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Yes! We're All That!

for the week of: June 17, 2009—Walnut, CA
(continued from home page)

Glad for Our Grads!

Some 500 of the 1,800 students who petitioned for associate degrees participated in Mt. SAC's 63rd Commencement Ceremony on June 12 at the campus stadium.

Among them were graduates who earned academic distinction and other awards and recognition. Dr. Michael Friedman, president and CEO of City of Hope, keynoted the ceremony, and Dr. Don Morris (Class of '50) was honored as "Alumnus of the Year."

The ceremony also featured musical performances by the Wind Ensemble and Mt. SAC's internationally ranked male contemporary a cappella group, Fermata Nowhere; a memorial flyover by a team of Mt. SAC flight instructors; and inspiring student success profiles. Degrees were conferred upon Mt. SAC grads as well as 28 graduates of the Southern Illinois University's Aviation Management bachelor degree program. The ceremony ended with a bang — a colorful fireworks display!

For more photo highlights, go to our Commencement Photo Gallery.

MT. SAC ATHLETICS CAPTURES 2008-09 NATYCAA CUP

*Mt. SAC was recently crowned as the 2008-09 National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) Cup Champions.

The NATYCAA Cup is a national award that recognizes overall athletic program excellence at a two-year college. Mt. SAC narrowly edged out South Coast Conference rival Cerritos College by a half a point with a total score of 168.5 points. Since it's inception six years ago, Mt. SAC has consistently placed in the NATTYCA Cup top six, finishing second three times (2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06), fourth once (2007-08), and sixth once (2006-07).

The 2008-09 season was an outstanding one for the Mounties as they captured one state championship in women's softball with strong top ten finishes at state championships in football (second), men's soccer (second), women's cross country (fourth), women's basketball (fourth), men's cross country (fifth), women's track and field (fifth), men's track and field (fifth), women's soccer (seventh), women's swimming (eighth) and men's wrestling (eighth). NATYCAA Cup points are based upon an individual sport team's final position in post-conference competition. Each colleges top five men's and top five women's teams count toward that institutions overall point total. The NATYCAA Cup will be presented to Mt. SAC at the 2009 NATTCAA Convention in Orlando, Florida on June 18th.

For more information on the NATYCAA Cup, including history, standings, scoring criteria, etc., visit the California Community College Athletic Association Website at www.coasports.org or contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.594.5611 ext. 4629.

Student Wins 3D Award

Mt. SAC student Christopher Martinez recently won the 3D Digital Imagery Architectural / Industrial Award at the 2009 Media Arts Award Competition for California Community Colleges. Martinez also received an honorable mention for three of his other 3D digital entries. Mt. SAC faculty member Keith Wilson was honored as Christopher's instructor.

This year's competition screened almost 500 entries in 14 categories with a result of 50 award-winning students. The winners were recognized at a showcase presentation and shared prizes valued at more than $40,000.

The prestigious Media Arts Awards are sponsored by the Multimedia & Entertainment Initiative (MEI) through the California Community College's Economic & Workforce Development. The initiative is committed to creating environments in which students can achieve artistic excellence and develop technological expertise for careers in the communications, entertainment, and interactive learning industries.

Women's Softball Wins State Title!

The Mt. SAC Women's Softball Team and coach Kelly Ford captured the 2009 California Community College Softball Championship title, defeating College of the Siskiyous, 7-1. This is the team's fourth state championship ('03, '05, '07, '09).The Mt. SAC Women's Softball Team and coach Kelly Ford captured the '09 California Community College Softball Championship title recently in Salinas. The Mounties were the south's third-ranked team going into the contest, upsetting the state's top-seeded teams to advance to the championship game where they defeated College of the Siskiyous, 7-1.

This is the team's fourth state championship ('03, '05, '07, '09). Six Mounties were named to the All-State Championship Tournament Team, including Tournament MVP Missy Mendoza, who hit three game-winning homeruns and nine RBI's during the tournament. Christie Nieto was named "Best Hitter," Lisa Hernandez (Pitcher), Stephanie Tingle (Outfield) and Ashlynn Booker (Utility) were also named to the All-Tournament Team.

Click here to download the complete tournament bracket and scores.

