United Way Reminders
A team of enthusiastic faculty and staff have started delivering United Way buttons and information, thanking donors who have given in the past and reminding others about this year's Campaign, which runs through Nov. 10. Important updates will be forthcoming soon showcasing United Way "success stories" of people at GCC who have been helped. Also, please note the prize drawing for donors exceeding $150, the daily "Blue Plate Specials" in the Palms Cafe, GCC employees who volunteered at the West Side Food Bank on Sat., Oct. 22, and what will be a very special United Way event on Nov. 2 with Dr. Rufus Glasper. Our goal is for increased participation this year as collectively we help many people in need throughout our community.

Vogel/Via Gaucho Entrances; 59th Ave. Widening; Olive Ave. Improvements
GCC continues to work with the City of Glendale on changes for the Vogel and Via Gaucho entrances on the east side of the campus, planned concurrently with the widening of 59th Avenue. The project is currently scheduled to impact GCC in Summer 2006 when traffic volume is lighter and should be completed by October 2006. The widening of Vogel will provide two dedicated lanes into the campus and three lanes exiting the campus (one dedicated right, one through or left only, and one dedicated left turn lane). The straightening of Via Gaucho is being coordinated with the City and Salt River Project, and will provide better visibility from the parking area out to 59th Avenue.

On a related topic, GCC and City of Glendale officials met recently to discuss what the City could do to improve "curb appeal" along Olive Avenue. To complement GCC's south mall improvements, a plan is being developed for replacing gravel in the buffer area between the sidewalk and the street, planting drought-tolerant vegetation inside this area, and adding additional trees to complete the existing tree border.

GCC Distinguished as Microsoft Test Site
GCC was the only site in Phoenix and Tucson selected recently by Microsoft Corp. to serve as an official Beta Test Site for the new MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) Outlook 2003 Certification Test. Congratulations to Betty Minich, Business Faculty John Gibson, and many others who have helped make our Microsoft programs so outstanding and our relationship with the company so productive.

"Fit at 40" Program
I hope many of you have registered for GCC's "Fit at 40" campaign--an opportunity to exercise and celebrate GCC's 40th anniversary at the same time. The program encourages anyone of any age to engage in 40 hours of exercise in 45 days. This goal should be achievable by most of us. There are great prizes at each 10-hour milestone along the way. Good luck to all participants and thanks to Fitness and Wellness Manager Nicola Perry for devising this unique program and to College Advancement Services for securing coverage about it in the Arizona Republic. I understand that Nicola has received a number of emails from faculty and staff who are enthusiastic about this program. Please remember to register at http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/fitat40.

45th Day Certified Enrollment
The 45th day of Fall 2005 was Oct. 3 and the certified enrollment numbers are in. The total Fall 2005 45th day certified headcount enrollment for all GCC sites stood at 20,070 for a total of 9,503 in FTSE, compared to 20,649 certified headcount for all sites and 9,726.2 in FTSE at the 45th day in Fall 2004.

Gaucho Victory at 40th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration
Congratulations to the Gaucho football team for a hard-fought win Saturday night, Oct. 15th, over the MCC Thunderbirds. The exciting overtime victory capped an evening filled with football, fireworks and a parade of classic cars at half-time. Congratulations to Head Coach Joe Kersting, who celebrated his 100th GCC win. As though on request for the 40th anniversary celebration, the Gauchos put 40 points on the scoreboard to win the game 40-37. It was wonderful to see family members of GCC's first and second executive deans, President Emeritus Dr. Phil Randolph, members of the GCC Alumni Association, and others. My sincere thanks to Judy Sánchez and Trish Vogel, co-chairs of the 40th Anniversary Committee, and to the GCC vice presidents, deans and others who turned out in GCC colors for the pre-game and game activities. Many others helped produce this wonderful event; my thanks to you all.

Jean Ann Abel
Interim President
Glendale Community College