Volume 116 Spring 2012 Roundup Issue 10

ʻAs if there was anyone more deservingʼ

Professor Richard Folle is named teacher of the year

Monica Velasquez

mvelasquez.roundupnews@gmail.com

All eyes are focused on a tall man with a teal shirt and a welcoming smile.

With only weeks left of school, all the chairs in Village 8409A are full.

He stands before his students, reminding them of what will be necessary for their English final, and available for any question his students may have.

Dr. Richard Follett has been chosen to be the 2012 Pierce College Emeriti Faculty Professor of the Year.

He shares a lot of his life with his students.

“I lay out my biases, the fact that I’m a Christian, an elder in my church, the fact that I’m gay [and] the fact that I was a drum major for the Michigan Marching Band,” Follett said.

This style of teaching has made Follett a popular teacher on campus.

“My composition courses usually fill up on the first day of registration, and my literature courses usually within the first few days, [which] demonstrates the students’ perception of the quality I’m offering,” Follett said.

He is an openly gay professor.

“I [come] out openly in class, which I do the first day,” Follett said. This is Follett’s fourth award over the 28 years that he has taught at Pierce.

He received the Board of Trustees Pierce College Outstanding Faculty Award in 1988, The Gerald C. Hayward Excellence in Education Award for the 1997-1998 school year and was the first recipient of the

Associated Students Organization Outstanding Teacher Award in 2007.

Follett has removed his name from nominations in the past, but this year things have changed.

The guidelines for the professor of the year award indicate that, to qualify, a professor must be currently teaching.

“I’m thinking of retirement in June 2013 or 2014,” Follett said.

This would make him ineligible for the award in the future.

Follett displays all of his awards in his office, but other things also make his office more personable.

Pictures of him singing and colorful rainbow signs are reminders that he has a life outside of teaching.

He remembers the year when Shelley Gerstl, then Dean of Admissions and Records, put a limit on waiting lists.

Over 200 hopeful students, of which 147 were on the wait list, were looking to add a class that was meant for 35.

One of his students, Dr. Clifton Justice, credits Follett as his mentor.

Justice first met Follett in the Fall of 1999 while taking Follett’s English class.

After 20 years of being out of school, Justice was taken back when

Follett reviled that he was gay.

“I was even more taken back because there was no reaction,” Justice said.

Justice completed his doctorate at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, according to Follett.

His dissertation is entitled: As a Gay Man,I: How One Literacy Worker’s Coming Out Changed a Campus Community. It focuses on Pierce College, as well as Follett, as pioneers when it comes to sexuality.

“I think he’s a pioneer, and I doubt you will see the likes of him again,” Justice said.

As a professor at California State University Channel Island, Justice still keeps in contact with his mentor.

But admits that they have a very different style of teaching.

“[Follett is] much more relaxed toward his sexuality,” Justice said. Follet continues to teach in a calm manner today. His class is very honest and nothing is off limits.

Topics such as marijuana, patriotism, and partying until 2 a.m. were all brought up during a recent lecture.

Kathleen Ross. a 53-year-old business law major, took Follet’s English 28, and remembers a few specifics from the class.

“Students are not allowed to swear, they’re not allowed to be disruptive in the class,” she said. “I wish more professors were like him,

in that sense.”

Even though Ross had Follett in the pass, she still thinks about him while she sits on his bench in the S. Mark Taper Foundation Life Science Botanic Garden.

The bench was dedicated to Follett by his family.

“All I wanted for Christmas was a bench,” Follett said.

Mia Wood, an assistant professor of philosophy, shares the same office space with Follett.

“We share a wall,” Wood said.

Wood, a self proclaimed “neat freak,” describes Follett as tidy, and recognizes his commitment to his students.

“I have had a standard policy of keeping all office hours religiously,”

Follet said.

He provides his students with his home telephone number for their use seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. despite of his colleagues’ advice, Follet said. With all the commitments that Follett has, he still portrays a sense of calmness.

“He is constantly a very steady person, and that makes for a very stable environment for students and colleagues,” Wood said.

Follett’s life has effected his style of teaching, and has inspired students through out the years.

Wood congratulates Follett, but is not surprised by the award.

“As if there was anyone more deserving,” Wood said.

President ponders possible plans for Pierce

Kathleen Burke-Kelly didn’t have too much trouble paying for her education when she was attending Glendale Community College.

“I don’t remember college being a huge expense,” she said. “The economy was still pretty good then. My parents paid zero dollars for my tuition.”

Dr. Burke-Kelly, Pierce College’s current president, acknowledges that it isn’t the same situation anymore after state support for community colleges has declined, consecutive cuts to the higher education budget has become almost routine, and tuition fees have steadily increased.

“You’re all clearly paying more than I was,” she said. “It’s as bad as I’ve ever seen. I didn’t think it would go this long.”

After this semester ends, BurkeKelly would have served the Pierce campus for two years.

As the leader of the Pierce campus, the pressure to deal with the immediate effects of the economic decline is significant.

“[The administrators] have a tremendous amount of responsibility

because we want to do what’s best for the students,” she said. “We want to give them all the choices at their disposal.”

This is one of the strengths Burke-Kelly possesses as a leader,

according to Tom Rosdahl, Academic Senate president.

