SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

CuestaSPRING 2014 ColleCONNECTING eCUESTA COLLEGENewsNew TO THE COMMUNITY s

Cuesta Alum is Taking Journalism to the Slow Lane Page 13

Herto Bouri, Ethiopia 2013

Tierra del Fuego, Chile 2020

Fall semester is FEE-FREE for all SLO county high school seniors w FACULTY GET HIGH MARKS PG 4 | CUESTA’S ART NEXUS PG 9 | HONORED ALUMNI PG 10

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FIND US ON FACEBOOK at facebook.com/CuestaCollege CUESTA.EDU PROMISE Cuesta College New s SPRING 2014 PRESIDENT’S Messageg Contents 3 Good News! 4 Teachers Honored Brighter days are ahead in 2014 5 Opening Day Dear Friends, 6 Business & Entrepreneurship Center Cuesta College’s 50th anniversary has come and gone, but Gilbert H. Stork, Ed.D., before those birthday candles were blown out, an incredible Superintendent/President 7 Student Spotlight wish for local students came true: The financial barriers were 8 Choir Fest removed for San Luis Obispo County high school seniors looking to go to college. The 9 Art Gallery Focus Cuesta Promise Scholarship guarantees a fee-free fall semester in perpetuity thanks to 10 2014 Honored Alumni a more than $8 million donation, the largest one-time gift in the history of the college. 12 Paramedic Alum Spotlight Students have until March 2nd to apply, and more details on the scholarship can be found on the following page. 13 Paul Salopek Global Trek Speaking of donations, we were extraordinarily fortunate to receive not one, but 14 Theater Focus: pool ‘63 two very large gifts in 2013, making for the largest amount in donations ever received 15 Retiree Brunch in a single year. In November, just over $1 million was received by the Cuesta College 16 Donor: Marlene Peter Foundation, intended to benefit the smallest among us. The donation will be used to help 17 Business Partner: build a permanent building to house the North County Campus Children’s Center. The Blue Rooster Telecom gift will have lasting impacts on the local children it serves, the faculty and staff who run 18 Faces/Places the center, and the students who will go on to become exceptional caregivers. 19 Athletics .As we continue to look forward, we also pause to look back. In January, we recognized 20 Calendar this year’s four Honored Alumni, each vastly different from the next (a correctional officer, a clothing designer, a restaurateur, a vocalist) but bound by past years spent at Cuesta College News is published Cuesta College. twice a year by Cuesta College Advancement Cuesta College, P.O. Box 8106 Throughout the coming pages you will find many stories, most sharing a common San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8106 theme: success. What a gift to have so many stories of success to tell. (805) 546-3100 cuesta.edu Sincerely, Executive Editor Shannon Hill Editor Jay Thompson Writers Gilbert H. Stork, Ed.D. superintendent/president Lauren Milbourne and Jay Thompson Photography Jay Thompson Art Direction/Design Mary Ellen Bohnsack More sessions, more options! SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY COMMUNITY SUMMER Cuesta College is unveiling a brand new summer school COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Patrick Mullen, President SCHOOL 2014 schedule to give students even more choices – for the first time Charlotte Alexander, Vice President ever, three sessions will be offered. In addition to the regular six- Angela Mitchell Gaye Galvan week session, four-week and eight-week options will be available. Barbara George The summer schedule comes out the last week of March. Charlie Scovell, Student Trustee Email comments to NEW! Session I: 4-weeks; June 2 –June 27 (Classes will be scheduled on a M-F basis) [email protected] Session II: 6-weeks; June 16-July 24 (Classes will be scheduled on a M-Th basis) NEW! Session III: 8-weeks; June 16-August 7 (Classes will be scheduled on a M-Th basis)

On the cover: Cuesta alum Paul Salopek is Correction to 2012/13 Foundation Annual Report: Donor Vita Miller was unintentionally omitted. retracing the human diaspora in a seven- year, 21,000-mile walk from Africa to South Clarification to Fall 2013 CC News: Kelsey Kehoe is the college’s Wellness Arts Program coordinator; America. Vicki Sawzak is the college’s Student Health Services coordinator. Sawzak is responsible for the Photo by John Stanmeyer/National Geographic development of the Student Mental Health Program that began in 1989. For more information on the Map Illustration by Student Health Center, contact Sawzak at (805) 546-3171. Ryan Morris/National Geographic 2 • SPRING 2014 CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS GOOD NEWS!

THE CUESTA

Cuesta Promise reaches out Promise is already PROMISE making good on its, to all SLO County students well, promise. not been more excited to “This scholarship is pretty Now, I would so much like “I didn’t plan on going to learn about the Promise. Cuesta before I heard about much why I am even going to to go into Cuesta’s nursing “Coming from a low- the Promise,” said Sigourney college.” program.” income family, any form Harrington, who will graduate Christina Rusco, currently The Cuesta Promise, of college is a challenge to from Atascadero High in a senior at Templeton High unveiled in October 2013, finance,” she said. “I had June. “But when I heard about School, plans to submit her guarantees a fee-free fall planned to attend Cuesta after it, I decided I should take application for the Cuesta semester to all new high high school but only part-time advantage of this opportunity. College Promise Scholarship school completers, whether so that I could get a job, too. The Promise is my impetus to by the March 2 deadline, and they come from public or Now, I can go full-time and take classes at Cuesta.” in doing so, may change the private schools, or are home- work toward my associate’s course of her life. schooled. The goal of the Jennifer Adamson, a Paso degree.” Robles High senior, could have “This scholarship means so Promise is to break down the much to me,” said Rusco. “I economic barriers to college The deadline to apply for the Cuesta Promise is March 2! was hoping to attend Cuesta and give local students For more information on the Promise right out of high school but options for their future. And and application instructions, please visit www.cuesta.edu/student/aboutmoney/cuestapromise/ before it was only a possibility. in its inaugural year, the Cuesta Children’s Center gets a big lift Last November, the Cuesta College Foundation received an unprecedented donation for the North County Campus Children’s Center. Bertha Shultz, a former longtime resident of Atascadero, left the Foundation over $1,000,000 in her trust specifically to fund the facility. The donation will be used in the future to help build a permanent building to house the center, which currently resides in a temporary structure. “In our curriculum planning, we have always asked the question of, if we had a million dollars, how would we spend it to create a top quality program,” said Haila Hafley-Kluver, Children’s Center director. “So when I heard about the donation, my first reaction was, ‘Wow! We did get a million dollars! We can actually build the state-of-the-art children’s center program that we’ve dreamed of!”

