WELCOME TO MESA E-NEWS, the monthly e-zine of college-wide events, activities and news. For daily news and events, follow us on facebook at facebook.com/sandiegomesacollege Celebration on the Mesa Showcases 50 Years of Student Success More than 150 attendees showed up for the Oct. 3 for Celebration on the Mesa, a showcase of 50 years of student success. And showcase our students it did, with non-stop performances and entertainment by the Mesa College World Music Ensemble, Fashion Design Students, the Speech and Debate Team, the Mesa College Theater Company (performing fiery scenes from “Macbeth”), the Mesa College Vocal Ensemble, and the Mesa College Dance Company, which was joined by President Pam Luster for a surprise performance of “Little Latin Lupe Lu.” Heavy hor d’ouvres and tasty "mocktails" were served and prepared by Culinary Arts/Culinary Management students. The silent auction was a great success with stiff competition for more than 70 items. Topping of the evening was a nostalgic trip down memory lane with a historical video of Mesa’s 50 years. More than $15,000 was raised in support of student services and programs. You can find more photos here, and watch video tribute and dance performances on the college youtubechannel.

Carl Luna Honored with National Award Hearty congratulations go to Dr. Carl Luna who received the prestigious “William H. Meardy Award” from the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Pacific Region on Oct. 23 in Chicago. Recognizing the importance of teaching and learning, this award was named for ACCT’s founding director, “who championed the concept of faculty excellence as the foundation of success in the community college movement.” Carl is an active member of the college faculty, having served as Academic Senate President, and chairs the Civility Committee on our campus. Carl is also the founder of Restoring Respect, a community initiative focused on bringing greater civility to San Diego dialogue. Carl was interviewed on KUSI, and the interview can be accessed here. Way to go Carl !

1 Partial Eclipse of the Sun Celebrates Mother Earth’s Birthday! To celebrate the 6,000 year old birthday of planet Earth, Chair Don Barrie and the Physical Sciences department set up their telescopes in front of the Math+Science Complex to view the Oct. 23 partial eclipse of the sun. Professors Dave Coleman, Brad Hughes, and Marcel Neeleman were on hand to help students view the eclipse with various scopes and hand held filters, all set up by Lab Technician-Terrific, Mike Lewis. Up on the M+S rooftop, Prof. Sina Sadjadi captured the amazing photos shown at right. And way to go, Anabel Pulido, whose #sdmesacollege tweet got retweeted by non other than @yourtake@USATODAY! FACTOID: In 1658, biblical scholar James Ussher estimated that the Earth was created at midnight, on October 23rd, in 4004 B.C.

2014-15 Associated Student Government Advisor Ashanti Hands Dean of Student Affairs (third from left) with the 2014-15 Student Government Officers and Senators. Officers are President: Jesus M Escudero, IV, Vice President: Marcelo Masur, Secretary: Jessica Mitzi, Treasurer: Robert Wells, Senate Representative: Coral Aiello, and I.C.C. President: Wilfredo Cabistan

2 High-Fives for the High Tech Fair Faculty and Student Presenters In 15 years of participation at this event, the Math and Sciences department definitely broke some records at this year’s High Tech Fair, held Oct. 21 and 22 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Fourteen science faculty members (the largest number ever) took part. They were Chemistry: Rob Fremland, Amanda Fusco and Joe Toto; Biology: Jennifer Carmichael, Paul Sykes and Mala Wingerd; Math: Terrie Teegarden and Shahrokh Parvini; Physics: Bradley Hughes, Donald Barrie, Calude Mona, David Coleman, Bulent Bas. Joining in was Psychology Professor Jaye Van Kirk and students of the Psi Beta Honor Society. For the Tuesday evening program; 1,300 students and parents attended.. During the hands-on Wednesday program, over 3,300 students and teachers attended – far more than 2000-2500 in the past years. “We reached kids as young as 6 years old all the way to senior high school – widest age range ever … and close to 5,000 students,” noted Dean Saeid Eidgahy. “But, most importantly,” he added “it was the absolute MOST FUN. Thanks to each and every one of you for taking your valuable time, setting up many ‘messy and stinky’ hands-on activities and making Mesa’s sciences shine as the most popular exhibit – AGAIN!”