“She has a very different leadership style from past presidents,” he said. “She’s willing to make decisions but would rather

committees make recommendations to her.”

However, college presidents in reality don’t have much control over the situation, according to BurkeKelly.

“We have very little power. We’re basically custodial in role, and we’re really moving forward recommendations as a college as a whole,” she said. “We keep an eye on the broader things. It’s really [the internal committees] that direct and advise decisions.”

When Burke-Kelly was first appointed college president by the Los Angeles Community College District, she aimed to “bring more awards, degrees and certificates,” according to a Roundup article published May 2010.

“The school has a strong history of dedication to student success and achievement,” she said.

Because of detrimental effects of the state’s fiscal situation on community colleges, however, Burke-Kelly faced difficulty in meeting her goal. For instance, each semester brings fewer classes.

“Statistically, the number [of degrees] is lower than that two years ago, but I really don’t have anything to compare it to,” she said.

She admits that the dire situation hasn’t been easy for her.

“We have to do [all of our planning] with less money,” she said. “It’s not easy. I very rarely get to say ‘yes’ to anything.”

Cheryl Smith, executive assistant to the office of the president, still feels that Burke-Kelly is doing her best with what she has.

“She’s doing her best to keep all the departments in mind [when deciding how to spread district budget cuts]. It’s not an easy job,” Smith, who has been working with Burke-Kelly since she started at Pierce, said.

One of Burke-Kelly’s main focuses during her term is preparing for the upcoming accreditation visit to the campus in 2013. The administration was able to create additional committees to assist with achieving standards for accreditation, according to Burke-Kelly.

“This year is a planning year. Everything we’re working on is not done yet,” she said. “Next year is going to be our implementation year.”

Still, the less-than-ideal situation surrounding community colleges doesn’t deter her from serving the campus. She currently has a threeyear contract with the district, but her term can be extended by the LACCD.

“This is my career. I do believe I have something to offer in terms of leadership,” she said. “It would be nice to be here [when things get better]. It’d be nice to say ‘yes’ for a change.”

Ava Weintraub

#1 teacher: Pierce College 2011-2012 Professor of the Year Dr. Richard Follet. He has been teaching at Pierce since 1984 and has won this award four times previously.

Jose Romero

President: Pierce College president Kathleen Burke-Kelly sits in the Presidentʼs office on May 14.

Lending a helping hand

Free programs and services on campus provide students with some much needed assistance

With the current budget crisis causing panic and anxiety among staff and students alike, support programs and free services on campus are needed more than ever.

Pierce College has done very well by its attendees in trying to retain programs that aid student life.

Unfortunately, budgetary issues have forced administration to cancel some of the programs that it has offered in the past, such as cuts in services provided at the Child Development and Job Centers.

However, the campus still offers various programs and services on campus that are very helpful such as the free shuttle bus and food trucks.

Pierce College has and continues to offer health services for the low fee of $10 per semester that would cost them so much more anywhere else. These services go from basic check ups to blood work. They even offer free condoms and tampons.

The Health Center, that is located in the second floor of the Student Services building, also hosts H.I.V. Awareness week, raising awareness and providing prevention methods.

This program is hosted once each semester, during which free H.I.V. testing is offered to anyone who attends.

Another part of this program involves classroom presentations by members of “Being Alive”, an organization that teaches what it’s like to live with H.I.V. and explains that living with H.I.V. is no longer a death sentence.

Pierce College also harbors the Campus Violence Response Team (CVRT). This committee’s purpose is to help staff and students who have been abused in any way.

Victims of abuse can visit any member of this committee that provides help by finding ways to put an end to abusive treatment as well as counseling in how to deal with their own feelings after such traumatizing events.

The CVRT team leader, Kathy Oborn, can be reached by email at obornkm@piercecollege.edu.

Through the CVRT comes educational events hosted at Pierce College such as the Clothesline Project that is conducted twice on campus each year.

The first of the two events is Domestic Violence Awareness month in October, and the second is Denim Day hosted in April.

This semester the CVRT added one additional event called Take Back the Night. This march had its first go around the block May 10.

Team members along with students and staff met at the bull statue in the middle of the Mall area and marched around the campus to raise awareness that nighttime is not safe for women.

events are hosted for students who have suffered from domestic violence or sexual abuse to let them know

Pierce College also offers career counseling to help students who are working toward their major but are unsure how to go about taking The Career Center offers assistance to students by helping them findi internships, as well as teaching essential job skills and researching methods for

Career Center Directors Joanna Zimring Towne and Sunday Salter also host many

These programs are of great assistance to many at Pierce College and we at the Roundup would like to commend and thank the administration for not only offering these programs but also for allowing other organizations and clubs to host helpful programs on campus.

msalvador.roundupnews@gmail.com

An amendment prohibiting samesex couples the right to domestic partnerships and civil unions was voted into law on May 8, 2012 in North Carolina.

The amendment, known as Amendment 1, declares that a marriage shall only be held between a man and a woman and is the only domestic union that will be recognized in the state of North Carolina according to the Associated Press.

This legislation brought nearly half a million people to vote during North Carolina’s state primaries and continued to attract large sums of voters to the end according to AP.

