Tag Archives: Mt Sac College

Walnut: Mt. SAC VP Honored with State Diversity Award

BY MIKE TAYLOR

 

(L-R) California Community College Chancellor Brice Harris, Mt. SAC Student Services Vice President Audrey Yamagata-Noji, former Mt. SAC student and now Governor’s Fellow with the California Department of Finance Rene Kouassi, past Mt. SAC Associated Students President May Ochoa, and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. (Photo Courtesy: Mike Taylor)

(L-R) California Community College Chancellor Brice Harris, Mt. SAC Student Services Vice President Audrey Yamagata-Noji, former Mt. SAC student and now Governor’s Fellow with the California Department of Finance Rene Kouassi, past Mt. SAC Associated Students President May Ochoa, and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
(Photo Courtesy: Mike Taylor)

Walnut – Mt. San Antonio College Student Services Vice President, Dr. Audrey Yamagata-Noji, was honored recently with the Dr. John W. Rice Diversity and Equity Award in Sacramento.

Yamagata-Noji was named for the award for establishing numerous programs that provide mentorship and tutoring services for underrepresented students. She has been a champion of diversity and equity programs at Mt. SAC that support student success, including the college’s Bridge Program for first-time college students, the Arise Program for Asian and Pacific Islander students, and the Aspire Program for African-American students. The award was established to honor community college staff, districts, colleges and programs that have made the greatest contribution toward diversity and equity at community colleges.

“Dr. John W. Rice wanted all community college students to be treated equally, fairly, and with respect. All he wanted was for everyone to have an equal chance at an education, and the winners of the award today want the same thing,” said California Community Colleges Board of Governors President and Mt. SAC Trustee, Dr. Manuel Baca.

The award is named after the former California Community Colleges Board of Governors member and the father of former U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.

“For my father, being a part of the community college system was not just a profession, but it was a passion and indeed a mission and a calling,” said former the U.S. Secretary of State, who delivered the keynote address at the 14th annual awards ceremony. “He recognized that education is not a right, it’s a privilege and that someone stood up for him and that he must stand up for others.”

Yamagata-Noji has served as Student Services Vice President at Mt. SAC since 1996. A resident of Santa Ana, she has also served on the Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education for over 30 years and is currently serving as Board President.

Walnut: Classroom More Daunting Than Jail for Mt. Sac Grad

BY MIKE TAYLOR

joe-louis

Graduate Joe Louis (Photo Courtesy: Mike Taylor)

Walnut – All together, Joe Louis spent a year in jail. As a gangbanger, he had been shot at, almost stabbed, and incarcerated with killers and gangsters. But nothing, he says, was scarier than his English and statistics classes at Mt. San Antonio College.

“All of that lifestyle paled in comparison to the fear I had of coming to school,” said Louis, who graduated Fri., June 13, as part of Mt. SAC’s Class of 2014 with an Associate’s Degree in Social Behavioral Sciences. “Everything I knew in gang life didn’t apply here. It was so scary because it was completely different from what I was used to,” he said.

Walking at graduation seems worlds away from where Louis began. He joined a gang in South Gate when he was 13 years old. He was in the 10th Grade for three years, and when he was supposed to graduating from high school in 2004, he was in a hotel room doing methamphetamine.

He ended up attending 11 different schools during childhood and adolescence, and would use the money his mother gave him for drugs. Within time, he became addicted. He was eventually incarcerated on gun possession charges and landed in the L.A. County Men’s Central Jail for a total of 12 months.

“Going to jail is easy because you don’t have to do anything. You just have to react,” he said. “But in college you have to perform and do what is expected of you.”

Finally, Louis got into a 12-Step addiction program and received help from a treatment center on an outpatient basis. Friends told him that Mt. SAC was a good school. He enrolled in 2006, but dropped out after two semesters only to return in 2012.

“I was afraid of all the math and English I would have to do. It seemed so daunting,” said Louis.

With help from faculty and the staff of student support programs at the college, he was able to overcome his fear, acclimate to college life, and do well in his classes.

“Talking to faculty and staff in programs like the English department and ACES support program and hearing their stories encouraged me and made me think this is possible,” he added.

Now, the 29-year old La Puente resident is on the fast track as far as his education is concerned. Less than two weeks after he graduates from Mt. SAC, Louis will begin classes at Cal State L.A. en route to a Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitation Services. But the train doesn’t stop there. Louis wants to go on to earn his Master’s and Doctorate degrees, and eventually wants to become a counselor in either an educational or rehabilitation setting.

“I want to help those who are where I once was to give them hope and encouragement,” he said.

Joe Louis knows the past is the past. He can’t change it, but he can change his future.

“Now, I’m doing things that I can be proud of,” he said.
 

