President compares employees, students to ‘shining stars’

Shining stars was the theme of this fall's convocation festivities

Fall convocation, which was held on Aug. 27, is an opportunity for faculty and staff to meet before the start of the semester.

"What makes someone a star? Is it fame, fortune, or is it something else? According to Dictionary.com, a star is a person who has been highly celebrated in their field," Superintendent/President Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D., said at her third annual State of the College address.

"Using this definition, I contend that this college is truly a higher education star," she said. "Nationally, community colleges are being called on more and more to make a difference in education, and we have risen to the top as one of the best."

Citrus College has garnered national praise this past year, Perri said.

The cosmetology program was named to President Barack Obama's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, which recognizes colleges and universities for their innovative and exemplary community service efforts and their commitment to volunteerism.

And, although it has yet to be officially announced, G.I. Jobs magazine recently named Citrus College to a national list of military-friendly schools.

The students are a key component in propelling the college to stardom, Perri said.

Last year, more than 14,000 students were enrolled at Citrus. In 2010, 829 degrees were conferred with 251 students graduating with honors. Students transferred to various universities, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC and Columbia.

"An ongoing commitment to progress is a characteristic of organizations that is healthy and thriving. And, yes, we work hard and we have made a lot of progress in a number of areas this past year," Perri said

One such area where progress is being made is facilities.

On Sept. 14, there will be a dedication of the new Technology Engineering and Technician Development Facility. There will also be a dedication for the new Campus Safety Building sometime during the fall semester.

In spring 2011, renovations will begin on the Administration Building and the almost 55,000-square-foot Student Services Building is scheduled for completion in the spring.

Construction of the new fine arts building will commence in summer 2011.

Citrus has also continued to stress emergency preparedness and made progress in addressing accreditation recommendations, Perri said.

"At Citrus we are not only preparing our students for the future, but our institution. One way we will be accomplishing this is the development of a new strategic plan," she said. "The old one served us well, but now we need a new one."

A planning committee assembled in the spring determined six major focus areas for Citrus' new strategic plan, which includes academic excellence, student support/success, college resources, learning environment, institutional effectiveness, and community to college relations.

In addition to Perri's address and the welcoming of five new full-time faculty members, nine Shining Star Awards were presented during convocation.

Administrative assistant Pam McGuern was presented with the Shining Star Award for student focus; English professor Roberta Eisel received the award for collaboration; language arts professor Carsten Dau received the award for diversity; and retired librarian Barbara Rugeley received the life- long learning award.

Other Shining Star Awards went to EOP&S/CARE director Sara Gonzalez-Tapia for integrity. Network, central computing and telecommunications system supervisor Leigh Buchwald received the award for technological advancement. Director of facilities and construction Mike Harrington received the award for excellence, along with astronomy professor David Kary, Ph.D., chair of the curriculum committee.

The last Shining Star Award for vision was presented to Joyce Dill, a graduate of Citrus Union High School and Citrus College who also served as supervisor of the OwlBookshop during her relationship with Citrus College that has spanned more than 40 years.

"As an actress, Katharine Hepburn was once asked, what is star quality? She responded, ‘I don't know what it is, but I do know I've got it.' Well, I know what it is: it's you," Perri said, addressing Citrus faculty and staff. "Everyday you come to work, and everyday you give more than is expected and go beyond the call of duty."