Need a scholarship? Grossmont College Foundation is raising the money for them

 

Story by William Dudley and Brennan Wasan
Videos by Felipe Oliveira and Xavier Green
Photos by Robert Sanchez

 

 

Ernie Ewin (Photo: Robert Sanchez)

GROSSMONT COLLEGE — Imagine yourself in this student’s situation.

After some detours and setbacks after high school, this student has finally gotten her act together at Grossmont College. She has applied for and received financial aid, and despite juggling jobs and classes, is academically on track to transfer to SDSU. But a sudden emergency — say, an unexpected auto breakdown, a rent increase, or a job layoff or reduced hours — prevents her from attending class and forces her to consider dropping out of college entirely.

It is just this kind of scenario that is tailor-made for Dreamkeepers — a new program funded in part by the Grossmont College Foundation (GCF).  What the GCF does for Grossmont students was the main focus of a press conference that the organization’s executive director, Ernie Ewin, held for MCom132 students on December 7.

The GCF is a 501/C3 nonprofit program that is legally separate from Grossmont College and the district. Founded in 1997, its main purpose is to interact and solicit from the larger community support and grants “primarily to augment deficits in budgets,”according to Ewin. Its fundraising activities include an annual fundraising gala and golf tournament

Funds raised by the Foundation from the community then are awarded to meet college needs as envisioned by Grossmont President Sunita Cooke and Grossmont faculty, including  Funds that have been allocated for such expenses as general supplies, equipment, and travel support for events that augment students’ experiences at college.

Ewin stated that the Foundation is  “more or less trying to do the things that normally you see colleges doing that you do not see because of budget constraints” due to California’s fiscal crisis.

Part of the Foundation’s fundraising will go towards a $20,000 pool of money each semester that is meant to help students in short-term emergency situations.  Grossmont is one of four colleges in that the state of California that are participating in the nationwide Dreamkeepers program, which is funded in part by the Kresge, Lumina and Wal-Mart foundations.

Some Grossmont students were helped this semester by Dreamkeepers grants, which can be $500 or less. Information and application forms for these grants is available at the Grossmont financial aid office, according to Ewin.

The Grossmont College Foundation is also engaged in aggressive fundraising to increase the number of Bernard Osher Foundation  scholarships awarded to Grossmont students. Currently the college awards thirteen $1000 scholarships to Grossmont students; the goal is to raise this number to 42.

The Grossmont College Foundation is also working to improve its community outreach and alumni networking, Ewin stated. These changes include a major revamping of its website to make it more interactive and social; the new web site will launch sometime early in 2011.

As a former student body president of Grossmont College, Ewin  says he wants students to succeed in their school endeavors, and to help them  hurdle the road blocks they may encounter on the way to success. Discussing his own life experiences, Ewin, currently a member of the La Mesa City Council,  said he knows there are times in a student’s life when paying for school is difficult and could thus cause a student to drop out.

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Dudley, Green, Oliveira, Sanchez and Wasan are students in Media Comm 132

Campus bargain: a 5-course gourmet meal prepared by culinary arts students

GROSSMONT COLLEGE—Chef Joe Orate is teaching Grossmont students to prepare meals fit for five-star restaurants.  On Thursday nights, members of his culinary arts class have been readying themselves for  careers  as chefs by making, under his close supervision, a salad course, soup, an intermezzo, entrée, and dessert  with coffee.

Faculty and students in the know line up to enjoy the full, five-course meals, which have been offered to the campus community at the bargain price of $20.  

Videographer Felipe Oliveira and reporter Kamri Jackson went behind the scenes to provide this special report.

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Oliveira and Jackson are students in Media Comm 132

‘Breaking Boundaries’ dance performances continue through Nov. 7

By Xavier Green

GROSSMONT COLLEGE — Thursday November 4, 2010 was the sold-out opening of Breaking Boundaries by Grossmont College Dance Students.

This production was student run with choreography done by students with the help of faculty. This is a great show that showcases art of the students. There are twelve different mind-blowing acts and each dance piece is unique and tasteful. Many different dance genres are represented.

