Cuesta's Golden Anniversary
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SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT CuestaFALL 2013 ColleCONNECTING eCUESTA COLLENewsNewGE TO THE COMMUNITY s Cuesta’s Golden Anniversary Page 12 w NEW ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM PAGE 3 | COMMENCEMENT PG 5 | VOLUNTEERS MAKE DIFFERENCE PG 15 | TOP ATHLETES PG 21 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER at twitter.com/Cuesta_College FIND US ON FACEBOOK at facebook.com/CuestaCollege CUESTA.EDU Cuesta College New s FALL 2013 President’s Messageg Contents 3 Cuesta’s administrative team Happy Birthday Cuesta College 4 Nursing student turn page Dear Friends, 5 The Class of 2013 It is well known that the 50th birthday of any entity is referred 6 Student Success to as the “Golden Anniversary,” and Cuesta College has Gilbert H. Stork, Ed.D., 7 Alumni Spotlight: Rolfe Nelson certainly had an 18-karat celebration thus far. It was on April Superintendent/President 8 Going Green 16, 1963, when San Luis Obispo County voters approved the 9 Community Programs formation of a junior college district and our “little-college-that-could” was born. Fast 10 Cuesta thanks a friend forward five decades, and we have marked the milestone with a plethora of events, including the burial of a time capsule, a 5K race and a human 5-0 photo. Stories of 11 2013 Time Capsule these memorable festivities can be found in the coming pages, along with information 12 50th Anniversary Celebration on more events to come. We are so appreciative of the many contributions by faculty, 13 Presidents’ Dinner staff, students, donors and the community over the past half century – it is because 14 Student Awards of you that we have an environment rich in education, cultural resource and student 15 Volunteer Awards success. 16 Recognitions As we have spent time reflecting on our past, we have also made great strides in moving forward. The college continues to collegially work on maintaining its 17 Career Technical Education accreditation, an accomplishment resulting from the many hours of hard work put 18 Business Partner - MINDBODY in by the faculty, staff, administration and students. Their efforts are building Cuesta 20 Athletics College’s legacy as an exceptional place to work and to learn. 22 Scholarships The Cuesta College Mission Statement was recently changed to better reflect who 23 Upcoming Events we are as a college and what we strive to be. This issue is filled with stories detailing the accomplishments of students, faculty, alumni and Cougar supporters – all of Cuesta College News is published whom, I am proud to say, embody our mission. twice a year by Cuesta College Advancement Thank you for your continued support of Cuesta College, and here’s to the next 50 Cuesta College, P.O. Box 8106 San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8106 years! (805) 546-3100 cuesta.edu Sincerely, Executive Editor Shannon Hill Editor Jay Thompson Gilbert H. Stork, Ed.D. superintendent/president Writers Lauren Milbourne and Jay Thompson Photography The Cuesta College Promise Jay Thompson THE A ground-breaking scholarship opportunity CUESTA Art Direction/Design Mary Ellen Bohnsack for all local high school graduates. SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY COMMUNITY Details to come in the Spring 2014 CCNews PROMISE COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Patrick Mullen, President Angela Mitchell, Vice President Charlotte Alexander Gaye Galvan Cuesta’s Mission Statement Barbara George Cuesta College is an inclusive institution that inspires a diverse Charlie Scovell, Student Trustee Email comments to [email protected] student population to achieve their educational goals. On the cover: A close-up of some of the We effectively support students in their efforts to improve participants in the 5-0 commemorative photo. foundational skills, transfer to four-year institutions, earn See the full image on Page 12. certificates or associate degrees, and advance in the workforce. Through dynamic and challenging learning opportunities, Cuesta College improves lives by promoting cultural, intellectual and Printed locally professional growth. We prepare students to become engaged Recycled with 30% post-consumer waste citizens in our increasingly complex communities and world. 2 • FALL 2013 CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS UP FRONT New administrative pair are seasoned Cuesta veterans Sandee McLaughlin will lead Deborah Wulff to college’s student services oversee academic affairs After serving Cuesta College for more “I am honored to serve as the vice president than 25 years, Sandee McLaughlin of academic affairs and I look forward recently became the college’s assistant to Cuesta’s continued excellence and superintendent/vice president for student future successes,” said Deborah services. Wulff, the college’s new assistant “It is deeply gratifying to be a part superintendent/vice president for of Cuesta College and experience the academic affairs. positive impact on people and the After a nationwide search, quality of life for our community,” Superintendent/President