The amendment passed with close to 61 percent of voters supporting the amendment and 39 percent against it. according to the North Carolina Board of Elections.

Even though voters have spoken by cast of their ballots, it is unreasonable for an entire group of people to be treated differently on the grounds of their sexual orientation.

This isn’t even the first time North Carolina has passed a prohibition against same sex marriage. There had already been a pre-existing law banning gay marriage, but legislators supporting this amendment expect for it to finalize the state’s debate on same-sex marriages.

Some may not know that this amendment will not only affect the gay community, but also may apply to more than 150,000 unmarried straight couples that have domestic legal unions.

Aurora Ramirez aramirez.roundupnews@gmail.com

Things may have ended differently if voters were given until general elections in November. This additional time would have given civil rights activists time to better explain the amendment to voters.

Voters against the law fear that the approving of this amendment will interfere with domestic-violence protections, undercut child custody arrangements and jeopardize hospital visiting rights according to protectncfamalies.org.

It wasn’t long ago that people denied these same domestic legal unions to inter-racial couples that wanted to be married. Regardless of what sex the couple may be, it is unconstitutional for an individual to deny any their freedom rights.

In a study made by the Census Bureau in 2010, they acknowledged that there are about 228,000 North Carolina couples in domestic partnerships and 12 percent of those were same-sex couples.

As voters we have to right to make a conscious decision of what we feel is best not only for ourselves but our community, and our country as a whole, but at the same time consider others rights and their freedoms.

Corrections

Amendment 1 is unconstitutional, unreasonable and unfair

As the evening dimmed into the night May 10, students and faculty readied their signs as part of their plan to march through campus and raise awareness for sexual assault and violence at Take Back the Night.

The Campus Violence Response Team (CVRT) and Feminist Club collaborated on this event to raise awareness for victims of sexual violence and promote vigilance, intentionally during the nighttime, to reduce sexual assault and harassment.

Holly Hagan, a textbook buyer at

the Pierce Bookstore and co-lead for the CVRT, participated in Take Back the Night.

“We’re trying to take back the night to a time where it was a little bit safer for women, especially to be able to walk at night alone, without having to look behind their shoulder,” she said.

The demonstrators met at the Bull sculpture on the Mall at 7:45 p.m., and began the march at 8 p.m.

The route took the marchers down Brahma Drive to Winnetka Avenue, Victory Boulevard, De Soto Avenue, El Rancho Drive and back to the Bull sculpture at Pierce.

Michelle Borsco, the cofounder of the Feminist Club, said that she has felt anxious about travelling alone at night in the past. So she made sure to walk within groups.

But when attending her evening class Monday nights, none of her other friends are available during that hour.

“It’d be nice to be able to walk to your car, something as simple as walking to your car,” she said.

Similarly, April Henry, the other cofounder of the Feminist Club, said that she would love to enjoy a simple nighttime walk around her neighborhood. Stories of sexual assault

though, sometimes even having happened to her own friends, have made her wary, she said.

“Sometimes you want to take a load off, walk around your neighborhood without worrying,” she said.

Women are not the only ones in danger, Bernard Hanamichi, a member of the Feminist Club, said. In men’s cases, the fear of being mugged or provoked into a fight can occur.

“We have this fear in our society of being mugged, especially in a lowsocioeconomic area,” he said.

Hagan saw this firsthand a year ago.

Her son was exiting a store with her when a man accosted him, repeatedly shouting, ‘What’s up?’

“You can’t walk out the store with your mom without someone trying to start a fight with you,” Hagan said.

Hanamichi agrees though, that men need to come to an understanding on what sort of behavior constitutes harassment. Verbal abuse could be considered harassment just as much as inappropriate touching, he said.

James McKeever, professor of sociology and advisor to the Feminist Club, believes that for men to better respect for women, they should view women as they would view their own mothers, daughters and sisters.

“Men need to sit down and put themselves in the position of women,” he said.

In his own life, McKeever knows of eight different women and two men who have been raped.

Henry believes that in addition to providing counseling to victims, steps should be taken raise awareness over rape and assault to prevent it.

She feels that victims of sexual awareness need the support and aid of the community, and that the community should provide it to them.

“It’s something that’s lasting and heartbreaking to someone else for the rest of their life,” she said.

Sheriff’s Blotter

Compiled by Lior Haykeen

Vandalism:

May 8 - The vehicle of a 20-year-old male student was scratched in Parking Lot 7. The suspect remains unknown.

Disturbance of the peace:

May 9 - A female student called the sheriffs because a male student in her class was staring at her, and would not stop after she had told him to. This took place in room 3252 of the Business Building.

Global Oasis

Sharing of international cultural highlighted with dance, song and food.

There was laughing, dancing, singing, guitar playing, and tons of food as people with backgrounds from Russia to Jamaica to Japan brought different kinds of food that are a big part of their respective cultures to share and enjoy with one another at the Great Hall on Thursday, May 10, 2012.

Photos by Todd Rosenblatt and William Wells Design by Ava Weintraub

RIGHT: Vidarshi Wagaarachchi, 23 year old studying Social Science at Pierce, performs a Sri Lankan dance. Photo by Todd Rosenblatt

FAR RIGHT: Maiqui Layaoen, 20 year old Business Management student at Pierce sang.