The show runs until Sunday November 7th.

‘GR8 Pumpkin’ Halloween trail proves more fun than scary

 

Stories and photos by Alexis Jacquett; Video by Feilipe Oliveira 

 
SAN DIEGO — Prof. Jim Papageorge of Grossmont College’s Media Communications Department each year since 1965 has created a Halloween trail at his home near San Diego State University, delighting many neighbor children and their parents. 

Living Dead welcome the Living

Grossmont professor turns his home into a Halloween experience

SAN DIEGO — Every year since 1965, Grossmont College Media Communications Professor Jim Papageorge has turneed his home at 5221 Joan Court into a mini-Halloween theme park, using numerous special effects to make a visit to a haunted house an unforgettable experience.

Videographer Felipe Oliveira joined with Media Communications Major Tana Rule to preview what happens Chez Papageorge on Halloween night. Members of the public — especially youngsters– are invited to come and trick or treat.

Four Grossmont students work behind scenes of local TV show

Earnest Carter films 'Chef Roc and the Joc' Show

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Four Grossmont College students are serving as interns for the local TV Show, “Chef Roc and the Joc” on the Fox Network. The show, which airs at noon Saturdays, features chef Steve Cassarino and former National Football League player Jim Weatherly.

Grossmont student Taylor Harris was the first to join the show, becoming a script writer and public relations assistant.  Next, Felipe Oliveira, a video production major, came to help with camera work.  Earnest Carter also came to help with the cameras as well as post-production editing.  Finally, student Ryan Casselman joined to help with audio and lights.

Each show features segments on food and on sports.

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Preceding provided by Chef Roc and the Joc

International students enjoy Miramar Air Show

Jets and prop plane engage in aerobatics (Photo: Eduardo Godoi)

MIRAMAR MARINE CORPS AIR STATION — Members of Grossmont College’s International Club were among the thousands of spectators who attended the annual Miramar Air Show this past weekend.

Felipe Oliveira, a student in MComm 132,  recorded the sights and jazz sounds on this You Tube video.

Campus celebrates Mexican independence bicentennial

A guitar sits by the construction fence, ready for the next mariachi set (Photos: Robert Sanchez)

Story by Lan Nguyen, Photos by Robert Sanchez, Video by Felipe Oliveira

Lan Nguyen

GROSSMONT COLLEGE — The Main Quad was transformed on Thursday, Sept 16, into a plaza de educacion as students enjoyed the sights, sounds and flavors of Mexico.

The day marked the 200th anniversary of Mexican independence.   History Prof. Carlos Alberto Contreras said the intent of the on-campus celebration was to acquaint students with Mexico’s many unique cultural contributions.   For example, he said mariachi music was originated in the Mexican state of Jalisco, which, he added, also was the birthplace of tequila.

On the quad Mexican baked goods were distributed for free, and carne asada was the special food sale item at the Sodexho Cafeteria.

Juan Carlos Navarrete, a student, said “it’s pretty awesome today. We’re celebrating 200 years of independence.  This is for all Mexicans around the world. Its for all of us to get together and have fun and have a good weekend, you know?”

Spanish professior Yolanda Guerrero concurred:  “We’re here celebrating the bicentennial of Mexican Independence Day. This event was put on by the Worlds Art and Culture committee. We have mariachis, we have free Mexican bread called Dorejas. We are having a very successful event as you can see. There have been thousands of people that have came by.”

Contreras pointed out that the World’s Arts and Culture Committee celebrates cultures the many cultures that are  represented here at Grossmont. “We have from Latino students, Mexican American students, Japanese students, Asian students, students from all over the world,” he said.  

” This is a wonderful opportunity for students to visit the world without having to leave San Diego or leave Grossmont and it is a great representation of the diversity on the Grossmont campus.”

The flavor of the day’s proceedings was captured on video by Felipe Oliveira, and on digital camera by Robert Sanchez, both students in Mass Communications 132.

Mariachi Ahutlense's Ramon Arviso and Miguel Rosales

Love those Mexican pastries

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Nguyen is a student in Media Communications 132, the class that publishes the GC Summit.

