Tuesday, January 29, 2013

APS Foundation presents $30,000 to CGCC

From left: Tom Potter, EUT faculty; Maria Reyes, Dean of
Career and Technical Education; Michelle Gettinger.
APS Relationship Manager; Tammy McLeod, APS Vice
President and Chief Customer Officer; Julie Coleman,
APS Foundation Executive Director and Manager,
Corporate Giving; and Mark Weaver, EUT faculty.

The APS Foundation presented a $30,000 check today to buy a reel trailer for CGCC"s Electrical Utility Technology program. The full story on this donation can be read at "CGCC Benefits from APS Foundation Grant."

Friday, January 25, 2013

CGCC performing arts festivals benefit high schools, students and community


Valley high school students practice their hip hop
moves at CGCCs dance festival.
More than 270 young dancers came to Chandler-Gilbert Community College in January for the High School Dance Festival. Students participated in modern dance, hip hop and a variety of other workshops to hone their style and strengthen their skills before dancing as a team during the showcase portion of the day. This is one of four festivals scheduled on different performing arts groups for the spring 2013 semester.

“Our festivals are one of our most powerful forms of outreach to the community,” said Marcus Denton, director of choral and vocal music studies at CGCC. “The high schools benefit from the instruction provided by world-renown clinicians; CGCC benefits by demonstrating our faculty, programs and facility to the participants; and the community benefits from a concert given by well-known, talented artists.”

Next on the calendar is the Jazz Festival slated for Feb. 12 and13. Drummer Will Kennedy of the Yellowjackets is the featured clinician. Kennedy is also the house drummer for The Wayne Brady Show on ABC and the Martin Short Show in addition to recording and performing in movies such as Lady Killers, Sideways and Alfie.

“Rarely will high school students get to work directly with nationally or internationally recognized artists such as William Kennedy outside of a festival similar to ours,” said Randy Wright, music faculty who oversees the Jazz Festival. “I try to rotate the clinicians at each festival to focus on a different section of the jazz band so students get in-depth teaching on one instrument but also, because the artists are well-trained, they offer valuable instruction in all areas.”

Similar to the choral festival, each high school gets individual coaching with the clinician. After a 15 to 20 minute performance by the students, the clinician offers suggestions and works with them for an additional 40 to 45 minutes.

“One of the things I enjoy most is watching how the artists work with each group,” said Denton. “The students that come to the festival cover a wide range of skill and ability and our artists treat them the same and offer suggestions based on their current abilities. I think of this a reflection of our mission. Students come to CGCC with many different skills and abilities and we work with them from where they are to bring them to success.”

The public also is a beneficiary. Not only are they welcomed to sit in during the festival, the college coordinates a separate concert with the artist for reasonable rates. For instance, 10 dollars will get you a seat in the Arnette Scott Ward Performing Arts Center with Kennedy on Feb. 12.

“We have a great facility that can be adjusted acoustically to accommodate the performance which makes the festivals and the concerts a fabulous experience,” said Denton.

Learn more about CGCC’s upcoming performing arts events.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Adjunct faculty recognized for service and contributions


Twenty-four adjunct faculty at Chandler-Gilbert Community College were recognized for their service and contributions at the 2012 Adjunct Faculty Awards held at the All Faculty meeting in early January. Sixteen were presented with the Extended Service Award for teaching 20 semesters at the college. A recognition video was produced to thank them for their contributions.



Those recognized for Extended Service include:
  • Patricia Adams, Modern Languages and Humanities
  • Sherri Basha, Business and Computing Services
  • Amanda Beery, Math
  • Michael Canham, Science
  • Lauri Carney, Science
  • Rosa Ellingson, Composition, Creative Writing and Literature
  • Mohamed El-Sharkawy, Aviation and Applied Sciences
  • John “Doc” Holaday, Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Jill Hudson, Business and Computing Services
  • Marc Jette, Modern Languages and Humanities
  • Casey Kadavy, Composition, Creative Writing and Literature
  • Adele Lewis, Communication and Fine Arts
  • Kevin Sebesta, Business and Computing Services
  • Shele Taylor, Nursing and Health Sciences
  • Loyd Tate, Aviation and Applied Sciences
  • Julie Thompson, Science
The event also presented eight adjunct faculty with Golden Seatbelt Award. Created by Bill Mullaney, former dean of arts and sciences, the award title refers to the faculty member's ability to keep students in their seats for the entire semester resulting in high rates of successful completion. This award was presented to:
  • Aram Chomina-Chavez (MGT253)
  • Zabioullah Eltezam (ECN212)
  • Eileen Engle (ARH101)
  • Wayne Gautreau (MAT142)
  • Jill Hudson (GBS205)
  • Allison O’Neal (PSY132)
  • Robert Payne (SOC101)
  • Jill Wendt (PSY235)
A video featuring their contributions also was produced.