Photo by Todd Rosenblatt

Right: ASO Club President, EJ Tormes, plays the guitar for her performance during the Culture Festival.

Photo by William Wells

FAR RIGHT: Pierce student, Christian Womack, shows off his dancing skills. Photo by William Wells

BELOW: Dance Hall Funk, portraying Jamaica in the Culture Festival, started with a Hip-Hop piece and ended by bringing the audience on to the dance floor and teaching them some moves.

Photo by Todd Rosenblatt

Saying their farewells to Pierce

The Roundup takes a look at a number of faculty members retiring this semester

Joy McCaslin Vice President, Student Services

Lior Haykeen

lhaykeen.roundupnews@gmail.com

She vividly remembers Pierce College’s 50th anniversary celebration, to which 50 former students were invited to speak of their lives today.

That is one of the most powerful memories she has of her 24 years at Pierce.

“It’s just great to be reminded of how many people have been affected by Pierce in a positive way,” Joy McCaslin, vice president of Student Services, said.

She started working at

Anthropological

Brent Spector bspector.roundupnews@ gmail.com

Among the retirements Pierce will have at the end of this semester is David Shutzer, who has been an anthropology professor with Pierce for 32 years.

Beginning in 1968, Shutzer worked at Valley College until 1980 when he worked part-time with Valley and Pierce before coming to Pierce full-time in 1985.

Of all the memories that Shutzer has of Pierce, the students he has taught are the ones he cherishes above all, and will miss most of all once he retires.

“Just great students we got here,” Shutzer said. “They’re interested

Kevin Reynolds kreynolds.roundupnews@ gmail.com

The director of the Learning Center has decided to apply her knowledge to other aspects of her life. Kathleen Boddicker will be retiring at the end of the semester in June.

Physics

Brent Spector bspector.roundupnews@ gmail.com

William Duxler, one of Pierce’s prior Physics Department chairs, will be retiring after nearly 40 years of working with the school.

Duxler, who was chair of the Physics Department for nine years, excluding this year, has a long list of accomplishments while with Pierce, but still feels it’s time to retire.

“You can’t stay forever,” Duxler said.

Among his accomplishments are the creation of a test creation and grading system for teachers, the creation of the assessment testing software used across the district, and the introduction of Physical Science 13, which dealt with alternative energy

Pierce as the coordinator of the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services, a program that assists qualified low-income and educationally challenged students in going to school.

Although she is deeply involved in her work, McCaslin is also a wife to Pierce professor James Dawson and a mother of two.

Dawson and her have decided to retire together. During their retirement, they plan to travel as much as they can.

“It’s time for me to retire,” she said. “I’m ready to move on to the next stage of my life.”

Brent Spector bspector.roundupnews@gmail.com

After teaching at Pierce for 28 years, professor Mary Chavarria will retire at the end of this semester, leaving behind some of the best students and friendliest colleagues she’s ever known.

Chavarria started teaching at Pierce in 1984 as a full-time staff member in the English Department, and has been with the school ever since.

Over the years she has seen many sides of Pierce, but the one that stands out to her the most is how open and overly demonstrative one young couple

was some years back, “going at it” as Chavarria said.

“One of my thoughts was that I hope the woman was taking birth control or some precautionary measure,” Chavarria said.

“That’s something I’ll remember, seeing that so openly done.”

Of course, Chavarria will be losing some of her favorite things when she retires: the interaction with students and faculty, the various animals she occasionally sees, but most importantly graduation.

“Seeing joy on the parent’s faces and just experiencing the exuberance, joy, and dismay [during graduation],” Chavarria said.

in learning, and they’re bright and just great students.”

Paulina Giangregorio, 21, is in Shutzer’s Anthropology 101 class, and has enjoyed her time in his class.

“He’s really passionate about his subject, and that’s really hard to find in teachers,” Giangregorio said.

English major

Amanda Glover, 22, has never had Shutzer before this, but is saddened by his departure.

“I’m going to miss his eloquent lectures,” Glover said. “He has a very witty sense about him. I don’t feel a person is known for how much wisdom they have but how much they give back, and he gives back more than he has.”

Samantha Williams swilliams.roundupnews@ gmail.com

After teaching at Pierce College for 45 years, Lynne O’Hanlon, chair of the Computer Science Department, will be retiring from her current position and continuing to teach as an adjunct professor.

O’Hanlon began her teaching career at Pierce College by instructing physical education classes. Then, in the 1980’s, she learned computer science and began teaching web development classes and serving as the Chair of the Computer Science Department.

“One of my most memorable moments was while teaching archery on the fields near the North Gym,” O’Hanlon said. “One errant arrow flew over the fence, across Victory Boulevard, and through the open convertible top of a passing car. The driver was not injured.”

She has worked for Pierce College for 12 years and has been the director of the Learning Center for the past eight.

She will be one of the many faculty members here at Pierce College retiring at the end of the semester.

Riding: Roger Tishler, who teaches mathematics, poses on his motorcycle.

Kevin Reynolds kreynolds.roundupnews@gmail.com

sources.

However, he feels his most important work was changing the physics curriculum from lecture-based to active participation, which was based on proven techniques that were researched at the University of Washington and the University of Oregon, he said.

“[The best part was] seeing how students went from passive to excited during classes,” Duxler said.

