ELAC President's Corner Fall 2008 - East Los Angeles College

East Los Angeles College
President’s Corner
Fall 2OO8
B u i l d i n g
theFuture

East Los Angeles College
After spending 22 months as
President of Los Angeles Mission
College, I am very happy to
begin my first full year back at
ELAC. I am proud that the college
continued to grow and prosper
in my absence.
I am sure that you are well
aware of the current stalemate
in the state of California budgeting
process. In spite of some
fiscal uncertainties, we are committed to supporting our
obligation to provide open access to members of our community
seeking higher education. To meet the ever-growing
demand for educational services, we are expanding offerings
at the Rosemead Educational Center and finalizing
plans for opening a new and larger facility in South Gate.
In addition, we have expanded our full time faculty roster
and hope to add more instructors this year. Finally, we are
committed to taking the lead in on-line education. We are
looking not only to increase offerings of specific classes, but
to develop entire programs that may be completed via online
access. ELAC is committed to delivering education to
members of our community in new and creative ways.
During my absence the college began a number of major
building projects. At present, the college is undergoing
its first major renovation in more than 50 years. This summer
we broke ground on our new Performing and Fine Arts
Complex. At the dedication, several speakers noted that
this complex will serve as the cultural heart of our community
for decades to come. This year, we are planning to open
our new multi-level parking structure and complete renovation
of the E-1 and G-1 buildings. These projects are of
significance in that plans call for the E-1 structure to house
all student services with easy access to parking in our new
structure. During the year we will also be completing several
other projects which will enhance both the beauty and
serviceability of our campus. All projects on campus will
have a “green focus.” ELAC is committed to supporting environmental
issues in planning and building. This includes
everything from design to the selection of building materials.
The college has recently been lauded by the local and national
media for our new solar power project located in the
student parking lot. With the use of solar panels we now
produce approximately 70% of power needed to operate the
college during daylight hours.
This year will be one of growth, change and challenge.
Our focus, however, as always will be on providing the best
educational experience possible for our students. My goal
for this academic year will be to provide the resources needed
for ELAC to remain the flagship college for the Los Angeles
Community College District n
Ernest H. Moreno
President, East Los Angeles College
Graduates Honored at Commencement 2OO8
President Ernest H. Moreno and the East Los Angeles
College administration proudly presented degrees and
certificates earned during the 2007-2008 academic year to
more than 700 graduates at ELAC’s 2008 Commencement
held May 30 before an estimated crowd of 7,000 in the college
stadium. Themed “Education Opens Our Eyes to a
World We Cannot See,” the Commencement was broadcast
live on the World Wide Web and a replay can be viewed on
the college web site: www.elac.edu.
Dr. Marshall E. Drummond, chancellor of the Los Angeles
Community College District, was the keynote speaker. The
LACCD Board of Trustees was represented by Trustee Georgia
L. Mercer. Dr. Armando Rivera-Figueroa, director of the
Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program
served as master of ceremonies. The welcome was given by
Alex Immerblum, president of the faculty academic senate.
Graduates were led into the stadium by faculty marshals
as the Husky Marching Band/Concert Band played “Pomp
and Circumstance.” Rose Bustos, president of the Associated
Student Union, led the audience through the Pledge of
Allegiance. The National Anthem was sung by student soprano
Nubia Jimenez. Monica Olguin, ASU treasurer, delivered
the student address. Richard Moyer, vice president
of academic affairs, and Robert Isomoto, vice president of
academic affairs also presented graduates with certificates
and degrees. The announcers were Evelyn Escatiola, professor,
professional development coordinator, and Othon Olivas,
instructor, foreign languages.
The commencement ended with the Class of 2008 Graduates
exiting through an Honor Guard composed of college
faculty, administrators and staff as the concert band played
the popular jazz tune “Watermelon Man” n

