July 22nd, 2002

In this corner...

Admissions and Records Dean Henry Villareal reported recently that CSM's enrollment is up about 20 percent this summer over last, the highest increase among the three District colleges. The District-wide increase was about 17 percent.

Mike Claire is now at Cañada as the interim vice president of instruction, but he didn't leave without at least a goodbye party. On June 26, with Claire's wife Patty and their children present (photo at left), a farewell reception was held in Building 1 with colleagues extending the former technology division dean their best. At the event Claire made special mention of how much he enjoyed working with President Shirley J. Kelly and Vice President of Instruction Grace Sonner, both of whom are pictured with him at right. The new food services vendor's presentation that day of fruits, pastries and other tasty items was impressive, a good sign...But what about the food in the vending machines? It seems that there have been a series of break-ins on the campus in Buildings 5, 8, 12 and 16. Head of Security John Wells says that the thieves are not going for the food but for the money and is encouraging anyone with information to come forward by calling extension 6415 or 6200…And some food for thought: the Bookstore informs us that it has new drinks, ice cream and snack foods, including banana chips, yogurt raisins, beef jerky, protein bars and cupcakes.

By now, the campus is amply aware of the success of CSM's athletic program in 2001-2002. It's also no secret in the San Mateo community, considering the considerable media coverage the teams have received. In a July recap by The Independent of how the sports programs of Peninsula colleges fared, CSM came out the winner appearing in seven items…Also, two weeks ago it was reported that Ty Jensen, last season's Bulldogs catcher, was expected to sign a letter-of-intent to attend Louisiana State University this fall on a partial-scholarship. Jensen confirmed last week that he did indeed sign to attend one of the premiere college baseball programs in the country.

The CSM Management Council Scholarship for the 2002-03 academic year was awarded to an appreciative Qian Wang, a business major hoping to earn an accounting certificate here before transferring to a California State university, reported Nancy Pendergast of Special Services earlier this summer...Students transfer or graduate sometimes feeling appreciation but not always expressing it. That wasn't the case, however, with a student who took part in the College's 80th annual commencement in May. In a letter to Pat Griffin, vice president of student services, the graduate wrote: "It was a night that I will always cherish…I hope my next graduation a few years from now from SFSU (San Francisco State University) goes as smoothly…College of San Mateo will always have a special place in my heart…"

…At Cañada's graduation, CSM Language Arts Instructional Aide Andrea Zele pictured at left was the valedictorian. Other accomplishments include in late May another published article in the San Francisco Chronicle by Li Miao of CSM Connects, this one a feature on Masankho Banda, a dance teacher and refugee from Malawi who has honored by the Dalai Lama for peace work…After 33 years of dedicated service to CSM, best wishes to Admissions and Records Joanne Dunbar who will be retiring this summer. Everyone is invited to a fond farewell reception on July 30 starting at 1:30 in Building 1, Room 115.

On display in the glass case adjacent to the Career Services Center in Building 5 last spring was the accomplished work of CSM graphic students taught by instructor Claudia Steenberg. Richard Lohmann, a photography instructor at the College, captured the presentation in the photograph at left.

Reaching the bottom line, paychecks will be bigger with a three percent salary increase beginning July 1 for classified (August 14 for certificated) employees after a seven percent boost last fiscal year...And with your extra money, how about going out dancing but first learning how with the Physical Education Division's two new fall additions: Swing Dance (Dance 680 A1, 89334, TTh, 1:10-2pm, .5, 9/3-11/21) and Ballroom Dance (Dance 680 A1, 89335, TTh, 12:10pm, .5, 9/3-11/21).

See Calendar section for more event info.