Mesa College BOT Meeting Demonstrates Commitment to Students As we do each year, Mesa College hosted the SDCCD Board of Trustees Fall meeting on Thursday, Oct. 9. The theme this year was “Out Time, Our Future” and featured presentations on the Education Master Plan and Student Success and Equity. As always, the highlight of the meeting were comments made by our students: Ta’Sean Smith, Jordan Agricula, Mario Romero, and Mesa recent graduates Krystal Monroe and Derrick Isaac. Chancellor Constance Carroll called the meeting “extraordinary” and commented on the lovely refreshments prepared by our Culinary students. 3 Mesa’s Interior Design Program and Students Win Top NKBA Awards In late October, 2014, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) -- the industry gold standard in kitchen and bath design -- has recognized the San Diego Mesa College Interior Design Program and its students with some of the bath design industry’s most coveted awards. Mesa College offers the only NKBA-accredited academic program in Southern California. Mesa College was among 17 schools to receive the “2013 Excellence in Education” award for achieving excellence in kitchen design. The annual award recognizes NKBA-accredited schools that have demonstrated the highest standards of kitchen and bath instruction.

As part of an annual requirement for accreditation, each school must submit two student-designed kitchen projects and attain the challenging goal of earning average scores of at least 90 out of a possible 100 points on projects designed by their students. Under the direction of program director Holly Hodnick and instructor Helene Lindquist, Mesa student projects scored an average of 94.0 points.

Interior design graduates Megan Siason and Jason Wass were also individually recognized by the NKBA. Siason (pictured above), who works at Marrokal Design & Remodeling, was among 30 exceptional young professionals recognized by the NKBA. Introduced in 2013, the 30 Under 30 program is designed to capture the voice of the next generation of kitchen and bathroom professionals, according to an industry press statement. She received interior design degrees from Mesa College and San Diego State University in 2012. She currently serves as the Communications Director for ASID San Diego.

Saison will receive all-expenses paid trip to attend the 2015 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) to Las Vegas in January, where she will receive her award. She is the second Mesa graduate to be named one of NKBA’s rising 30 Under 30 stars. The first was Donna Tran, a 2009 Mesa graduate and designer at Borrelli Design+Cabinet.

Jason Wass, of Poway, took second place in the national NKBA Enchanted Makeovers National Student Design Competition, Bath Division. He wins $1500.00 as well as a trip to the KBIS January show. Wass also won the Student Design Award for both his kitchen and bath submissions at the local NKBA chapter STAR awards and gala in September. He graduates from Mesa this semester.

4 Fashion Department Brings in National/ International Stars Fashion Professors Susan Lazear and Megan Feori brought in several top-notch speakers this fall to inspire and engage Mesa’s fashion students.

On Sept. 20, the Mesa College Fashion Program and the American Sewing Guild (San Diego) co-sponsored an event featuring BRADON McDONALD: , SEASON 12 FINALIST. Instructor Diana Cavagnaro reported in her column, La Jolla Today Fashion Files, and is excerpted below. McDonald delighted the audience with the inside scoops on Project Runway. He said, “Yes the contestants really sew the garments in 8 hours and they really shop in an hour at Mood Fabrics.” Everyone wanted to know about Tim Gunn. McDonald said, “ Tim Gunn is an amazing mentor who has a built in GPS for helping others.” As a self-taught sewer he decided to attend FIDM after he retired from dancing. The opportunity to be on Project Runway taught him to believe in himself and pursue what he really wanted to do. McDonald said, “If you aren’t happy change it.” McDonald brought many of his incredible designs to show the audience.

On Monday, Oct. 20, the guest speaker was Marta Neri, who visited from Rome, Italy. Neri, who has worked in the fashion all of her career and most notably at Fendi, shared her experiences and discussed fashion schools in Rome.

Above left: Bradon McDonald describes the Bouillonnee Technique; below left Jacket with Fagotted Rouleau Bouillonnee

Halloween Spirit 5 KUDOS TO…! • Erika Higginbotham, who received the California Association for Postsecondary Education and Disability (CAPED) Professional Recognition Award on October 13. The award recognizes outstanding achievement and contribution on the part of a CAPED member to the field of education for students with disabilities. “I was honored to have nominated her and then be able to present this prestigious award to her,” said Jill Jensen, DSPS Coordinator. • Georgia Laris, whose work will be exhibited at Object Object!!, A Selection of Smaller Works, a project of good good things at HELMUTH PROJECTS, San Diego, CA, November 1 to December 6, 2014 http://helmuth-projects.com

Stay Informed and Engaged • Reminder: • Shared governance committee agendas, minutes and reports can be found at http://www.sdmesa.edu/governance/committees.

Mesa eNews is published by Mesa Communications Services. To add information items, e-mail [email protected]. Be sure to provide all specifics, and please limit your copy to 75 words or less. Thank you! Photos: Anabel Pulido and Carol Beilstein.

The SDCCD is governed by its Board of Trustees. No oral or written representation is binding on the San Diego Community College District without the express approval of the Board of Trustees.

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