Fall 2OO8

East Los Angeles College
Performing and Fine Arts Complex
Construction Is Under Way
President Ernest H. Moreno, left, and former art department chair June Smith, dance instructor Rick Crawford, Director
of Theater, Kelley Hogan, art department chair Jim Uyekawa, Vincent Price Art Museum director Karen Rapp and music
instructor Albert Dawson break ground on the new Performing and Fine Arts Complex.
ounds of dirt and huge earth moving machines are
“M sculpting the corner of Avenida Cesar Chavez and
Collegian Avenue preparing the area for the construction of
the Performing and Fine Arts Complex that will serve the
community as well as East Los Angeles College students.
The new complex will house the college’s famous Vincent
Price Art Museum with a collection of more than
2,000 pieces valued in excess of $5 million. “East Los Angeles
College has the most impressive collection of artwork
of any community college in the world,” College President
Ernest H. Moreno said during the June 27 groundbreaking
ceremony. “With this new building, we finally have a home
worthy of our outstanding collection.”
The gallery was dedicated in 1957 when Vincent and
Mary Grant Price donated a significant portion of their personal
art collection to the college with the goal of providing
students and the surrounding community with an art gallery.
They continued to increase the collection by encouraging
artists and fellow collectors to contribute pieces to the
collection, which was first housed in a campus bungalow.
“We will now have a world-class art museum with ample
storage for artwork that can function as a teaching collection;
three floors of exhibition space; an art history lecture
hall and the ability to involve the campus and community
in many activities, film screenings and lectures that make
a good museum great,” said Karen Rapp, Vincent Price Art
Museum director.
The museum will be located at the center of the complex
surrounded by two other buildings. The dance, music and
visual arts building will house studios and classrooms for
painting, sculpture, print making, and a ceramics laboratory.
The two-story, 77,000 square-foot facility will also have
a recital hall and classrooms for dance, music, choir and
music libraries, music computer labs and rehearsal space.
“Students will be given the opportunity to enhance their
training in the arts within a professional setting that will be
equipped to create an atmosphere they have only dreamed of
and are completely thrilled about,” said Kristina Karmiryan,
a student and president of ELAC’s Let’s Dance Company.
“Having this center for the various arts will make students
feel appreciated and significant, thus giving them the
opportunity to inspire one another, value our unique qualities,
and ultimately represent East Los Angeles College with
dignity and pure talent.”
A third 42,110 square-foot companion building has been
custom-designed for the college’s Theater Arts Department.
The facility will include a 167 fixed-seat theater, a “black
box” theater that will accommodate more than 110 persons
as well as a costume shop, make-up room and rehearsal
classrooms. “Someone once said – and I believe it was a
theater guy – that ‘all the world’s a stage . . .’ said Kelley Hogan,
Director of Theater. “Well, here at East that was very
true (because) every sidewalk, converted classroom, World
War I bungalow, and grassy knoll was a stage for our students
and they created magic in those spaces. I can hardly
wait to see the even more marvelous and magical shows
that they will create in our new facility.”
“[ELAC] has such a wonderful legacy,” said Marshall
E. Drummond, chancellor of the Los Angeles Community
College District. “The building will give faculty and staff
members the platform to create a new legacy that will make
this center go far beyond East Los Angeles.”
The new project is scheduled to be completed in spring
2010. For more information on this and other bond construction
projects at East Los Angeles College, visit www.
LACCDBuildsGreen.org/elac.php n

Fall 2OO8
Earth movers begin to prepare the site for the new Performing and Fine Arts Complex.
President Ernest H. Moreno is joined by dance and theater students dressed in a variety of theater and performance
costumes at the ground breaking ceremony. Construction is expected to be completed in spring 2010.

