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ohlone college Vol. XLII No. 1
The “B” Side By MANIKA CASTERLINE Editor-in-Chief
“Going downhill” I am beginning to think that the older I become, the more I’m pushing against the nature of things changing, or rather, the idea that I no longer have control over the rate at which my surroundings are evolving. The phrase that I've been hearing lately is the claim that Ohlone is “going downhill.” The harshest criticism lately has been towards President Gari Browning, whether it is uttered in public or behind closed doors. Morale isn't high and individuals are not necessarily happy about the direction she has chosen to take. She hasn't exactly gone above and beyond when it comes to campaigning for Measure G. In fact in the context of political field work, volunteer work is rarely paid. She should not be the rare exception. Ohlone's reputation in our immediate community hinges upon the diversity in students, faculty and administration who happen to all be united here. Unfortunately, this incident tarnishes the college as a whole and the perception will be that while we preach the “Ohlone way” we don't practice it. I also personally don't appreciate the lack of transparency from our administration or how after the fact gender pay inequality was invoked by several board members as a justification. It is disrespectful to us and outright appalling that our administration believes that this conduct is even remotely acceptable. This incident blatantly runs contrary to what the Ohlone way is: the idea that for better or for worse we all face challenges as well as triumphs together.
ohlonemonitoronline.com Fremont, California
January 24, 2011
Security officer’s death stuns campus By MANIKA CASTERLINE Editor-in-Chief
Campus Security Officer Stewart Randal Dawson died unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 28. Officer Dawson has worked at Ohlone as a campus security officer since August 19 2002. He was born on July 27th. 1976 at the Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto and grew up in Fremont. After graduating from Mission High School in 1994, Dawson went on to complete
an associate degree in Administration of Justice from Ohlone College. Chief of Ohlone campus police, Steve Osawa informed the faculty and administration of the death in an email that said “It is with deepest sadness and sense of grief that I inform you that Stewart Dawson died last evening by taking his own life.” Dawson leaves behind his parents, Cathy and Chuck Dawson. He also is survived by his stepmother Trish and sister Christiana Brands.
Photo courtesy Campus Security Stewart Dawson was a lifelong resident of Fremont and an Ohlone College alumnus.
Tribute To Stewart Dawson
tact with after just one or No matter where people two times. He would even went, Stewart knew someremember people he saw on body. Stewart Dawson was not television. He would see someone Friends teased him sev- across the parking lot and just an employee at Ohlone, he was a great friend and eral times for his ability to say, “Hey, I know him. I’ll considered a brother to remember things so quickly be right back.” and clearly even if several some. He would start talking to Dawson was very genuine- years had passed by. the person he recognized ly caring, funny, extremely smart and loved all people and especially animals. Dawson had this amazing ability to make people feel they were special whenever they talked to him. He was there to lend an ear if someone needed to talk and would go out of his way to protect them if he saw they were being treated unfairly. Dawson could also make many laugh by changing the lyrics to songs to make them fit a particular situation and could recite his version of movie quotes at a moment’s notice. At times, he would make people laugh at his own expense and he didn’t seem to mind that because he knew he was making them happy. It is not surprising he was extremely loved, even to the Photo courtesy Campus Security point of many considering him a close friend in a short Campus Security officer, Stewart Dawson, at period of time. work patrolling Ohlone Fremont campus. Dawson was also extremely smart. By his own admission, he had a photographic Whenever I would make a even if the person didn’t rememory, which comes in very helpful in the law en- comment about his memory, member him, but he would he would always say that I carry on the conversation forcement field. He would remember ve- could have his type of mem- until that person finally rehicles, license plates or ory if I practiced hard, but I membered him. persons he came into con- am still unable to achieve it. We would always joke By GWENETH MURPHY Safety Officer
around by saying, “Who doesn’t he [Stewart] know?” because he truly knew just about everyone. His love for animals was bigger than anything else. If there was a creature roaming around the campus (it didn’t matter which campus it was), he could tell people everything about it. Dawson had no problems handling tarantulas because he said they were really gentle creatures and that at one point, he had one as a pet. Dawson also had no problems dealing with cranes, rattlesnakes, ducks, squirrels, deer, horses, bats or cows to name a few. With each animal he came into contact with, those around him got a lesson about the animal even if they hadn’t requested the “extra” knowledge. I had nicknamed him “Nature Boy” because of all these things. He took pride when I would call him by that name, especially after the animal lesson of the day. It is rare to find someone like Stewart and this little tribute does not pay justice to the type of person he was. For that, we would need the entire newspaper. We all are lucky if we meet just one “Stew” in our lifetime because he was a person of true genuineness and love. We were lucky to have had him be part of our lives because he was truly, bigger than life.