College Report: June 2022

Class of 2022 Sets New Record

When the Class of 2022 took the field to graduate on June 3 at Chukchansi Park, it marked another record milestone in the history of Fresno City College. Since 2016, the number of graduates has topped the year before, with 2022 being no different. This year, the college announced a graduating class of 2,585. In 2021, there were 2,443 graduates. This year’s class prevailed despite facing the challenges of completing their degrees during the COVID crisis. Mr. Jim Yovino, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, was honored as the Distinguished Alumnus and was the Keynote Speaker. Mr. Yovino attended Fresno City College in 1986-87 to begin his more than 30-year journey in the education profession.

2022 Dean's Medallion Recipients

Fresno City College is pleased to announce the Dean’s Medallion of Excellence Award winners for 2022. The recipients received their medallions in a special ceremony on May 12. Each recipient received a $500 scholarship. Orion Luminiferous from the Fine, Performing & Communication Arts Division, Music Department, was awarded the Tony Cantu President’s Medallion given in honor of former President, Tony Cantu, who passed away in April 2015. Orion received an additional $500 scholarship.

Ms. Waradee Warstler 

Allied Health, Physical Education and Athletics Division

Pre-Allied Health Registered Nursing Option (AS)

 

Ms. Imari Luna 

Applied Technology Division

Photography-Professional (AS)

 

Ms. Sherine Seoudi 

Business Education Division

Business Administration for Transfer (AS-T)

 

Mr. Orion Luminiferous 

Fine, Performing and Communication Arts Division

Commercial Music (AS)

Tony Cantu President's Medallion

 

Ms. Faith Vega 

Guidance & Counseling Division

Sociology for Transfer (AA-T)

 

Ms. Morgan Poulter 

Humanities Division

Phylosophy for Transfer (AA-T)

 

Ms. Zofia Trexler 

Social Sciences Division

Political Science for Transfer (AA-T)

 

Radiology Technology Ceremony

The Radiologic Technology Program Pinning Ceremony is slated for Saturday, June 25, at 6:00 p.m. in the Old Administration Building Auditorium. The ceremony will honor 34 graduates. In addition, the program will recognize the retirement of adjunct instructors Mr. Sal Mendoza and Ms. Jennifer Dunkley.

Dental Hygiene Ceremony

On May 19 the Dental Hygiene Pinning Ceremony was held to celebrated 21 graduates who spent 2 years of study learning to provide preventive dental services. The students provided services to over 2,000 patients from the Central Valley including oral cancer screenings, x-rays, dental cleanings, deep cleanings, local anesthesia, nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation, sealants, and temporary fillings. The graduates earned an Associate of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene after completing 23 dental hygiene courses and earning 107 college units.

Fire Academy Ceremony

The Fire Academy ceremony for Class 57 was held on June 10 at the Fire Academy at CTC. Twenty-eight cadets completed the 1004 hours required by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office Accredited Fire Academy in order to earn their Firefighter 1 and 2 certifications and numerous other certifications. There are four cadets that are being hired immediately after graduation, two with Sanger Fire and two with Marin County Fire. Additionally, there are 12 cadets who have been hired on as interns by North Central Fire Protection District, two hired by the Kingsburg Fire Department, four with Selma Fire Department and one with the Sanger Fire Department. Class 57 performed numerous community service projects, developing and starting the annual Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation fundraiser dinner and spearheading or participating in 14 Beautify Fresno events.

Leon S. Peters Scholarship Awarded

On May 27, 30 students in the Leon S. Peter’s Honors Program were each awarded a $1000 scholarship in a special ceremony held in the OAB East Courtyard. The FCC Honors Program was founded by the SCCCD Board of Trustees in 1987. It was named in honor of Leon S. Peters, who endowed a trust to assist in funding enrichment activities and other special features of the program.

RN Pinning Ceremony

The Registered Nursing Pinning Ceremony for 128 graduating FCC registered nursing students was held on May 21 at the Fresno High School Royce Hall. The procession and presentation of the sashes and pins were conducted for each nursing student by the FCC nursing faculty.

Dream Center Celebration

A graduation recognition ceremony was held for over 50 Dreamers on May 25, 2022 in the Old Administration Building East Courtyard. More than 30 Dreamers will be transferring to Fresno State, with others transferring to UC Davis, UC Merced and Fresno Pacific University.

Nursing Awards

Congratulations to Keisha Lewis Nesbitt, FCC’s Director of Nursing, for being recognized by the Central San Joaquin Valley Nursing Leadership Coalition. Keisha was awarded RN of the Year in the Innovation in Professional Nursing category at the 36th Annual RN of the Year Awards on May 5. Also, at the dinner, counselor Gerri Santos was given the “Friend of Nursing” Award for her “impactful work for Nursing, specifically with African American students” and for being a strong advocate for students pursuing STEM careers, particularly nursing.

Summer Sessions

FCC continues to offer a robust online schedule and in the last year has continued to increase the number of in-person classes. Summer sessions began in May with additional sessions starting June 6 and 20. To help promote summer sessions, radio station B95 featured counselors, Dr. Kalisha Spomer and Jessica Shadrick on Facebook Live with CK, a popular local DJ. They shared information on the free services that are available to students for the summer sessions and upcoming fall semester.

College Receives Scholarship Check

On May 19, the W. Ray Johnson Foundation hosted their inaugural Sneaker Soiree at Fresno City Hall. At the event, Stacee Johnson-Williams, CEO and board members of the W. Ray Johnson Foundation presented a $10,000 check to Dr. Robert Pimentel, FCC Vice President of Educational Services. This donation will establish the foundation’s second endowed scholarship. The W. Ray Johnson Foundation’s Second Chance Endowed Scholarship was established for foster kids and single parents attending Fresno City College.

Employee Service Awards

The 2022 Employee Service Awards ceremony and barbeque was held for faculty and staff on May 12 on the West Lawn of the Old Administration Building. Over 100 faculty and staff were able to participate in the luncheon and be recognized for their respective years of service or retirement.

Pride Flag Raising Event

The annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony was held on June 2 at the flagpole in front of Building A. This is the second year that FCC has held this ceremony to commemorate Pride Month. Interim Director of College Relations and Outreach, Nick Lucio raised the flag this year.

Extreme Registration

The College Relations and Counseling departments are preparing to assist hundreds of new and returning students each Wednesday afternoon during Virtual Extreme Registration starting June 22 through July 27. An in-person event will take place on July 29 and 30 in the Library. Both events will include special services available by phone or computer for students to complete their registration process. Services offered are:

• Express counseling to enroll in fall semester classes
• Planning their fall schedule and registering for classes
• Financial assistance and information about free tuition

New Wrinkles Returns!

Summertime and the living is…all about New Wrinkles! After a COVID hiatus, the popular senior revue returned to live performances earlier this month. Since 1988, New Wrinkles has been entertaining thousands in the Central Valley with their unique blend of music, dance, comedy, and more – all performed by a talented volunteer cast aged 55 and older. From its earliest beginnings, the New Wrinkles Company has always been a multifaceted family of seniors experiencing the energetic camaraderie involved in creating entertainment excellence.

All-Steinway School Designation

A special All-Steinway School Celebration was held on Friday, May 20 in the Old Administration Building Auditorium to celebrate the All-Steinway School designation for Fresno City College. At the event, Steinway’s New York Senior District Manager, Bob Snyder, presented an All-Steinway School plaque to piano instructor Dr. Brandon Bascom and Vice President of Administrative Services Omar Gutiérrez to recognize this milestone. The event also featured a short concert by Steinway artist, Ksenia Nosikova, a world renown concert pianist.