College Report: April 2023
Speakers Forum presents John Cho
On Tuesday, April 18, actor, author and activist John Cho will be speaking in the OAB Auditorium at 11:00 a.m. The forum will be moderated by FCC English instructor and California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick. Cho has appeared in the hit slacker comedy Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle 2004 and in the hugely successful franchise reboot Star Trek 2009, in the sought-after role of Hikaru Sulu. The event is free and will be available on zoom.
Faculty Recognitions
Welding instructor Charles Jeffress was named by the Central Valley Section of the American Welding Society with the Educator Award. It is given in recognition of his quality instructional performance and his devotion to the promotion and expansion of welding skills and knowledge.
Eric Schmidt, adjunct instructor at the Police Academy, has been appointed to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training by Governor Gavin Newsome. He has served as a Fresno County Deputy Sherriff since 1997 and started teaching at the FCC Police Academy in 2002.
Woman, Life, Freedom Event
On March 23, a special event was held recognizing the courageous women who are fighting against oppression in Iran, Afghanistan and around the world. A representative from the FCC Academic Senate read a resolution to show their support and solidarity. Additionally, SCCCD Chancellor Carole Goldsmith read the SCCCD Board of Trustees resolution recognizing Women’s History Month which also included support for the movement. Other speakers included, SCCCD Board President Nasreen Johnson, FCC President Robert Pimentel, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, FCC Academic President Michael Takeda and Fresno City Council Member Mike Karbassi.
Cesar E. Chavez Day
Cesar E. Chavez Day was celebrated on March 30 and included several workshops and guest speaker, Manny Vasquez, a motivational speaker and first generation American. The event was sponsored by the FCC Dream Center.
Earth Day is April 22
FCC is the new home for Fresno’s official Earth Day activities! Along with the Environmental Collaborative of Central California (E3C), FCC’s Math, Science, and Engineering Division is also a co-sponsor. The event will be held along the College Mall from the main fountain to Veterans Square. The free outdoor festival will feature educational exhibits, a bike clinic, all-electric vehicle test drives, children’s activities, local cuisine and much more. Non-profit organizations, government agencies and local businesses will provide information, goods and services related to sustainable living and environmental stewardship.
Art Space Gallery
Underwater Moonlight is the current exhibit and is an immersive re-staging of Sofia Córdova’s 2019 video, animation and sound piece Underwater Moonlight (days of blood + milk) —an abstract and gentle exploration of time, the body, and states of transition. Audiences are invited to rest within the installation. Taking this work as an opening or invitation, FCC dance students will work with Córdova towards an iterative movement response to be performed at the closing of the exhibition on April 28. She is based in Oakland and her presentation is sponsored by the Friends of the Arts.
Rising Scholars Student Symposium
The FCC Rising Scholars Symposium will take place on April 28 at the college. The symposium will explore ways to support formerly incarcerated, systems impacted students in higher education. Students, educators, and community advocates will be in attendance. The symposium provides a safe space dialogue for providers, colleagues and students to interact and to learn more about the experiences of our formerly incarcerated students.
Asian American Month Celebrations
The month of April is loaded with an array of Asian inspired events starting with a kick-off celebration on April 10 at noon on the Cafeteria Patio. Other events include an author talk with Hmong writer Soua Lee, a panel discussion regarding antiracism and intersectionality and a zoom panel hosted by the Asian American Faculty and Staff Association. It will culminate with a Night Market Sake Garden on Friday, April 28 and Asian Fest on Saturday, April 29. This year will celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, with non-stop live performances featuring Taiko Drummers, Lion Dancers, Dragon Dancers, and the excitement of traditional and contemporary performances. Check out the Asian American webpage for all dates and times.
Explorando Event Held
The inaugural Explorando event was held on March 25 for potential students and their families. The day included campus tours and workshops on how to prepare their children for college. The goal was to raise awareness of what programs FCC offers with special presentations made by faculty in the Technology and Trades and the Health Sciences Pathways. Tours included the dental hygiene clinic, radiology technology, medical assisting, graphic design labs, automotive technology and photography.
Police Academy Graduation
Class #170 of 40 cadets will celebrate the end of their basic police training on Thursday, April 6 at 5:00 p.m. in the OAB Auditorium. Class #170 began their training on October 10, 2022. The cadets successfully completed the Academy’s 1030-hour intensive format passing over 42 topical areas including criminal law, investigations, patrol and juvenile procedures, vehicle operations, traffic, emergency management, first aid, professionalism and ethics, physical training, and many other related subjects. Thirty-eight of the 40 cadets will be badged by eight different agencies from city, county and State of California law enforcement agencies.
Rainbow Alliance Staff and Faculty Association Event
Fresno City College’s Rainbow Alliance Staff & Faculty Association presents, The Scholarship Gay-La, A Kentucky Derby Brunch on April 30, 2023, from 11am to 2pm in the OAB West Courtyard. There will be drag performances, food, drinks, along with live and silent auctions. All proceeds benefit RASFA Scholarship Fund, in hopes to endow our scholarship. Get your tickets NOW! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rasfa-the-scholarship-gay-la-a-kentucky-derby-brunch-tickets-562664704277
College Advisory Event Slated
The annual Perkins Advisory Night is on Thursday, March 30 from 4:30- 7:30 p.m. for all FCC Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. A meet and greet session with dinner is planned along with program meetings for each division. The projected attendance will be approximately 436 participants from Allied Health, Applied Technology, Business Education, Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, Math, Science and Engineering, and Social Sciences.
Performing Arts Events
Central Valley Guitar Summit
The annual guitar summit is being held all day on April 14 for high school and middle school students. The festival will feature an evening concert with three-time Grammy nominee guitarist and composer Douglas Lora from Brasil Guitar Duo and LAGQ at 7:30 pm in the OAB Auditorium.
Symphony Orchestra Concert
The FCC Symphony is joining the local Howland Clarinet Ensemble in concert at the Paul Shaghoian Performing Center on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 7:00pm. The Symphony Orchestra will play one of Rimsky-Korsakov’s most famous pieces, Scheherazade! The music will tell the tale of “One Thousand and One Nights” - you won’t want to miss this incredible concert!
Brass Bash
The 38th Annual Brass bash concert will be held on April 20 in the OAB Auditorium at 7:30 pm. featuring students, professional brass soloists and chamber groups, a master class will be held culminating with a concert. Admission is free and donations will be accepted at the door.
City Dance Spring 2023
The spring semester City Dance recital will be held on April 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and April 23 at 2:00 p.m. in the intimate setting of the Dance Studio located near the gym. Choreography will feature students and faculty as they celebrate dance and share their creative expression through movement. More details for this event and other performing arts events are on the performing arts calendar.
Sports Update
First time head baseball coach Mitch Karraker and his team continue their successful season with a 9-3 Central Valley Conference record and 18-6 overall. The Beach Volleyball Team is 7-1 in conference play with an 8-5 overall record. Ram softball is also doing well in conference play with a 4-1 record. Check out all of Ram sports at the FCC Athletic Website.
