YVCC Celebrates 83^rd Commencement Ceremony on June 7, 2012 

Yakima, WA-Yakima Valley Community College will hold its 83^rd Commencement Ceremony on June 7, 2012 at 7:00pm on Parker Field on the YVCC Yakima Campus. YVCC will award over 900 degrees and certificates this year to over 800 students.

The audience will be addressed by the following individuals.

Commencement Speaker: YVCC is honored to have Mr. Mel Stottlemyre speak at our 83rd commencement ceremony. After graduating from Mabton High School in 1959, he enrolled at YVCC where he pitched on the 1960 and 1961 state championship teams. Both years YVCC was undefeated in league play and he pitched a one-hit shutout in the 1961 series. Stottlemyre signed a professional contract with the New York Yankees following the final game of the YVCC season in 1961. He spent the first part of his career in the New York farm system and excelled at every level. In 1964 he advanced to the Yankees and experienced immediate success in the major leagues, starting three games for New York in the 1964 World Series. He went on to gain national acclaim during his eleven-year career with New York. During that time he appeared in five all-star games as a pitcher, had three twenty-game-winning seasons, threw forty shutouts, and led the American League in complete games in 1965 and 1969. He compiled a 164-139 career record with a 2.97 earned run average.

Student Commencement Speaker: YVCC is pleased to have Ms. Naomi Beebe deliver the student commencement speech for the class of 2012. Naomi grew up in Olympia and moved with her family to Ellensburg when she was 19 years old. At 23, with an interest in becoming a midwife, she enrolled at YVCC. Beebe excelled in her coursework receiving repeated honor roll status on both the dean’s and president’s lists. She is also a member of YVCC’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, a club that honors student who excel academically and maintain a 3.25 GPA or higher with a minimum of 12 college-level credits. In addition, Naomi has worked in the tutoring center for several quarters, helping other students succeed. Following commencement she will begin at Bastyr University, where she will pursue a bachelor’s and master’s of science degree in midwifery. Her dream is to one day train midwives in a developing country.

YVCC will present the following awards during this year’s commencement ceremony.

Distinguished Alumnus Award: The Yakima Valley Community College Alumni Association is pleased to announce Mr. David Lester as this year’s recipient of the YVCC Distinguished Alumnus Award. Lester is a reporter at the Yakima Herald-Republic. He has reported on a large variety of topics including local government, agriculture, business, and criminal justice. “David Lester is one of the finest reporters I’ve ever had the privilege to work with,” stated Bob Crider, Yakima Herald-Republic Editor. “Elected and appointed officials rely on Dave for his straightforward and accurate reporting. Dave’s peers on the reporting staff turn to him often for his institutional knowledge of the Valley and Central Washington. Editors, meanwhile, will readily turn to Dave to handle some of the toughest stories, knowing he’ll do a thorough job and meet his deadlines. No story is too big for him, no story too small. Dave is a consummate professional whom our readers have trusted for more than 35 years,” he concluded.

Distinguished Service Award: YVCC is honored to present Mr. John Fairbrook with the 2012 Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Fairbrook studied engineering at the University of Washington (UW) in the 1940’s. In 1946 he was hired by Ms. Elizabeth Prior, first president of then named Yakima Valley Junior College. Mr. Fairbrook accepted the position and developed the curriculum for the engineering program. Fairbrook spent the next several years bouncing back-and-forth between industry work and teachingIn 1961 he was hired to teach technical drafting and taught in the YVCC engineering program until his retirement in 1986. His love of teaching and commitment to students brought him back to the classroom once more. Fairbrook has been teaching part-time at the college since his retirement and continues to impact student’s lives today. He has taught countless students, including many of the engineers who work here in the Yakima Valley. With a wealth of knowledge and years of experience both in the classroom and in the field, he continues to be a valuable member of YVCC’s Engineering Department.

