Enrollment Update

As of Feb. 24, enrollment increases are holding steady for the semester. Overall headcount enrollment (for GCC Main, GCC North and the University-College Center combined) was 20,013, a 2.7 percent increase compared to the same time in Spring 2003; overall FTSE stands at 9,061, a healthy 3.8 percent increase.

John Deere Highlights

We're pleased to see so many of our friends from John Deere on campus for their 18th annual international training program. The three-week program will train more than 600 John Deere employees, and brings to campus top-level executives from throughout the country and the world. Mary Trudeau-Ames, who coordinates the program through the GCC Institute, estimates that more than $1 million is pumped into the Glendale economy during the five weeks in total that John Deere is with us. Thanks, Mary for your labor in making this program a signature outreach for GCC.

GCC Hosts Installation of New Board Member Scott Crowley

Our campus was once again the focal point of a Maricopa District historic moment as the new Governing Board Member for District 4, W. Scott Crowley, was sworn into office on Feb. 19. A Glendale native and firefighter, Mr. Crowley was selected by Maricopa Schools Superintendent Dr. Sandra Dowling, herself a GCC alumna. Three of our Board members attended, along with Chancellor Dr. Rufus Glasper and three other college presidents. The setting for this brief ceremony--the Physical Sciences Building lobby--was perfect to accommodate the almost 100 people who attended. We are making arrangements now for Mr. Crowley to visit GCC and get to know us better.

New GCC Strategic Message and Graphic

A lengthy College-wide review process has resulted in the approval and a long-term commitment to a new, overarching strategic message and accompanying graphic for GCC: "Our Experience. Your Success." This simple, yet powerful message will be used on all of our publications, ads and many other materials for at least five years. The message communicates the optimistic values and distinctiveness of GCC as we define ourselves and sharpen our identity within the Valley's increasingly crowded educational marketplace. As we prepare to celebrate our 40th year, examples of great depth and long-term records of achievement are everywhere at GCC. This new message captures that reality and gives us a platform for celebrating our history, heritage and academic achievements. You'll begin seeing it a lot and we encourage you to adopt it on your materials. Look for more information soon about the message's "rollout" and to access the message/graphic online.

A Statewide Audience for a GCC Success Story

I was delighted and very proud that the featured speaker at the annual All-Arizona Academic Team Recognition Ceremony on Feb. 12 was GCC Alumna Lisa Natham. Lisa delivered an incredibly powerful speech, titled "Triumph Over Adversity," that received a lengthy standing ovation from many community college presidents, trustees, and other dignitaries in the audience. She spoke of her many struggles as a single parent of an autistic child, auto accidents, illness and other obstacles--and how GCC helped her reach her dream of earning a 4.0 GPA and an associate's degree in 2002, with honors. Many thanks to Suzanne Smelser in College Advancement Services for serving on the state planning committee and for advocating for Lisa's selection as speaker.

Basketball Team Ranked #6 in the Nation

The GCC Men's Basketball Team is currently 21-7 and has been ranked sixth nationally by the NJCAA Division II. The Gauchos have clinched a berth in the Region 1 Championship Game, to be played Wed., March 3, 7:00 p.m. at GCC. If Glendale wins, we would then host schools from Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma in the District 9 NJCAA Tournament at GCC on March 5-6. Games start at 7:00 p.m. The winner of the District tournament will advance to the national playoffs, March 17-20.

Black History Month Culminates in Warren Stewart Presentation

On Feb. 26, I greatly enjoyed meeting and hearing Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr., senior pastor of the First Institutional Baptist Church of Phoenix. His lecture, "The Role of the African-American Church in Education and the Community," was a perfect finale for the roster of events held at GCC to celebrate Black History Month and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Well-respected locally, he drew more than 200 community members, faculty, staff, and students, who gave him a standing ovation at the end. He was generous in his praise of GCC for its diversity philosophies and for the many events held in honor of Black History Month. Many thanks to administration of justice faculty Paul Brown for arranging Dr. Stewart's visit to GCC. Thanks also to our own James Morris of Employee Resources, who sang a wonderful a cappella rendition of Amazing Grace to open the event.

GCC United Way Coordinators Feted

On Feb. 23 our United Way coordinators, Don Jensen-Bobadilla and Jeanette Stewart, along with their counterparts from throughout the District, were honored and thanked for their dedication to coordinating United Way activities. Last year, GCC posted its most successful giving year ever. The generosity of our employees does not surprise me, as this is an extension of their commitment to students and their families.

Mark Your Calendars...

Engineering Technology Day on Campus, Tues., March 2 - hands-on activities, films and displays primarily in the Student Union Lounge

Science Olympiad, Sat., March 6, sponsored by Salt River Project (SRP). See the scientific creations of dozens of student teams who have worked on their entries all year. Olympiad events will be held throughout the campus.

Music Faculty Bill Humbert will again lead both the GCC Community Band and the GCC Symphonic Winds in a free "Spring Serenade" Concert, Tues., March 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the GCC Performing Arts Center. I attended the previous dual-band concert last fall and enjoyed it very much.

Help for University-bound students at the Psychology Department's annual Advisement Seminar, Wed., March 10, noon to 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Student Union Lounge. Deborah VanMarche and many others always do a great job with this outreach activity, available to all GCC students and others who intend to transfer.

Friday, April 2, from 7-10 p.m., the GCC Alumni Association and the Sahuaro Ranch Foundation will host a fundraising event at the ranch to support the Foundation and provide scholarships for GCC students. The event, to be held at Historic Sahuaro Ranch, includes tours of the historic buildings, music, wine-tasting, hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, and an art show. Tickets are $25 per person; to purchase, contact Esmeralda Acosta at esmeralda.acosta@gcmail.maricopa.edu or 623-845-3006.

Congratulations to...

Drama students, adjunct faculty Joni Koehn and music faculty Doug Nottingham for being named one of four finalists at the Region 8 American College Theater Festival. The GCC team is now eligible to be invited to perform the Japanese trilogy Kyogen3 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Phillip Randolph
President
Glendale Community College