A 2011 General Excellence Newspaper — Journalism Association of Community Colleges
HOW SAFE IS LPC’S DRINKING WATER? SEE NEWS, PAGE 2
TheExpress December 6, 2013 (Vol. 25 No. 11)
A Weekly First Amendment Student Newspaper
First copy FREE; additional copies 50 cents each
NEW MAN IN CHARGE
Barry Russell takes the reins as LPC’s newest president
TRISTAN PICO/THE EXPRESS
Bekka Wiedenmeyer
“Getting to know people’s names. Names are always a challenge. I wish everybody had a name tag. I’ve got mine down,” he joked. Nov. 25, 2013, marked the offi-
them of his impending arrival. This e-mail wasn’t intended to MANAGING EDITOR elicit a greeting of pomp and cirAt 8 a.m., he entered the presicumstance, but so that he could let dential suite with a dozen boxes, people know ahead of time who prepared to get set up as soon the man in the suit was walking as possible to around, personalize the introducoffice and make “I thought him very approachable. He focused on me ing himself it his own. He to students and I was able to focus on him. I can’t wait to see how wanted to make and facsure he also had he fills those shoes.” ulty. time that day to “It’s a -Karen Zeigler walk around Las beautiPositas College, ful camintroducing himself to people so cial arrival of new Las Positas pus, and everyone has been so that he wasn’t just known as “the College President Barry Russell welcoming,” Russell said. “(It’s a) man in the suit.” He also wanted on campus. Replacing interim great day to come and visit.” to get a taste of campus life before president Dr. Janice Noble, he will Russell has already had a heading over to the District Office be heading LPC in a permanent chance to meet several people to speak with the chancellor and position and aiding the faculty around campus, including viticultake care of business. and staff of LPC and the district ture and science faculty. His first order of action, how- with essential endeavors such as He was also able to visit the ever, was a little more accreditation. Transfer Center and the Disability casual. As of now, however, he is just Resource Center. focused on settling in and accli“I thought him very approachmating to LPC life. able. He focused on me and I was “I don’t plan on solving world able to focus on him. I can’t wait peace or any of that in the first to see how he fills those shoes,” week,” Russell said. “Maybe I’ll said alternative media technology do that next month.” specialist Karen Zeigler. Before arriving on campus, Russell sent out an e-mail to Russell, page 5 the entire campus notifying
Talk Hawks’ superior preparation paves path to success
TAMI SHEPHERD/THE EXPRESS
Men’s soccer in action against Ohlone College on Oct. 15.
Men’s soccer has best season since 1997 Martin Gallegos TRISTAN PICO/THE EXPRESS
Talk Hawks coach Tim Heisler demonstrates the range of student Josh Thompson’s characters.
Bekka Wiedenmeyer MANAGING EDITOR
The secret to the rampant success of the Talk Hawks isn’t genetics. It isn’t a special gift for speaking or some other intangible element. Instead, it’s a simple recipe. Not easy, but simple.
It begins with organization, but the foundation is hard work. Experienced coaches season the student debaters and they work on their craft in an environment made to feel like home. These students are a testament to the diligence of Las Positas College students.
STAFF WRITER
Having etched the school on the collegiate forensics map, the Talk Hawks are an example of what can be accomplished right here on campus. The best part? They’re just average students.
The best season for LPC soccer since 1997. That’s what the 2013 Hawks were able to achieve as they got back to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. Although they fell short of where they wanted to end up as they were eliminated in round two of the postseason, Head Coach Larry Aguiar says his team has nothing to be ashamed of. “Would we have liked to have done better? Yes,” Aguiar said. “But these guys put in a lot of hard work throughout the season and I’m proud of them.”
Talk Hawks, page 4
Soccer, page 7