The Board of Trustees meeting April 8 was a rounded combination of celebration and business, ranging from honoring the men’s basketball team for their state championship win to discussing strategic planning.
Santa Rosa Junior College President Frank Chong congratulated the Bear Cubs for making SRJC history, being the school’s first team to ever win the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship. “I would proclaim you the international college team,” said Chong, referring to the fact the team played against players from around the state, out-of-state and outside the country. He also acknowledged Coach Craig McMillan for raising up a team that represented the college so well. McMillan said that he “admired the work ethic and heart that came from them at key times.”
The board presented the Bear Cubs with a framed Press Democrat article announcing the team’s championship win. It also said it would donate towards the team’s championship rings. The Bear Cubs, led by their team captain, Alec Kobre, in turn thanked the members of the board for their support with state championship t-shirts.
Ganesan Srinivasan, dean of agriculture/natural resources and culinary arts, presented the Employee of the Month Award to Chris Wills, agricultural pavilion manager and winemaker at Shone Farm Winery. Srinivasan honored Wills for his upbeat attitude and positive work ethic.
Wills joined SRJC in 2005. Two of his wines have won gold medals at the San Francisco Wine Competition and his olive oil won double gold at the Sonoma County Harvest Festival. He has always believed in working hard to be the best at what he does and feels positively challenged at SRJC because other staff members have similar work ethics. “I’m proud to be an average overachiever at the JC,” he said.
The Swedish students, who have attended SRJC for the past five weeks, said farewell after thanking the board members, present faculty and host families for helping create a positive experience for them. “We will be leaving America not only with knowledge, but brimming with beautiful experiences,” said Sofie Zackrisson, one of the spokes-students. The group sang the tradition song “Blooming Times that Arise” as a collective thank you.
Last fall, an increase in funds reinstated the Doyle Scholarship, which was awarded to 438 students at $700 each. Ideally these numbers will continue to increase, along with other awards such as the SRJC Foundation Scholarship.
The board also mentioned upcoming events such as Music as Means on April 17, the student elections April 21-25 and Day under the Oaks on May 4.
