62nd Commencement Celebrated "Excellence & Distinction"

Mt. SAC marked its 62nd commencement ceremony with the theme, "Celebrating Excellence and Distinction!" on Friday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Hilmer Lodge Stadium.

For the third consecutive year, a record of 2,827 graduation petitions were processed. In addition to awarding hundreds of Mt. SAC grads their Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees, 23 candidates will be awarded Bachelor of Science degrees in Aviation Management through Mt. SAC's long-standing partnership with Southern Illinois University.

The ceremony featured Congresswoman Hilda Solis as keynote speaker and psychologist-author Dr. Gloria Morrow, who received the Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award.

As in past years, retiring faculty and deans will be recognized for their years of dedication and service. The talents of the Mt. SAC Wind Ensemble and members of the Chamber Singers were also showcased.

In keeping with tradition, Mt. SAC's award-winning Flying Team performed a fly-over, and the ceremony ended with a "bang" with an elaborate fireworks display.

Mt. SAC provided a webcast of the commencement ceremony. Log on to http://www.mtsac.edu/promos/grad_webcast.html to view the re-webcast of the ceremony.

Forensics Team Silences the World!

Mt. SAC's nationally ranked Forensics (speech/debate) Team was recently crowned "World Champion Community College Forensics Program" at the International Forensics Association Tournament in London. The team returned to the United States to receive the Silver Medal in Team Sweepstakes at the Phi Rho Pi Community College National Tournament, where they competed also against universities and other four-year colleges.

During their eventful 2007-08 season, team members participated in more than 20 intercollegiate speech competitions, speaking for a combined 18,000 minutes (300 hours) and bringing home more than 250 individual and team trophies—enough to leave anyone speechless!

Congrats to all our articulate team members and faculty advisors Liesel Reinhart, Casey Garcia, and Anne Fleischer.

Donors Give Record Dollars for Scholars

A record $174,000 in scholarships was awarded to 164 deserving scholars during the annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on May 22 at the Clarke Theater.

This year's total marks a $50,000 increase from last year, according to Financial Aid Director Susan Jones. The selection of recipients was based on their academic achievement and the specific criteria for each scholarship. Scholarship donors include community organizations, businesses, campus departments, foundations, and individuals. In addition, memorial scholarships are established to commemorate deceased students, professors, and family members.

"These scholarships continue to play a critical role in helping our students achieve their goals of furthering their education," Jones said. "We are grateful for the donors' continued generosity in contributing to the success of our student scholars."

Jones noted that several of the awards went to deserving student scholars who otherwise would not quality for financial aid. The individual awards ranged from $300 to $1,500.

Organized by Scholarship Coordinator Desiree Marquez, the ceremony was attended by hundreds of proud families and friends of the recipients—many of whom are transfer students who will use their awards at their university of choice. Other students will use theirs to continue their studies at Mt. SAC.

Mt. SAC's scholarship program is a joint effort by the Mt. SAC Foundation and Financial Aid Office. If you would like to contribute to the program, contact Foundation Director Richard Morley at ext. 4215.

Faculty Member Given Prestigious W.H.O. Award

Mt. SAC is pleased to announce the California Teachers Association (CTA) has chosen faculty member Carolyn Inmon as the recipient for the 2008 We Honor Ours (W.H.O.) higher education award for 2008.

The CTA W.H.O. award is a service award given each year to one person from the Community College Association (CCA), California Faculty Association (CFA), Independent California Colleges and Universities Faculty Association (ICCUFA), or the Student California Teachers Association (SCTA). In her career, Carolyn has won the W.H.O. award in all three available levels, including CCA State, CTA State and local. The recipients are nominated and then voted on by select committee. In California, there are more than 75 chapters that have leaders who are eligible for the award.

A long time CTA and CCA member, Carolyn has been at Mt. SAC for 16 years as a Communication professor. During her time here, she's served as the College Faculty Association President, Assistant Director of Forensics, Honors Director, and Department Chair. She was also just named as one of Mt. SAC's 2008 Outstanding Educators (see next article).

Congratulations Carolyn!

2008 Educators of Distinction

The Mt. SAC Associated Students is proud to announce the winners of the 2008 Educators of Distinction award: Ronald Brown, Art Professor; Mary Chabot, Mathematics & Computer Sciences Professor; Alina Hernandez, Counselor; Anita Lopez, Associated Students Secretary (Student Life); Martin Sydney Mason, Physics & Engineering Professor; Jimmy Tamayo, Mathematics & Computer Sciences Professor.