Special video report: Our smoke-free campus

See the Special Video Report by Felipe Oliveira

GROSSMONT COLLEGE, Sept. 9 — It took several years for Grossmont College to ban smoking, according to Dean of Student Affairs Agustin Albarran.  In 2004 and 2005, a student named Rick Walker headed a campaign calling for it; and in 2006 student Sarah Moore helped bring the policy into reality.

In the first year of an experiment authorized by the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, Grossmont College restricted smoking to certain areas of the campus.   Thereafter, a full ban went into effect, requiring students who wanted to smoke to go off campus.

Predictably, there is a division of opinion today among smokers and non-smokers over the efficacy of the policy.  In interviews non-smokers Chuck Reid said he’s glad that as a result of the policy he doesn’t “have to smell fould disgusting cigarette smoke,” and Melissa Milstead said she’s pleased she doesn’t “have to breathe others’ nastiness.”

Smoker Joshua Jensma, on the other hand, said the policy was unnecessary.  He said that two reasons are often cited for it: to protect people against second-hand smoke and to guard against littering.

However, he added, littering is already against the law and subject to a fine.   Second-hand smoke, he added, could be avoided simply by avoiding areas on campus that were designated as smoking areas.
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Preceding summarizes video report by Felipe Oliveira, a student in Media Comm 132, which produces the GC Summit

Chancellor among 50 evacuated during 10-acre brushfire

William Dudley

Felipe Oliveira

EDITOR’S NOTE–Media Communications students Felipe Oliveira  and William Dudley on Friday covered the 10-acre brush fire that burned a few hundred yards north of the campus.  Dudley wrote the story that appears below and Oliveira put together an accompanying YouTube video report.  

 

 

 

 

Plume of smoke alerted Grossmont College to off-campus brushfire

By William Dudley

GROSSMONT COLLEGE, August 27–A 10-acre brushfire several hundred yards north of Grossmont College forced the evacuation of approximately 50 persons on campus late Friday morning, including Chancellor Cindy L. Miles, before it was successfully contained by firefighters.

The evacuees were in buildings along the northern rim of the campus, including the temporary structure housing the offices of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, where Miles maintains her office.

Chancellor Miles, left, and Dana Quittner, district public information officer, check with campus police officer Marco Bareno on fire's status. Custodial Supervisor Kurt Brauer is in background

The Chancellor told the GC Summit that although the fire briefly disrupted district business during the evacuation, she and other officials were able to continue their meeting in a nearby parking lot. The Chancellor later met with and congratulated fire and police officials on their quick response to the fire, which was first reported at 10:43 a.m. 

Heartland Fire Public Information Officer Sonny Saghera said the blaze apparently was caused by construction workers building a fence on property overlooking State Highway 125 between the college and Santee. He said the brushfire did not cause injuries or damage to any structures.

At least sixty firefighters from various fire departments, including those from El Cajon, Heartland, Santee, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, San Miguel Fire Protection District, and Cal Fire were involved in battling the blaze assisted by police and sheriff department units and campus police. Two hand crews were joined by two helicopters, and two fixed-wing air units that made multiple forays dumping water and retardant on the fire. Saghera said that progress was complicated by the lack of easy access, the difficult terrain, and gusty winds.  

He also said it was a challenge for dispatchers to describe to the fire units exactly how to get to the blaze, which they eventually some units  reached via a gate on the college’s northern perimeter and continuing up a dirt path several hundred yards.  Other units fought the blaze from below.

From the modular village on another part of campus, Grossmont President Sunita Cooke’s office sent out campus email advisories about the course of the fire, which never came close enough to the main campus to require evacuation of any classes. In addition to the District Offices, the Gafcon construction offices, and maintenance and storage yards were evacuated. Vehicle traffic on the northern side of the Grossmont College Drive loop was temporarily closed.

Fire crew surveys the brush

Crews had the fire contained in less than two hours, but they stayed through the evening to “mop up” and prevent any flare ups.
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Dudley, a GC Summit staff member, is a student in Media Communications 132.