Walnut: Mt. San Antonio College Flying Team Wins 2-Year National Title

BY MIKE TAYLOR

 

Walnut – The Mt. San Antonio College Flying Team won the Top Community College Trophy at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s national competition held May 12-17 at Ohio State University. The win marks the sixth time since 2000 that Mt. SAC has won the national award. “It’s been a phenomenal run this year, and this is a great team that has put in a lot of hard work to achieve this,” said Mt. SAC Flying Team Advisor and Aeronautics Professor, Robert Rogus. With 76 points, Mt. SAC topped second-place Colorado Northwestern Community College with 27 points, and third-place Central Texas College with 14 points, to win the two-year college trophy. Mt. SAC’s Josh Spolar (West Covina) won second place in the instrumental flight event, and Evelyn Marquez (Pomona) and Spolar placed fifth in the message drop event. Manutea Maurin (Diamond Bar) was the Mt. SAC top scoring contestant with 32 points. The airmeet included over 275 competitors from 27 teams that included Southern Illinois University, Ohio State, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Overall, Mt. SAC placed 14th overall against both university and two-year colleges. Over the years, the Mt. SAC Flying Team has consistently earned top honors as one of the best collegiate flying teams in the country. The team has won the Top Community College trophy at the regional competition every year since 1991. Mt. SAC has won the Top U.S. Community College award at the national airmeet in 1984, 1985, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2007.

San Gabriel Valley: Community Events-Starting May 15, 2014

STAFF REPORTS

event-calendar-imageUPCOMING EVENTS:

Artist Karl Benjamin Mosaic Unveiling
When: Thurs., May 15, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Mt. SAC Art Complex, Building 1A
Details: Mt. San Antonio College and its Public Arts Council will unveil the first of a series of mosaic reproductions of internationally renowned Claremont artist, Karl Benjamin, during an unveiling ceremony. Following the unveiling ceremony, a discussion of the mosaic exhibit will be facilitated in the Feddersen Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
Contact: For more information, visit the Art Gallery’s website at http://www.mtsac.edu/artgallery, or call (909) 274-4328.

San Gabriel Valley Orchid Hobbyists Annual Auction
When: Thurs., May 15. Doors open at 6 p.m.; Auction begins at 7 p.m.
Where: Los Angeles County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia 91106.
Details: Get rock bottom prices from award-winning orchid vendors from Santa Barbara to San Diego and Hawaii. Orchids, gift certificates, growing supplies and more will be available at a 50 to 75% discount.
Contact: For more information, visit http://www.SGVOH.org.

Diamond Bar AYSO: Registration ages 4 to 18 years of age.
When: May 15, and June 3, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Pantera Park
Details: Please visit http://www.DBAYSO.org for registration procedures for both volunteers and players, ages 4 to 18.
Contact: Greg M. Busch, R31_Safety@dbayso.org.
Electric Car Guest Drive
When: Saturday, May 10
Where: Ruben S. Ayala Park
Details: The Electric Car Guest Drive socials take place at parks up the California coast giving people a non-sales environment to test drive at least six electronic vehicles from one location, learn from educational sponsor booths, and talk to their local EV drivers about what going electric is all about.
Contact: Email ElectricCarGuestDrive@gmail.com for more information.

Fire Service Day
When: Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: City of Industry Fire Station 118; 17056 Gale Avenue, City of Industry
Details: Join the Los Angeles County Fire Station as they celebrate Fire Service Day with Fire Engines, Pool Safety, Jaws of Life Demonstration, and Equipment Displays.

3rd Annual Women’s Care Center Walk for Life
When: Saturday, June 14 at 8 a.m.; Registration starts at 6:30 a.m.
Where: Industry Expo Center; 16200 Temple Avenue, City of Industry
Cost: $35 (includes race, entry, goodie bag, meal, and t-shirt)
Details: 5K Run and Walk for Life.
Contact: Landon Diener, Event Manager (714) 309-1634; landondiener@gmail.com. Register at http://www.womenscarecenter.org
OPARC’s Heart and Sole: Fun Run 1K/5K and Health Fair
When: June 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Ruben S. Ayala Park, 5575 Edison Ave., Chino CA 91710
Cost: Entry fee for runners/walkers is $20, inspiration signs are $50, vendor booths are $150 and additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Free parking.
Details: OPARC, a 501(c)(3) organization that trains, employs and serves the mentally disabled community. Food vendors, vendor booths, participant awards, music, guest appearances, and more. Walk-ins are welcome.

WEEKLY EVENTS:

Bookstore Blowout
Where: Twice Sold Tale Bookstore located at the Walnut Library, La Puente Road, Walnut CA 91789
When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Details: All books and media: Any four items for $1 ($1 minimum purchase).
Contact: (909) 595-0757 or email the.walnut.library@mac.com.

Resources for the Classroom Days at Basically BOOKS
When: Second Tuesday of every month.
Where: Basically BOOKS locations: at 23447 Golden Springs Road, Diamond Bar and at the Diamond Bar Library: 21800 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar.
Details: Books and education videos will be offered at special discounts for teachers at all levels. Teachers can sign up at either Basically BOOKS locations or email BasicallyBOOKS@aol.com to join these special teacher appreciation afternoons.

Free Acupuncture for Veterans, Active Military, First Responders
When: Every Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Where: 12598 Central Avenue, Unit 113, Chino, CA 91710.
Cost: Free
Contact: (909) 590-4183 or http://www.healingcirclecommunityacupuncture.com

Jack Newe’s Farmers Market sponsored by SGV Regional Chamber of Commerce
When: Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Mt. San Antonio College Campus, Parking Lot B, 1100 N. Grand Avenue, Walnut CA 91789
Cost: Free Admission/Parking
Features: Seasonal organic produce, breads and cakes, olive oils, cheese and spreads, a variety of nursery plants, hand-crafted items and jewelry, fresh-popped Kettle Corn and grilled food plates.
Contact: (909) 869-0701