2009 STUDENTS OF DISTINCTION

Mt. SAC recently honored 19 Students of Distinction at the College's annual awards ceremony and luncheon. The awards recognize students for outstanding service to the college, competitive achievement, and academic and personal achievement.Mt. SAC recently honored 19 Students of Distinction at the College's annual awards ceremony and luncheon. The awards recognize students for outstanding service to the college, competitive achievement, and academic and personal achievement.

Winners of this year's Academic Achievement Award, who earned a minimum 3.75 GPA, are: Chandni Parikh, MinLi Zang, Priscilla Sugianto, Rebecca S. Wei, and Shirley Sui.

Recipients of the 2009 Service Achievement Award, who earned a minimum 3.0 GPA and provided notable volunteer service to the college and community, are: Isaac Powell, James Thao, Priscilla Soetanto, William Lee Hsu, and Xiwen Wang.

Winners of Personal Achievement Award, who earned a minimum 2.75 GPA and overcame personal hardship, are: Gina Guerrero, Rhonda Hottman, Julio Fregoso, Shalini Pal, and Josue Velasquez.

Recipients of the Competitive Achievement award, who earned a minimum 3.0 GPA and earned distinction as part of a competitive student group or team, are: Cassie Molinari, Joseph Davis, Michael Edwards, and Shane Hurter.

2009 EDUCATORS OF DISTINCTION

The Mt. SAC Associated Students is proud to announce the winners of the 2009 Educators of Distinction award: Toni Albertson, English, Literature & Journalism; Frances Borella, Biological Sciences; Mark Cooper, Biological Sciences; Rosa Maria Preciado, Psychology & Education; and David West, Aeronautics & Transportation. The Educators of Distinction candidates are nominated by students, and the award recognizes faculty who have provided outstanding service to the College. They were honored at a dinner ceremony in May.

 

Mt. SAC Announces Employees of the Year

The Academic Senate Congratulates the 2008-09 Outstanding Award Nominees and Recipients:

Outstanding Faculty Award Recipient: Joe Ammirato; Nominee: Gary Enke

Oustanding Classified Award Recipient: Dwight Ayle; Nominees: Jeffrey George & Laura Martinez

Outstanding Administrator/Manager Award Recipient: Stephen Runnebohm; Nominees: Jim Jenkins, Sarah Daum & Matt Judd

Mt. SAC Groups Rock Reno Jazz Festival

Carlos Noriega (Trumpet), Ray Au Yenug (Piano), Miguel Martinez (Bass), Tim Talavera (Drums), and Christian Chico (Drums) received outstanding musicianship awards at the prestigious Reno Jazz Festival. The Festival is the largest jazz festival in the Western United States and draws performing groups from around the country. Mt. SAC’s instrumental Jazz Ensemble placed first in the two-year college band division, while vocal artists Frontline received second place in the college choir division for the second time.After days of intense competition at the 2009 Reno Jazz Festival, two Mt. SAC groups – the Jazz Ensemble and Frontline – came home with top honors.

The prestigious Reno Jazz Festival is the largest jazz festival in the western United States and draws performing groups from around the country. Mt. SAC's instrumental Jazz Ensemble placed first in the two-year college band division, while vocal artists Frontline received second place in the college choir division for the second time.

Many individual members of the Jazz Band also received outstanding musicianship awards: Carlos Noriega (Trumpet), Ray Au Yenug (Piano), Miguel Martinez (Bass), Tim Talavera (Drums), and Christian Chico (Drums).

Click here for more information about Mt. SAC performing arts groups.

Forensics Team Shines Again!

The Mt. SAC Forensics Team recently garnered two School Sweepstakes awards: silver (3rd place) in the individual events division and silver (4th place) in the overall division at the 75th annual Phi Rho Pi National Tournament in Portland, Oregon.The Mt. SAC Forensics Team recently traveled to Portland, Oregon to compete at the 75th annual Phi Rho Pi National Tournament. Competing against 67 schools from across the nation, the team garnered two School Sweepstakes awards: silver (3rd place) in the individual events division and silver (4th place) in the overall division.

Fourteen students represented Mt. SAC in a phenomenal manner throughout the course of the competition, with 12 of them advancing into elimination rounds. Standouts were Derod Taylor, who went home with five awards including second place in the Individual Sweepstakes, and Emiliano Bolado, Ginna Escobar, Rikiesha Pierce, and Maite Bruce who all earned three awards.

Phi Rho Pi is the national community college forensics association committed to increasing knowledge and appreciation of the forensics arts at the junior and community college level.

 
 
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