Faculty Emeritus: YVCC is pleased to honor Mr. Herb Blisard as the 2012 Faculty Emeritus. Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Blisard picked up his first camera at age 8, a cracked Baby Brownie he repaired with a band-aid to be able to take photographs. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in English and journalism from Utah State University and his master’s in communications from the University of Washington (UW). Before moving to Yakima he worked as a writer for the Deseret News in Utah, spent five years in the United States Navy, and was a copy editor for the Seattle Times. In January of 1961 Blisard began teaching communications at YVCC. For 18 years he was the advisor for the student newspaper, The Galaxy. Throughout his career he has expanded his teaching curriculum to include communications, English, journalism, cinema, pop culture, humanities, and photography classes. He has taught approximately 18,000 students, and has had the pleasure of teaching former students’ children and grandchildren.

Robert M. Leadon Excellence in Teaching: The YVCC Foundation is pleased to present the Robert M. Leadon Excellence in Teaching Award to Ms. Claire Carpenter. An instructor in the Arts and Sciences Division, Carpenter teaches courses in biology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, oral histology, and embryology. Carpenter earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Colorado College, and her master’s degree in biology from the University of New Mexico, where she researched the ecological correlates of heat shock expression. “Claire is a colleague that I have had the opportunity to work with on a near-daily basis since I was hired in 2005,” stated Dr. Matthew Loeser. “Her passion for teaching is unmistakable. She will gush with enthusiasm in describing a newly discovered parasite or revel in the human body’s masterful control of blood calcium. Despite the rigor of her courses, I’ve heard numerous student laud praise on Claire’s teaching style,” he concluded. Claire’s commitment to education extends to all ages and beyond the grounds of the YVCC campus. This past quarter, she helped organize a science fair at Hoover Elementary to help get children interested in the field of science. In addition she arranged for students from her spring quarter biology class to teach biology concepts to the students at Hoover.

Classified Employee of the Year: The Yakima Valley Community College Foundation is proud to honor Mr. Joaquin Macias with the Darlene Koch Classified Employee of the Year Award. A talented employee, Mr. Macias works as a Bilingual Program Assistant in YVCC’s Workforce Education Division (WED). After earning his associate in arts degree from YVCC, he attended Central Washington University where he completed his bachelor of arts degree in teaching with a minor in bilingual education. Returning to Yakima, Macias began his teaching career at Davis High School. After one year he transitioned to Eisenhower High School. He taught a variety of courses at each school; primarily math, Spanish, and English. In 1997, after the failure of an important levy for the Yakima School District, Macias was among the more than 300 employees who lost their jobs. He then spent two years working at Highland High School as an translator before being hired by YVCC’s WED Division in 1999. Truly deserving of this honor, Macias is committed to YVCC and its students. “Joaquin goes ‘above and beyond’ the call of duty. The service he provides to the faculty and staff is of the highest quality and is always prompt and accurate,” stated Carol Schneider, YVCC business administration instructor. “He is an outstanding representative of YVCC,” she concluded.

Parker Faculty Award: Longtime supporters of the college, Sherrie and Daryl Parker have established an award to recognize the contributions of instructors at YVCC. The Sherrie and Daryl Parker Faculty Award honors a full-time faculty member who has shown extraordinary interactions and personal influence with students and by these actions has motivated them toward greater academic and personal achievement. The first recipient of this award is Ms. Dodie Forrest, an English instructor in the arts and sciences division. Ms. Forrest earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oregon State University. She began teaching part-time at YVCC in 1995, and transitioned to full-time in 1999. She has become a beloved instructor for many students with her kind, compassionate, and fair approach to teaching. She also inspires other instructors, and is often the go-to person for advice and guidance regarding instruction and classroom practices. “The students here – especially the peer consultants in the Writing Center – are the best energy, the lifeblood which sustains me,” stated Ms. Forrest. “They have made me believe in myself as a teacher. I want them to know that despite whatever personal challenges or self-doubt they have faced, they are some of the luckiest people on the planet to have access to a college education,” she concluded.

YVCC commencement is open to the public. No admission is required. For more information including more information on the speakers and award recipients: visit www.yvcc.edu/commencement or call 509.574.6870.

Yakima, WA- Join the YVCC Music Department for their Finale performance on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 4:00pm at the Seasons’ Performance Hall. Directed by Dr. Scott Peterson, the performance will feature Vivaldi’s famous Gloria with orchestra and soloists from the YVCC Concert Choir. The performance will also feature the YVCC Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Scott Peterson and the YVCC Salsa Band, directed by David Blink.

