Melissa McKenzie's Press Releases

For Immediate Release May 1, 2018

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - BridgeValley is pleased to announce that Dan Davis has been selected as the Spring 2018 Commencement Ceremony keynote speaker. Davis, a self-taught artist who says he learned through willpower and stubbornness, has been screen printing for over 15 years and has designed and printed work for local and national companies, record labels, musicians and non-profit organizations. He is the co-owner and creative director for lifestyle brand, retail store and print studio Kin Ship Goods located on Charleston’s West Side, and uses his storefront as a community space to host events, music and fundraisers for various social justice causes. Davis was born in Nuremberg, Germany and grew up in Idaho and Louisville, Kentucky before moving to Charleston in 2014.

 This year, 572 BridgeValley students will graduate, with approximately 200 participating in the commencement ceremony. Of the students who will receive their degree, 28 completed their coursework in Summer 2017, 128 in Fall 2017 and 408 during the Spring 2018 semester. The majority of students, 384, will receive their Associates in Applied Science degree. The remaining graduates will receive a Certificate in Applied Science (109), an Associate in Science (78) and an Associate in Arts degree (4). As part of the ceremony, BridgeValley Board of Governors Vice Chair Don Stewart will provide a short speech before students receive their degrees.

For Immediate Release April 30, 2018

FAIRFIELD, Calif. - At least 300 Solano Community College students will participate in the school’s 72nd annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 24 at Solano’s “Doc” Hollister Stadium.

After the presentation of colors from the Fairfield High School Air Force JROTC Color Guard and the singing of the National Anthem by student Jarrel Avila, SCC Superintendent-President Celia Esposito-Noy, Ed. D. and SCC Board of Trustees President Sarah Chapman, Ph.D. will provide opening remarks before graduating student Micaela Chapa, a member of the SCC Community College Pathways to Law School (CCPLS) pre-law program, will give the graduation address.

Chapa, who was accepted into the University of Pacific Legal Scholars Program this fall, was nominated, auditioned and was selected by a panel of judges to give the commencement speech. Throughout her time at Solano, Chapa has been involved in the speech and debate team, served as a governing board representative of the Associated Students of Solano College and sits as the vice president of the college’s Legal Scholars Society.

After Chapa’s speech, distinguished faculty awards will be presented to full-time professor Dr. Ed Re and part-time instructor Rachel Purdie.

Re, a professor of biological sciences and biotechnology, has taught at Solano since 2004, and prior to his arrival worked as a scientist at Novozyme, developing industrial enzymes important in the production of biofuels. In 2015, he was a finalized for the Award of Excellence for Faculty Innovation by the American Association of Community Colleges.

Purdie, an adjunct faculty member in Solano’s history department since 2014, also teaches history courses at Chabot College and Ohlone College. Prior to her arrival, Purdie taught at Sierra College, Heald College and California State University, Sacramento, where she obtained her Master’s Degree in American History and Bachelor’s Degree in History.

Student government members Joshua Tapia, Adarine Rayfield, Hien Chau, Estefanny Saenz, Academic Senate President 2014-2018 Michael Wyly and Academic Senate President 2018-2020 LaNae Jaimez are set to serve as Student Marshals, while Nick Cittadino, La Vonne Slaton, Rachel Purdie, Michael Wyly, and Anne Niffenegger will serve Faculty Marshals for the ceremony.

For Immediate Release Apr. 26, 2018

SANTA ANA, Calif. - The best of the best in Santa Ana College student artwork will be on display as the Santa Ana College Art Department will present its annual Student Art Show May 11-30.

Incredible works of 2D and 3D design, ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, digital media, watercolor, digital animation and mural paintings – 125 projects in all – were accepted and judged by SAC’s Art Department faculty.

“This most important exhibition of the year brings attention to the outstanding work being produced by our talented students with the help and dedication of the hardworking faculty,” said Caroline McCabe, SAC’s gallery coordinator. “We are always proud to present this exhibition to the public.” Who: Santa Ana College Art Department Students What: SAC’s Annual Student Art Show When: Friday, May 11 through Wednesday, May 30 Where: Santa Ana College Main Art Gallery, Fine Arts Building C, 1530 W. 17th St., Santa Ana 92706

An opening reception, catered by the Santa Ana College Foundation, and awards ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. More than $4,000 in awards and scholarships, underwritten by the SAC Foundation, will be given to outstanding students and the winner of the SAC Mural Contest, whose submission will become part of SAC’s new Johnson Center once completed, will be announced.

