Mt. SAC to Implement 4/10 Work Week to Save Costs

The stage is set for Mt. SAC’s 64th Commencement as the college prepares toaward hundreds of associate degrees to the Class of 2010 at the ceremony onFriday, June 11, 6:30 p.m., at the campus stadium. This year’s ceremony featuresspeeches, recognitions, a flyover by Mt. SAC aviation, performances by the college’saward-winning vocal jazz ensemble, Singcopation, and lots of smiling grads.“Commencement is the culmination of an eventful academic year,” said President John Nixon. “Andthis year, we have so much to celebrate, with student achievement taking center stage.”Over 2,400 graduation petitions for associate degrees were filed by Mt. SAC students this year. Gradsin the Class of 2010 range in age from 17 (liberal studies major Bryant Lee) to 73 (paralegal majorCharles Lawrence Moore).The commencement speaker comes from the faculty ranks, which is always a specialoccasion at Mt. SAC. History professor and department chair Ralph Spaulding willaddress the topic, “Fulfilling the Noble Experiment,” in which he plans to “give the Classof 2010 a hopeful sendoff.”During the commencement ceremony, Mt. SAC will recognize former student JimmyNguyen as “Alumnus of the Year.” Considered one of the nation’s leading attorneys,Nguyen attended Mt. SAC from 1991 to 1993 and was a stellar member of its nationallyranked Forensics Team—all while concurrently attending UCLA, where he graduated atage 19. Nguyen was a seven-time national gold medalist and twice won the Bovero-TaborAward, which is given to the top overall speaker at the prestigious Phi Rho PiNational Forensics Tournament.●●64thCommencementRetiree Profiles● Picture This . . .Picture That!●●●CelebratingEmployees/Faces & PlacesAchievements/RecognitionEvents CalendarIn addition to honoring Mt. SAC’s retiring faculty, the collegewill also recognize outstanding students and awardbachelor degrees in aviation management in partnershipwith Southern Illinois University.Those who cannot attend the ceremony may viewit live and afterwards online at www.mtsac.edu,beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.Mt. SAC to Implement4/10 Work Week to Save CostsAs acost-saving measure, Mt. SAC will shut its operations down on eight consecutiveFridays, beginning June 18 through Aug. 6. Employees will transition to a 4/10 work week instaggered shifts (10 hours per day Monday through Thursday), beginning June 14. The college’sgeneral public business hours will remain in effect: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday throughThursday. Student Services Center, Community Education, the Library, and SacBookRac will continuetheir regular summer hours, except for the Friday closures. The amended work week is expected tosave the college over $100,000—primarily in energy costs.

Julie Hughes-Lederer––30 years as a nursingprofessor at Mt. SAC. Julie served as theassistant director for the associate degreenursing program, director for the HealthOccupations Skills Lab, and director for theRegional Health Occupations Resource Center(RHORC). She developed curriculum for thenursing program, including courses for the certified nursingassistant classes, I.V. therapy for radiologic technologists, andcertification for licensed vocational nurse I.V. therapy. Juliealso served as a volunteer for Mt. SAC’s 1997 bond electionand as a deacon at her church in La Habra Hills. Inretirement, she plans to move to Hawaii.Gary Long––32 years as a mathematicsprofessor at Mt. SAC with 41 years ineducation. Gary taught nearly all of themathematics courses and many of thecomputer science courses offered by thecollege. He developed a short-term math studyskills course, “Strategies for Success inMathematics.” Gary returned to school at age 60 to earn hisdoctorate (completed two months ago). He loves stocks andfutures trading, photography, and learning how to learn better.He says his most memorable moment at Mt. SAC was onDecember 2, 1989 when he met his wife, Terri. In retirement,Gary plans to work on a project to help students succeed inmathematics and will bring the proposal to the Basic SkillsCommittee to lead a group of math professors who willreplicate his dissertation study. He also plans to write a bookabout stock market price structure and teach part time.Jeff Parker––5 years as public safety officer anddirector at Mt. SAC. Jeff came to Mt. SAC after30 years with the Los Angeles PoliceDepartment. He holds membership in theCalifornia College and University Police ChiefsAssociation, and holds certificates in advancedand management Police Officer Standards andTraining. In retirement, Jeff plans to volunteer with the Sheriff’sDepartment and U.S.O. and continue to travel the globe withhis wife.Rick Stepp-Bolling––33 years as a learningassistance professor at Mt. SAC. Rick taughtwriting, reading, and study techniques throughLearning Assistance. He established thedevelopmental education faculty certificationprogram. He served on the Academic Senateand chaired the developmental education teamand professional and staff development committee. He hasbeen honored with the “Distinguished Teaching” and the“Professional and Staff Development” awards. Rick enjoyswriting, golf, and exercise, and last year he published a bookof poetry. He says he has enjoyed 33 years of bicycling to Mt.SAC. In retirement, Rick plans to teach part time, golf a lot,and write and publish more.Tom Vela––19 years as an architecture andengineering design technology professor with33 years as an educator. Tom designed andtaught the computer aided design course forboth architecture and engineering design. Hedeveloped the first online hybrid course toteach computer aided design. Tom enjoysphotography in his spare time. In retirement, he plans tobecome a single-digit handicapper while golfing with hisretired Mt. SAC colleagues. He will also teach part time, learnhow to weld, and photograph his world travels.Bruce Williams––22 years as an Englishprofessor. Bruce served on Academic Senate,as assistant director of the Honors Program,and on the Writer’s Day Committee. Hedeveloped one of the first online courses—apoetry workshop. He has held memberships inthe American Academy of Poets and theCalifornia Teachers Association. He had published four shortbooks of poetry and recently a longer book, “The MojaveRoad and Other Journeys.” Among his most memorablemoments at Mt. SAC was teaching students with difficultieswho still wanted to learn, including one with incurablecancer who was determined to finish freshman composition.In retirement, Bruce plans to teach part time, drive his jeep,and write and give poetry readings.Dave Schmidt––17+ years as an electronicsprofessor and telecommunications technicianat Mt. SAC. Dave began teaching at Mt. SAC inCommunity Services in 1980. He later left Mt.SAC to manage the Electronic and TechnicalServices Department at Huntington Beach HighSchool and returned to Mt. SAC in 1991. Heserved as department co-chair and on the Faculty Senate. Hehelped develop the electronic servicing technology degreeand pioneered the early college starter program in career andtechnical education. He says his most memorable moments atMt. SAC were watching the first early starter student graduateand experiencing the outpouring of support from the collegecommunity after the loss of a daughter. In retirement, Daveplans to watch his other daughters grow up.