Solveg Cooper, Business Education – Accounting Jarred Pfeiffer, Fine Arts – Ceramics New Spring 2014 Matthew Lorenzen, Counseling Heather Tucker, Nursing & Allied Health – EMS full-time faculty Patricia McQuillen, Nursing & Allied Health CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS SPRING 2014 • 3 3RD ANNUAL TEACHER APPRECIATION NIGHT

Alpha Gamma Sigma honors 10 who make a difference s 10 faculty haltingly. “To get an honor Christopher Nielsen into what we present in the members were from students is a remarkable agreed. classroom, and to actually honored by Alpha experience.” “What I love about have the students appreciate GammaA Sigma students on a And Lisha Duarte, who has teaching is interacting with it, it is truly an amazing December evening for their been with Cuesta eight years, the students who also teach feeling,” said Meyer. excellence in teaching, a added her own praise. me things,” said Nielsen, who Political science teacher curious thing occurred. One “I’d like to thank the has taught political science at Aaron Rodrigues, a 22-year by one, each teacher honored students – it is all because of Cuesta for a year. “We learn Cuesta veteran, put it simply: the excellence of their them, thanks to them, and so much from our students – “I try to bring out the best in students. for them,” said the Spanish the interaction is not one- my students, but they bring “I’ve received a few awards instructor. w a y.” out the best in me.” over the years, but, I have to The prevailing theme “I’m grateful for my The night conclued with say, to be honored by your of gratitude at the honor students, for their feedback, the most seasoned of the students … that is a true society’s third annual Teacher that they communicate with bunch, Ron Ruppert, whose honor,” said an emotional Appreciation Night continued me and challenge me,” added career as a Cuesta biology Brian Kreowski, who has with chemistry instructor Elizabeth Lobo, who has instructor is in its 35th year. taught political science at Praveen Babu, who has taught taught microbiology and “The secret to success is the Cuesta for 17 years. at Cuesta seven years. anatomy for two years. enthusiasm of the students,” The emotion also ran high “I don’t know that students Jodi Meyer and Joe Vasta, said Ruppert. “Without their for physiology instructor Ann truly understand the joy that both having taught math at enthusiasm we couldn’t be Maliszewski, a 10-year Cuesta they bring to an instructor Cuesta for 12 years, were each enthusiastic about what we do. veteran. when they show that they’re honored for their excellence. So thank you, students.” “Accepting an honor like excited about the material,” “We spend so much time this, it’s humbling,” she said he said. and put so much of ourselves

From left, Elizabeth Lobo, biology, Brian Kreowski, political science, Bradford Jungers, AGS chapter president, Praveen Babu, chemistry, Gil Stork, Cuesta superintendent/president, Christopher Nielsen, history, Ron Ruppert, biology, Ann Maliszewski, biology, and Aaron Rodrigues, political science. Not pictured are Lisha Duarte, Spanish, Jodi Meyer and Joe Vasta, both mathmatics.

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxvgInP_3Sk SPRING 2014 OPENING DAY AWARDS

Faculty Spotlight: Cherie Moore ‘Truly inspiring’ nutrition instructor awarded the inaugural Virginia Sullivan Faculty Award

On a beautiful January morning during is committed to and loves that role.” Cuesta College’s Opening Day ceremony, Moore’s colleagues describe her Academic Senate President Kevin as “truly inspiring” and “a strong but Bontenbal declared: “I am more than inclusive leader whose attitude and pleased to announce that the first recipient excellence inspire others to do a better of the Virginia Sullivan Inspirational job.” Cherie Moore and award founder Jack Sullivan. Faculty Award is Cherie Moore.” She thanked her peers. And just like that, the nutrition “You inspire me,” she told a packed Established in 2013 by emeritus faculty instructor made Cuesta history. Associated Students Auditorium on Jan. member Jack Sullivan, the award is Well, not just like that. Not really. 17. “I work with the most amazing group, named in honor of his mother, Virginia, Because awards are not just handed out. and the reason why I will work into the who served as a model of inspiration and It takes some impressive credentials to night is because you make me want to encouragement to colleagues. The cash earn an award at Cuesta, especially the work for you. award recognizes dynamic, motivating inaugural one. “I am so extremely honored to be and nurturing faculty who create a Moore began teaching in the Human the first recipient of this award because positive work environment through acts Development Department in 1995 and I have read and know about Virginia that support morale, provide expertise has chaired the Curriculum Committee Sullivan and know how inspiring she and mentoring, and contribute to the for the past 2-1/2 years. According to was. This is just really amazing.” mental health of their colleagues. Bontenbal, “given the fact that she is often seen wearing a shirt that reads ‘I Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvzNyYZ_eSI Love Curriculum’ tells you how much she Peter & M’May Diffley Award for Faculty Excellence Cynthia Wilshusen, who has taught part-time in Cuesta’s Business Education Department since 1999, received the faculty excellence award that was established by Peter Diffley in honor of his wife, M’May, who died in January of 1987. The award recognizes excellence in the role as a teacher with involvement in such things as the community and the arts. Wilshusen’s colleagues describe her as “patient and understanding of student’s needs,” a teacher who “creates a collaborative hands-on learning environment where students work together to facilitate learning.” Wilshusen was thrilled to receive the award. “I strive every day to do my best and provide excellent resources to everyone around me. All of my Cynthia Wilshusen and daughter Codie. Cougar colleagues are so supportive and generous, I really have learned from the best.” First Elaine Holley Coats Service Award honors pair Cuesta College’s Service Excellence Award was renamed this year to honor Elaine Holley Coats, the college’s first classified staff person. Coats was hired in July of 1964 and, although she retired in 1992, continued to work for Cuesta until 2008. The award is given to an employee who has shown professionalism and provided support for their colleagues. And now, for future generations, the award will recognize Holley Coats for her service to Cuesta and role in the founding of the college. Lynn Maul received the award this year. She joined Cuesta in 1990 as an admissions and records worker. She is described as being the epitome of fulfilling the Cuesta mission From left, Maul, Holley Coats and Dr. Gil Stork. of supporting and serving students. CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS SPRING 2014 • 5 BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER

