President's Updates

May 6 , 2005

Spring Dance Concert:  I had the great pleasure of attending the Spring Dance Concert last night in the Theater.  It included student/faculty/guest artist collaborations and Filipino, Afro-Brazilian, modern, jazz, musical theatre, salsa, and hip-hop dance.  Give yourself a treat and catch the last performance tonight—7 pm, Main Theater.  Thanks to Diana Cushway for her leadership for this incredible production, and to the other faculty and staff who helped make it happen:  Katherine Harer, Liza Erpelo, Donna Bestock, Mary Ann Leary, Andreas Wolf, Ellen Lowenstein, Marijane Dotson, the whole Cosmetology department, Regina Stanback-Stroud, Rich Tidd and the Buildings and Grounds crew.  And of course the student—both on stage and behind the scenes.  Don’t miss this chance to learn to dance the “Skyline Fog!”

WANTED:  An Inspirational Quote for the New Student Center:  This is just a reminder that the deadline for submitting proposals for the inspirational quotation for the new Student Center is Tuesday, May 10, 4:30 pm.  So far we have a fascinating list of proposals and 22 students, faculty and staff have made submissions. Please join them!  The quotes must be submitted in one of the following ways:

For questions, contact Tom Hewitt at 650-738-4313 or email him at hewitt@smccd.net or see him in the Library, Building 5, Room 210.

Here is the link to the details about the criteria and the selection process:  http://www.smccd.net/accounts/skyline/inscription.html   

Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Cycle (SLOAC) Philosophy:  Congratulations to everyone involved in the development of the college’s Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Cycle (SLOAC) Philosophy statement.  This work was lead by Karen Wong as Coordinator of the project, and involved the Curriculum Committee, the SLOAC Steering Committee, the Academic Senate, Regina Stanback Stroud, and myself, with well over thirty people providing input.  The document underwent five drafts, and the Academic Senate approved it last Friday.  It is an outstanding piece of work of which everyone at Skyline can be proud and it will prove invaluable as the college proceeds with its SLO work.

Phi Theta Kappa earns additional honors:  The Phi Theta Kappa Nevada/California Regional Convention was held April 29-May 1. Skyline's chapter, Beta Theta Omicron, hosted the convention at the Sofitel in Redwood City. The 2005 Regional Awards were presented at the convention. Award entries, submitted in March, include essays and documentation of chapter and individual projects conducted during 2004. The entries are judged by advisors from other regions. 

Beta Theta Omicron received these awards:

Individuals received these awards:

Chapter Members also received a plaque from International Phi Theta Kappa headquarters for hosting the convention. The convention was attended by over 200 Phi Theta Kappa members from 32 chapters in California and Nevada (There are 75 chapters in the Region).

Skyline Auto student shines:  Julia Johnson, a 1st year student in the Skyline Automotive Technology Program, was recently awarded a California Automotive Wholesaler's Association (CAWA) Memorial Scholarship.  Candidates undergo an intense review process and she is one of four recipients to receive this prestigious award.  Ms. Johnson also conducted three very successful automotive workshops for Expanding your Horizons involving 60 girls.

Skyline faculty member shines:  Congratulations to Adam Sandel, Skyline English faculty member, who wrote the book and lyrics to the revue Watch Me Shine, “a musical history of the gay and lesbian experience—in about an hour”.  It premieres the last two weeks in June as an official event of SF Pride 2005.  For more information check this website: www.watchmeshinethemusical.com.

Founders Learning Grove of Trees:  Thanks to Nick Kapp’s initiative and the President’s Innovation Fund, we dedicated the Founders Learning Grove of Trees last week, and we now have a lovely spot for contemplation and learning of many kinds.  I am attaching a nifty PowerPoint slide that Richard Inokuchi made to illustrate which trees and bushes are planted where; as a botanist, Richard took a personal interest in this endeavor.  Facilities staff assisted the SMT Department and I’d like to thank in particular Diego Garcia, Sheikh Hussain, and Larisa Cosmineanu, for all their hard work with preparing the landscape, picking up the flora from the Yerba Buena Nursery in Woodside, planting the trees and bushes, and labeling each specimen so that we have a true outdoor arboretum look in our Founders’ Learning Grove of Trees.  One of the finishing touches remaining will be the installation of six picnic tables, which will provide the College an outdoor classroom from where a variety of classes can be held, to include hosting special events at our athletic fields.

ASSC Runoff Election:  The Associated Students of Skyline College will be holding a runoff election for the office of President because none of the three candidates received a majority of the votes.  They will announce soon when that runoff will take place.


Victoria P. Morrow, Ph.D.
President, Skyline College
650-738-4111
morrowv@smccd.net
3300 College Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066