For Immediate Release Apr. 26, 2018

SANTA ANA, Calif. - The Santa Ana High School Jazz Band will collaborate with the Santa Ana College Big Band for an evening of upbeat and spectacular music on May 11.

“This is the first time that the Santa Ana High School Jazz Band will be collaborating with the Santa Ana College Band,” said Big Band Director Michael Briones. “We are happy to have them join us.”

An Evening of Jazz will include Briones and SAC Music Department Chair Dr. Brian Kehlenbach on piano, as well as St. John Bosco High School student Caden Milligan and SAC jazz vocalist Jason Truong in his final performance before graduating.

Who: Santa Ana College’s Big Band and Santa Ana High School Jazz Band What: An Evening of Jazz When: Friday, May 11, 7:30 p.m. Where: Phillips Hall Theater, 1530 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, 92706 Tickets: $9.99 general, $7.99 students with ID, $5 children 5-14 available at www.sac.edu/music/Events Parking: Available in Lot 6 off Bristol Street. A parking permit, $2, can be purchased at one of two permit dispensers in the lot.

Apr. 26, 2018

HAYWARD, Calif. - Plans for the highly anticipated new Biology Building at Chabot College will be unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 15.

The new Biology Building, located in Chabot’s parking lot C and adjacent to the existing Biology Building 2100, is a two-story, steel-framed 19,950 square foot building, and will include five teaching laboratories with adjacent prep rooms and a cadaver room, as well as a greenhouse and teaching support spaces.

The project, designed by Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED), with management by Vanir Construction Management, Inc. and construction by W. A. Thomas Co. Inc., is currently in Phase 1 of construction. Construction began on March 12, 2018 with most of the building expected to be completed by Fall 2019, and classes set to occupy the space beginning in January 2020. Once construction in complete, the Biology Building will be LEED certified Silver.

Who: Chabot College What: A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Biology Building When: Tuesday, May 15 from 3-4 p.m. Where: Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward 94545 Attendees: Hayward Mayor Barbara Halliday, local and state representatives, Hayward Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne and Chabot College Board of Directors

For Immediate Release Apr. 26, 2018

SANTA ANA, Calif. - Santa Ana College’s Concert Band directed by Assistant Professor Michael Briones and Chamber Orchestra conducted by faculty member Beat Gilbert will perform at the college’s Phillips Hall Theater on May 13.

The ensemble will play a series of rock classics and music of the 1970s in a bill full of familiar, popular songs. The set list will also include “Remember Me” from Disney’s Academy Award-winning animated film Coco as well as much from Mozart, Bach and the HBO hit series Game of Thrones. The Mother’s Day performance additionally contains a violin soloist playing Blue Rhythmico, a fast-paced piece full of vibrant energy and blues turns.

Who: Santa Ana College’s Concert Band and Chamber Orchestra What: A Mother’s Day performance of songs to include rock, classical and instrumental When: Sunday, May 13, 2:30 p.m. Where: Phillips Hall Theater, 1530 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, 92706 Tickets: $9.99 general, $7.99 students with ID, $5 children 5-14 available at www.sac.edu/music/Events Parking: Available in Lot 6 off Bristol Street. A parking permit, $2, can be purchased at one of two permit dispensers in the lot.

SAC’s Chamber Orchestra and Concert Band consists of SAC faculty, music majors and community members. All students are encouraged to join the ensemble.

On Saturday, May 5 SAC’s Chamber Orchestra will perform at SANTORASPACE205 as part of the monthly Art Walk in Downtown Santa Ana at 6:30 p.m. 

For Immediate Release Apr. 26, 2018

SANTA ANA, Calif. - A tradition that began in 1998 under the direction of retired Professor David Lopez continues as Santa Ana College’s Don Mariachi band performs on May 18.