Local business owners, Cuesta College has got your back

Let’s take a little quiz. things we can help a business Obispo and northern Los Cuesta College’s Business & Entrepreneurship Center with,” said Israel Dominguez, Angeles counties. (BEC) can provide the following service(s): BEC director. “That makes The impact can be felt us unique in that there is no overseas as well. In the spring A) Marketing strategies other organization in the of 2013, the BEC collaborated B) Strategic planning county that offers all these in a virtual wine tasting event C) Access to capital things in one place. A business in Paso Robles where tasters D) Business and contract law owner in need of assistance were located in Istanbul, can come here and get it all.” E) International trade Turkey. The BEC has been a part F) All of the above and .many, many more All of its good work is of Cuesta in one format or being recognized by the state G) The most business and .economic development services another since 2008, and today – in October 2013, the center under one roof in SLO County the grant-funded program received a $300,000 grant from The answer is F. And G. Yes, this was a trick question. works with private, public the California Community But being in the business of assisting businesses is, well, and nonprofit resources to College’s Chancellor’s Office to tricky business. build strong, sustainable and help fund the BEC and its staff. successful businesses. “Let’s say a business owner their business, whether to And so, it certainly appears is in need of some type of move their business, maybe The result is wealth that business is good at the assistance – access to capital, close their business, or change creation, job creation BEC. “At the end of the day, a bank loan, market research, it up because of industry and retention, and better I feel very good that we advice on how to expand trends – there are a lot of economic health in California. have made a difference in And some pretty happy the economy and I can look customers. back and say, it was great, we “Israel put in 110 percent to loved it, and we helped a lot make what was an extremely of people,” said Dominguez. confusing process very easy “That’s all you can ask for, – at least it was made easy for really.” me,” said Gail Marshall, who owns Arnie’s ATV Rentals in Grover Beach. BEC: Marshall reached out to BY THE NUMBERS the BEC when faced with the IN 2013 need to create an operational > 102 business owners plan, employee handbook and assisted mission statement, among > 236 hours of business other business materials. The consulting result was total satisfaction. > 64 consulting efforts “I would suggest that anyone in business use the > 19 business assessments BEC,” Marshall said. “Israel is conducted so intelligent and easy to work = 125 jobs placed with. I just cannot say enough nice things about him.” = $500K in business loans received The BEC has helped hundreds of businesses over = $13M increase A woman leaves a campus workshop hosted in November by the BEC. the years, between San Luis in client sales 6 • SPRING 2014 CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: HELEN FLOREZ

Following a dream: One re-entry student’s inspiring success story

Helen Florez, class of 2014 Imagine this – your life looks pretty good on paper. You are working in a secure job, you can pay your bills, you have medical benefits. But what if the sentence didn’t end there, and instead concluded with: And one day you realize it’s time to fulfill your passion, so you quit your job, go back to school and live the life you’ve always wanted to lead. Sounds like the making of an (adult) fairy-tale, right? Well, Cuesta College architecture major Helen Florez is making that fantasy her reality.

“It was just time,” said Florez. “It was during a period in my you’ve spent 20 years in the working world and then you go life characterized by change, and I knew that going back to back to school,” she said. “I appreciate the chance to attend school was another change I needed to make. Cuesta was the school so much more this time around, and I am so happy that perfect place to jump-start it.” I have made the choice to do so. It’s just such an incredible After 20 years away from the classroom, the Arroyo Grande opportunity.” resident enrolled in courses in June of 2013. Her background is “Re-entry students bring a maturity and broad range of in interior design, and although she was able to make a living experience that benefit everyone,” said architecture instructor in the creative field for some time, she eventually found herself Bruce Silverberg. “Helen embodies these qualities.” working a job that provided a steady paycheck and security, but Florez is equally impressed with the caliber of the faculty. little fulfillment. Her passion is to make spaces look beautiful, “What I have found in this short time at Cuesta is that the and she’d known for years that her true calling was a career in faculty are very involved with their students,” she said. “They landscape architecture. are so accessible, and they go above and beyond. Many of them “Really it’s taking my skill set to the next level,” Florez said. “I donate office hours or stay late to answer questions until the last just love the idea of pulling out someone’s vision and making it student leaves. They truly want their students to be equipped to a reality.” succeed.” Although the choice to go back to school came with some And to those who see themselves in Helen Florez, but believe financial and logistical challenges, Florez knew that the life- it’s just too late for them? changing decision would be worth it. And now, as a re-entry “It’s never too late. Never,” she said. “Anyone can do this at student, she has a unique perspective on the opportunity to any age – everything is here at Cuesta to make your dream come attend college. true. You just have to do it.” “There’s a different point-of-view that you have when CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS SPRING 2014 • 7 Hundreds of high school organizer John Knutson said of the lot,” Knutson said. and college ensembles ensemble style that gives each singer Since its beginning, the festival have been to Cuesta’s a mic and allows them to rock out features a trio of judges who conduct Vocal Jazz Festival, “with drums and bass and guitar. critiques, workshops and even The sound is more commercial … perform. The 2013 festival judges an event that has been like the shows ‘Glee’ or ‘Smash.’ ” were Christine Guter from California hitting the high notes Knutson, who has directed State University at Long Beach, Kate

jazz since its launch in 1998 choral studies at Cuesta since 2001, Reid of the University of Miami and said the festival began in 1998 as Jamie Shew of Fullerton College. here was more than music a daylong workshop by Graeme Their advice not only helps Tin the air at the 15th annual Langager. singers. Cuesta College Vocal Jazz Festival. “I remember about 15 groups in “As a director,” said Knutson, who There was glee – exultant high- those early days,” said Langager, the directs Voce, the Cuesta Chamber spirited joy! – among the nearly choral director at the University of Singers and Cuesta’s choir, “you are 400 singers from 29 high school British Columbia School of Music in constantly pulling your students and college vocal jazz groups Vancouver. “We would have major to a higher level to help them to who attended one of the state’s artists – Kristin Korb or Michelle get better, while I’m getting a little biggest non-competitive two-day Weir – come in, judge the event and worse. A director’s ears actually burn workshops at Cuesta’s Cultural and do clinics with students.” out. A judge comes in with fresh Performing Arts Center. It also served as a recruitment ears, hears mediocrity and fixes it.” The November festival’s tool, allowing Cuesta to showcase Not that many sour notes centerpiece was a pair of concerts campus facilities and faculty to the sounded at the fest. Far from it. by the Four Freshmen, which three local high schools that had Langager agreed with Knutson evolved into one of the top vocal vocal jazz programs at that time. that inspiring performers and groups of the 1950s, bridging the Unlike the Reno and the directors to improve, while attracting vocal tradition set a decade before Monterey festivals that stress music lovers to the CPAC, means by the Mel-Tones and harmony- competition, Vocal Jazz Fest the Cuesta Vocal Jazz Festival will based bands such as the Beach Boys participants become helpful peers. continue to prosper. and the Manhattan Transfer. “When they get here and see “I am so pleased that the legacy Vocal jazz remains popular for how everyone starts supporting of this event, and the strong tradition performers and fans, and explains All that vocalAll that everybody and clapping for of both vocal jazz and chamber choir some long-running TV shows. everybody and complementing has lived on under the direction of my “I think it’s fun,” festival everybody, they really dig that a friend John Knutson,” Langager said.

Cuesta vocal jazz students perform at lunch at Cuesta’s 15th annual Vocal Jazz Festival in November.