CGCC athletes achieve academic success


The demands of time and effort placed on CGCC student athletes in their pursuit of athletic and academic success are challenging. Their incredible effort, along with the guidance of faculty and staff, has resulted in a fantastic semester of academic achievement.

One hundred forty CGCC student athletes were enrolled in 1,884 credit hours in the fall 2012 semester and earned a combined grade point average of 3.19.

Forty student athletes accumulated grade point averages of 3.50 or better including eight achieving 4.00.

Eight of nine sports achieved a 3.00 grade point average or higher with men’s golf leading the way at 3.35. Men’s sports had a GPA of 3.21 while women’s sports had a GPA of 3.16.

All fall sports (volleyball, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer) will achieve ”Team Academic All-American” honors from the National Junior College Athletic Association.

We are proud of our student athlete’s success both in the classroom and on the field of play. This level of excellence would not be possible with out faculty leadership, academic support services, dedicated coaches, and administrative leadership and support. Go Coyotes!

An invitation to CGCC's Coyote Center Groundbreaking




Mark your calendar for Chandler-Gilbert Community College's Coyote Center Groundbreaking on Friday, Mar. 22 at 3 p.m. at the south end of the Pecos Campus. The Coyote Center will be a unique multi-use facility housing athletics and student services and will serve as the "front door" to the college.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Larry Miller receives emeritus distinction


On Jan 22, 2013, the governing board of Maricopa County Community College District approved Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) retired library faculty member Larry Miller for emeritus distinction.

"Larry epitomizes the 'can-do' spirit that is the hallmark of Chandler-Gilbert," said CGCC President Linda Lujan. "His vision for, and contributions to, our college and library made an enormous difference for students. He is greatly missed, but his influence goes on and on. It was my honor to be able to help recognize him."

After serving three years as a reference librarian at Glendale Community College, Larry came to what was known then as the Chandler-Gilbert Education Center to establish its library in July 1987. For the next 25 years, Larry played a key role in providing excellent library services to CGCC students, faculty and staff, and was a major figure in the advancement of the college.

Among his many accomplishments are leadership in the design and development of the 50,000 square-foot learning resource center at CGCC’s Pecos Campus, and his personal involvement in securing traveling exhibits rarely seen at community colleges. Larry negotiated with prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian and the United Nations to secure exhibits that attracted thousands of visitors to CGCC’s library. In addition, he collaborated with faculty from multiple disciplines to establish CGCC’s signature co-curricular events program known as SEE Your World.

The distinction of Faculty Emeritus is fitting recognition for Larry’s many contributions to CGCC and the Maricopa County Community College District.

Diane Travers receives MLK Diversity Award


Diane Travers (second from the right) receives the MLK
Diversity Award. Pictured from left are Ed Yeager, CGCC
President Linda Lujan and Coach Cassandra Yancy.  
Diane Travers, division chair of communication and fine arts at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Diversity Award during halftime at the Martin Luther King Basketball Classic on January 19.

Diane was nominated by Athletic Director Ed Yeager for her efforts in promoting diversity and embracing the many cultures at CGCC.

"Diane has served the Maricopa Community Colleges for 28 years, embracing and educating thousands of diverse members of our communities," said Yeager.

As a faculty member, Diane requires her Interpersonal Communication and Public Speaking students to participate in service learning at the Chandler-Gilbert Arc, a private nonprofit organization dedicated to providing training and support to adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities. She feels it is important for students to both serve and learn how to communicate with a diverse group of individuals.

