January 16, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Grossmont College Hyde Art Gallery presents “Connectivity,” a showing by artist Miya Hannan, from January 25-February 25. An opening event in honor of the artist will be on Tuesday, February 5th, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Judy Garrett recalls father’s love of teaching in community colleges

December 2, 2009 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont College Music Department’s Jazz Ensemble will perform a holiday program starting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Cuyamaca College Arts Center auditorium, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, in El Cajon. The public is invited to attend.

October 22, 2009 (El Cajon) – In this era of budget cutbacks, community colleges are struggling to accommodate more students on less money. You can help by attending the Grosssmont College Foundation’s eight annual gala this Saturday, October 24th, at the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. The Foundation raises funds to support Grossmont College students and educational programs.

October 13, 2009 (El Cajon)--Grossmont College’s Arabic Club will host a free lecture by Israeli activist Mike Peled, author of “The General’s Son: The Journey of an Israeli in Palestine,” from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, in Room 220, a lecture hall on campus. The title for Peled’s lecture is “Is Israel the new South Africa?” The public is invited to attend. Admission is free. Peled will discuss the current conditions for the Palestinian people, how Israel justifies the occupation, how American beliefs about Israel have been molded and skewed and possible solutions to the crisis.

October 7, 2009 (El Cajon) -- Grossmont College guitar instructor Fred Benedetti, chair of the Grossmont College guitar studies department, will perform at a concert benefiting the Grossmont College Guitar Guild starting at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, at the college’s recital hall, Room 220. The public is invited to attend.

Story and photos by Takayuki Higuchi

Student leader tasked with keeping state board attuned

August 1 2009 (El Cajon) – Marc Valenzuela, Grossmont College’s new student body president, has a busy year ahead--including his latest appointment as a student liaison to the California Community Colleges’ Board of Governors.

FAFSA, the federal government’s instrument for calculating need-based aid, is used by colleges and universities to determine financial aid eligibility for federal and state aid programs. Historically, a majority of the FAFSA applications received by the college are completed during the first half of the year, Copenhaver added.

July 15, 2009 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont College Foundation, a fund-raising organization that benefits Grossmont College students and educational programs, has announced that it has received a $30,000 grant from Abbott Vascular, one of the world’s leading vascular care businesses. The grant will benefit Grossmont students who are enrolled in the college’s cardio-vascular technology (CVT) program.

July 6, 2009 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont College Athletics Dept. and assistant Grossmont football coach Akili Smith, a former Grossmont College All-American quarterback and National Football League player, will host a football passing camp and tournament for high school football athletes starting at 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11, at the college’s football field.

The Grossmont College Athletics Dept. will present “Le Tour de Grossmont College,” a fund-raising fun walk/run, starting at 8 a.m. on Sunday, June 7, at the college. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. at the Main Quad area on campus. The event will raise money for medical expenses for Grossmont College women’s soccer coach Howie Hawver, who is currently battling ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

By Miriam Raftery May 2, 2009 (El Cajon)—El Cajon Police Chief Pat Sprecco was inducted into the Grossmont College “Walk of Fame” yesterday at a ceremony in which he was honored by Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (photo) and other local leaders. Sprecco, a 1976 graduate of Grossmont, praised his fellow police officers, then revealed that he drew inspiration from his parents--who were both law enforcement officers.

April 26, 2009 (El Cajon)--County Supervisor Dianne Jacob is scheduled to be joined by several mayors of East County cities as featured speakers at the East County Chamber of Commerce’s “First Friday Breakfast” starting at 7:15 a.m., Friday, May 1, at Grossmont College’s Student Center on the eastern side of the campus. Also speaking at the breakfast will be Barry Jantz, 2009 chairman of the San Diego East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC), sponsor of the program.

February 23, 2009 (El Cajon)--The 21st annual Grossmont College Pow-Wow, a celebration of American Indian culture, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the college's Student Center. Admission is free. The day-long event, which begins at noon with gourd dancing and giveaways, features American Indian dancers and drummers. Vendors will sell American Indian cuisine, clothing, art and jewelry. The Grand Entry, a procession of about 100 dancers, begins at 6 p.m.