This concert will be Dr. Petersons final performance. A long-time music instructor Peterson is retiring in June after 36 years at the helm of YVCC choral program.

Dr. Scott R. Peterson became YVCC Director of Choral Activities in the fall of 1976 following graduation with a master’s degree in conducting from Central Washington University. This was the first master’s degree in conducting granted by CWU. Over the years, “Dr. P” as he is affectionately referred, has taught every music class the college offers including music theory and band. His students have appeared in choral performances around the world in such places as Switzerland, England, Germany, and Italy as well as various venues in the region. Under his leadership, the YVCC Choirs have collaborated with the Yakima Symphony Chorus and Orchestra on such works as the Beethoven 9th Symphony (“Choral”) and the Requiem by Giuseppi Verdi.

The last selection on the program will be “Sing Me To Heaven” by Daniel Gawthop which has been the closing piece for the YVCC Concert Choir for over the past decade and alums of the Choir will be invited to join in one more time.

Free and open to the public. For more information: 574.4836.

Grandview Campus- Yakima Valley Community College Grandview Campus offers non-credit workshops open to community members as well as business leaders. These workshops are presented in partnership with the Grandview, Sunnyside and Prosser Chambers of Commerce, State Farm Insurance, and University of Washington Foster School of Business, Business and Economic Development Center. Don’t miss these opportunities to sharpen your skills.

Microsoft Word Part I

Updated Date: May 23, 2012 • 6:30-9:00pm • Grandview Campus Room L123

In this introductory class you will learn to format documents, work with multiple documents, insert pictures and graphics, create headers and footers and more!

Microsoft Word Part II

Updated Date: May 30, 2012 • 6:30-9:00pm • Grandview Campus Room L123

This intermediate workshop will build on skills taught in the introductory class.  Some additional topics you will learn include working with drawing tools, changing styles, and formatting, conducting a mail merge and building a table of contents.

Workshops cost $15 Students, $65 each General Public, or $110 for both sessions. There is a discount for members of Prosser, Grandview and Sunnyside Chambers. For more information: 509.882.7040 / crasmuseen@yvcc.edu.

YVCC Grandview Student Council hosts Spring Bash ‘12

Grandview, WA- Yakima Valley Community College Grandview Student Council (GSC) will host Spring Bash ‘12, a comedy and music performance featuring Matt Baker and Brian O’Sullivan, on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 7:00pm. The event will be held at the Sunnyside High School Auditorium. Tickets cost $5.00 per person and will be sold at the door the night of the performance. All proceeds will benefit Donate Life America.

Matt Baker, voted Seattle’s funniest prop comic, has performed his comedy stunt show in over 14 different countries. He’s appeared on numerous television shows including Last Comic Standing and America’s Got Talent and is a guinness world record holder. Baker’s comedy includes stunts such as catapulting vegetables, spitting ping-pong balls at volunteers, and performing his famous garden weasels of death. His comedy show is action-packed with audience participation and laughter.

Brian O’Sullivan, armed with an acoustic guitar and unwavering comedic wit, delivers an entertaining show of comedy combined with popular music. Professionally performing since he was 19, O’Sullivan has headlined and performed in over 800 shows nationwide, including The Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, Second City (Chicago), and over at 100 colleges. From his songs like Facebook or The Walk of Shame, O’Sullivan explores the funny in anything and everything related to the college experience in a truly unique style. Mixing in improv and audience participation, no two shows are exactly the same. O’Sullivan has a natural connection with the young adult crowd, and he is quickly accumulating fans from all over the world.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Donate Life America. Donate Life America is a nonprofit alliance of national organizations and state teams across the United States committed to increasing organ, eye, and tissue donation.  “We selected Donate Life because we thought it would be a great way to give back to people,” stated Beckie Fernandez, Grandview Student Council President. “The donation of organs affects everyone and it has touched our lives in one way or another either through saving the life of a friend, family member, or a friend of a friend. This offers us the opportunity to inform people of this organization and how simple and easy it is to register to become a donor. We wanted to show that a little heart (on our driver’s license) can help save a life,” she concluded.

For more information: 509.882.7008.