She is the founding advisor for the Hands Enriching Lives Projects (HELP) service club started five years ago with students from all over the world. She also has more than three years of service with Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit homebuilder for low-income families.

In March of last year, Diane was awarded the Maricopa Community Colleges' Diversity Advisory Council Award of Excellence in recognition of outstanding efforts on behalf of diversity and inclusion at the Maricopa Community Colleges.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

CGCC President announces launch of new Connection blog


Wishing you a New Year of peace, prosperity, good health, and learning.  I am always excited about the start of a new year because it feels like an opportunity to reflect on, and learn from, all that happened in the year gone by and then turn the page to a fresh start. For our students, it will soon be the fresh start of a semester filled with learning, connections, empowerment, and success as our wonderful faculty and staff members engage them in reaching their potential, achieving their goals, and completing their intent.

Speaking of fresh start, this month’s Connection debuts a brand NEW format. Thanks to our great Marketing, PR and Communication team along with our outstanding Technology Support and Media Services teams, I am excited to introduce you to the redesigned Connection in blog format.

Once a month, via email, you’ll still receive a complete newsletter, but during the month, we’ll be updating and posting items to our blog so you can stay current with all that’s going on at Chandler-Gilbert Community College anytime you want. I know you’ll enjoy the new format!

Warmest regards,
Linda Lujan
College President

Grad's drive to learn sets her on Ph.D. path at 18


CGCC concurrent-enrollment student, Lauren McBurnett, just graduated from ASU's engineering school at age 18. She was featured in a recent ASU News article. Read it.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Making and keeping history: Retiring Provost John Schroeder


After receiving nearly 55 acres of the closed Williams Air Force Base from the federal government in 1993, John Schroeder, retiring provost of CGCC’s Williams campus, worked to keep its history alive as he grew and developed the campus.



Join us for Champagne, Chocolate & and all that Jazz

Join us on Friday, Feb. 8 for CGCC's third annual Champagne, Chocolate & all that Jazz scholarship fundraising event. Held in the CGCC Hanger on the Williams campus, the evening features a silent auction while guest mingle while sampling select food items from local restaurants and sipping beverages. Get your tickets today at www.cgc.edu/champagne.

Diversity Day gives elementary students exposure to world culture


Michael Swett stands before a table of sixth-grade students from Chandler Traditional Academy’s Humphrey campus overseeing their painting as he tells them about Italy’s famous artists. It’s Diversity Day: Passport to the World, a service-learning project for Chandler-Gilbert Community College students taking the Cultural Diversity in Education class.



CGCC student crowned Miss Maricopa

Jennifer Smestad, a CGCC student studying psychology, was recently crowned Miss Maricopa. Read the full story here.

Kid's Rock at CGCC


CGCC hosted its third annual Kids Rock event on Nov. 16 on the Pecos Campus. One hundred third graders from Weinberg elementary school, coached by 13 CGCC education majors, spent the day erupting volcanoes, digging for rocks, and learning about geology. The event had two purposes: to give the elementary students a glimpse into college-level subject material and to provide the CGCC students enrolled in “Geology for Elementary Teachers” a chance to put their teaching skills to work. The event was funded through a grant from the ASU Teacher Foundations Project for its unique nature and direct impact on teachers and our community.

Friday, January 4, 2013

CGCC - Thanks for giving 114%


Final unofficial numbers have been tallied for the 2012 United Way campaign (official final numbers will be out this month) and, once again, CGCC employees have excelled in their capacity to help the community. This was our second-highest year of giving with more than $24,000 in donations. In fact, donations exceeded our goal for a total of 114%. Thank you to all who made the campaign a success and contributed. Know you are making a difference.

For your reading pleasure: Gila River Review, Fall 2012

Enjoy the latest issue of Gila River Review, CGCC's online art and literary journal edited entirely by honors students and members of the Creative Writing Club. Submissions include work from students, faculty, and staff. Read it.

Three recognized as Outstanding Adjunct Faculty by AFA


Three of our adjunct faculty members have been recognized as Outstanding Faculty by MCCCD's Adjunct Faculty Association.

A recognition dinner was held on Dec. 11 for all Outstanding Adjunct Faculty across Maricopa. After the dinner they were also recognized at the Governing Board meeting.