Duxler doesn’t fret about his retiring, as he will continue to work with the district exclusively as manager of the assessment software, and will leave the Physics Department in good hands.

“We have a very fine physics staff to carry on,” Duxler said.

A 28-year veteran instructor of mathematics is joining the growing list of those retiring at the end of this semester.

Instructor Roger Tishler, who has shared his love of mathematics with students for over a quarter century, has decided to throw in the towel.

“I feel I’ve done my fair share of teaching,” Tishler said.

Angela Tafoya

He most enjoyed teaching students calculus but wasn’t above teaching classes in elementary algebra.

“I always enjoyed math,” Tishler said. “I liked to convey that joy to others.”

Tishler said that he enjoyed all his time here at Pierce College but his fondest memory was of the Farm breakfast that used to hosted by the administration.

“The deans would serve all of the staff a delicious breakfast,” Tishler said. “It’s a shame they don’t do that anymore.”

Aside from working with computer science, O’Hanlon also teaches

Robert

Kevin Perez kperez.roundupnews@ gmail.com

After 32 years teaching chemistry at Pierce, Robert Ono will join the latest round of professors set to retire.

“My wife and I would like to spend more time traveling and pursuing a number of volunteer interests we have,” he said.

Among some of the hobbies he plans on pursuing after retirement, Ono plans to hit the golf course with his wife.

Traveling to foreign countries like Europe, Australia and Japan will also “be high on

Theory and Application of Aerobics and Conditioning, a course she created 35 years ago to train aerobics instructors and personal trainers. O’Hanlon has also authored eight books used in a variety of classes at Pierce.

O’Hanlon is looking forward to celebrating her retirement by traveling.

“My husband retired three years ago, and we plan to do some traveling in our new recreational vehicle,” O’Hanlon said.

According to O’Hanlon, they plan to take an Alaskan cruise, camp in their new RV along the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington and spend two weeks in Kauai, Hawaii.

“My teaching career has been challenging at times and very rewarding,” O’Hanlon said. “[I] still love teaching the students and seeing them light up as they learn a new skill, solve a problem or successfully complete a class project.”

our lists of places to visit,” he said. Leaving teaching will not be an easy thing for Ono though.

Coming to school every day and interacting with his students will be something he’ll miss dearly, he said. Saying goodbye to the faculty he’s gotten to know will also be a challenge.

Ono is glad to leave with a lack of regrets though.

“If I had to do it over again, I would probably do it exactly the same. The opportunity to interact with many outstanding students and wonderful colleagues throughout the years has been a pleasure,” he said.

After 37 years at Pierce, microbiology professor Bernadine Pregerson has decided it’s time to join the ranks of those retiring this semester.

“I figured 85 is a good age to start thinking of another career,” she said.

Jokes aside, after 40 years of teaching, with three of those years in a part time position at CSUN, Pregerson admits she won’t completely give up teaching after her retirement this fall.

Pregerson still plans on teaching Microbiology 1 in the fall, and she’s considering Micro 20 next spring.

“I will miss [the classroom], which is why I am weaning myself by teaching a class after retirement,” she said. Over the course of her career, Pregerson said she’s learned that teaching requires dedication, but she didn’t find that too hard to do since she enjoyed teaching.

“Every day is dynamic. Every class has a personality. And being with students, interacting with them is both a challenge and a joy,” she said.

Reflecting on her time at Pierce, Pregerson is glad that she found a school made up of “a congenial group of faculty in [the life science department] and superb chairs.”

“I couldn’t have asked for a better environment in which to teach than Pierce,” she said.

Roger Tishler Mathematics

David Schutzer

and Geographical Sciences

Ono Chemistry

William Duxler

and Planetary Sciences

Mary Chavarria English

Lynne O’HanlonComputer Science

Kevin Perez kperez.roundupnews@gmail.com

Bernadine Pregerson Life Science

Kathleen Boddicker Director, Learning Center

Jasson Bautista

Portrait: Joy McCaslin

Jasson Bautista

Portrait: Mary Chavarria

Giving students the drive to succeed

Professor is more than just another face to students

Kevin Perez kperez.roundupnews@gmail.com

For Tom Rosdahl, the years he has spent at Pierce have translated into the satisfaction of seeing more of his students in the automotive program go on to succeed in that field.

“You see the students come through the program, and the skills they gain in the program, they use them in the work place to become productive citizens,” he said.

Rosdahl, who has taught at Pierce since 1985 and is the president of the Academic Senate on campus, got into cars at a young age. He’s always felt mechanically inclined, and before he worked on cars he tinkered on whatever he could find, he said.

“When I was 12 I was taking my bicycle apart,” he said.

Now, as a professor, he remains just as invested in cars, but Rosdahl’s added the success of his students to his list of interests. Since starting his teaching career, he’s had many former students go on to start their own auto businesses. Some continue to drop by Rosdahl’s office to thank him for the training they’ve received, he said. “[I] like to see all young people succeed, and to see people succeed is fulfilling a goal,” Rosdahl said.

Many of Rosdahl’s students currently attending Pierce can attest to his influence.

“Tom is the man,” said Chris Perez, an Automotive major who had Rosdahl last year.