Gil McLaughlin said. “I am honored Stork selected Wulff for the to assume this leadership position this spring. position and am enthusiastic “You will not find anyone more about the possibilities.” committed to Cuesta College than “Sandee McLaughlin has a long Deborah Wulff,” Stork said. “She history of service to the students at exemplifies the type of leader Cuesta Cuesta College,” said Superintendent/ needs to create the best learning President Gil Stork. “That consistency experiences for our students. She of leadership has been a great benefit has demonstrated strong leadership to us and ultimately, to the students. in leading Cuesta’s efforts in Sandee is truly invested in bettering the accreditation compliance and earned lives of all students at Cuesta.” the respect of her colleagues and the In addition to having served as the community.” interim vice president of student services, Wulff brings to the job more than McLaughlin has served Cuesta since 1986 as 25 years of experience in the California financial aid/EOPS director, dean of student community colleges and universities as a services, and executive dean of the North faculty member and administrator. Prior to County campus and South County centers. her appointment, she served as the interim During her tenure, she’s chaired and vice president and dean who oversaw co-chaired many key college committees sciences, math, nursing, recreation and including Planning and Budget, Educational athletics. She completed her course work Master Plan, Strategic Planning and Cultural for her doctorate in organizational leadership Diversity Student Equity. She earned her at the University of La Verne and plans to Cuesta’s Mission Statement bachelor’s degree in sociology from UC Santa complete her dissertation this fall. She has a Barbara and her master’s in educational administration from master’s in education from U.S. International University, and a Cal Poly. bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University. New full-time faculty Solveg Cooper Accounting Monica Millard Nursing Beth Johnson Nursing Michael Mogull Mathematics come aboard in 2013: Thea Labrenz Counseling Jarred Pfeiffer Ceramics CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS FALL 2013 • 3 2013 NURSING CEREMONY Pinning smiles: RNs thank Cuesta, local community Forty-six Cuesta College nursing students heaved a collective sigh as they traded smiles and hugs for pins symbolizing completion of their two-year program. “Today we celebrate your dream of becoming a nurse, your graduation day has arrived,” offered Marcia Scott, director of the college’s Nursing and Allied Health Department at the May 24 ceremony held in the gym. In reality, the path for many began in 2009 for prerequisite coursework. Then, two years ago, the class first assembled in Room 2509 for an orientation where they learned “how to prepare for the academic rigor and demands” to come, she said. But his classmate Peter Fagan said he Faces in the crowd: There was Faculty speaker Rick Staley reminded was “blessed” for having completed it. plenty to smile about, before, during the class that obtaining an RN degree was and after the May 24 RN pinning “I have for two years got to experience ceremony at Cuesta’s gym. ‘I have everything Scott promised. the generosity of this commuity,” the for two years got to experience the generosity of this community,’ RN “It’s not an easy program, was it?” 56-year-old said. “You guys have poured Staley asked. “That’s OK, because as student speaker Peter Fagan, upper out your time and treasure. Every one of left, said. ‘You guys have poured out your parents probably always told you … us has been a recipient of scholarships, your time and treasure.’ nothing worthwhile is easy.” grants. Nurses come alongside of us, The student speakers beared that out. helping us through terribly difficult times. Jeff Sutton said “stress” was the students’ I want to thank you for that, for letting us top one-word description of the program. bathe in your generosity.” A tip of the nurse’s cap to Ada Irving Revenue generated by the Ada Irving Nursing Endowment Fund has endowed the nursing division chair at Cuesta College. “We feel a tremendous amount of fulfillment and appreciation knowing that this essential position will be here no matter what,” said Marcia Scott, the college’s director of Nursing and Allied Health. This support continually ensures funding for the faculty position – even in challenging economic times. It is the first endowment created to establish such a position at Cuesta, and only the second in the history of the California Community College system. .Marcia Scott, the Nursing and Allied Health director, 4 • FALL 2013 CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS holds a portrait of the late Ada Irving, a former nurse. COMMENCEMENT A class act: the Class of 2013 There was joy in the air as the Class of 2013 entered the gym on a blustery May afternoon. “It is indeed a great pleasure to share the graduation of our successful students with all of you here,” Cuesta Superintendent/President Gil Stork told a crowd of family, friends and fans of the class on May 24.