College Report: June 2023

Commencement

The 2023 Commencement Ceremony was held on May 19 at 6:30 p.m. for the first time in Ratcliffe Stadium. This year, 2,687 students were eligible to participate in the ceremony. Those students earned a total of 2,849 degrees. This is yet another record year. The number of graduates has increased each year since 2016. Over 13,000 family and friends attended graduation filling up the stadium.

Commencement news coverage:

Fresno Bee: Fresno City College commencement included a few firsts and a record number of graduates

Dean’s Medallion:

Fresno Bee: Felony record didn’t stop Fresno City College’s top graduate from succeeding

Fresno Bee: When she aims for the stars, this Fresno City College top grad does so seriously

Alumni:

Fresno Bee: This Fresno State Dean’s Medalist was also FCC’s top graduate in 2021

Fresno Bee: Dean’s medalist Emma Escandón, a thriving Latina in male-dominated computer science

Fresno State News: The heart of the Music Department’ plans memorable commencement performance

Leon S. Peters Scholarship Reception

On May 12, twenty-seven students in the Leon S. Peters Honors Program were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship in a special ceremony held in the OAB, room 251. 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.

Classified School employees Week

Several events were held recognizing the FCC Classified Professionals during the last week of May. FCC President Robert Pimentel hosted a breakfast on May 24 in the Staff Dining Room. He also held a Classified Professional Hour on May 22. The week concluded with a barbecue lunch on May 26.

RN & Dental Hygiene Pinning Ceremonies

The Registered Nursing Pinning Ceremony for 125 graduating FCC registered nursing students was held on May 21 at Fresno High School’s Royce Hall. The procession and presentation of the sashes and pins were conducted for each nursing student by the FCC nursing faculty.

On May 16, the Dental Hygiene Pinning Ceremony was held to celebrated 24 graduates who spent two 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 in Science Degree in Dental Hygiene after completing 23 dental hygiene courses and earning 107 college units.

Chevron Donation Presented at Women in Enginnering Day

A successful FCC Women in Engineering conference was held on April 28 for high school juniors and seniors from Fresno Unified high schools. The day provided hands on projects and learning to encourage more young women to pursue STEM careers. The conference began with a $75,000 check presentation from Chevron. The funds will be used to sponsor outreach to increase more women in STEM majors.

KSEE24: Education Matters: Women in engineering

Juneteenth Celebration

Fresno City College will participate in Fresno’s 2023 Juneteenth Festival. The College Relations and Outreach Department along with the Counseling Department will participate in the festival’s expo in the Fresno Convention Center’s Valdez Hall on June 17 and 18 providing information on FCC. The event will include vendors, special speakers, music and dance performances and a drum performance.

New Wrinkles Presents - America Sing!

The popular senior revue has started a new season with the theme America, Sing! A kick off reception was held on June 1 and performances are slated through June 11 in the OAB Auditorium. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.

2023 Dean's Medallion Recipients

Fresno City College is pleased to announce the Dean’s Medallion of Excellence Award winners for 2023. The recipients received their medallions in a special ceremony on May 11. Each recipient received a $500 scholarship. Angela Grantham from the Applied Technology Division, was awarded the Tony Cantu President’s Medallion given in honor of former President, Tony Cantu, who passed away in April 2015.

State of the City Luncheon

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer held his State of the City luncheon on May 24 and the FCC Construction Program was featured with a Tiny House on display that was built by FCC students. In addition, the college also had a colorful display that included photo opportunities with Sam the Ram to help promote the new Fresno Trolley line which will include a stop at FCC.

Associate Student Government Elections

Students have cast their votes for next year’s slate of Associated Student Government officers. Swearing in of the new officers will take place in July. Congratulations to the newly elected officers.

• President – Quentin Deforest
• Vice President – Kiranpreet Rathour
• Student Trustee Representative – Ruby Kausin
• Inter-Club Council Chair – Colin Gray
• Senators – Angelo Apodaca, Ananya Asri, Arianna Carbajal

Pride Flag Raising Ceremony and Events

The 3rd Annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony was held on June 1 at the flagpole in front of Building A. The event included Chancellor Carole Goldsmith, FCC President Robert Pimentel and other guest speakers and the raising of the pride flag. June was declared “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month” by President Bill Clinton, on June 2, 2000, with President Barack Obama expanding the commemoration by declaring June as “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month” in 2011.

Pride Parade and Festival

The FCC Outreach team and Rainbow Alliance Staff & Faculty Association participated in this year’s Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade on June 3, in the Tower District. For the second year, FCC was the venue for the Pride Festival that was held on the same day.

ABC30: Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade & Festival

Fire Academy Graduation

The Fire Academy ceremony for Class 59 is slated for June 9 at the New Covenant Community Church. Eighteen cadets completed the 1004 hours required by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office Accredited Fire Academy to earn their Firefighter 1 and 2 certifications and numerous other certifications. Two cadets are being hired immediately after graduation with Cal Fire. Additionally, there are 12 cadets who have been hired on as interns by North Central Fire Protection District, Kingsburg Fire Department, Selma Fire Department, Sanger Fire Department and Hanford Fire Department. Through all the rain in the spring, Class 59 performed numerous community service projects, including Beautify Fresno, the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation fundraiser and Urban Run, the FCC Mariachi festival, FCC Graduation ceremony, and cooking dinner for 400 people at the Perkins Advisory night.

Sports Update

Softball

The FCC Softball team won the Central Valley Conference championship for the third straight year. They played in the first round of the post season but lost 6-5 to San Joaquin Delta. The team was recognized with a number of post season honors this year. Nine players received all conference honors on first and second teams. Head coach Haley Janzer won CVC conference coach of the year for the third consecutive year.

Baseball

Head Baseball Coach Mitch Karraker had a remarkable first year as his team made a great showing at the Super Regionals where they were seeded sixth in Northern California. They won the first two games but fell short in the third game bringing their season to an end. The Rams ultimately lost to third seed Folsom College 13-2. They won the CVC Championship finishing the season with an impressive overall record of 34-12. Coach Karraker was named Coach of the Year for CVC.

Beach Volleyball

The Beach Volleyball team went into the NorCal regionals after finishing second in the Coast Conference with a 12-2 record. They were ranked third in Northern California. Three pairs went to the NorCal pairs competition, the most in program history. Druegan Davis and Mia Dilley moved on to the State Championships tying for 17th. Head coach Kieran Roblee was named coach of the year.

Men's Golf

SCCCD was well represented in the Men’s Golf Championships hosted by Fresno City College at Dragonfly Golf Club in Madera, both FCC’s men’s golf team and Reedley College’s men’s golf team were in the state finals. In the end, it was Reedley that won the championship with FCC landing in fifth place.