8 • SPRING 2014 CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS Color abides in Cuesta’s ‘White Cube’ Local art community gets reacquainted with gallery that also instructs students in the art of the display

an important stop for artists model – a half-inch to a foot obvious on the opening night and art lovers. – and said this is our space,” of Wudl’s exhibition. He and his students he said. “They sent that back “I feel pretty proud to have organized four art shows and a diagram with little scale been a part of it,” he said. “The last fall, including separate models of images.” show looks really good. The exhibits of Cuesta’s founding Spatial arrangement is work’s amazing.” art instructors, Chet Amyx, vital to the flow and ultimate Prior to the class, he had Barry Frantz and Bob Pelfrey. success of any show, and it’s a little notion of the effort it The other show was a well- cornerstone of the class in the takes, and how the gallery received display of the works gallery that students call the space is “a big part of how the of a Los Angeles fine artist. “White Cube.” artwork is perceived,” said “At Tom Wudl’s current “That space has to be a Velt. “It sets a mood for the David Prochaska instructs art exhibit at the Cuesta College part of the exhibition because show. It definitely creates an gallery students on how to hang artwork for the Tom Wudl display. Art Gallery, one painting it dictates the way it feels atmosphere.” in particular dominates the within that space and how the And how will the class help uesta College’s Art space,” wrote Anna Weltner, room really does control it,” him as an artist? CGallery is among one the New Times arts editor in Prochaska said. “When I’m creating a best kept secrets in the San her Nov. 26 review. “An oil Students also learn to piece, I might think about the Luis Obispo artist community. on canvas work titled ‘The unpack artwork, secure it space that it might go into,” he David Prochaska hopes to Birth of Jan Van Eyck and the to the wall, as well as more said. “I’m creating a sculpture end that. Extent of His Influence on the utilitarian skills involving in my backyard right now “We are trying to get Art of Painting, for a Period levels, hammers, Spackle and and I envision it in the ‘White everybody who used to come of 600 Years’ is not only paint. Cube’ here. After being in this out here to come out,” said enormous, but exhaustive; a For art student Wayne class, I think I’d like to see Prochaska, who teaches summation of the medium’s Velte lessons learned were that in there.” painting, drawing and the history.” three-unit class Art 295, or art And that was the plan, Cuesta to host three spring art shows gallery. “For so long, we were Prochaska said. David Prochaska’s art gallery class will host three displays this closed and nothing was going Unlike the founders’ spring. Cuesta College Art Gallery is in Room 7170 on the on. They just kind of forgot exhibits, held August through San Luis Obispo campus. Park in Lot 2, permit required. about us.” October, that gave the The gallery’s fortunes are instructor and class flexibility • Painter Richard Phipps Through February 21 on the rise following years of to curate and hang pieces for • Sculpter Diana Puntar February 28 to March 21 state budget cuts that forced each artist, for the Wudl show Opening reception: Friday, February 28, 4-7 pm the elimination of the gallery they worked with a gallery to • Annual Student Art Show April 11 to May 14 director position. Prochaska determine where to hang each Opening reception: Friday, April 11, 4-7 pm stepped up to teach the class, painting. and vowed to make the gallery “We sent them a foam core CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS SPRING 2014 • 9 It seems fitting then that today Jake proved to be very eye-opening. Wall is providing a suave second skin to “I still remember that ‘light bulb’ his own clientele. Wall is the co-founder moment in class when I realized that and chief designer of Artful Gentleman, gender is as much a form of culture and a company that blurs gender lines in classism as any other grouping,” Wall said. its creation of sleek and edgy suits and The epiphany made such an impression clothing for both men and women. The on him that it became a central theme to successful start-up has a celebrity clientele his way of living. including Jennifer Lopez and Gloria In August of 2013, Wall became the Steinem. But it was only 15 years ago that creative visionary behind Suit Up for the Templeton native was walking the Equality, a fundraiser for the Human halls of Cuesta College. Rights Campaign and marriage equality “One of my favorite books is When he enrolled in 1997, Wall had nationwide. The fashion show raised more JAKE WALL JAKE ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and I a very precise plan in place. He had than $15,000 in one night and even more think Harper Lee sums it up best when graduated early from high school and was in terms of awareness and support for she states: ‘You never really understand lacking a few credits to get into a four- marriage equality. And it was all because a person until you consider things from year-college. “I thought I would get them of Wall. out of the way and quite literally be on my his point of view ... until you climb inside “I am a product of my education, my way,” said Wall. But plans change. Wall of his skin and walk around in it.’ Cuesta heart and my head,” Wall said. Cuesta stayed and completed all his prerequisite and its great instructors provided me an is proud to have played a role in that work and ended up becoming student opportunity to ‘climb inside’ my own skin equivalent. and get to know myself a bit better.” body president in the process. It all HONORED ALUMNI 2014 Elonye Wilkins, a 1972 “It was an exciting time for me,” inmates, thus securing my safety because graduate from Cuesta said Wilkins, who lives in Sonoma he was the ‘baddest’ dude on the cellblock.” College, has quite a few County. “I had no intention of Following her time as a CO, she went stories to tell. breaking gender barriers. When on to become an import specialist with With a criminal the announcement for the the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. justice degree position came out, I jumped She retired in 2010. And really, it all from Cal Poly, at the opportunity to do began with Cuesta. she began a something more challenging “I loved attending Cuesta College. 40-year career and earn more money.” I was the first in my family to further with the federal It was an era when women my education beyond high school,” said government. In in the workforce began doing Wilkins. “Cuesta gave me the ability to 1963, she joined non-traditional work in areas attend a four-year university and provided the U.S. Navy as previously dominated by men. a challenging learning environment with ELONYE WILKINS ELONYE a Medical Corps. “I had to do the same job as the instructors who were enthusiastic about WAVE (Women Appointed male correctional officers, such as teaching. I had no intention of becoming for Voluntary Emergency being locked in a living unit of 120 a correctional officer, but I could see the Service), and in 1975 she broke hardened criminals,” remembered opportunity there. Consequently, I chose gender barriers by becoming the Wilkins. “Until I locked the inmates to study criminal justice.” first female correctional officer in in their cells at night or let them And it’s all these experiences that lead the nation to work in an all-male out for jobs and breakfast, I had to some lasting advice for future Cougars: maximum-security prison at the contact with them. The first very “Say yes to any opportunity that presents Federal Correctional Institution in big inmate I had to wake up for an itself to you,” she said. “You never know Lompoc. This, all by the time she early morning job later thanked me where that door may lead or what you was 30 years old. for my kindness in front of other may learn from that experience.” 10 • SPRING 2014 CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS “Performing and teaching is the I would return to study with her someday. perfect balance for me – they feed each Three years later, I spent six months in other – and Cuesta has an amazing music Lucerne, Switzerland, studying arranging program that has been a part of my life and composition with Susanne. It was a now for years,” said Swearingen, who grew life-changing experience that Cuesta put up mostly in California with some years in my path.” spent in Sweden, Texas and Arizona. The 2001 Cuesta graduate has since put But she kept returning to the Central out three CD’s, the latest being “First Rain.” Coast. She studied music at San Luis The CD has garnered critical acclaim; High, Cuesta and Cal Poly, and went on according to JazzTimes, “ ‘First Rain’ is to get her master’s in choral conducting a return to her rural musical roots, with at Florida State University. But it was her quasi-pastoral themes – nature, family time at Cuesta that laid the groundwork values, the resilience of the human spirit – INGA SWEARINGEN Inga Swearingen is a woman with an impressive résumé: An for her career in music. wrapped in dew-soft arrangements.” accomplished jazz vocalist, appearing “While studying at Cuesta, I was And today Swearingen is sharing her multiple times on the live radio broadcast involved in all of the choirs and enrolled talent with Cuesta. “A Prairie Home Companion with in every music class that I could. That’s “I am now colleagues with some of my Garrison Keillor.” A beloved Cuesta when I decided to pursue a career in previous instructors and that is quite an faculty member, teaching what she once music,” she said. “The choir traveled to honor,” Swearingen said. “I feel very lucky was taught. And now, the recording artist Switzerland in 2000 and I attended a to love my work so much. I learn every can add Cuesta College Honored Alum to workshop from a Swiss musician named semester from the students and feel a the list. Susanne Abbuehl. I promised myself that great support from my fellow teachers.” In 1989, the college established the Honored Alumni Awards. At the Spring 2014 Opening Day ceremony, four alumni were recognized for their outstanding professional achievements and service. Here are their stories.