The Educators of Distinction are nominated by students and the award recognizes faculty who have provided outstanding service to the College. They were honored with ceremony and dinner in May.

Health Students Win Medals at State HOSA Competition

Health career students recently won a gold medal, 11 silver medals, and two bronze medals at the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) state competition in Santa Clara. More than 800 secondary and post-secondary students competed at the state tournament.

Chijioke Egboluche won a gold medal in the nutrition competition, a silver medal in creative problem solving, and was a finalist in the Kaiser health care issues competition. Chotinan Mahapiti won silver medals in creative problem solving and the health care concepts competition, and Chaona Malunga won silver medals in the biomedical debate and nutrition.

Randy Luttrell won a silver medal in the biomedical debate, a bronze medal in medical math, and was a finalist in the Kaiser health care issues exam. Crissy Burroughs won a silver medal in prepared speaking, and Afoma Ekedolum was a silver medalist in the biomedical debate. Holly Sanders won a silver medal and Defina Osby won a bronze medal in the extemporaneous speaking competition.

Laura Espinoza won a silver medal in the biomedical debate and was a fourth-place finalist in the pathophysiology competition. Angelita Pedraja won a silver medal in creative problem solving and was a fifth-place finalist in pathophysiology. Nnenna Emeruwa was a fourth-place finalist in the medical spelling competition and was a finalist in Kaiser health care issues.

All 11 Mt. SAC students will advance to the national HOSA competition in Dallas, Texas, in June.

HOSA, established in 1976 by the U.S. Department of Education, is the national organization for secondary and post-secondary health career students. The organization provides students in 40 states with skills, leadership development, and career development.

Summer Bridge Program Celebrates 10 Years

The Summer Bridge Program, which has helped hundreds of students make the sometimes intimidating transition from high school to college, recently marked 10 years of success with a special celebration in Founders Hall.

The event, which had a feel of a family reunion, featured dinner, music by Bridge alumni, testimonials by past and present Bridge students, and a video that featured just a handful of the program's many success stories.

Among those who shared their stories were sisters Romina and Melina Yepiz who are now college graduates and human services professionals. Romina was a member of the first Bridge cohort in 1998.

Also sharing his experience was alumnus Michael Ngo, who is also a college grad and has worked at Mt. SAC in various capacities, including his current position as an ESL counselor. He shared his mission to "give back" to students in the same way that the faculty and staff gave to him through Bridge.

The celebration also recognized faculty and staff who have participated in the program since its inception. Honored for 10 years of continued service to the Summer Bridge program were faculty members Silver Calzada, Carol Norton and Paul Russell. Jim Smith, the program's first coordinator and longtime counselor, also was honored as was 10-year veteran Phil Maynard, who missed the ceremony, because he had to teach a class.

Summer Bridge founder Audrey Yamagata-Noji, vice president of Student Services, received special recognition for her role in the program's formation and continued achievements. She noted how the Bridge concept exemplifies effective collaboration between Instruction and Student Services.

The program will now welcome its 11th class in a few weeks, consisting of nearly 350 students — the most ever.

New Associated Student Officers Chosen

The winners of the Associated Student elections were announced recently. The following students will serve for the 2008-09 school year:

Congratulations to next year's student leaders!

Passion Pays Off for Interior Design Student

Arcel Punsalang wants everyone to know he is passionate about interior design, and one of the best places to study it is at Mt. San Antonio College.

Punsalang's enthusiasm paid off recently when the Philippines native won a student competition sponsored by the International Interior Design Association. "I have never been so proud of myself," said Punsalang, a 37-year-old former civil engineer. "It was a nerve-wracking experience, but I was able to beat out bigger schools and get some recognition for Mt. SAC." Punsalang competed against students from Cal State University Northridge and the Design Institute of San Diego. For his win, he received a $4,000 scholarship.

Punsalang, a father of three from Walnut, began his studies at Mt. SAC in 2005 focusing on computer science. He had always dreamed of becoming an architect, but back in his native country, that was too lofty a goal because of the expense. Instead, once here, he followed his creative impulses and enrolled in the interior design program.

Fast forward a few years and Punsalang found himself as the lead designer working on the newly renovated Founders Hall building on campus. As part of the Founders Hall revamp, Punsalang and his team decided to soften the all-white space by adding color through rugs, window treatments, and art. Since his win, he has been approached by two design firms and is setting his sights on attending Cal State Long Beach in the fall.