Congratulations to Robert Garcia
Pass the Torch Coordinator of Outreach & Team Development
CONGRATULATIONS to our very own Robert Garcia who won Foothill's prestigious award, "2007 Classified Employee of the Year"! Robert was honored Thursday, June 7th at the end of the year Foothill Annual Celebration. We are thrilled that Robert's years of service to Pass the Torch, to our students, and to carrying forth our founder, Jean Thomas' vision were recognized by the whole college. Robert, we celebrate you and your years of accomplishments!
Pass the Torch Staff.
David Garrido (right) Foothill College Classified Senate President presents Robert Garcia (left) with the "2007 Classified Employee of the Year Award" for his years of dedicated service to students and the college, extraordinary devotion demonstrated to ensure the success of the Pass the Torch program, commitment to teamwork and respect from students, faculty and staff, unfailing positive attitude, and passion for student outreach and success.
Additionally Robert was awarded the HARAMBEE "Ujima Award" from the Foothill College African American Network in recognition of his Leadership and Commitment to Equity and Diversity.
Robert will be on Staff Development Leave during the 2007-2008 Academic year, to contact him leave a message with the Pass the Torch Staff and it will be forwarded to him.
Congratulations to Nicole Gray
Pass the Torch Mathematics Coordinator
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left to right, Peter Murray, Phuong Lam, Faun Maddux, Rob Johnstone
Rachel Mudge, Kathy Perino, Nicole Gray & Interim President Penny Patz
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Innovation of the Year Award for Foothill's Math My Way Program
Members of the Foothill College Mathematics Department who developed the Math My Way basic skills and developmental education program are the recipients of the 2007 Innovation of the Year Award presented by the League for Innovation in the Community College. The Math My Way team includes Math Instructors Nicole Gray, Phuong Lam, Faun Maddux, Rachel Mudge and Kathy Perino, Physical Science, Mathematics & Engineering Division Dean Peter Murray and Vice President of Instruction & Institutional Research Rob Johnstone. Each year, the league honors outstanding innovations that have been recognized by league member institutions as Innovations of the Year. These innovations represent capstone achievements and the continuing renewal of the spirit of innovation and experimentation upon which the league was founded.
For more information about Math My Way go to: http://www.foothill.edu/psme/index.php
Black History Month Celebrates by “Reclaiming Our Identity”
Artist lauds mentor, faculty member Dr. Jean Thomas
By MJ Smyth, Editor
The opening ceremony for Black History Month was held on February 7 at the Chinese Heritage Room to a gathering crowd of students, faculty, and staff at the noon-day celebration.
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From left, artist Milton Bowens, Anika Dodds, and Confiance Dukunde by portrait of Dr. Jean Thomas Photo by Bill Frankeberger
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Introductions and opening remarks were made by Anika Dodds, Confiance Dukunde, Black History Month Co-chairs, and Interim President Penny Patz before the guest speakers’ presentations. Dr. Patz, remarking that Black History Month evolved from Black History Week, stressed the importance of treasuring and learning about African American cultureand participating in educational activities during Black History Month.
Perry Bowens of the National Marrow Donor Program spoke of his organization as the “life insurance policy” for those who are stricken with leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and other blood-related and genetic diseases. According to Bowens, the marrow donor database of the region he represents holds 88,000 donors including 3,000 from African American donors. He described a parent who called him to find a donor for her daughter who was given 3 weeks to live. A match couldn’t be found for the young girl, and she tragically died within 4 weeks. Bowens emphasized that there could have been a donor out there, but only if people volunteer to register as donors. In 2005, more than 3 million dollars were made available to patients in need, according to the National Marrow Donor Program web site at www.marrow.org.
Milton Bowens, an artist and the previous speaker’s brother, used the phrase, “Can we spare some change,” as the theme for his presentation. His focus on this expression, he explained, was to ask that African Americans think of making a change in their outlooks and contribute to the African American community. He also spoke of society at large and the inequities that still exist in American life.
Describing his resistance to exhibiting his paintings at Foothill several years ago, Bowens attributed the influence of Dr. Jean Thomas, a long-time counselor and mentor at Foothill, as the catalyst who changed his mind by encouraging him to believe in himself. “I didn’t think my work was right for an exhibition at Foothill,” Bowen explained. “Her belief that an artist’s work was important...[helped me] understand that we have an identity.”
Dr. Thomas created the Pass the Torch Program and other programs benefiting students at Foothill. Even after her death in 2005, Bowens looked to her for guidance, and aspired to give back to those who helped him. He described Dr. Thomas as no less an important icon than the famous and historical Black Americans highlighted during Black History Month. Bowens dedicated his painting to Dr. Thomas, describing her as “past and present living history.” As his painting was unveiled, showing a radiant Dr. Thomas in inspirational colors and hues, the words , ‘American Legacy’ was written above Dr. Thomas’ head, accompanied by other thought-provoking phrases within the painting. For more information about Milton Bowens’ art work, go to http://www.milton510.com/biography.html.
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