student President of the JACC. As Student President, William will travel to four quarterly meetings as the only student representative on the board, serving as “the voice” for nearly all of the community college journalists in California. The student designed online Oak Leaf now resides at www.theoakleafonline.com.

Bear Cubs Finish in “Top Ten”

SRJC’s Physical Education, Dance & Athletics Department finished in the “Top Ten” at the annual Pepsi Challenge standings. The Bear Cubs held the number ten spot just behind Long Beach City College. Orange Coast College won the national championship, followed by Sierra College in second place and Fresno City College in third. In the top ten, there were four colleges from the Big 7 Conference, making the conference the toughest in the state! Sac City (7th) and American River (8th) joined Sierra and Santa Rosa in the top ten. Congratulations to the many student-athletes, coaches, and supporters of the following Bear Cub teams who contributed points toward the final standings:
Football - Coach Keith Simons
Women’s Cross Country - Coach Pat Ryan
Men’s Soccer - Coach Marty Kinahan
Women’s Volleyball - Coach Kelly Wood
Men’s Water Polo - Coach James Graham
Men’s Wrestling - Coach Jake Fitzpatrick
Men’s Basketball - Coach Craig McMillan
Men’s Golf - Coach Dave Herrington
Men’s & Women’s Swim - Coach Jill McCormick
Men’s & Women’s Tennis - Coach Jay Samonte

Culinary Instructors Featured New Lifestyle Web Site

Culinary expert Bea Beasley and wine expert Betsy Fischer, both Culinary Arts Instructors, are featured columnists of www.50Fabulous.com, a unique Web site giving 50+ women access to information tailored to their lives as they transition through the baby boom generation to midlife.

Bea Beasley writes about easy-to-prepare, nutritious foods and effortless cooking and entertaining ideas for the 50+ woman. She focuses on her passion for her craft in a column titled “For the Love of It” and highlights some of her favorite foods in “The Fascinating, Fabulous Fig”. This spring, Beasley introduced a new course to the Culinary Arts Program at SRJC, Special Event Catering, offering students information to plan and organize off-premise catering.

Betsy Fischer writes a monthly wine column with a nod to the evolution of the California wine industry. “We’ve Come a Long Way, Wine Lovers” looks back at Fischer’s first involvement with wine in the 1970s and how wine’s role in American life has dramatically changed. In “Red Wine on the Rocks” Fischer says “I’ll take my red wine slightly chilled” as she advocates enjoying wine in whatever non-traditional ways works for her readers. Betsy co-host the twice-monthly Food and Wine Fridays at the SRJC Culinary Arts Center and has introduced a new spring class, Restaurant Operations. She is planning a new SRJC Center for Culinary and Hospitality Career Advancement.

EMC High School Pilot Successful

This spring SRJC’s Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Program launched an innovative pilot that offered a “First Responder” college class to high school students at four Sonoma County high schools, including Sonoma Valley, Rancho Cotati, Analy, and Windsor. Nearly 100 juniors and seniors committed 18 weeks to take the course, meeting for three hours weekly after school. Utilizing both lecture and hands-on instruction, “First Responder” teaches CPR and Advanced First Aid Training, an entry-level requirement for public safety and medical careers. The four “First Responder” classes were taught by eight SRJC instructors who formed two-member EMC teams. Participating students earned two units of college credit and a Certificate of Completion. “The First Responder classes open the college door for many high school students who also learn about the college enrollment process, financial aid opportunities, and the broad resources offered at SRJC,” says Ken Bradford, EMC Program Director. The pilot was so successful it will be offered again in spring 2008, again with funds partially funded by a VTEA grant. For more information, EMC Program at 836-2907 or eozols@santarosa.edu.

Online BOT Classes Make A Difference

SRJC is a leader in developing online learning for students, and currently offers 312 online courses in over 73 disciplines each semester. According to BOT Instructor Carole Bennett, Business Office Technology offers 43 different courses online, noting that students take online classes for many reasons, including inflexible work schedules, family care issues, disabilities, travel requirements, parking frustrations, or lack of transportation. SRJC student Angela Rodriguez emphasizes that the value of SRJC’s online instruction: “I am a 26 year old working mother currently working toward my Assistant Bookkeepers Certificate. Taking Business English will greatly improve my writing and verbal communications skills. As I gain confidence in both areas, I will continue my current goal of expanding my knowledge of the business world. I’ve taken seven online courses, which has been a fun experience. If there weren’t as many opportunities offered by SRJC, I could not continue my education beyond the high school diploma. I am very thankful to SRJC for extending their services to groups of people who would otherwise have few options.”