Dating back to 18th Century Mexico, mariachi music continues to rise in popularity with its rich, musical heritage.  Various boleros, passion-filled rancheras and exciting rhythmic sones are set to be included in the performance, often prompting the audience to stomp their feet and yell out Mexican “gritos.”

“Our concert promises to be an evening full of nostalgia, excitement and fun for the whole family,” said SAC mariachi director Ernesto Viramontes. “The repertoire includes music from some of the best composers of Mexican music including  José Alfredo Jimenez, Felipe Valdes Leal, Joan Sebastian, Juan Gabriel, Álvaro Carrillo and Ruben Fuentes. In an ensemble where students not only play the instruments but also do all the singing, it will be an evening full of surprises.”

Who: Santa Ana College’s Don Mariachi band What: Music of Mexico, an evening of traditional mariachi music When: Friday, May 18, 7:30 p.m. Where: Phillips Hall Theater, 1530 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, 92706 Tickets: $9.99 general, $7.99 students with ID, $5 children 5-14 available at www.sac.edu/music/Events Parking: Available in Lot 6 off Bristol Street. A parking permit, $2, can be purchased at one of two permit dispensers in the lot.

For Immediate Release Apr. 24, 2018

SANTA ANA, Calif. - The Santa Ana College Guitar Ensemble will share their talent in a showcase of work on Saturday, May 12.

Approximately 20 guitar students will perform musical selections in multiple parts as an instrumental choir with student skills levels ranging from beginner to advanced. Small ensemble and solo performances will join together to create a memorable experience for audience members.

The show will consist of Palladio by Karl Jenkis, Twangology by Mark Houghton, Sinfonia Veneziana by Antonio Salieri and three traditional South American Pieces: Caterete, Xote and Carnavalito. An original composition, Images, written by Santa Ana College faculty member David Adele will also be performed.

Who: Santa Ana College Guitar Ensemble What: Spring Guitar Ensemble Concert When: Saturday, May 12, 7:30 p.m. Where: Phillips Hall Theatre, 1530 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, 92706 Tickets: $9.99 general, $7.99 students with ID, $5 children 5-14 available at www.sac.edu/music/Events/Pages/default.aspx. Parking, $2, is available in Lot 6 off Bristol Street.

For Immediate Release Apr. 24, 2018

MOOREFIELD, W.Va. - Community and Technical College System of West Virginia Chancellor Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker will speak at the Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College Commencement ceremony on May 12.

Tucker, the first woman to hold the state chancellor position, has helped West Virginia make significant gains in transforming developmental education at the community college level and spent her career focusing on college access, particularly for first-generation rural students, and redesigning developmental education.

Throughout her tenure, West Virginia has moved to the co-requisite model of remediation and, as a result, the student success rate in those courses has increased from 13 to 64 percent.  She has worked to include expanding transfer and articulation agreements between two- and- four-year institutions and secured funding from Complete College America to help students reach their educational goals.

In addition to growing and strengthening business and industry partners to improve education and training for the state’s most in-demand jobs, Tucker has focused on supporting dislocated workers and secured a $5.2 million grant from the Department of Labor.

Prior to her role as chancellor, Tucker served as the Director of Planning and Research for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Harvard University, a Master of Arts in Quantitative Research Methodology from the University of Michigan and a doctorate from the School of Education at the University of Michigan.

For Immediate Release Apr. 24, 2018

LIVERMORE, Calif. - Choreography from professional guest artists and Las Positas College students will be beautifully on display as the LPC Dance Department presents The Greatest DANCE Showcase! on Friday, May 11 at 8 p.m. at the Mertes Center For The Arts, 3000 Campus Hill Drive, Building 4000 in Livermore..

The show will feature diverse genres of dance including contemporary, theatrical, tap and hip-hop selections and works specifically choreographed for this show by Suzanna Beahrs and Jessica Wolf.

Beahrs recently moved back to the Bay Area after sharing her passion for dance with students at Elon University, ADF Scripps Studios and Ninth St. Dance, and her company, Suzanne Beahrs Dance, has performed in New York, Massachusetts, Arizona and California. She is known for playing with delicious movement investigations and sharing her findings with her students, and her choreography has been said to have a “grounded, silken quality” by The New York Times.