East Los Angeles College
Consul Zhixue Dong, of the Los Angeles Consulate General for the Peoples Republic of China, holds the check for $8,000
that was presented to him by East Los Angeles College President Ernest H. Moreno, students, faculty and staff to benefit
the victims of the earthquake that jolted central China last May.
ELAC Students Raise Money for Chinese Relief Fund
The powerful earthquake that jolted the Sichuan province
of China last May hit close to home with many East Los
Angeles College students. Some of them were born in the region
and some had relatives who were affected by it. Wanting
to come to the aid of the thousands of survivors that were
left homeless, ELAC students got together to raise money, and
through ELAC’s International Student Club, they generated
$8,000 for the relief fund. The club held a food sale and collected
donations on campus with the help of the local Carl’s Jr. restaurant
to raise the money.
Many of the students that volunteered were from Beijing
Chaoyang Foreign Language School, ELAC’s sister school in
China. Faculty and staff made generous donations, most notably
the Mathematics Department, and many of the local businesses
donated food items for the event. “East Los Angeles College
and our Chinese students took the opportunity to show
that they care and support China during a time of tragedy,”
said Jeremy Allred, ELAC dean of admissions and records.
College President Ernest H. Moreno and the students who
volunteered proudly presented the $8,000 check to Consul
Zhixue Dong, of the Los Angeles Consulate General for the
Peoples Republic of China. “While we are facing this disaster,
all the East Los Angeles College students, faculty and administration
are standing with us,” Dong announced after accepting
the check. “What I’ve received is not only a check, but love
from all of you. On behalf of the Chinese people who are injured
or who lost their loved ones due to the massive earthquake,
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your
care, contribution and generosity toward the Sichuan earthquake
relief effort. Because of your help, some of our people
will have more drinking water, more food, and more clothes.”
The death toll from the May 12 earthquake reportedly rose
to nearly 70,000. The number of injured reached 374,131 and
17,516 were missing. The collapsed and damaged buildings and
houses totaled more than 4.5 million n
Board Names ELAC’s Bustos Student Trustee
The Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Community
College District unanimously appointed former East
Los Angeles College student body president Rose Bustos
student trustee. Bustos was student president at ELAC
during the 2007-08 academic year and was also a member
of the Executive Shared Governance Council and the Student
Success Committee. She also founded a chapter of the
American Chemical Society and was instrumental in planning
many events linking the college to the community.
Since obtaining an Emergency Medical Technician
(EMT) Certificate from ELAC in 2006, Bustos has been
employed in the emergency room at a nearby hospital. She
is concurrently taking courses in preparation for entry into
medical school where she plans to specialize in pediatric
medicine. In accepting her appointment to the Board of
Trustees on June 11, Bustos spoke about her commitment
to the community college system. “Doors have opened to
me that I never even knew existed,” she said. “Community
college has allowed me to pursue a dream and discover the
true depths of my potential.”
The new trustee comes to the Board with a significant background
in education. She worked for several years in elementary
education where she was inspired to try to do more for
the children of the community. This dedication led her to
become a research assistant at California Institute of Technology.
She is working on a program jointly sponsored by
East Los Angeles College, the California Department of Education
and Cal Tech. A part of the research involves attempts
to understand chemical reactions associated with
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – better known as Lou
Gehrig’s disease.
Bustos sees her main responsibility on the Board as being
a voice for students. “My goal is to increase student involvement
in the many committees that exist on the nine college
campuses (of the LACCD),” she said. “We, as students, need
to be assured that our participation is not just a formality.
Instead it should be seen as a truly valuable and effective
part of developing problem-solving strategies on campus.”
The Los Angeles Community College District has nine
colleges. The Board sets policy for the district; the chancellor
is the chief executive officer who is charged with the dayto-day
operations of the district and its colleges n

Fall 2OO8
Guerra Receives Burial 40 Years After His Death in Vietnam
former East Los Angeles College journalism student who
A was killed more than 40 years ago in Vietnam has been
finally laid to rest. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Raul Guerra,
whose remains weren’t found until 2007, was given a proper
burial on Memorial Day. Guerra was a former editor-in-chief
of “Elan,” a student-produced magazine at ELAC and a reporter
for the Campus News student newspaper. The 1963 Montebello
High School graduate also worked as a reporter for an
area newspaper.
Guerra was on a volunteer assignment as a naval reporter
during the Vietnam War on Oct. 8, 1967, when the plane he
was in crashed into a steep mountain in the Da Nang Province.
The plane was returning to the USS Oriskany, the aircraft carrier
Guerra was assigned to. Rescue teams were able to spot the
crash site, but weather and hostile conditions prevented the recovery
of the bodies. Forty years and 15 recovery missions later,
the remains of the promising news reporter and the four
servicemen who died with him were returned to the United
States in October of 2007.
A close friend and high school classmate of Guerra, Ray
Ramirez, an Army and Vietnam veteran, then took on the
task of identifying the exact location of where Guerra’s remains
had been delivered. Ramirez, the public information
officer of American Veterans Post 113, contacted numerous
government offices and cemeteries that had Vietnam veterans
remains resting in them. Ramirez and former ELAC and high
school classmates paid tribute to Guerra at a Memorial Day
ceremony at the American Veterans Post 113 in Irwindale.
Ramirez is also trying to raise funds for the Raul Guerra
Memorial Scholarship, which was established to honor Guerra’s
memory. The last award was given in 2006 and donations
can be given by calling Ramirez at (626) 338-4440 n
Longtime Popular Classified Employees Retire
President Ernest H. Moreno pictured with
Alice Rivera, who retired after nearly 35
years of service to East Los Angeles College
Robert G. Isomoto, vice president of administrative
services, says goodby to Olivia Altamirano, who
retired after 30 years of service to the college.
Alice Rivera, a fixture in the admissions office for nearly
35 years, has retired as a classified employee at East Los
Angeles College. “I’m done!” said Rivera, who celebrated her
retirement with family, friends and co-workers Aug. 8 at Luminaria’s
Restaurant. “I’d been putting it off and kept saying
I was going to retire, but this is it. I want to start collecting
my retirement checks and reap the benefits of retirement.”
She began her career in January of 1974 in the now defunct
evening division and moved to admissions two years later. “I
think I made the right choice,” she said. Her official date of
retirement was August 14.
A resident of El Sereno, Rivera joins her husband, Frank, who
worked for 7 Up Bottling, in retirement. “He’s been retired for
four years already and we’re ready to start traveling,” she said.
She also looks forward to spending more time with their three
grandchildren. “I’d like to be there when they get out of school
and play with them and do a little cooking for them.”
She started her employment at ELAC when her 35-yearold
son was 11 months old. Though looking forward to a wellearned
retirement, she says leaving all the countless students,
faculty and staff that she knew and served behind will be difficult.
“I’m a people person, so I’m really going to miss com-
to work,” she said. Oing
livia Altamirano of the University Center retired recently
after 30 years of service to East Los Angeles College
as a classified employee. She started working at ELAC in
1978 as a part time employee in the bookstore. She became
full time in 1980 and worked for many years in the Fiscal and
Counseling departments. She began working in the University
Center in 1995.
“I’m going to miss all the friendship,” said the native of Guadalajara,
Mexico. “I leave with some really good memories
and I met so many beautiful people that became special to
me. (ELAC President) Ernie Moreno was very good to me
and I’ll never forget all that he did for me. All the administration
was good to me and very helpful.”
She and her husband, Helio, raised five children and reside
in Alhambra. Their only daughter, Jessica, is an hourly employee
in the Counseling department. They are also grandparents
to two boys and two girls. “I’ve got time now to work
on a family scrapbook,” said Olivia, who already has vacations
planned for Puerto Vallarta and Europe n