Forensic Team Earns State & National Medals

SRJC’s Forensics Team returned from the California Community College Forensics Association's State Championship Tournament with the teams’ four students receiving state medals galore! Hosted by Moorpark College in Woodland Hills, the competition saw Bear Cub Barrick Arnold lead the way with four medals, earning gold in extemporaneous speaking, silver in impromptu speaking, and a bronze in both L-D debate and Team debate. Adam Bauxbaum earned a gold medal in L-D debate and bronze medals in team debate. Kris Spellman won three bronze medals in extemporaneous speaking, L-D debate, and team debate. First semester team member Devin Wilson earned a bronze medal in team debate. In addition, in the limited entry division made up of programs entering 16 slots (five students or less, SRJC’s team won first place by a very large margin. Forensic Coach and Instructor Mark Nelson adds that the team attended the National Championship Tournament in Houston, Texas in April, and earned a silver medal in the overall standings for limited entries (five students or less). The team was led by Barrick Arnold who earned a gold medal in extemporaneous speaking and a bronze medal in impromptu speaking.

Welcome Dean Forkum!

At the March 13 Board of Trustees meeting, SRJC welcomed James Forkum, the new Dean of Physical Education, Dance and Athletics/Athletic Director. Dean Forkum’s start date is not yet established, but it will be during the spring semester. He is currently completing the research phase of a dissertation for a Ph.D. in Education at Capella University. Dear Forkum comes to SRJC from Sierra College in Rocklin where he served for nine years in various capacities, including: Department Chair, Health/PE/Recreation Management and Athletics; Men’s Tennis Coach; Men’s Basketball Coach, and numerous committee positions across the college. Before joining the Sierra College staff, James was employed full time in secondary, community college, and four-year college positions. He received a B.A. in history and physical education from Cal Baptist University in Riverside and a master’s degree in education and athletic administration from Azusa Pacific University. Welcome to SRJC Dean Forkum!

Dean Farkas Joins SRJC

Abe Farkas joined SRJC’s staff in June as the new Dean III, Curriculum and Educational Support Services. For the last seven years he served as a Dean of Academic Affairs at West Los Angeles College in Culver City where his key responsibilities included overseeing the production of the college catalog and schedule of classes, enrollment management, and faculty assignments for 65 percent of the college’s academic disciplines to oversight of the community services and noncredit programs. Abe also served as Vocational Education Dean responsible for the VTEA and Tech Prep programs and new program development. Before his service as a dean, he was a tenured member of the college’s Business Division, including division chair. Credentialed to teach in accounting, law, real estate, and business, Abe is a member of the California BAR and a real estate broker. He has also served as Fiscal Administrator at Pierce College, West Los Angeles College, and Los Angeles Metropolitan College’s Overseas Program. He holds a B.A. from New York’s Brooklyn College and a juris doctorate from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.

SRJC Welcomes Dean Benoit

Tyra Benoit joined SRJC’s staff in July as the new Dean I of the Arts, Humanities, Behavioral and Social Sciences cluster. Ty holds a B.A. and an M.A. in history from California State University, Chico. For the last 19 years she taught history at Butte College and most recently served as Butte’s Chair of the Communication Studies, Humanities and Performing Arts Department. She was the Accreditation Self-Study Chair for Butte College in 2002, wrote and managed a variety of diversity and bilingual education grant, and was an early adopter of technology-mediated instruction. A recipient of two Fulbright Scholarships and two NEH grants, Ty has been heavily involved in international education and coordinated Study Abroad efforts. In 2001, she received the Stanback-Stroud Diversity Award from the Statewide Academic Senate.

Healthcare Workforce Development Program Awarded State Grant

On January 25, the California Endowment Foundation awarded the SRJC Healthcare Workforce Development Program a grant in the amount of $373,313 to continue “To promote interest in the health professions and create opportunities to pursue health careers for a diverse population in Sonoma County.” The program’s advisory body, The Sonoma County Healthcare Workforce Development Roundtable, was established in 2001, a consortium of over 30 health-care providers, high schools, the Sonoma County Office of Education, post-secondary education institutions, local government, and community based organizations. This group enables local youth from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue education leading to careers in health care. The new funds will also develop the Pipeline Prep Program for college students, an effort that’s similar to the successful Summer Health Careers Institute for high school students.

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