The Digital Media Department at Golden West College has announced an exciting new course, Introduction to Biotechnology Media Design (DART G195), to be offered in the upcoming Fall semester.

This course emphasizes the foundational digital media skills required to design and create professional media products for the BioTech field. Students will develop conceptual pathways related to interdisciplinary STEAM fields, experiment with mixed digital media, including 3D modeling, and discuss the importance of research, models, and props in the design and execution of the final product. Career options, self-promotion, and practical application of digital media skills will also be discussed.

Biotech Illustration is a highly specialized computer graphics skill. The course will be taught by Steve Lustig, BioTech Illustrator and founder BioDesign Communications. Steve has over 30 years of experience in the Digital Media industry. He has produced medical and life science images for companies around the world, illustrated four books, and completed a series of life science illustrations for the Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California.

Vanya Keys, GWC student, demonstrating robot programming to High School Students

On Friday, May 17, GWC’s Computer Science and Automotive Technology Departments hosted hands-on workshops for students from four high schools.

The Computer Science workshop was organized by CTE Department Chair, Renah Wolzinger, through a CTE Transition grant. Over 60 students from Fountain Valley High School and Marina High School Computer Science classes spent the morning learning how to program a robot and a hand held computer.

Two of the presenters were GWC Computer Science students, Vanya Keys and “HQ”, who engaged and impressed the students – especially when Vanya Keys told them about the Minecraft company that she has already started!

The Automotive Technology workshop was a Vital Link sponsored event which brought over 40 students from Valley High School and Woodbridge High School Automotive classes to the campus.

The students worked with GWC instructors to perform full vehicle inspections, wheel alignments, and tire installations. The morning ended with lunch in the Student Center before returning to their schools.

Vital Link is an organization that provides hands-on, career exploration experiences for high school students, helping them carve out their own unique career path.

Many of these students are graduating from Golden West this year and will be using the much-appreciated funds to continue their education. In addition to the scholarships awarded at the ceremony, scholarships will be awarded at local high schools for incoming GWC students and at other ceremonies for Criminal Justice, Nursing, and Independent groups.
GWC’s top award, the R. Dudley Boyce Outstanding Student Award, was presented to Dale Lendrum. The GWC Student Council established this award in memory of Dr. Boyce to recognize a student who most exemplifies the quality of leadership. Dale has held many leadership positions, including the Associated Student President for two years. The recipient of this award traditionally gives the student address at the commencement ceremony and Dale, a Communications Major is sure to do a great job on May 23rd.

Golden West College thanks the donors for giving these students an opportunity to reach their academic goals. In these challenging economic times, it is wonderful that so many donors have chosen to support Golden West College students.

One of the highlights of the evening was watching the 25 student veterans receive the Southern California Edison Veterans Scholarship. Pictured with Janelle Godges (center in white jacket), Region Manager, Local Public Affairs, SCE.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTO GALLERY

Nina Ramos stars as Elle Woods

The Golden West College Theater Arts department has assembled an energetic, talented cast to star in their upcoming production LEGALLY BLONDE, The Musical.  Performance dates are May 3 – 12 in the Golden West College Mainstage Theater.  Nina Ramos stars as the beautiful and determined Elle Woods, with Joey Nestra as Emmett, Michele Zelina as Paulette, Shane Blankenship as Warner and Steve De Forest as Professor Callahan.  Featured performers include Jessica Hayes as Vivienne and Laura Rensing as Brooke with Katie Roberts, Kathryn O’Shea and Angele Lathrop as Elle’s best friends Margot, Serena and Pilar.

Rounding out the cast are Jeffrey Black as Kyle and Roxana Sorooshian as Enid with Saffron Brauer, Holly Engelmann, Jessica Hamrick, Alyssa Heckman, Pheobe Horibe, Suzanne Panos, Chantelle Rosinsky, Ami G. Russ, Kara Stribling, Chris Califano, Jonathan Cruz, Aj Foster, Michael Gallardo, Brigham Hughes, Matt Muggia, Nick Slimmer, Mark Torres, and Adam Weight playing multiple roles.
Director and choreographer of this production is Martie Ramm.  Musical director is Rick Heckman.