Rosdahl, Perez said, encouraged him to focus more on school and to get into the automotive field. Before taking his class, Perez felt he was traveling down the wrong road, but Rosdahl steered him towards a “more focused, more positive path.”

“The only reason I’m trying to finish school is because of him. Trying to get into cars, because of him,” he said.

Julian Johnson, an Automotive major who also took Rosdahl last year, feels Rosdahl impacted his life as well.

“He helped me with a lot of things I was going through, even with my family,” he said.

Johnson felt a similar lack of direction in his life like Perez, but since taking Rosdahl’s class he hopes to have his own shop one day. He owes Rosdahl’s ability to inspire his students to the bond they all share over cars.

Club offers diversity in culture and literature

Brent Spector bspector.roundupnews@gmail.com

Celebrating and spreading Latino culture, the Latin American Culture and Literature Club pursues many methods beyond a simple club meeting to unite people interested in their customs.

The Latin American Culture and Literature Club, which usually goes by the Latin American Club, started about three years ago as a literature club from the combined efforts of Luis Enrique Barco and Florencia Orlandoni.

As one of the most active clubs on campus, they host and support events throughout each semester, including Salsa Night and Bohemian Night, which feature local bands, cultural dances, and the works of students in the club.

Andrea Gordillo, the president of the club, has been with the club since it started back in 2009. During her time with the club she helped the club recruit, host events, and start their radio program, “Encuentro Latino.”

Gordillo has been responsible for most of the expansion of the club during the past year, including the most recent addition of their magazine, “Tertulia”, which features poems and art pieces from students.

“At first it seemed like too big an idea for a club, but everyone was excited by it,” Gordillo said. “Most students express their ideas artistically, but don’t think themselves as artists. This is their chance to showcase their work.”

Club member Carlo Gutierrez, 21, was introduced to the club three years ago by Gordillo, intrigued by the literary aspect the club was based on, which let him dive into Spanish literature.

“I’ve always been interested in my Latin roots,” Gutierrez said. “We started with [“Don Quixote”], and expanded into culture.”

Vice President Erick Bautista, 21, helped set up Bohemian Night, which took place May 2 in the Great Hall, featured student work, two Bolivian dances, one Peruvian dance, and local bands.

“It’s just a nice way for students to relax,” Bautista said.

The club is currently working on publishing the second edition of the magazine, which is expected to be out by the end of the semester.

The club meets at 3:30 p.m. every Monday in BUS 3203. Currently, the Wednesday meeting is for the literature branch of the club to meet, but meeting times and places vary.

Education and fun come together

“Me and him, we both got love for Camaros,” Johnson said.

For Rosdahl, earning the respect of his students comes down to a basic principle.

“I think to teach, and to impress on students, number one, you have to have respect for the students you have in class,” Rosdahl said.

The second, he believes, is that you must want to see your students succeed, which is why he includes the newest advancements affecting the auto industry in his class.

Fuel mileage and emissions are the driving factors behind the industry now, and it takes more training and education to repair a vehicle than it did 20 years ago, he said.

“If we provide a better educated workforce, we’re basically providing a better community out there,” he said.

In the future, Rosdahl plans on retiring within the next year or year and half, but he’s considering continuing to teach as an adjunct as well.

Samantha Williams swilliams.roundupnews@gmail.com

The Extension Program, which offers non-credit and non-unit classes for both adults and children, provides more than just education to its participants.

“You’re gaining your own knowledge. We have really great teachers,” Kristina Tetrosyan, assistant in the Extension Program’s office, said.

Nima Ganjehloo, 19, an electronic engineering major, said that he would be interested in taking some of the courses that the Extension Program offers.

“If I’d like to gain a certain a skill and have free time I’d take a class that offers no units. Sadly that opportunity hasn’t come by yet,” Ganjehloo said.

However, for students like Brandon Katz, 18, a film major, classes don’t interest him unless they could help

him progress towards getting his degree.

“I would not take any classes with no units,” Katz said.

“It seems pointless for the reason I am going to college.”

Children often prefer the more activity-oriented programs, such as swimming and summer camps, while adults prefer classes that offer low-impact exercise, such as yoga, or classes that provide life skills, such as financial workshops, according to Tetrosyan.

There are no requirements to taking part in the program.

“Anyone can take our classes but there are some age restrictions,” Tetrosyan said.

Many adults use the workshops to gain new skills that could be used as a “stepping stone” for jobs, according Tetrosyan.

Overall, Tetrosyan believes that the courses offered by the Extension Program are both fun and educational.

Jasson Bautista

Driven: Tom Rosdahl is more than a professor to his students

Life imitating art

Ceramics Professor Melody Cooper’s childhood art experiment evolved into a career

Bri any Blust bblust.roundupnews@gmail.com

A childhood experiment and a life-long interest in Native American pottery led one of Pierce College’s faculty members to her dream job.

Duo treats Pierce to a free concert

Melissa Trahin mtrahin.roundupnews@gmail.com

Audience members in room 3400 in the Music building were taken through a roller coaster of emotions during Thursday’s weekly concert series.

Pianist Danny Holt and accordionist Merima Kljuco performed 10 songs from various cultures and composers, including three world premieres. Holt specializes in performing contemporary works, 20th music, and obscure and neglected repertoire from past centuries, according to the program sheet.