Apparently so. Holley has gone noon hour while she was working the on to own and operate two successful switchboard. Calls would come in, she restaurants for more than 20 years, one would answer, then plug a black phone ranked as a Top 10 Steakhouse in the line into the appropriate extension. I West by Sunset Magazine. always loved popping in to see her.” Holley’s career as a successful Between working multiple jobs and restaurateur was the result of being making it onto the dean’s honor list four indecisive. times, Holley also became student body “When I first started at Cuesta I had president. no idea what I really wanted to do with “As president, I had established office my career,” Holley said. “I was able to hours. The ASB office on the old campus attend Cuesta at a fraction of the cost of had a pingpong table in it. So I got pretty ROBERT HOLLEY Flipping burgers. Cal Poly while not sacrificing the slightest good at the game while waiting for the It’s a classic nod to one of the in quality of education. Had it not been constituents to show up,” Holley laughed. most tedious, unappreciated and lowest for Cuesta I likely would have dropped After Cuesta, Holley considered pursuing paid of jobs. out along the way.” a law degree. But after realizing it just wasn’t Apparently Robert Holley did not get His mother would have been especially for him, he stuck with food service. that memo. unhappy if he had done that. Elaine “So, basically, I was in the hospitality “At 15-years-old, I was on the opening Holley Coats was the first classified staff business and forgot to get out,” he crew of the first McDonald’s in San member hired at Cuesta College in 1964. explained. “Cuesta College provided me Luis Obispo,” Holley said. “My first shift “I loved going to school where my with a solid general education. All of the started on Nov. 4, 1969. I had a knack for mom worked,” Holley remembered. “I classes I took impacted my skill set and food service.” would stop by to visit her during the ability to be successful in business.” Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvzNyYZ_eSI&feature=c4-overview&list=UUT-l16I_my-o6wTmnvCwOqA CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS SPRING 2014 • 11 Paramedic Program honors one of its own

In 2013, Kyle Parker experienced a couple of firsts. That spring, the perfect fit.” he took part in one of the first Honor Flight’s out of San Luis For years to come, the award will recognize excellence in the emergency Obispo. Five months later, he received the first Dave Melendy medical services field in honor of Dave EMS Recognition Award. As a result, it’s safe to say the recent Melendy, the former head of the Cambria Cuesta College graduate is a first-rate alum. Community Healthcare District who started Cuesta’s paramedic program in The Atascadero High School graduate’s internship rotations. The long hours 2006. start at Cuesta began in August of 2012 and hard work paid off at the Sept. 6 Melendy spearheaded efforts to get when he enrolled in the paramedic graduation the program off the ground until he college’s Central Coast ceremony with an died from injuries suffered in an April Paramedic Program. unexpected surprise 2007 motorcycle accident. Although His passion is for Parker. bittersweet, Melendy’s memory will live simple and selfless “Receiving the on for generations to come. – to help others. Dave Melendy EMS “I’m so very proud of Kyle and very An extension of Recognition award proud that my remarkable husband is that passion took flight was such a great honor being remembered and honored through in April when Parker – I was shocked that I was this award,” Linda Melendy said. “And boarded a plane with 13 World chosen to receive it,” he said. I am grateful to Cuesta for recognizing War II veterans and headed “All of my classmates were just as both great men.” to Washington, D.C. The trip was deserving.” Today Parker looks back fondly on his a part of the Honor Flight Network, a Perhaps so, but it was Parker’s time at Cuesta. nonprofit organization created solely to honorable flight that caused him to rise “Going through the paramedic honor America’s veterans by transporting above, said Linda Melendy, wife of the program was great. The faculty them to the nation’s capitol to visit the late Dave Melendy. are extremely knowledgeable, and memorials. “This award is intended to honor they prepared us for the real world Parker paid his own way to serve as someone who is performing a public experiences that a paramedic will face,” a veteran’s attendant. While in D.C., the service that is above and beyond the said Parker, who is currently working an group visited a number of landmarks, call of duty, someone who values internship in Fresno. He hopes to obtain including the National World War volunteerism and is doing it for the his paramedic license and one day return II Memorial, the Capitol, Arlington love of humanity,” to the Central Coast. National Cemetery, and the National Air she said. “Kyle’s and Space Museum of the Smithsonian involvement in Institution where some vets got to see the Honor Flight aircraft they flew during the war. program was just The historical journey left a lasting impression on Parker. “Participating in the Honor Flight program was amazing,” he said. “To hear these men tell their stories and talk about what they went through, it’s just extremely humbling. It really puts things into perspective.” Upon his return, Parker continued along his path toward graduation, spending his days in class and nights and weekends in clinical and Kyle Parker and Linda Melendy

12 • SPRING 2014 CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS Q&A with Paul Salopek