LEGALLY BLONDE, The Musical opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on April 29, 2007. Directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, LEGALLY BLONDE, The Musical earned seven Tony Award nominations and ten Drama Desk Award nominations.
College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods doesn’t take no for an answer.  So, when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law School!  Based on the hit movie of the same name, LEGALLY BLONDE, The Musical is an award-winning Broadway sensation.  Elle Woods (with her chihuahua, Bruiser), takes you on an “all singing, all dancing, musical comedy adventure” from the social whirl of California to the halls of Harvard.

Tickets are on sale now through the GWC Theater Arts department website www.gwctheater.com
or through the GWC box office at 714-895-8150.

PEACE

by Bree Brydenthal, PM&B Club, ICC rep.

The energy was felt upon walking through the automatic, tinted doors. A steady buzz of quiet talking, tables filled with eclectic handmade trinkets, and a common feeling of excitement was held in the Student Activities Center on April 19th… it was the seventh annual Peace Conference. The event was commenced by Native Americans in traditional dress, performing for the crowd. Soon, many intelligent and noteworthy speakers filled the stage, each with different important ways that our world either needs peace, or is slowly on its way towards a violence free, conscientious earth. There were moments of great joy such as when Jack Shaw received the 2013 Peace Award for his relentless work in helping underprivileged students in Huntington Beach. However there were also moments that caused deep inward reflection, talks that caused one self to rethink the ways in which a daily life was lived, and how the seemingly simple choices made everyday have effects that occur worldwide for a lasting time. In accordance with the idea of a more sustainable future, the event used minimal paper advertising, kept the entire day zero-waste, and supplied delicious vegan food. Overall, the success of the conference was felt by everyone who was there that day- a feeling of light, love, and gratitude for another successful Peace Conference.

It was the ultimate date night. Dancing to Unchained Melody performed by Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley himself doesn’t get any better. And, oh, the GWC Gala was a huge success too. Proceeds exceeded last year by almost 40%, benefiting students and the campus.

The Golden West College Foundation held its 16th Annual Gala on Saturday, March 23 at the beautiful Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach. Over 330 guests from the community and campus enjoyed a great dinner, dancing and silent auction. A highlight was the only live auction item – to sing a duet with Bill Medley. The high bid went to Jerry Wheeler, President of the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce, who did a great job singing Old Time Rock & Roll.

This year all 750 Prius opportunity drawing tickets were sold and the winner was Umair Ashral of Unique Autos in Westminster. The winning ticket was pulled by our Homecoming Queen Kelly Gadea. This is the eighth vehicle donated by Elmore Toyota for the Gala Opportunity Drawing.

Honored Guests included:
2012 Alumni Pillars of Achievement recipients: Kevin Elster, Rick Lara, Chief Todd Mattern, and Brandee Williams
2012 Pillars of Support ($25,000+): Coast Community College District Foundation and Wells Fargo
2012 Premier Pillars ($100,000+): Kathy A. Crown, Irvine Health Foundation, and Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this event, and to our sponsors for their continuing support.

TITLE SPONSOR: ELMORE TOYOTA

MARQUEE SPONSOR: UNION BANK

GOLD SPONSORS: Irvine Health Foundation, Southern California Edison, and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

SILVER SPONSORS: AES Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, Norah M. Morrison, J.D., CFP, OLMSTED & ASSOCIATES Accountancy Corporation, Rainbow Environmental Services, Inc., and Wells Fargo.

LINK TO PHOTO GALLERY

Kevin Elster, a resident of Huntington Beach, is a retired Major League Baseball shortstop. He’s been named one the of “Top 50 Mets Players,” playing for six different ball clubs during his career: the New York Mets (1986-1992), New York Yankees (1994-1995), Philadelphia Phillies (1995), Texas Rangers (1996 and 1998), Pittsburgh Pirates (1997), and Los Angeles Dodgers (2000). He made his Major League Baseball debut on September 2, 1986, and played his final game on October 1, 2000. Elster was selected by the Mets in the second round of the 1984 January amateur draft out of Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California. He was the 28th player chosen overall and signed a minor league contract with the Mets on May 21st of that year.

