The RenegadeBakersfield College Rip Vol. 84 ∙ No. 11 www.therip.com Wednesday, October 17, 2012 Christian announced as new BC president By Patricia Rocha egon,” said Serrano. Serrano believes BC will only Editor in Chief Serrano believes her experi- benefit from Christian’s mix of ence, both at BC and away in knowledge and skill, as well as Sonya Christian was intro- administrative positions at other her effective leadership. duced to faculty and staff Oct. community colleges, will help “This is an important time to 15 as Bakersfield College’s 10th her improve student success on community colleges, because president. She will be working campus. our local mission is now wide- part time as president from Nov. “I am just thrilled to welcome ly understood to have national 29 until January when her full- Dr. Christian back, as she will consequences,” Christian said. time employment begins. lead BC through a historic time “We are the answer to economic “Dr. Christian was selected as Bakersfield College enters its health. We are the answer for because of the breadth and depth centennial year, which it will cel- healthy communities, and we are of her 22 years experience in ebrate in 2013-14,” said Serrano. the answer to personal hard work community colleges,” said Kern Christian was excited to be back and hope.” Community College District in the Norman Levan Center for Christian feels the connection chancellor Sandra Serrano. the announcement. between the community and col- Christian is no stranger to “I am very happy to be com- lege is essential. BC, as she was a math faculty ing back to Bakersfield College “Bakersfield College is the member, division chair and dean and incredibly honored to be do- community’s college,” Christian of science, engineering, allied ing so as the 10th president,” said said. “We create a skilled and ca- health and mathematics during Christian. “From its early begin- pable workforce across a broad her time here from 1991-2003. nings in 1913 as a junior col- range of industry and occupa- “I think she really did not want lege, to its current broader goal tions. to leave us, and we regretted her of serving the community, the “In short, we have a sacred ROBIN SHIN / THE RIP leaving as much as she regretted history contained in the archives mission, and we are a significant having to leave, but she was able shows that BC has adapted to the avenue for improving the quality Sonya Christian speaks at the Levan Center after being announced as Bakersfield to move into higher education at changes in the surrounding cul- of life in our community and for College’s new president. She will be working on a part-time basis, starting Nov. 29, until Lane Community College in Or- ture.” our nation.” January when her full-time employment begins. Crowd drawn Adjunct professor to Via Arte in against Prop. 37 Marketplace By Omar Oseguera Photo and Multimedia Editor Bakersfield College ad- junct professor David Light- sey feels that students need to be informed more on Proposi- tion 37. Lightsey said he had wit- nessed many students in his nutrition class being misin- formed. Lightsey works with the National Council Against Health Fraud, and is a health and safety speaker for the NCAA. “If you look at [genetically Above: Gustavo Lozano works on his chalk art piece on modified foods] from a strict- Oct. 13 at the 14th annual Via Arte street painting festival ly science perspective, it’s a at the Marketplace. win-win situation for every- one,” said Lightsey. Below: Gustavo Lozano adds details to his piece during Inside the ballot, voters will the two-day festival featuring artists of all ages and talent. see this when making their choice on Prop. 37, “[Pass- ing] requires labeling of food sold to consumers made from plants or animals with genetic material changed in specified ways. Prohibits marketing of such food, or other processed food, as ‘natural.’ Provides exemptions.” If the bill passes, food that contains any sort of genetic modification will require a la- bel, but this will also result in a price hike on products. Henry Miller, the founding Photos BY LUIS GARCIA / THE RIP director of the FDA’s Office Teresa Nowatzki overlooks her sugar-skull-themed drawing. The decorated skulls of Biotechnology, identified celebrate lives of deceased family members during the annual Day of the Dead tradition. Please see PROP 37, Page 5 Inside Obama visits Chavez monument By Martin Chang eral people important to the farm land is a local musician and vice tory by the whole country.” Opinions and Features Editor workers movement were there to president of community impact As a politician, Gurrola took be honored, including Dolores at United