The women’s badminton team was the recipient of the Team Academic Achievement award at the eighth
annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Luncheon. From left, Emmeline Lui, assistant coach Lena Zheng,
Aretha Lui, coach Qui Nguy, Cindy Zheng, Van Tran and Thanh Kelly Luong.
East Los Angeles College
Office of the President
1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez
Monterey Park, California 91754
323.265.8662
www.elac.edu
College Administration
Ernest H. Moreno, President
Robert G. Isomoto, Vice President
Administrative Services
Reneé D. Martinez, Vice President,
Workforce Education
Dr. Richard A. Moyer, Vice President,
Academic Affairs
Oscar Valeriano, Vice President, Student Services
Jeremy Allred, Dean, Admissions and Records
Gayle Brosseau, Dean, Academic Affairs,
Economic Development
Selina Chi, Dean, Resource Development
& Community Relations
Karen Daar, Dean, Academic Affairs, Liberal Arts
Vi Ly, Dean, Academic Affairs, Liberal Arts
Kerrin McMahan, Dean,
Academic Affairs, Liberal Arts
Dr. Leonor X. Perez, Dean, Planning
Laura Ramirez, Dean, Academic Affairs,
Workforce Education
Al Rios, Dean, Academic Affairs, South Gate
Ryan Cornner, Associate Dean, Research
Danelle Fallert, Associate Dean, EOP&S
Sonia Lopez, Associate Dean, Student Activities
Adrienne Ann Mullen, Associate Dean,
Non Credit Education and Community Services
Dr. John Rude, Associate Dean,
Resource & Development
Angelica Toledo, Associate Dean, Calworks
Los Angeles Community
College District
2008-2009 Board of Trustees
Sylvia Scott-Hayes, President
Kelly G. Candaele, Vice President
Mona Field
Georgia L. Mercer
Nancy Pearlman
Angela J. Reddock
Miguel Santiago
Rose Bustos, Student Trustee
District Administration
Dr. Marshall Drummond, Chancellor
Dr. Adriana Barrera, Deputy Chancellor
Gary Colombo, Vice Chancellor of
Institutional Effectiveness
John Clerx, Vice Chancellor of Instructional
and Student Support Services
Marvin Martinez, Vice Chancellor of
Economic and Workforce Development
Larry H. Eisenberg, Executive Director,
Facilities Planning and Development
Camille A. Goulet, General Counsel
Jeanette Gordon, Chief Financial
Officer/Treasurer
Non-Profit Org.
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Mario Villegas, Editor & Photographer
Richard Anderson, Director, Office of Public Affairs
Yegor Hovakimyan & Trish Glover, Graphic Designers
Sharon Tate, Contributing Editor