An article in the Los Angeles Times, dated February 26, 1987, titled, “Elster Signs With Mets,” states, “Kevin Elster, a former Marina High School and Golden West College infielder, signed a one-year contract with the New York Mets Wednesday. Elster, 23, a shortstop, batted .269 in 127 games for Class AA Jackson of the Texas League last season before the Mets purchased his contract Aug. 30.”

In the 1988-89 seasons, Elster set the major league record for consecutive games without an error for a shortshop at 88 games.  On April 11, 2000, Elster hit three home runs in the first game played at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco.

Kevin appeared in the 1994 movie, Little Big League, playing the part of character Pat Corning.  Golden West College is proud to have Kevin in their league of alumni!

Twenty one graduates of the Basic Police Academy Class 145 were recognized at the Criminal Justice Training Center’s ceremony on March 22, 2013, held in the Robert B. Moore Theater at Orange Coast College.

Ron Lowenberg, Dean/Director of the Criminal Justice Training Center served as the Masters of Ceremony. Kyle Bean gave the Class President’s speech, reminding his fellow students of the sometimes difficult training they endured and spoke of their bright futures as Police Officers.

The Keynote Speaker was Chief Dan Llorens of the Fountain Valley Police Department. Chief Llorens reminded the graduates that no one is above the law and they must be the example of law abiding citizens.

Graduates stood proudly while family members attached their pin on their uniforms. Several graduates were honored as best in class for different categories, including the Director’s Award, an honor given to the best in class voted by their peers. The ceremony ended with a tongue-in-cheek video of  Police Academy highlights.

Congratulations to all. Thank you for choosing to serve and protect!

On March 21, 2013 GWC’s Intercultural Program and the Peace Studies club celebrated the first day of Spring with a Nowruz display.

Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Iranian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed. Nowruz is celebrated and observed in Iran and has spread in many other parts of the world, including parts of India, Central Asia, Caucasus, South Asia, Northwestern China the Crimea,  and some groups in the Balkans. In Iran, Nowruz is an official holiday lasting for 13 days during which most national functions including schools are off and festivities take place.

The displays in the Student Center patio included the 7  elements of “Haft Chin”

1. Mirror: Symbolizing SKY
2. Apple: Symbolizing EARTH
3. Candles: Symbolizing FIRE
4. Golab: Rose water Symbolizing WATER
5. Sabez: Wheat, barley or other sprouts Symbolizing PLANTS
6. Goldfish: Symbolizing ANIMALS
7. Painted Eggs: Symbolizing FERTILITY

Student also enjoyed music and snack offerings.

Happy Spring!

Golden West College hosted its annual College Preview Day for a record number of 1300 high school seniors from 15 feeder schools on March 7, 2013.

Over thirty tables and booths representing GWC Instructional Programs, Student Services, and Student Clubs, lined “main street” from the Central Quad to the Gym, creating an energetic street fair atmosphere. After a brief presentation in the Gym, students were given a passport card and were told to get it stamped by 10 booths and take at least one tour to be eligible for great prizes including an iPad mini, and an XBOX360 Kinect. The Grand Prize was a $600 scholarship with a $100 gift card to the bookstore.

The Grand Prize Scholarship was donated by the Golden West College Patrons and Jo Andrews, Patrons President drew the winning ticket. Andres Alonso from Westminster High School was thrilled when he got the call that he won the scholarship. Stephanie DiGaetano from Los Alamitos High School won the iPad mini and Michelle St. Michael from Access won the Kinect.

Students visited a wide variety of facilities where they were given brief presentations in Digital Media Arts, Automotive Technology, Criminal Justice simulator, Design, Theater, Dance, Athletic facilities, Cosmetology, and Student Service areas.This year the students and volunteers were treated to a burrito/taco lunch provided by Tacos & Co., which was quite a hit. Feedback from high school counselors was positive, “I think senior day was really great! I liked the arrival presentation and you seemed to have a larger program participation this year,” Terry Kinaman, Westminster High School.