Good fences make good neighbors Money approved to rebuild school barrier

BY PAMELA KALIDASAN Features Editor

There is never a shortage of demand when it comes to scholarships. And for osme students, receiving one can be a life-altering situation- a mak eor break situation for their feature.

The Foundation for Los Angeles Pierce College plans on awarding students a total of $118,000 in scholarships.

The Foundation’s Board Chair Edward Albrecht said that he is happy and that they are looking for more support.

“We have improved considerably,” Albrecht said. “And we’re looking forward to support from additional donors, professors and staff.”

Albrecht said that for Pierce students to apply for a scholarship, they have to go onto The Foundation’s website and this website can be found on the homepage under Scholarships in Financial Aid and Tuition.

Nieman said that as soon as stu“Then you drop down to scholarships. There’s a link that will give you the map to the [LACCD student] portal and you’ll need your student ID and from there you select the scholarships that you would be eligible for,” Albrecht said.

And it’s not the first time that The Foundation has given back to students as Albrecht said that in the past seven to eight years, the collective have raised the minimum for their scholarships from $250 to $500 in some cases.

BY MICHAEL SMITHLIN Reporter

As COVID-19 cases drop, Pierce College is improving campus conditions and creating interactive live events to encourage students to fully return.

During Monday’s Academic Senate meeting on Zoom, Interim President Ara Aguiar said she and her staff are working to successfully reverse the effects of the pandemic while adhering to the safe and cautious Los Angeles Community College District

(LACCD) guidelines. “Our COVID-19 cases have drastically dropped,” Aguiar said.

“We had two positive cases last week and both were from external factors and only came in contact with and were exposed to their family.”

The school’s improvements will include the white fence that borders the school.

“There have been quite a few emails and complaints about how our fence is broken, whether due to possible termites or cars driving into it,” Aguiar said. “We finally have received approval and a quote to replace our white fence that is falling apart, for the entire campus.”

Pierce had the lowest cases since the start of the pandemic, and Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter has encouraged professors to tell students about the resources offered throughout STEM week.

“It’s a great way for students to learn more about their transfer options, career options, and get support from our faculty,” Salter said.

STEM Week’s goal is to inform students about STEM majors, careers, courses, and to help them with their campus experience while creating a welcoming community.

Math Department Chair Eddie Tchertchian is looking forward to STEM Week.

“Students and faculty are working really hard on it,” Tchertchian said.

Political Science Professor Denise Robb said that she donates under the Maryln and Stewart Robb Memorial scholarship dedicated after her parents, where she gives out two $500 worth of scholarships for students who are currently taking or have taken a Political Science course.

She said that she wants all Pierce College students to know about possibly receiving various scholarships on their portal.

“It’s not just The Foundation scholarships,” Robb said. “If you go to the portal for LACCD wide scholarships that everyone can apply for.”

As far as how the organization made an impact on campus, Interim President Ara Aguiar mentioned how they do their best for Pierce students.

“They want to raise as much money for Pierce College students. The majority of them I would say are retired faculty members, members of the community and some of our faculty members now,” Aguiar said.

She stated how the group was heavily involved in different aspects of this Valley community, which include contributing to the vintage events, the car shows, the vintage markets, and about them wanting to provide funding for Pierce students who plan on attending the Washington D.C. trip.

And as much as The Foundation gives to students, Albrecht hopes that it can spur them to do the same.

“I like them to keep in mind that when they start earning salaries, they give back to themselves in their life. And when they get married and potentially have children, those children teach those children to do the same,” Albrecht said.

Albrecht also said that those who can pitch in, including students, can make a donation to the Foundation under their name or a family member’s name.

The Foundation for LAPC currently has an office suited for one person, however, Aguiar said that she intends to pull a chair for The Foundation to have a seat at Pierce’s table.

“I’d like to position The Foundation members at a place to have their own meetings and have an area for gatherings and fundraising events,” Aguiar said. “Actually having a table for them to do any of the activities that we do. And those are the conversations that they are having, which is becoming more visible to the students.” pkalidadan.roundupnews@gmail.com

The deadline to apply for the scholarships is next Friday, March 25, 2022.