You’ve been on the road a year. Is it too early to share some universal truths from your travels? It’s too early. Ask me in Tierra del Fuego. While you’re a storyteller, you are also from the United States. What is a typical encounter with an individual from a culture that’s new to you? I think anyone would agree that making contact with Cuesta alum people, as long they are sober and not armed, is fairly easy. The first impulse, at least in my experience, on epic trek is curiosity and the open hand, at least until your across the globe own intentions prove contrary. There are good evolutionary reasons for such reactions: We are a Journalist Paul Salopek, a Cuesta Cuesta College is a long way from College alumnus, leads a pair of communal mammal and cooperation is positively Wadi Rum, Jordan. camels across Ethiopia’s Afar desert adaptive. Ah — I’ve thought of one univeral truth: Google the coordinates Photo by John Stanmeyer, National Geographic Treat everyone kindly. The aggressive street kids 29°44’28” N, 35°32’18” E and your tugging at your sleeves may one day save your life. computer will bring up a satellite first discovered the Earth at least What are you excited about seeing? map with a pin near the western 60,000 years ago,” he wrote in Everything. edge of the buff-colored Arabian National Geographic magazine. Peninsula. You are not walking alone. You have thousands of “This remains by far our greatest followers, a number that grows with each additional Up close, it’s literally another voyage. step. How many schools/school children are walking story for Cuesta alum Paul “Not because it delivered us with you? Salopek, who is beginning year the planet. No. But because the two of his seven-year walk from I have two terrific educational partners, the Pulitzer early Homo sapiens who first the Horn of Africa to the farthest Center on Crisis Reporting and Project Zero at roamed beyond the mother reaches of South America. Harvard. They are helping guide young learners in continent – these pioneer nomads the U.S. and abroad to the teaching potential of the Standing in “a still wilderness numbered, in total, as few as walk. I honestly don’t know how many such students of towering stone monoliths that a couple of hundred people – are following in the U.S., Europe, Africa, India, Arab travelers once called … the also bequeathed us the subtlest Australia and the Middle East. I speak to classrooms Valley of the Moon,” the two-time qualities we now associate with regularly, though, via satellite phone or Skype. Pulitzer Prize winner from Paso being fully human: complex Robles described a wondrous You attended Cuesta in the late 1970s. How did the language, abstract thinking, a landscape in January: college help you meet your educational needs? compulsion to make art, a genius “Brick-red sands. Brittle shrubs for technological innovation and I was a high school dropout. Rudderless. Coming – pale, ghostly, diaphanous, like the continuum of today’s many to Cuesta at 16 was like discovering an intellectual puffs of artillery smoke frozen by races. We know so little about family I didn’t know I had. I learned. Better still, I a camera. Totems of sandstone. Of them.” learned how to learn. basalt. A cobalt sky marbled with Salopek’s story made the cover Who inspired you at Cuesta? cirrus. Silence.” of the December 2013 edition of Ron Ruppert, Harald Platou, Pete Pedersen, Evlyne There’s a lot to observe when the magazine. Aleshire, many others — all were serious, generous, you’re traveling 21,000 miles at just Over the next six years, the deeply committed professors. I received a fine over three miles an hour. Salopek Cuesta honored alum may make education from them. I still carry their teaching with calls it the Out of Eden Walk, and the cover again on his quest to me. he is chasing ghosts. teach us more about those little- Will your walk bring you back to California? Any chance “Starting in humanity’s known ancestors – the ones who you might return to SLO County and Cuesta College? birthplace in the Great Rift Valley itched to explore, drawn beyond The route will either be down the West Coast or of East Africa, I am retracing the the next mound or mountain like along the Western continental divide. I’ll keep you pathways of the ancestors who a moth to the light. posted. You can buy me a burger at the cafeteria. WALK WITH PAUL SALOPEK: http://www.outofedenwalk.com

CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS SPRING 2014 • 13 ON CAMPUS

Sometimes funny, other times shocking, ‘pool ’63’ makes a splash always poignant, “pool ’63” struck a at Cuesta; its ripples propel nerve with audiences. During six sold- out performances, the production caught production to regional festival the attention of a local Kennedy Center adjudicator who tipped off the festival’s “It was really unexpected, it really threw regional chair, Matt Neves. The rest, as they me. I am excited and ready to hit the ground say, is history. After a flight to SLO to catch running on what is next.” the final performance, Neves invited the Shock, pride and determination: themes of troupe to L.A. in February. a reaction; the themes of a play. “We are very proud of our student’s The reaction is Daniel Lewis.’ The 24-year- achievement and this recognition, old learned in December that he and some 20 particularly because we had not even entered fellow student-actors were invited to perform the piece for consideration,” said bree valle. a full production of “pool ’63” at the regional Region 8 of the Kennedy Center Kennedy Center American College Theatre American College Theatre includes Festival in Los Angeles. more than 300 colleges and universities The original play hit Cuesta College’s stage throughout California, Arizona, just weeks before receiving the honor. The Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Hawaii production was a joint effort, written and and Guam. Only nine colleges will created by student-actors, director bree valle participate in this year’s festival, and and her husband, playwright Phillip Valle. this is the first time Cuesta College has Set during the summer of 1963 in ever been invited. Birmingham, Ala., the one-act, 55-minute “pool ’63” will return to the drama follows the lives of two 9-year-old Cuesta stage in February, with final girls – one black, one white – and their performances scheduled for the 22nd experiences during the civil rights movement. and 23rd. “ ‘pool ’63’ emphasizes a very dark and “The play’s message is so powerful heavy era in United States history – the and we want to offer our local transitional era from desegregation to community an opportunity to see the equality,” said Lewis, whose character John work one more time,” said valle. Woods plays a pivotal role in the story. “The message I take from the play, and from that ‘pool ‘63’ features time in history, is that things always got worse innovative lighting, set design and costumes. before they got better, so keep pressing on.” 14 • SPRING 2014 CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS Thanking those who made Cuesta strong President Stork welcomes back retirees who made an impact during college’s formative years

It’s been a long time coming. president’s office (1969-2000), Yolanda That was the message Cuesta College Waddell, information technology (1978- Superintendent/President Gil Stork 2000) and Sid Bartholow, physical plant offered to 71 former Cuesta workers at (1985-2005). a special October brunch to honor the “We wouldn’t have gotten started the people who helped make the college what way we did without the original board of it is today. trustees hiring two very, very important Former Cuesta President Marie Rosenwaser The group included connections to the people,” Stork said. “That was Dr. Merlin and Dr. Bob Bryant, a former college trustee. institution’s earliest days of 1963, before Eisenbise and Frank Martinez. They including drastic state funding cuts. there was a campus and well before its basically had to sit down and say, ‘What He brightened the mood with more founders had settled on the Cuesta name. the hell do we do now?’ ” upbeat news about the $8.5 million Most served during Cuesta’s initial 25 Stork outlined the challenges the donation from the Charles and Leeta years. college has faced in the past four years, Dovica Family Trust that is funding the It was a time of unparalleled growth as Cuesta College Promise Scholarship, the college went from satellite classrooms which, starting this fall, guarantees a fee- at area schools, to refurbished Camp free fall semester to all San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo barracks, to what many County high school graduates. in attendance still think of as the “new Stork thanked the group for its support campus” of white buildings with red-tile over his near 50-year Cuesta career. roofs that sprouted up between Chorro Creek and Highway 1 in the shadow of “Looking around the room and 1,300-foot Cerro Romauldo. seeing the faces that inspired me, I can remember and see examples of your work Two of the college’s top administrators at the college, what you did to make it attended: Cuesta founding father special,” he added. “That’s what I wanted Frank Martinez, the college’s second to tell you today. How much pride I take superintendent/president (1977-1988), in being a member of the Cuesta family. and Marie Rosenwasser (1999-2007), You have shaped my life, and you have the college’s fourth superintendent/ shaped the lives of thousands of residents president. of our county and our state and our Top managers included Ernie country. Cementina, dean of instruction, “This is not going to be the end of our humanities (1966-1992), Emery Wong, association,” Stork promised. “This may bookstore (1968-2000), Barbara George, Top: Ed Pearce, former dean of career education, and Frank Martinez, right, have been the first ‘annual.’ ” institutional advancement (1977- Cuesta’s second superintendent/ 2004), Ann Grant, dean of instruction, president. Middle: Mary Carpenter and sciences (1981-2004) and Pete Hagan, Marilyn Pedroni, right. Below, Cuesta Superintendent/President Gil Stork, matriculation (1988-2004). Adie Guidi, left, and Lori Lawson. Many veteran faculty members turned out. Bob McCorkle, who taught part-time when the college first launched classes in 1964, and his wife, Mary, journalism (1975-2010), attended, as did Adele Frey, physical education (1965-1992) and art instructor Chet Amyx, (1965-1993), both a part of the original teaching corps when the campus opened in September 1965. And support staff were also represented: veterans such as Sally Cook, DONOR SPOTLIGHT: MARLENE PETER