Reed to Embark on College Civics Tour Visits Yakima Valley Community College on May 2

Yakima Campus–Before he retires in January, Secretary of State Sam Reed plans to embark on his last annual College Civics Tour. Beginning April 9, Reed will visit 45 campuses. It will be the largest number of schools he’s visited since beginning the springtime tradition in 2006. During his tour he will visit Yakima Valley Community College on May 2, 2012.

“The college civics tour is always fun for me and students, and it’s a great way to help get them more interested in voting and being involved. I really look forward to visiting campuses across the state,” stated Reed. “With so many key races and issues on this year’s ballot, students need to understand why voting is important, and they need to realize their collective voice is powerful when they exercise it through voting and being involved in their community,” Reed said. “A major reason why I do this tour is to explain to students why their vote makes a difference and tell them simple ways to be more civically engaged.”

As part of the state’s annual College Civics Week, Reed will visit Yakima Valley Community College on May 2. He will be on campus at 9:30am to host a round of civics Jeopardy, followed by a brief discussion about how students can get involved in their communities.

WHAT: Civics Jeopardy and Q&A with Secretary Reed
WHEN: May 2^nd at 9:30am
WHERE: MLK Room in the Hopf Union Building (HUB)
DETAILS: This event is free

College Civics Week is put on by the Office of Secretary of State’s College Civics Program and funded by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), a federal law that was adopted after the 2000 Presidential Election.

To learn more about the program please visit http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/collegecivics.aspx. For more information about YVCC’s event: 509.574.4775.

YVCC Music Department presents the 6^th Annual Latin Music Celebration May 2-5 

Yakima, WA-Yakima Valley Community College Music Department presents the 6^th Annual Latin Music Celebration. The week-long festival will feature clinics, in-school residencies, workshops, and performances at various schools throughout the Yakima Valley. Festival faculty include Memo Acevedo, David Blink, Jeff Chang, Carlos Casacante, Juan Alzate, Andre Mintz, Jeff Norwood, John Sanders, Shannon Dudley, Tanya Fiske, Soul Purhepecha, and Oscar de la Rosa. The celebration will culminate with the grand finale concert featuring the YVCC Salsa Band held May 5, 2012 at the Seasons Performance Hall.  Tickets cost $10 general admission or $5 students and can be purchased at The Seasons Performance Hall.

The Latin Music Celebration is part of YVCC’s ongoing outreach efforts in conjunction with The Seasons to bring music into the lives of children of the Yakima Valley. The following is a list of festival events that are open to the public unless otherwise stated these are free. 

Please see below for a complete list of Latin Music Celebration activities.

May 2^nd Workshops:

• Jazz in Mexico with Juan Alzate; 9:30am & 10:30am • YVCC’s Kendall Hall Auditorium

May 3^rd Workshops:

• Traditional Mexican Guitar Workshop; 2:00pm & 3:00pm • YVCC’s Kendall Outdoor Stage
• Brazilian Drumming; 3:00pm • YVCC’s HUB Quiet Lounge
• Salsa Dancing Workshop; 3:00pm & 4:00pm • YVCC’s Sherar Gymnasium
• Steel Drum Workshop; 3:00pm & 4:00pm • YVCC’s Kendall Hall Room K120
• Advanced Arfo-Cuban Rhythm Section; 4:00pm • YVCC’s HUB Quiet Lounge

May 4^th Workshops:

• Traditional Mexican Song and Dance Performance/Workshop; 9:30am & 10:30am • YVCC’s Kendall Hall Auditorium
• Traditional Mexican Song and Dance Performance/Workshop; 1:30pm • YVCC’s Grandview Campus, Room TBA

Performances

• May 3^rd: YVCC Latin Music Celebration Performance; 11:30am & 12:30pm • YVCC’s HUB
• May 5^th Grand Finale YVCC Latin Music Celebration – Grand Finale; 7:30pm performance with the YVCC Salsa Band featuring Memo Acevedo, David Blink, Jeff Chang, Carlos Casacante, Juan Alzate, Andre Mintz, Jeff Norwood, John Sanders, Shannon Dudley, Tanya Fiske, Soul Purhepecha, and Oscar de la Rosa. Directed by David Blink. The Seasons Performance Hall. Tickets $10 general admission or $5 students.