The bellow slowly opened and closed as the soothing sound filled the room. Then, a variety of mellow but sharp tones coming from the piano completed the first song played.

“I felt like the piano and the accordion were having a conversation, and the piano was used differently it’s usually an instrument that plays very smooth which is something I‘ve never seen before,” student Mayra Tovar said.

Attendees heard the world premiere of Canalie, which was recently composed by Robin Cox.

Duo Holt and Kljuco have been

playing together for a few days but both have 24 years of experience and similar compositional processes.

Though both agreed on that concept, Kljuco added details and different aspects on how she describes real life things through her music.

“When you watch a movie and the scenes or when you see a picture you think wow music can describe that,” Kljuco said.

The song “38-25=31-25,” where Holt used drumsticks instead of his fingers and tossed ping pong balls to the piano, caused the most reaction from the audience..

“This was by far my favorite one. I usually start falling asleep,” Tovar said.

Usually when two instruments play together, the idea is to compliment one another in the same song, but the duo did the opposite to cause a sense of individuality.

“It is like playing around with chaos and control,” Holt said. “We respond to each other in our opposite ways.”

On what goes through her mind while performing, Kljuco said, “There are no thoughts, I am totally in the moment. The moment [you have] thoughts you are cheating the audience.”

Growing up in Southern Calif. and encouraged by her siblings, ceramics professor Melody Cooper took an interest in Native American art and culture since she was very young.

“I liked everything they did. I liked their jewelry, I liked their ceramics, I liked their relationship to the earth and their sort of guardianship of the earth,” Cooper said.

Cooper’s older siblings also had an interest in Native American pottery and helped fuel her desire to learn more and experiment.

Her older brother read in an article that the Hopi Native Americans used to fire their clay in the sun.

“‘Lets get some clay and make some things and fire it,’ he [Cooper’s brother] said. We got clay from an Aaron Brothers-type craft store,” Cooper said. “He didn’t read how to do it he just read that they do it that way.”

Cooper and her brother made some art pieces and placed them in the sun.

“Everything blew up though because we didn’t know what we were doing, but that got my interest in ceramics,” Cooper said.

Later in life Cooper was able to try making pottery like a Native American when she studied in New Mexico with the Acoma tribe.

This time Cooper did not have to buy clay at a store and fire it in the driveway.

“We dug the clay out of cliffs, and you leave an offering for mother earth,” Cooper said.

Cooper also studied with Lucy Lewis, a Native American potter who had been making ceramics since the early 1900s and passed away 20-years ago.

“Because she [Lewis] had the lineage of being related to the Anasazi Indians we could go on protected land and dig,” Cooper said. “Not just anyone can go out on the reservation and dig the clay.”

Cooper received her master’s degree in Fine Arts from California State University Northridge, where

she discovered her love of teaching.

As a professor’s aid Cooper was asked to teach a class by her mentor.

“I thought yuck. I don’t really want to teach, but then I tried it and everyone said ‘oh you’re so good’ and I really loved doing it,” said Cooper.

Cooper said she had never thought teaching was what she would be doing for her career but said that now she can’t imagine doing anything else.

“I love my job,” Cooper said. “There’s that whole joy of when students make things and they’re so excited and it turns out great.”

Cooper’s enthusiasm for her job and the teaching shows through her students’ comments.

“I’ve taken ceramics with Ms. Cooper as many times as they’ll let

me,” student Jessica Gelbke said. Her class said she is always willing to help.

“She’s an extremely good leader, knowledgeable and patient,” said agricultural studies major Vici Wittelsbach. “She’s got the goods.”

Accounting major Nikki Madjdi said professor Cooper takes the time to help the class with projects no matter how busy things are.

“It’s art. It’s relaxing and fun,” Madjdi said. “I’ll be taking another class with her.”

Cooper will be taking a sabbatical next year and will return in the Fall of 2013.

She said she will be taking some classes and will be traveling to New Mexico and France.

Joe Kukuczka

Molding: Ceramics professor Melody Cooper helps student Laura Coh shape her clay bowl during class in the Fine Arts building 3308.

Ava Weintraub

Talented Pair: Danny Holt (left) and Merima Kljuco play a contemporary piece on the piano and accordion.

I liked everything they did... I liked their relationship to the earth.

-Melody Cooper Ceramics Professor

Two decades of dedication

Brahmas’ swimming team head coach Fred Shaw retires after 20 years of service to student athletes and the community

that he’ll miss.

Champs prepare for three-peat

Taylor Rouch trouch.roundupnews@gmail.com

Women’s Volleyball Stats

kperez.roundupnews@gmail.com

Nearly 20 years ago, when Fred Shaw first started as the Pierce College’s swimming head coach, he heard rumors that the pool, which had a sanitation system and heater in need of fixing, might shut down to due to budget cuts.

In response, Shaw and the swimmers organized a fundraiser, and helped the administration pay for the cost of the pool.

Barely starting his career as head coach then, he didn’t expect to get involved in community activism like that and it tied into an over arching lesson he learned throughout his career, he said.

“Being a community college coach, you have to be pretty flexible,” he said.

Although Shaw has decided to retire and will not be back next semester as head coach, he will continue to teach at Pierce and will still teach the masters swim team.