Her ties are strong to the Cuesta family “Consistency. That’s probably a pretty good helped out by arranging home tours,” said word to describe us.” Marlene. “You know, it happens pretty often In one way or another, Marlene Peter – I get called to help out with things and I and her family have been supporting Cuesta say, ‘Oh sure!’ I’ve spent so much of my life at College since 1966 … consistently. Cuesta that it’s just a really good match.” The Peters joined the Cuesta family when In the fall of 2011, she was one of the school was in its infancy. Peter’s husband, the founding members of the Friends of Gil, was hired as a math teacher and taught the CPAC, a group of individuals and for nearly 30 years. During that time, the organizations who have contributed to the couple and their two children became very development and success of the Cuesta involved in the campus community. Performing Arts Division and the Cultural “I remember the faculty getting together and Performing Arts Center that opened in with their families, and all our kids would be the fall of 2009. She has been involved in all of running around. It was such a special time,” the group’s annual fundraisers. Peter recalled. Her children also found a good match in Following the passing of her husband in Cuesta – Marlene’s son, David, is a Cuesta 1996, Peter decided to honor his commitment graduate who owns The Galley Seafood Grill to Cuesta with a commitment to future & Bar in Morro Bay. Her daughter also took students. She began S.A.M., an endowed courses for a time. And Peter herself is a scholarship. Scholastic Achievement in student – she participates in morning aquatic Mathematics today provides hundreds of courses on campus. dollars each year to a Cuesta student majoring “In my opinion, community colleges are in math or science. the backbone of our education, and Cuesta “I met a few times with the woman who College does such a great job of helping received the scholarship this year, and she was its students,” Peter said. “I just think it’s an just so appreciative,” Peter said. “It’s good for incredibly good school, an excellent school, me and my family to give back because Gil especially for students who are starting out or really liked it at Cuesta.” starting again.” In addition to money, the Morro Bay Regarding consistency, Aristotle once said, resident has been donating her time over “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, the years as well. In 1993, she joined the then, is not an act, but a habit.” By that charge to raise money for the Cuesta College definition, Marlene Peter is a most excellent Foundation. supporter of Cuesta College. “They needed some fundraisers and so I SLO couple’s donation brings smiles to Cuesta kids

When Lily and Curt Aanerud decided to close their developmental toy business last fall, they chose Cuesta College as the home for their remaining merchandise. The reason was simple: Lily was an alumna and Cuesta “is close to my heart.” The couple donated more than 300 items, worth over $4,000, for use in the Children’s Center, a hands-on educational lab for Early Childhood Education students. Don Norton, who oversees the program, was “overwhelmed by the generosity.” “It’s Christmas in September,” he said Sept. 20. “Not only will the children be using them, but the student-teachers will be incorporating it into the curriculum that they present. It’s awesome.” BUSINESS PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Cuesta has a special Blue Rooster Telecom quality, and when you get in teams up with Cuesta contact with the school you get exposed to that special quality. What do you get when you pool of cross a cougar with a rooster? – Jeff Buckingham, employees, owner of Blue Rooster A great business partnership. more intelligent Jeff Buckingham knows a customers, more thing or two about being in successful community Buckingham. “I think we’ve business. Over the years, he members who will make seen examples of how Cuesta is has started several successful more money and spend more evolving. The Cuesta Promise businesses and today is the money in the community. It’s (Scholarship) is an amazing founder and president of all connected. So supporting example, and in years past, Blue Rooster Telecom, a Cuesta makes a tremendous the nursing program modified telecommunications and difference.” itself to meet the needs of our technology company located Buckingham’s support for local hospitals. I am confident in San Luis Obispo. It should Cuesta began in the 1990s that Cuesta will continue come as no surprise then that when a former company he to respond to needs of our Buckingham sees the value owned joined forces with the community as they become known.” in maintaining a business college to raise money for Jeff Buckingham partnership with Cuesta technology programs. The Buckingham, whose son College. partnership solidified and in is currently a Cuesta student, with students,” he said of “Cuesta is a critical link 2010 followed Buckingham has also been serving on the being a board member. “I in our community,” said to Blue Rooster Telecom that, Cuesta Foundation Board of get a firsthand look at what’s Buckingham. “It’s a place according to Buckingham, is Directors since the 1990s, a happening at Cuesta. There’s where future employees are growing steadily with a bright service that has reinforced his a special quality that can be trained, a place where current future ahead. A trajectory opinion of the college. found in the administration, employees can go through similar to Cuesta’s. “I get to see how connected staff and teachers – they have a real focus on the students additional training or be “Things are either moving Cuesta is to the community, and that’s what really attracts retrained. A better educated forward or backward – Cuesta work with some great faculty me to Cuesta.” population will equal a better is moving forward,” said and staff, and spend time Welcome to the Roy E. Coats Memorial Library With the snip of a scissors, Laura Coats dedicated the Roy E. Coats Memorial Library at Cuesta College’s North County campus. Roy, who died in 1988, founded Sunbank Electronics and relocated the firm to Paso Robles in 1982. Cuesta Superintendent/President Gil Stork said Laura and her current husband, Thom Schulz, played a pivotal role in the creation of the Paso Robles campus. Their initial $250,000 donation in 1997, the year before the campus opened, helped fuel an effort that ultimately raised $4 million. Their support for Cuesta continues, he said. “Today, we’re honoring Roy, his memory, his legacy and his philanthropy for good causes,” Stork said Oct. 22.” Robert Paden, Sunbank’s president, agreed. “Our anticipation is that this library serve as the cornerstone for the Donor Laura Coats cuts a ribbon during the Oct. 22 educational purposes of the families of the company and this community, their dedication of the Roy E. Coats Memorial Library. She is children and generations to follow,” said Paden. “I thank you again Thom and flanked by Dr. Gil Stork and husband Thom Schulz. Laura, and the Roy Coats Foundation for this beautiful gift.” CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS SPRING 2014 • 17 Faces Cuesta’s Annual Book of the Year Author Piper Kerman to speak April 3! Don’t miss a FREE lecture by the author of ‘Orange is the New Black: My Year in a and Women’s Prison’ > April 3 • 5-7 pm • Cuesta’s CPAC Places > Tickets available Feb. 17 (limit 4) www.cpactickets.cuesta.edu. > Parking is sponsored in Lot 2. > Visit http://library.cuesta.edu/book for complete list of events.

