Professor adds nuance
Ensembles collaborate
Mustangs tied for first
Noel finds a second life in academia after pro-basketball career ends in injury — page 3
The LMC Concert Band and Hillview Jr. High School Band put on a show in the Recital Hall — page 4
LMC baseball wins by five against Laney College in away game — page 5
V O L .
8 4 ,
N O .
F.Y.I. Important Dates April is Alcohol Awareness Month April 15
Last day to submit Early Fall 2016 Graduation Application
April 29
Last day to drop with a W appearing on transcript
8
F R I D A Y ,
A P R I L
8 ,
2 0 1 6
L M C E X P E R I E N C E . C O M
Changing chancellors Skinner appointed to state role By ADRIA WATSON
awatson@lmcexperience.com
The California Community College Board of Governors appointed Deputy Chancellor Erik Skinner as Acting Chancellor. Skinner is temporarily replacing the recently-retired Brice W. Harris until they can find a permanent Chancellor. According to the “Meet the Chancellor” page on the chancellor’s office website, Skinner joined the Chancellor’s office in 2007 when he was appointed as Vice Chancellor for College Finance and Facilities Planning. He also represented the
community college system in the state budget process. Skinner was promoted in 2013 to Deputy Chancellor. In this role, he oversaw and coordinated Academic Affairs, Student Services and Special Programs, Economic Development and Workforce Preparations, and College Finance and Facility Planning. “Erik Skinner brings valuable knowledge, skill and proven experience to the role of Acting Chancellor,” said CCC Board of Governors President Geoffrey Baum in a March 21 press release from the Chancellor’s office.
“He is a respected leader and the Board of Governors is confident in his ability to guide the California Community Colleges and Chancellors’ office during this transition,” Brice Harris Erik Skinner Baum continued. The board will be awarding Harris with the honorary title of Chancellor “Brice Harris has been an Emeritus of the California Commu- extraordinary leader...” nity Colleges. He will be returning to retirement after more than four “Erik Skinner brings valuable decades in high education. Harris previously retired in 2012 knowledge, skill and proven after spending 16 years as Chancellor experience to the role.” of the Los Rios Community College — Geoffrey Baum See BOARD, page 6
College to take part in survey
Get ready to Walk on Water The East Bay MESA Alliance will be holding its Walk on Water Competition Saturday, April 16. The competition involves teams designing floating shoes to be used in an attempt to cross the length of the LMC swimming pool by walking on the surface of the water. Entries are due prior to noon Wednesday, April 13. For more information visit http://eastbaymesaalliance.com/2016/01/22/ walk-on-water-mesa-competition.
Retention to be focal point By MICHAEL MARTINEZ Staff Writer
Experience • Christian Ruiz
Layla Barfield, whose uncle was a soldier killed in Afghanistan, donates money to restore the Vietnam War era helicopter on display during the anniversary celebration in the Outdoor Quad Thursday, March 31.
Vietnam veterans honored
Apply now for aide position Police Services is searching for applicants for an available position as a police aide on campus. Those interested in the position must have a G.P.A. of at least 2.0 and be currently enrolled in a minimum of six semester units. For more info and to download the application, visit 4cd.net/crpa/pd.
A reason for celebration LMC’s DSPS has scheduled several disability awareness events and celebrations this semester at both the Brentwood and Pittsburg campuses. This coming week, three speakers will come to LMC to discuss specific topics regarding disability awareness. April 12 LMC will host Michelle Hernandez, and April 13 Jason Watkins and Diego Kusnir. For mor information go to the DSPS center in the new Student Services building.
Anniversary recognized By ADRIA WATSON
awaston@lmcexperience.com
Los Medanos College hosted the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Celebration to recognize those who fought or had a role in the war. The event had free food for the veterans, a presentation of special congressional recognition to LMC for recognizing the Anniversary, a Proclamation from President Obama presented by college president Bob Kratochvil, and an award ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans. A UH-1H helicopter, or “Huey,” was present at the event. The US Department of Veteran Affairs, Concord
Veteran Center, and AMVETS Post 26 sponsored the helicopter at the event. The iconic aircraft — used for 50 years by the U.S. Air Force, Army and other branches — was available for students to take pictures with. The Concord Veteran’s Center contacted LMC Veterans Group member Tito Ramos about the occasion, who then worked with the group to plan the commemoration. Ramos said when he found out there are veterans on the LMC staff, he hoped this event would be great for them and the students to come out and celebrate.
Experience • Christian Ruiz
Natalie Hannum (right) readies a camera as veteran Frank Dorritie poses with Dean Nancy Ybarra. “I know we have vets that are teachers, faculty and staff. Lots stay in hiding because of how they were seen after coming back home from war,” said Ramos. “Some students didn’t realize they were being
taught by vets.” Multiple community organizations for veterans were present and people could come and ask them questions and learn about the war and See VETS, page 6
Los Medanos College will take part in a national survey known as the Community College Sur vey of Student Engagement this semester. The sur vey will assist the college in identifying the areas in which it can improve its programs. Diablo Valley College and Contra Costa College will be participating in the survey as well. “The survey will be administered in classes randomly selected by the Center, to ensure a representative sample and to preserve the integrity of the survey results,” LMC President Bob Kratochvil wrote in an email sent out to LMC staff and faculty. According to the CCSSE website, it was founded in 2001 to gather information about student engagement at community colleges. Its focal point has been in providing community colleges with survey data to raise student learning and retention. In 2003, the center was able to institute national benchmarks that allowed community colleges to gauge their performance among a state and national level. The sur vey is typically administered during the spring semester and “asks about institutional and student behaviors that are highly correlated with student learning and retention,” according to See INFO, page 6
Celebrating Cesar Chavez Seven awarded for their own local contributions By SARAH D. GONZALES
sgonzales@lmcexperience.com
Experience • Sarah Gonzales
Drama instructor Nick Garcia speaks during the ceremony in the Recital Hall Friday, April 1.
Seven members of the college and local community were honored April 1 at Los Medanos College’s annual Celebration of The Life of César Chávez. The recognition awards were presented to individuals who have contributed to East Contra Costa County in ways that embodied Chávez’s core beliefs — service to others, sacrifice, helping the most needy, determination, non-violence, acceptance of all people, respect for life and the environment, celebrating community, knowledge and innovation — and mirrored his dedication
and service to the community. LMC drama professor Nick Garcia was presented with an LMC Educator Award for his involvement and commitment to his students. “There are three things that drama does,” said LMC counselor Marco Godinez, who introduced Garcia at the ceremony, “One, it makes you laugh. It brings emotion to your life – your spirit. The second, it makes you think… The third thing that drama does, it makes you cry. Those three elements is what makes us human. These are things that move people, that create people. Nick Garcia embraces this… Every time I hear students speak of Nick, they love him. The word of love comes in. They respect him. They honor him…” Garcia has been at LMC since 2009 and is well liked by students and colleagues alike. He See LIFE, page 6