Winter Facilities Projects on a Fast Track Winter break is by no means "down time" for our maintenance and operations crews and contractors. "Construction Update #11" from Chuck Jeffery, sent via e-mail on Dec. 15 and archived at www.gc.maricopa.edu/construction, presents a comprehensive summary by building/area of winter break facilities projects, large and small. I encourage you to take a look at this list and see what projects might affect your area(s). Some of the highlights in select areas of campus include new paint and new carpeting; roof repairs; plumbing checks and repairs; window tinting; and a whole lot of cleaning, among other projects. Also, all sidewalks on campus will be inspected, with broken corners and cracks to be repaired, improving access for everyone. As I have mentioned before, even seemingly minor maintenance is becoming more important for our facilities as we approach four decades of continuous service for many buildings. I appreciate the extra effort of everyone involved with our facilities maintenance.

GCC United Way Campaign Exceeds Goal, Part Two

As promised in my previous newsletter, I have more information for you about our recently concluded United Way campaign at GCC. In addition to breaking a new record and exceeding our goal (GCC raised $28,011), we placed third overall in the District as compared to other colleges, the District Office and the Maricopa Skill Center, based on unaudited results to date. Again, we should be pleased and proud of our willingness to help others and give back to the community. Many thanks again to our United Way coordinators, Don Jensen-Bobadilla and Jeanette Stewart.

"Empty Bowl Sale," Hunger Awareness Event Highlights

Two annual GCC events held in late November again reminded us about those less fortunate. The annual "Empty Bowl Sale," coordinated by Art faculty Harry Kaino, generated $2,200 for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. This creative outreach combines the artistry of GCC's ceramics students and faculty with soup from Aramark. The Hunger Awareness Banquet, held Nov. 20 in the Student Lounge, was a powerful reminder of how many people around the world suffer from hunger. Many students and others participated in this "luncheon" in which some had much to eat, in comfort; while others starved and sat on the floor. My thanks to Student Life for coordinating the event at a time of year when most Americans celebrate abundance.

HLC/NCA Presentation Summarizes Change

On Dec. 11, Higher Learning Commission (HLC)/North Central Association (NCA) Assistant Director for Accreditation Services Diane Nyhammer presented an overview of changes to HLC accreditation criteria taking effect in January 2005. While this may seem a long time off, it's important that we understand these criteria and how they will affect us. Diane talked about the HLC's shift toward analyzing colleges' outcomes, and its new emphasis on themes supporting criteria, "connectedness," and forward-looking projections rather than retrospective data reporting. Among the five newly defined criteria for HLC/NCA are "integrity in mission," "community engagement and service," and "preparing for the future." Beyond the specifics presented, it was helpful for us to get to know Diane as she is our new HLC contact person. Introducing her to GCC was time well spent. Many thanks to the dozens of GCC faculty and staff involved with the many aspects of her two-day visit.

Farewell to Linda Hawbaker

Someone central to many GCC initiatives--College Research Services Director Linda Hawbaker--has accepted a position with the District Office and will leave GCC in January. She will become Director of Strategic Information Technologies in Business Services. Anyone at GCC who has needed data knows what a great job Linda and her team have done. She has provided strong leadership for the most recent HLC/NCA re-accreditation visit, coordinating dozens of employees. Perhaps most significantly, Linda has helped make data more easily accessible and understood, and moved us toward being a more data-driven campus culture. We will miss her and wish her well.

Gaucho Football Team Wins its Eighth "Valley of the Sun" Bowl

The GCC Gaucho Football Team won a thrilling victory, 41-17, over Hutchinson Community College (Kansas) in the 23rd Valley of the Sun Bowl on Dec. 6, the final game of the season. The victory is the eighth time GCC has won the Valley of the Sun Bowl--more than any other college team in Maricopa County. Congratulations to Head Coach Joe Kersting and the entire coaching staff, all the players and their families, our first-rate cheerleaders and pep band, and so many others throughout GCC who have encouraged our team to reach this new level of excellence.

GCC Faculty Prominent at State AACHE Conference

GCC faculty played prominent roles at the annual conference of the Arizona Association of Hispanics for Higher Education (AACHE), held in Tucson on Nov. 21. Dr. Ernesto Escobedo, Math faculty, was installed as the incoming president; Dr. René Díaz-Lefebvre, GCC Psychology faculty, gave the keynote address; and two GCC students, Gabe Cruz and Violeta Lopez, won awards as well. Dr. Díaz-Lefebvre also received the AACHE Distinguished Faculty Award. Congratulations to all.

Coming Up in January...

Please be looking for important updates soon about activities on campus in January planned to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I encourage your participation and attendance as schedules allow. Also in January, we hope to finalize our search for a Dean of Administrative Services. The first week of accountability for faculty begins Jan. 12. It will be a busy month and we will keep you informed about events and activities.

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