Kathy Devaney, left, buys a copy of this year’s Book of the Year, ‘Orange is the New Black,’ from Cathie Olson at the Wine Down Wednesday fundraiser on Sept. 25 at the Sauer- Adams Adobe. At right, Cuesta instructor Stacy Millich, left, with Sheriff Ian Parkinson and wife Amy. Making Clay IQMS Helps Cuesta Students

Paso Robles-based IQMS, a Cuesta business partner, donated $7,500 to help send Cuesta students to SkillsUSA career technical education competitions. From left, Cuesta Superintendent Gil Stork, Randy Flamm, IQMS president, John Stokes, Cuesta’s engineering division chair, and John Cascamo, dean of academic affairs.

Cuesta College ceramics Cuesta Calling students mixed ‘5,000 pounds of clay with our feet,’ in the first Clay Stomp, said Jarred Pfeiffer, left, a Cuesta ceramics instructor. ‘Students are accustomed to using pre-mixed clay; they don’t realize the work that goes into clay preparation.’ Now they do, he added. Kids as young as 2 years old from Cuesta Children’s Center also lent legs on Sept. 25. Superintendent Gil Stork meets with student callers who worked the Cuesta Foundation’s fall phonathon. They talked to more than 11,700 parents, donors and alumni to raise money for the college. The spring phonathon runs through March 6. 18 • SPRING 2014 CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS Matthew Morales, 23, dominated the men’s race. Running his first City to the Sea, he left a small group at Mile 3 and never looked back, clocking the 13.1-miles in 1:14:17, short of the record of 1:10.22 set in 2009. “It’s a minute off my PR,” he said of his best time. “I was happy with it.” So was women’s winner Kara Thorne, who was competing in her second 13.1-miler since her daughter was born. “I know that the first portion is pretty City to the Sea shines under cloudy skies much downhill, so it’s easy to get carried 2,000 runners turn out for Cuesta fall fundraiser away, and several hills are kind of a little bit late,” the Arroyo Grande resident said. n the early-morning light on an Stars reggae band. “I just wanted to run comfortably.” overcast October day, Cuesta College “Last year was really hot, and there She was impressed with her 1:22:25 Superintendent/President Gil Stork were a lot of people who struggled,” effort, which was slower than the 1:16:55 heldI the starter’s pistol aloft for the 18th he said. “So we ordered good weather: course record set last year. annual City to the Sea Half Marathon. overcast and cloudy, nice and cool. That’s Locher said the race sold out in Moments after the Mission bells what we got.” September and attracted an additional tolled 7 o’clock, Stork pulled the trigger, 500 for a 5K. Proceeds will improve track releasing 2,000 athletes for Pismo Beach’s facilities as well as beautify the long jump Dinosaur Caves Park in what is also and triple jump area. a major fundraiser for Cuesta’s cross- “We won’t have a mud pit any more,” country, and track and field programs. he said. “Bleachers can be fixed, and the It was “perfect distance-running track will be guarded by fencing.” weather,” race director Brian Locher, Planning is underway for the 2014 the college’s harrier and track-and- race, scheduled for Oct. 12. field coach, said of the sub-60-degree “We believe we have a great thing temperatures. It was just after 10:30 when going , so we plan to perfect it before blue skies finally broke through at the moving forward with bigger plans,” coast, but most runners were done by City to the Sea race director Brian Locher, cen- Locher said. “This year’s race should be a then, relaxing with a breakfast burrito and ter, with top finishers Matthew Morales and great event.” coffee while listening to the Zongo All- Kara Thorne. This year’s race is set for Oct. 12. Dansby named wrestling Coach of the Year Basketball’s Rusty Blair earns 400th win Wrestling coach Joe Dansby led the Men’s basketball coach Rusty Blair scored Cougars to the Southeast Conference title his 400th career victory and entered the and was named coach of the year. record books as Cuesta College’s winningest A month later, in December, Dansby’s basketball coach. top eight wrestlers posted a combined The milestone occurred in the opening 14-17 mark and took sixth at the 2013 round of the Delta Holiday Basketball California Community College Athletic Tournament in Stockton on Dec. 20. The Association state championship in Stockton. Cougars clawed out a 51-50 victory over Reedley College in the The accolades came pouring in for the Cougars, who three-day tourney where Cuesta finished third. qualified eight wrestlers for the state meet and had six named Blair, one of three men’s basketball coaches to lead the to the all-SEC teams. program over the past 49 seasons, is a five-time Western State Dansby credited his athletes for keeping their eyes on the Conference coach of the year — 1997, 1998, 2009, 2010 and state championship all season, “which means staying healthy, 2012. He has led the Cougars to eight WSC titles and 14 playoff having depth on the team and peaking at the optimum berths, including fifth place at the 1997 California Community moment,” he said. “The Cougar wrestlers are ready for this College Athletic Association state finals. challenge and to be a force in the state once again.” CUESTA COLLEGE NEWS SPRING 2014 • 19 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 54 P.O. Box 8106, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8106 San Luis Obispo, CA 93403

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MARCH

7-8: 36th Cuesta Swim & Dive Invitational MARCH 8: 31st annual Jazz Ensemble Festival Concert 20: 37th Women of Distinction Ceremony 21: Educate, Si Se Puede 22: 2nd annual Low Brass Festival 26: San Luis Obispo County Schools Annual Report

APRIL

3: Book of the Year: APRIL Orange is the New Black, author Piper Kerman to speak 5: Honor Jazz Band Concert 11: Student art show begins 15-16: Baseball: Hancock vs Cuesta, Spring Break Tournament

MAY

16: Cuesta Choirs Show MAY 23: Commencement 25: North County Chorus Concert

JUNE

SUMMER 16: First day of summer semester SCHOOL 2014 JUNE 21-22: Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado, theater production 2014 SPRING CALENDAR 2014 >> FOR MORE DETAILS, CHECK OUT THE EVENTS LISTED AT WWW.CUESTA.EDU