• May 4^th: Traditional Mexican Song and Dance Performance/Workshop; 9:30am & 10:30am • YVCC’s Kendall Hall Auditorium
• May 4^th: Traditional Mexican Song and Dance Performance/Workshop; 1:30pm • YVCC’s Grandview Campus, Room TBA
• May 4^th: Yakima-Morelia Sister City Association Fiesta Fundraiser Performance with Memo Acevedo, David Blink, Jeff Chang, Carlos Casacante, Juan Alzate, Andre Mintz, Jeff Norwood, John Sanders, Shannon Dudley, Tanya Fiske, Soul Purhepecha, and Oscar de la Rosa. La Chateau, Yakima Washington. Tickets $55.

For Grand Finale ticket information contact The Seasons:
Box Office Phone: 509-453-1888 or Toll Free: 888-723-7660
http://www.theseasonsyakima.com/
101 North Naches Avenue
Yakima, WA 98901

For Workshop information contact David Blink – Music Instructor, YVCC
dblink@yvcc.edu
509-574-4835

Need Help Updating Your Resume? YVCC can help!

Résumé Workshop and The Résumé Doctor is In Workshop hosted by YVCC’s Business Club

Yakima Campus-Yakima Valley Community College Business Student Club hosts two workshops, Résumé Building Workshop and The Résumé Doctor is In! All events are free and open to the public. Please see the schedule below for details.

Résumé Building Workshop: May 1st ·  12:30pm-1:30pm · Parker Room, Deccio Higher Education Center

• Need an awesome résumé? Build one that works! This workshop will assist you in developing a résumé from scratch or polishing your current résumé.

The Résumé Doctor is In!: May 8^th  ·  12:00pm-2:00pm · Parker Room, Deccio Higher Education Center

• Résumé review and critique. Bring your résumé to the Parker Room for an individual review with an HR professional. Walk-in anytime between 12:00-2:00pm.

The YVCC Business Club provides support to YVCC students who are pursuing a Business Administration Degree or interested in the world of business. It also offers an opportunity to network with other students, alumni and members of the local business community.

For more information: 509.574.4904 / cschneider@yvcc.edu

Yakima Valley Community College hosts the 5^th Annual Grape to Glass Gala Scholarship Fundraiser

Grandview Campus – The Vineyard and Winery Technology Program at Yakima Valley Community College will host the 5^th annual Grape to Glass Gala – A Winemaker’s Dinner on Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 6:00-10:00pm. The event will benefit Vineyard & Winery Technology student scholarships. Held at the Grandview Activity Center, 401 West Second Street, Grandview, WA the event will include a dinner, wine tasting, a silent auction, live music and dancing.

Please see the details below.

• 6:00-7:00pm: Social & Silent Auction
• 7:00-8:30pm: Dinner & Music
• 8:30-10:00pm: Music & Dancing

The Winemaker’s Dinner will include a four course meal prepared by Executive Chef Patterson of Café Grande Vue. Chef Patterson graduated from Western Culinary Institute Le Cordon Bleu in Portland, Oregon. She did an internship under the tutelage of Chef Frank Magana at Picazo717 in Prosser. In addition to managing Café Grande Vue, Patterson also teaches cooking classes. In collaboration with YV-Tech Culinary Program, students will assist Chef Patterson with dinner service.

Appetizers: Paired with C&C Vintage Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Wind Rose Cellars Rosado, and Parejas Cellars Albarino

• Fennel-dusted grilled pork loin with cherry chutney
• Crostini with smoked salmon and chive cream cheese
• Artichoke-parmesan risotto cakes

Salad: Paired with Yakima Valley Vintners Viognier.

• Fresh harvest salad of mixed greens with mango, bacon, candied pecans with balsamic vinaigrette dressing and topped with artisanal parmesan ribbons.

Entrée: Paired with Yakima Valley Vintners Syrah and Merlot.

• Wine infused grilled sirloin topped with herb buttered prawns, sautéed gnocchi, and fresh local asparagus.

Vegetarian Option: Paired with Yakima Valley Vintners Syrah and Merlot.

• Herbed vegetable stuffed roasted red sweet pepper, sautéed gnocchi and mushroom with fresh local asparagus.

Dessert: Paired with Yakima Valley Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon. 

