Announcements:
Healthy Campus Initiative
Teams Mesa Walk for Charities
Mesa Holiday Party 2006
Children’s Holiday Bazaar
Passings: Professor Catherine LaRocca; Student Whitney Young
Teams Mesa Walk for Charities
The Mesa College Women's Union organized "Team Mesa" for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 5K in Balboa Park on November 5. The team of nine people grew to nearly 15 with participation from students who signed up to run independently and then joined the Mesa team on-site. The group established a presence for Mesa at the walk, holding signs and banners and marching with pride.
Another Mesa team marched with pride at the 17th annual AIDS Walk San Diego on October 1. Anchored by the Mesa College Women's Volleyball Team, the team of nearly 20 strong was composed of students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
Next up is the big one: the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade on January 13 honors the great civil rights leader. Mesa College traditionally turns out in force for what is Mesa's -- and the SDCCD's -- largest annual community event. Just over a mile, the walk is a spirited and rewarding experience for students, faculty, and staff to show Mesa spirit and pride. Participants meet up at 9 am to don colorful t-shirts and rally prior to the parade. Last year, more than 100 Olympians rode the Mesa float and marched behind it to the cheers of parade-goers. Acting Vice President Damon Bell's chanting and flag waving was captured in a photograph that ran on page one of the Sunday editions of the Union-Tribune. The Olympians brought home -- for the second year in a row -- the first place trophy for the design of the float. For information on how to get involved, please contact Trina Larsen at x2678.
Mesa Holiday Party 2006
An international theme is slated for the 2006 Mesa College Holiday Annual Party, which is scheduled to be held 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 in the Faculty and Staff Dining Room, H Building. The party is hosted by President Rita M. Cepeda, the Academic Senate, Classified Senate, and Associated Student Government. The gourmet buffet is prepared and served by students and faculty from the Mesa College Culinary Arts/Culinary Management Departments, with music provided by the Mesa College Music Department. This year, attendees are invited to bring an unwrapped toy for drives sponsored by the Women's Union and the Honors Club to benefit an orphanage in Tijuana, and the Polinsky Children's Center, respectively.
Children's Holiday Bazaar
Classified Senate President Joyce Skaryak has put out a call for volunteers to help with the annual Center for Children Holiday Bazaar being held on Dec. 20 from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. In this fun-filled and joyous event, children from the center are given the opportunity to "shop" for gifts for family members, counselors and teachers. The gifts they select are purchased by Chief Shopper Michelle West with monies raised from donations made to the "Koins for Kids" containers displayed around campus. Helpers are needed in a variety of positions, including gift wrappers. If you'd like to volunteer, please note that this year you must bring proof of your TB test with you. If you have had your TB test taken on campus in Student Health Services, they can provide you with a copy. Or, you can obtain a copy from the payroll department. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Joyce at x2799.
Healthy Campus Initiative
Now in its second year, the Healthy Campus Initiative is taking hold and improving health awareness at Mesa College. Student Health Services has sponsored a Health Fair, a Clean Air Campaign, and this fall it launched a community education program called "Let's Talk About Health Issues." For one afternoon each week, a Nurse Practitioner and a Marriage Family Therapist from the Psychological Counseling Program staff a booth in front of the Cafeteria Quad. Up to 200 students stop by for one-on-one information on the week's topics, such as "Breast Cancer Awareness," "Alcohol: A Guide to Saying No," and "Healthy Food Choices." "We're seeing more people come into the health office directly following each session with specific questions and requests for testing and treatment," says Mesa College Director of Health Services Suzanne Khambata. "Most importantly, each person educated becomes a peer educator to others, dispelling myths, presenting facts and improving the health of the campus community." A major promotion campaign in January will promote Mesa's move to a smoke-free campus.
Passings...
Professor Catherine LaRocca, 36, of the Mesa Business Department, died unexpectedly on August 21, 2006. Her death took faculty, students, and staff members by surprise. A New York native, LaRocca earned a business economics undergraduate degree from the State University of New York, and a J.D. from the Cardoza School of Law at Yeshiva University in New York City. She was in her third year as a contract faculty member and taught Business Law, Accounting, and Business Communications. Prior to that, she taught part-time at Mesa and Grossmont colleges, while self-employed as a lawyer. She later added Cuyamaca College to her adjunct duties. "Catherine was a dedicated and innovative educator, forgoing a successful private law practice to devote full-time to teaching," said Dean Otto Lee, who also noted that she was "a leader in online and hybrid deliveries and an inspirational instructor, advisor and mentor to her students." A campus memorial service was attended by faculty, staff and students. A scholarship under Ms. LaRocca's name has been established by the Business Department. It will be part of the scholarships awarded at the Mesa Scholarship Awards in the spring.
The campus was united in grief when student Whitney Young, 19, the victim of hit-and-run accident, died on November 16. Young suffered severe brain trauma and never regained consciousness before she died at Scripps Mercy Hospital. The freshman at Mesa College had planned to transfer to SDSU and aspired to become a teacher. Associated Students invited the campus community to sign a card in Whitney's memory, which was presented to Whitney's family. Associated Students held a celebration of life on Wednesday, November 29, which was attended by students, faculty and staff, as well as Whitney's parents and siblings. A scholarship has also been created in Whitney's honor. Those interested in contributing to the scholarship fund should contact Student Affairs at x2699. You may also sign an online guestbook or share a memory at caringbridge.org.