Way. They both ap- away the idea of organizing from For two local residents, Jose Huerta and Helen Chavez. preciated the recognition that Obama’s speech. Gurrola Jr. and Jill Egland, Presi- Obama spoke of this contribu- Obama’s trip to La Paz repre- “Something that Barack dent Barack Obama’s recent trip tion. sented. Obama said, something that will to Keene was an inspiring and “To the members of the “I thought it was about time affect my campaign, something moving experience. Chavez family and those who that the achievement of Cesar I kind of want to emphasize On Oct. 8, Obama dedicated knew and loved Cesar, to the Chavez and the farm workers more is that Barack Obama and La Paz, located in Keene, as a men and women who worked so movement were recognized in a Cesar Chavez have an emphasis national monument. La Paz, the hard for so long to preserve this way that the legacy will live on,” on organizing,” he said. Page 2: ‘Gangnam style’ featured in Korean music festival. burial place and former home of place, I want to say to all of you Gurrola said. Gurrola further explained. Cesar Chavez, was named the thank you,” he said. “Your dedi- Egland agreed that the recog- “So organizing your neigh- Page 4 Page 11 Cesar E. Chavez National Mon- cation, your perseverance, made nition was deserved. bors, organizing the farm work- ‘My Little Pony’ cartoon Volleyball team responds ument. The monument hon- this day possible.” “It was very moving being in ers and teaching them they have remake influences after a tough loss ors the work of Cesar Chavez, Gurrola Jr. is a 19-year old that place,” he said. “For all of us rights and then they go ahead Brony lifestyle. to L.A. Pierce Chavez’s family and the United Bakersfield College student run- living here, being acknowledged and teach others,” he said. “Go- Farm Workers Foundation. Sev- ning for Arvin City Council. Eg- as being a significant part of his- Please see OBAMA, Page 5 FEATURES Page 2 The Renegade Rip www.therip.com Wednesday, October 17, 2012 Concert celebrates diversity By Martin Chang an exchange program, and we’ll night, the chamber closed the “I could see less because I wear Opinions and Features Editor know all these people. It won’t be night with a medley of “Arirang” glasses and when I put on my sun- like we’re seeing strangers.” and “Amazing Grace.” “Arirang” glasses I can’t see anything,” said A musical celebration of Kore- Many different types of Ko- is a very popular folk song that is Shin. “So it was like I was danc- an culture featuring fan dancing, rean dancing and music oc- considered by many as the unof- ing and having fun by myself. I traditional chamber music and curred at the event. The dances ficial national anthem of Korea. could still hear people cheering “Gangnam Style” was played to included Buchaechum, a colorful The director of the chamber, though,” he said. Shin’s favorite a standing ovation at Bakersfield fan dance that symbolizes nature Song Yong-Cheol, wished to ex- part of the dance is the end. At the High School’s Harvey Audito- and its beauty. It also included pose people to the instruments of end of the dance, all the dancers rium. dances that depicted Korean folk Korea and remind Korean Ameri- freeze on a dramatic pose. The Korean American Asso- tales, such as the creative “Zinna” cans of home. “That’s the best part. When we ciation of Bakersfield and the Ba- dance, and wallpapers of royal “I came in order to share the get it right, it looks so good.” kersfield Sister City Project put tombs. traditional instruments of Korea,” Maria Pace is a 23-year-old BC on the show jointly. It occurred on If audience reaction can be any said Yong-Cheol. “I want to re- music student who has a lifelong Oct. 13 and was titled “A Special judge, the highlight of the perfor- mind the Koreans that are living love of Korean culture. She first Performance by Traditional Ko- mance was the chamber music here a little taste of home, and re- fell in love with the culture as a rean Dancers & Musicians.” portion of the concert. mind them of what life in Korea child in Spain. She left her family Musicians and citizens from It featured many traditional was like through music.” in Spain to move to America and Bucheon, Korea performed and Korean instruments, like the As a change of pace, the youth learn more about Korea and Ko- watched the performance. Gayageum and Geomungo. at The Korean American Associa- rean Culture. When she thanked John Hefner, the president of These instruments are stringed tion of Bakersfield performed a Kim Hyoung-Min, she was cry- The Sister City Project, said that zither instruments that look simi- 20-plus-group dance of the popu- ing and visibly emotional.