“I think it’s time to step aside and let a younger person take over and keep the tradition going,” he said.

Moriah Van Norman, who will be coaching the new water polo team in the fall, will fill in the vacated swimming head coach position.

“I feel honored to be following in coach Shaw’s footsteps,” Van Norman said. “Fred has been an integral part of Pierce College and the swim community for many years.”

Shaw plans to use his new free time to focus on other hobbies such as

traveling, he said, but he admits that there will be things about coaching

Swimmer leaves mark on record books

Aurora Ramirez

Kevin Perez aramirez.roundupnews@gmail.com

At only 18 years old, Pierce College swimmer Blair Kroetz has achieved more than he had ever expected, breaking two school records and placing fourth in two events at the state championships.

This is Kroetz’ second – and last – season swimming in both the 100 and 200 backstroke, as well as the 100 fly for the Pierce men’s swim team.

“This season, I felt more comfortable in my swim events,” Kroetz said.

Kroetz beat a 100m backstroke record, set in 1974, of 53.68 with a time of 51.01.

The second record he broke, the 200m backstroke, was previously set by him in 2011. Last season, he set the record at 1:56.17; his record after this season is 1:54.07.

“Blair is going to be missed next season,” men’s swimming head coach

Fred Shaw said. “We saw his growth as a swimmer in every single one of his events.”

Even though his time swimming for the Pierce team has come to a close, Kroetz is excited for what may come next.

“I am hoping my swims for state are able to help me get a scholarship to swim for a university,” he said. “I would like to continue swimming for a team.”

Now that his season is over, he plans on transferring to California State universities in either Long Beach or San Jose as a chemical engineering major.

“He is hardworking. I know he will do great things,” women’s swim coach Judi Terhar said.

According to Kroetz, having over 12 years experience swimming for a team, club, and church school team has helped him stay dedicated and committed to his passion.

“It would be super dumb of me to stop now. I think at this level, to achieve what I have is a dream come true, and I plan to keep that momentum,” he said.

“The thing I’ll miss most is watching the kids improve,” he said.

Besides watching his swimmers get better not only in the pool, he’s taken pride in seeing how the swim team has improved the lives of students in general.

Some students entered the team as unlikely to finish college, he said, but the dedication put into the team also translated into other areas of their lives.

Now those students have gone on to receive degrees from four-year universities and have gone on to become working professionals, he said.

“His passion for the sport has allowed him to develop many student-athletes in the water, but more importantly in their daily lives,” Van Norman said.

Jared Breyer, a history major who’s finished his freshman season on the swim team, said he’s spent a lot of time training with coach Shaw.

“He was the first coach I met here,” Breyer said.

But despite Shaw’s retirement, Breyer is confident of the abilities of future head coach Van Norman and returning head coach Judi Terhar, and in the abilities of the swim team itself.

“It’ll be a change, but I think we’ll adapt,” he said.

Head coach Judy Terhar, former diving coach will help new head coach Moriah Van Norman continue Pierce’s legacy of great competitiveness at the pool.

With two state championships in a row increasing the pressure and key players from last season missing, the women’s volleyball head coach, Nabil Mardini, is as confident as ever in his team.

In the gym they practice three times a week during their offseason.

Returning player Danetta Boykin has high hopes for next semester.

“Next year I feel that it’s (going) be even better; I feel like we’re going to come back even stronger, we’re just going to bring the intensity even more,” she said.

Head coach Mardini is not stressed out over the new players meshing with the returning team.

“I’m very picky with my recruiting, so the players I’m bringing in are a good fit for the program,” said Mardini.

The new players aren’t the only focus; Mardini is fine-tuning the entire team.

“I think every position is going to be deep and the roster is not going to be like it was last year,” Mardini said. “Which means we are going to have a lot of competitive practices.”

Freshman Brittani Elser is a player to watch out for, and she already feels a part of the team.

“It’s a competitive environment but [the other players] are so helpful and it’s really welcoming coming in here and being able to play with them,” she said.

This is something Coach Mardini expects, his sophomores helping the freshmen.

“The returning players always do a good job in terms of communicating the culture of the gym, what we are all about and so forth,” Mardini said.

He is already proud of his team.

“They always work hard, and they

• 250 - 50 in last eleven seasons (80% win percentage)

• 10 Conference Championships

• 2 State Championships

• Elite Eight appearance in 2004

• Final Four in 2005

• State runner-up in 2006

play very, very well,” he said with a knowing smile.

They all agree that practices are hard but they know it will help them win again.

“I’m really excited for next season, the way we compete and practice is going to help us achieve that goal of winning again,” Elser said, “we’re going for the three-peat.”

Sophomore Danielle Hochman believes in her team but believes they will win for reasons more than just their talent.

“I’m really looking forward to how the season pans out,” she said, “We have a lot of good talent out here but not only that, we have the heart and the will to do it too.”

Jasson Bautista

Swimmer: Pierce swimmer Blair Kreotz poses for a photo at the Steven E. Shofield Aquatic Center.

Jose Romero

Swim Coaches: Pierce College swimming team head coaches Fred Shaw

(left) and Judy Terhar (right) pose for a photo at the Steven E. Shofield Aquatic Center.