Over $234,000 in scholarships wasawarded to 186 deserving students at the2010 Scholarship Awards Ceremony, thanks to thegenerous support of more than 100 donors.The Mt. SAC Foundation hosted a RetireeForum for retired faculty, staff, andadministrators. The forum gave the retireesa structured setting for reconnecting withthe college, renewing friendships, andlearning what’s going on atMt. SAC today.A total of 214 students werehonored at the annual TransferAchievement Ceremony tocelebrate their acceptance tofour-year institutions. Mt. SACtransfer rates typically rank inthe top tier among California’scommunity colleges.

Classified Week EventsFaculty & ManagerRecognition

Academic Senate Names “Employees of the Year”The Academic Senate recently announced its annual “Outstanding Employees of the Year,” naming Gary Long“Outstanding Faculty” and Kate Scott “Outstanding Classified Employee.” No “Outstanding Manager” was selecteddue to a low number of nominees.Gary Long, amathematics professor at Mt. SAC for the past 32 years, was selected for his dedication to studentsuccess, willingness to try new strategies, and innovation in the classroom. For his classes, he created a computerprogram that includes videos of the concepts to be learned. His classes exemplify the “can-do” spirit. He alsodeveloped a short-term math study skills course, Strategies for Success in Mathematics.Kate Scott, an information technology specialist, was selected for her technical skills and the exceptionalsupport she provides to faculty, management, and staff. She implemented a Title V consortium grant forcomputer security. Most recently, she was a leader in developing workshops for faculty, staff, andmanagement involved in the college’s Planning for Institutional Effectiveness (PIE) initiative. She then showedemployees involved in the PIE reporting process how to use the new software for the submission of e-PIEs.Recent Employee AchievementsHonors Program Director Carolyn Kuykendall was selected for the “Paragon Award” for New Advisors at therecent Phi Theta Kappa annual convention. More than 400 PTK chapters vied for the coveted HallmarkAwards, which recognize excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship.Mt. SAC Learning Assistance Professor Rick Stepp-Bolling was honored with the College Reading andLearning Association's (CRLA) “Educator of the Year Award.” The CRLA bestows one Distinguished TeachingAward annually to a member of the Association who exemplifies teaching and learning as a lifelong journey.Professor Stepp-Bolling has taught reading, writing, and study techniques for 33 years at Mt. SAC and haspioneered the creation of courses and programs – like the Developmental Education Certificate Program – that aredesigned with a holistic approach to learning.Physical Education Professor and Head Wrestling Coach Larry Watanabe was inducted into the California Chapterof the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his lifetime service to the sport of wrestling. He has served as theMounties wrestling coach for 19 years and has produced 10 individual state champions and over 15 All-Americans. He also won a state championship when he wrestled for Mt. SAC as a student in 1969 and 1970.Mt. SAC was honored with the “Excellence in Planning and Excellence in Assessment” awards from theResearch and Planning Group for California Community Colleges. The “Excellence in Planning Award” wasreceived for the college’s work in program review (Planning of Institutional Effectiveness or PIE). Mt. SACreceived the “Excellence in Assessment Award” for the college’s work in learning outcomes assessment.New Employees . ..Mt. SAC Welcomes New Classified Staff and ManagementClassified StaffManagementErika BaldwinTutorial ServicesAssistantMarian PopaElectricianWilliam AsherAssistant Director ofFacilities Planning &Management