• Decadent white and dark chocolate, amaretto crusted, Yakima Valley cherry trifle.

Several students from the Vineyard and Winery Technology Program have started their own wineries since taking classes at YVCC. For the first time, the Grape to Glass Gala will showcase wines from two former YVCC students. David Volmut, owner of Wind Rose Cellars in Sequim, WA and Carly Faulk, owner of C&C Vintage Cellars in Prosser, WA.

Carly Faulk: Faulk graduated from Grandview High School in 2003 and became interested in the wine industry while working in the tasting room at Hogue Cellars. After turning 21 she was hired at Willow Crest Winery and began learning more about the wine industry. With a desire to continue her education she enrolled in YVCC’s Vineyard & Winery Technology Program. She was amongst the first cohort of students to enroll in YVCC’s program. “The program helped me prepare for my own journey with the variety of classes offered, from making wine all the way to the business side of things,” stated Faulk. Carly, along with her mother, founded C & C Vintage Cellars in Prosser, WA. “I feel it’s beneficial for YVCC to offer this program because the wine industry just keeps blooming, and there are more and more job opportunities in the industry. Having a wine program in the community will teach students everything they need to know about wine and vineyard technology and help them prepare for these wonderful opportunities,” she concluded.

David Volmut: Volmut graduated from YVCC with an associate of applied science degree in winery technology. “I chose YVCC’s Vineyard and Winery Technology Program because I thought the program offered some great classes and I was eager to learn about wine,” stated Volmut. “I visited the Grandview Campus and was impressed by the professional presentation YVCC offered,” he continued. In 2009 Volmut and his wife, Jennifer, founded Wind Rose Cellars in Sequim, WA. The winery is off to a great start and has already won several awards for its wines. “I would recommend YVCC to others. With the industry growing so quickly, educated personnel are needed to fill the jobs. YVCC’s classes helped prepare me for owning my own winery,” he concluded.

Tickets for the Grape to Glass Gala are $65 per person. Reserve tickets by May 11, 2012. Tickets are available by contacting 509.882.7037 / wine@yvcc.edu or through the website: www.yakimavalleyvintners.com . Proceeds will benefit student scholarships.

Grape2Glass_2012_Poster

YVCC Dental Hygiene participates in the 2^nd Annual Compassion Connect Event 

Yakima, WA- Yakima Valley Community College’s Dental Hygiene Program will volunteer during the 2^nd Annual Compassion Connect Event hosted by Sunrise Outreach Center of Yakima. During the Compassion Connect Event YVCC students will provide patient care to underserved residents of the Yakima Valley at YVCC’s Brown Dental Hygiene Clinic.

A collaboration of local churches and healthcare centers, the Compassion Connect Event helps needy individuals receive healthcare. The event will be held from 9:00am to 3:00pm on April 21, 2012. Patients must check in at Adams Elementary School, 723 S 8th St, Yakima, and will be taken to area healthcare clinics. In addition to healthcare and hair cutting, participants will have access to multiple social service booths and will receive a free lunch. A worthwhile cause this event helped over 2,000 people receive much needed services in 2011.

Healthcare professionals including physicians, audiologists, optometrists, dentists, and dental hygienists will volunteer to provide free services. The YVCC dental hygiene clinic will provide patients with a two hour appointment where they will receive a dental exam, radiographs, an oral cancer screening, oral health care instructions, professional dental prophylaxis (cleaning) procedures, and an application of topical fluoride. Dental hygiene students, instructors, and local dentists will be volunteering to provide these services.

For more information about services or to volunteer to help out at the event please contact Sunrise Outreach Center at 509.225.9310. For more information about YVCC’s Dental Hygiene Program: 509.574.4920.

YVCC’s Semi-Annual Clay Sale Returns! 

Yakima Campus- Yakima Valley Community College Art department hosts the Semi-Annual Clay Sale May 10, 2012 from  11:30-12:30pm in the Hopf Student Union Building. Bowls, cups, plates and other ceramic artwork created by YVCC students and faculty, items make great mother’s day gifts, don’t miss your opportunity to purchase these!

All proceeds go to studio improvements for the ceramic studio. For more information: 509.574.4844 / rdorn@yvcc.edu