Time for tea
Familiar face on campus
The pain of the game
Artist Kalee Kennedy transforms her imagination into reality through working with ceramics — page 5
Student Giancarlo Smargiasso opens up about his personal life and discusses his unique image — page 6
While sports injuries are commonly associated with male athletes, female injuries are more frequent — page 8
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F.Y.I. Important Dates
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L M C E X P E R I E N C E . C O M
Leaving with a legacy
Price to retire after 43 years
May is National Water Safety Month
By DAMIAN LEWIN
dlewin@lmcexperience.com
May 23 to 27 Final exams
May 30
Memorial Day: college is closed
Experience • Cathie Lawrence
Appliance Service Technology instructor Leonard Price lectures a group of his students.
Facing the “hardest decision” he has made in his 43 years of teaching at Los Medanos College, Appliance Ser vice Technology instructor Leonard “Len” Price has decided to retire at the end of the 2015-16 school year. While plans to travel the United States are already set for the founding faculty member, he stated his absence from LMC is only temporary. “I am planning to come back as a volunteer in the appliance
program,” said Price. “I have a group of volunteer aides that have made the appliance program work. I plan to be on call as substitute teacher when needed in the appliance program.” Hired by the college’s first president, Jack Carhar t in March 1973, Price was one of only three faculty members to begin instructing at the new college in its first semester in the spring of 1974. Along with automotive instructor Mike Miller and welding instructor
Dunking for charity Finals week at LMC is Monday, May 23, through Friday, May 27. Make-up finals will be scheduled on Friday only with advanced instructor consent. To find the examination time for a particular class, locate the day and class meeting time on the top chart and note the letter in the time slot. Evening final examinations end Thursday, May 26, during the regularly scheduled class time.
Renewal used to raise GPAs By ADRIA WATSON
awatson@lmcexperience.com
Personalizing for graduation LMC is teaming up with Jostens to offer personalized graduation announcements for the May 27 event. For more info visit www.college. jostens.com.
ALLIES ends year with party Experience • Chris Ruiz
LMC President Bob Kratochvil reacts to the cold water after being one of many individuals who was “dunked” during Pantry Project’s two-day Dunk Tank Fundraiser in the Outdoor Quad Wednesday, May 11.
Graduation approaches Class of ’16 prepares to participate in spring ceremony By ALEXANDRA RIVA ariva@lmcexperience.com
Apply now for aide position
Police Services is searching for applicants as a police aide on campus. For more info on the requirements needed for the position and to download the application, visit 4cd. net/crpa/pd.
See PRICE, page 7
Students getting a second chance
Spring finals upcoming
The LMC ALLIES club will be having a Pre-Pride Party May 18 from 3 to 7 p.m. on the field in front of the Math Building. The event will also serve as an end-of-the-semester celebration with a Holi throwing and a water balloon fight. Tickets are $4 or $6 for a ticket and a shirt.
Bob Sysum, the trio began laying the foundation for the newest Bay Area community college. “There were no telephones or supervisors on campus, just bare walls and few students,” said Price as he described the dif ficulty of there being no additional support for the new faculty. “We had to build our courses from the ground up, which was a great challenge, and I kept saying to myself ‘do you really want to do this.’” After more than four decades
After work comes reward at Los Medanos College, where another class will partake in the graduation ceremony Friday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the college’s football stadium. “Graduation is one of the best examples of student
success,” said LMC President Bob Kratochvil in an email. “ Our graduating students have worked hard in their academic endeavors, and the commencement ceremony is a sensational way of celebrating their accomplishments.” Before the big day, there are a few things those moving
on should be informed of including proper attire and times, all of which will be covered at Student Success Ceremony on May 20 at 3 p.m., in the Recital Hall (Room MU-720). A cap and gown must be purchased before the ceremony and clothing worn
underneath should be comfortable. Students can pick up their cap, gown and tassel from the LMC Bookstore for $16.80, plus tax. Keep in mind, high heels are not allowed on the track and those wearing them will be asked to change. See GRAD, page 6
The Academic Renewal Policy states students can petition to get “D” or “F” grades eliminated from their grade point average. This allows some schools to disregard below average grades that may not reflect a student’s academic performance. According to school policy, students must complete at least 20 consecutive units with no grade below a “C” before applying for Academic Renewal. If the renewal is approved, the student will have a note on their transcript saying that Academic Renewal was used. Los Medanos College Dean of Student Success David Belman said having this policy is beneficial for students and that he has only ever heard positive things about what it has done for students. “Many students express that they struggle with college at some point in their academic journey,” said Belman. “This policy provides them with an opportunity to demonstrate their growth and development as they progress.” Belman added that it is important that any student who is considering petitioning for Academic Renewal should first meet with a counselor and then the Admissions and Records Office so that students can be fully informed about the process and can make the best decision for their situation. Additional procedures require students to obtain a college counselor’s approval within the district. They See GPA, page 10
LMC helps ‘Rock the Vote’ Clubs hold event to promote elections By ADRIA WATSON
awatson@lmcexperience.com
Students gathered in the Outdoor Quad Thursday, May 5 for Rock the Vote to make a bold statement about the importance of going out to vote during the upcoming primary and presidential elections. Members from Los Medanos College Honors and Transfer Program, Alpha Gama Sigma (AGS), Club Leo and Debate Society got together to help run the event. Booths
were set-up with voter registration papers for students who may not have gone out to register yet but had the chance to do so on the spot. In promotion for it, the club members were giving out hot dogs and beverages to those who were registered prior to the event. “We lure them with the hot dogs,” joked LMC Honors and Transfer Program member Matt Sutton. Debate Society Fundraiser Coordinator Israel Castro-Cortez said that Rock the Vote Experience • Beatriz Hernandez is a nice little end of the year activity to let students know that voting matters and to Student Taylor Gonzales prepares grilled items that were See VOTE, page 6
available during the “Rock the Vote” event Thursday, May 5.