Celebrating a Year of Student AchievementThis academic year was marked by superior achievement by individual students, groups and teams as well as thefaculty members advising or coaching them. Following is a roundup of the more notable accomplishments:• Honor students Isaac Powell and Carmina Del Mundowere two of 40 scholars selected among 500 nomineesacross the nation to receive the 2010 Jack Kent CookeUndergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Their selection marksthe first time that two Mounties have won the award in thesame year, and it marks thefourth consecutive year thata Mt. SAC student has wonthis prestigious scholarship,valued up to $30,000annually. Carmina’s brother,Miguel, won the scholarshipin 2007.• Honor students Isaac Powell and Martin Medrano weretwo of the 67 community college students throughout thestate selected for the 2010 All-California Academic teams,chosen by Phi Theta Kappa, the international communitycollege honor society. Powell was selected for theAcademic First Team and Medrano was named to the ThirdTeam.• Honor student Lisa Bastio has been namedone of 20 recipients of the $5,000Guistwhite Scholarship by Phi Theta Kappa.• Mt. SAC honored 20 Students ofDistinction for outstanding service tothe college, competitive achievement, and academic andpersonal achievement.• The Forensics Team won the first-place gold medal in theindividual events sweepstakes and third place in theoverall sweepstakes at the 2010 Phi Rho Pi national speechtournament. Mt. SAC won 24 medals and placed third outof 65 teams at the national tournament for two-yearcolleges. Coaches: Liesel Reinhart, Ken Klawitter, JeffArchibald• The Football and Men's Soccer teams won state andnational titles last fall, marking the first time in Mountieathletics history that two teams have earned national titlesin the same academic year. Football Coach: Bob JastrabSoccer Coach: Juan Sanchez• Mt. SAC Journalism students outdid themselves again thisyear by winning a record 36 awards at the JournalismAssociation of Community Colleges’ state conference.They additionally won 17 awards, including five first-placeawards, at the California College Media Association’sannual awards conference. Advisor: Toni Albertson• For the seventh time inthe last nine years,Mt. SAC’s vocal jazzensemble,Singcopation, wonDownbeat magazine’s“OutstandingPerformance Award” inthe collegiate vocal jazz group category. Singcopation alsowon first place in the Monterey Jazz Festival's "NextGeneration Competition." Director: Bruce Rogers• Mt. SAC’s radio station, 90.1KSAK, won two Golden Mikeawards at the Radio and TelevisionNews Association of SouthernCalifornia’s annual awardsceremony held in Hollywood.KSAK has won 16 Golden Mikesin the past five years. StationManager: Cason Smith• Three vocational education students wongold medals at the SkillsUSA statecompetition and will advance to theSkillsUSA 46th Annual National LeadershipConference competition. Michael Savagliowon the first-place gold medal in aviationmaintenance, and Austin Gentry won firstplace in architecture. Crystal Mayfield took the goldmedal in electronics technology. Advisor: Max Lizarraga(shown above)• Health Careers students won six gold medals,six silver medals, and three bronze medals atthe Health Occupation Students of America(HOSA) state leadership conference. More than1,200 secondary and post-secondary studentscompeted at the state competition. Advisor:Mary-Ellen Reyes

JUNE JUNE JUNE JUNE JUNE11, 6:30 p.m.––64th Annual Commencement,Hilmer Lodge Stadium.16, 4:30 p.m.––Child Development Center groundbreaking,NW corner of Bonita & Walnut Drive16, 6:30 p.m.––Board of Trustees meeting, Founders Hall.17, 6 p.m.––Foundation Astronomy Scholarship Dinner,Founders Hall.28––Summer Intersession begins.JULY JULY JULY JULY JULY4&5––Fourth of July Holiday, campus closed.19––Registration for fall classes opens.28, 6:30 p.m.––Board of Trustees meeting, Founders Hall.AUGUST AUGUST AUGUST8––Summer Intersession ends.20––Professional Development Day.23––Fall Semester begins.25, 6:30 p.m.––Board of Trustees meeting, Founders Hall.’10 Fall ScheduleNow Available!The fall Schedule of Classes cover celebratesacademic opportunity with the college’s Dream It,Be It! theme. The schedule is nowavailable at key campus locationsas well as public libraries. You canalso view the schedule online atwww.mtsac.eduRegistration opensJuly 19Published by the Marketing & Public Affairs Officefor employees of Mt. San Antonio College, like . . .Please direct comments and storysuggestions to the Editor at ext. 5334.Clarence BrownDirector, Marketing & Public AffairsMike TaylorEditor and Chief PhotographerLinda LundgrenGraphic DesignerJoe Calatrello & Jeffrey GeorgePhotographersJeff ParkerPublic SafetyDirector