thecollegian Issue 1 • Friday, Sept. 12, 2014 • deltacollegian.net
INSIDE
Student instructor wanted for fraud By Vorani Khoonsrivong news@deltacollegian.net
Delta falls in opener 31-21 PAGE 7
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A Delta College employee is under warrant for grand theft and embezzlement. McKinzie Heavenly Harrison, also known as McKinzie Croney, worked for the college’s Culinary Arts Department where she allegedly took a total of $4,555.33 on nine occasions
between May 3 and June 4. According to Delta police, Harrison was struggling with financial problems and needed more money. She discovered she could use a credit card terminal on campus and falsely “refunded” funds from prepaid VISA cards onto her personal debit card. At one point, Harrison took more than $400 during one
transaction, according to campus police Officer Geff Greenwood. “I don’t think she is bad person, it just seemed like she was in a difficult family position,” says Greenwood. Harrison was previously quoted in another article from last December’s issue of the Collegian involving another incident regarding the Culinary Arts De-
partment where an unnamed thief broke into the cafeteria kitchen in Danner Hall and stole $87 dollars on two occasions, along with packages of meat and Gatorade. To prevent an incident such as this from happening again, Greenwood recommended businesses have frequent audit checks.
See FRAUD, Page 8
'BRIGHT LIGHT' GONE TOO SOON
By Alexis Bustamante
alexisbustamante1995@gmail.com
Stockton celebrates Beer Week PAGE 4
Apps to make the college experience better PAGE 6
UPCOMING ASDC is accepting items for its Food Drive through Oct. 31 Symphony Pops: Cirque la Symphonie, Sept. 13-14, Delta Center for the Arts
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When Dr. Alhaji Gonzales talks about his son Abdul Juana, he does so with a mixture of pride and yearning. Pride because he has a print out of all his son’s academic achievements dating back to 2002. The last one on the list, a $500 scholarship, came in the mail on Aug. 19. But there’s yearning because Juana died on July 30 in a drowning accident his family calls suspicious. The Delta College chemistry student was hoping to become a doctor. He saw the community college as the first step on his career path. Juana, a 2012 graduate of Weston Ranch High School in Stockton, impacted a lot of people on Delta campus including friends, counselors and professors. Those who knew him said Juana impacted even people he met briefly. Juana was an active member of Delta’s Chemistry Club. “Abdul was a bright light
that everyone needs in their life ... “I'll always remember how hard he’s tried in everything from coming to school at five in the morning to use Delta ‘WIFI’ to finish his homework since he didn’t have ‘WIFI’ at home,” said Chemistry Club President Gabriella Muneras. Juana’s death is a loss to the community as well. Even though Juana had a hectic school schedule, stayed late and came early, he still made time to give back to his community by volunteering at St. Joseph Medical Center. “He was caring, had a sense of humor and always ready to assist other students in terms of need,” according to the handout from his memorial service, which described the “star” student. Services were held for the student Sept. 6 in Stockton. “I have never in my life faced something like the death of my son,” said Gonzales. Gonzales said the family is still mourning the loss, especially because of the nature of
his son’s death. Gonzales said Juana had never been in any swimming pool before the accident. In an on-campus interview, Gonzales showed printouts of what was to be his son’s demanding schedule for this semester, including an organic chemistry course. The pain will be there forever, Gonzales said. In a memoir Juana wrote entitled “Unforgettable Event in My Life,” he detailed his life while surviving in a politically unstable area in Sierra Leone. “Gonzales made his move to Stockton from Africa solely so that he could be a support to his son, Abdul, in his pursuit of studies in the medical field,” said Sheila Johnson, an International student counselor and a former professor of Gonzales, in an email interview. Juana and his father were International students. The college, said Gonzales, has given the family so much. He is “thankful” for everything.
COURTESY OF THE CHEMISTRY CLUB
Death of chemistry student, scholar called supicious by family
ABDUL JUANA: Enjoying life and showing a presentation to fellow students last spring.
Highly respected professor dies while on tour in Italy By Sven Jacobson news@deltacollegian.net
“Energetic, positive, professional.” That’s how Kathleen Bruce, director of forensics and associate professor at San Joaquin Delta College, describes recently deceased friend and colleague Germán Águilar. Germán Andrés Águilar, director of choral and vocal activities at Delta College, died of a
heart attack on June 7, 2014. Águilar was on a three-week tour with California State University Long Beach’s Bob Cole Conservatory Chamber Choir when he collapsed on stage in Florence, Italy. He was 34 years old. “I thought he was a great teacher, who could really relate to his students, and find a way to give them the push they needed…,” said Eric Wombaugh, a former student of Águilar’s.
“He was always available and always open to talk,” Wombaugh said. “About anything, not just with me, but even more so with his vocal students.” On campus, Águilar conducted three choirs, taught courses in music history, theory, and musical theatre, along with coordinating the applied music program. Águilar also founded the Valley Youth Chamber Choir and had recently had been confirmed
as the new artistic director of the Stockton Chorale. “Germán was indeed one of the finest choral directors and teachers Delta College has had the privilege to work with. He touched the lives of students, faculty, staff and the community in a most profound way. You could never forget his joyful smile, his artistry and love for his work. As Germán directed
See PROFESSOR, Page 8