Wolf has been working with bodies in diverse communities for over 20 years, beginning her performance career with Culture Shock SF/Oakland. She continued off-Broadway at the New York Hip-Hop Theater Festival and in Europe with one of the first hip-hop theater performances, BeatBox a Raparetta. As the director of RHYTHM, an all-female dance collective, Wolf and company have opened for hip-hop legends KRS-ONE and Medusa. Her work honors the culture and foundations of hip-hop dance while artistically weaving somatic awareness, authentic self-expression and self-revelatory social and emotional inquiry.

For Immediate Release Apr. 23, 2018

SANTA ANA, Calif. - The Santa Ana College Dance Department will present INTERCHANGE, a concert choreographed and performed by SAC dance majors and students May 3-5.

Through jazz, hip-hop and contemporary dance genres, the performances will examine a variety of ideas. Selected pieces will explore hip-hop around the world, power and sensuality, discovering self-confidence, loss of a loved one, overcoming despairing challenges, family nostalgic memories, organic combustions and movement for movement sake, among other though-provoking topics through choreographed storytelling.

“The final dance, presented by the Dance Touring Ensemble, displays a creative and intricate use of geometric props that connect into a large, spherical dome, uniting all of the dancers together as one community, representing all peoples,” said Dance Department Chair Heather Gillette. “It is a spectacle that will capture your attention and heart.”

Who: Santa Ana College Dance Department What: INTERCHANGE, a concert choreographed and performed by students When: Thursday, May 3 through Saturday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday May 5 at 2:30 When: Santa Ana College Phillips Hall Theater, 1530 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, 92706 Tickets: $15 general, $12 staff and seniors, $9.99 students with ID, $5 children 5-14

For Immediate Release Apr. 23, 2018

LIVERMORE, Calif. - The Las Positas College Orchestra and Chamber Choir will present a joint spring concert at the Barbara Mertes Center for the Performing Arts, 3000 Campus Hill Drive in Livermore, on Wednesday, April 25 at 7 p.m.

Featuring a diverse set of repertoire from several cultures, the joint concert is being presented in coordination with Orchestra Director Diana Cefalo and Director of Choral and Vocal Studies and Music Technology at LPC Ian Brekke.

The LPC Orchestra will perform pieces from various period of classic literature. Selections will include Mozart’s Overture from the Marriage of Figaro and Modest Mussorgsky’s Hopak from Sorochinsky Fair. Student soloists Andrew Ligget and Jacqueline Senchal will additionally perform the first movement of Bach’s Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, accompanied by Jessica Igrashi on piano.

“We will close our portion of the program with the second movement of Chopin's Concerto No.1, Op. 11 performed by John Lonergan on piano with the LPC orchestra,” said Cefalo.  “This is a beautiful movement and is appropriately entitled Romance.”

LPC’s Chamber Choir will present music from several eras as part of the concert. Choral selections will range from works of the choral canon such asDer Gang zum Liebchen by Johannes Brahms to contemporary new pieces by Jake Runestad and Stephen Paulus.

“The set of music is romantic, powerful, and spiritually fulfilling,” said Brekke. “Soloists Brynn Linville, Marianne Calub, Allison Middlekauff, Johnathan Rizzo-Mosbaugh, and Quinn Richard are featured throughout."

For Immediate Release Apr. 20, 2018

FAIRFIELD, Calif. - Six Solano Community College student athletes representing men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball stated where they will finish their college careers at SCC’s annual college signing day on April 18.

“Signing date is an annual event in which Solano College Athletics is recognizing student athletes whom, through their academic and athletic accomplishments, have earned a scholarship to attend and play at the four year level,” said Athletic Director Erik Visser. “It is a recognition of not only the student athletes, but also their coaches, family and friends who have been instrumental helping the student athletes achieve their goals.”

Solano’s women’s basketball, coming off a Bay Valley Conference (BVC) Championship, is sending two students to four year colleges.

RJ Johnson, an All-Conference and Academic All-State basketball player, who averaged 10.5 points per game, 3.7 assists per game and her 3.7 steals per game ranked her as sixth in the state, signed with Sonoma State University. Teammate Lizza Roark, who averaged 9.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and was also named to the All-Conference and Academic All-State teams, will continue playing basketball at William Jessup University in the fall.

Solano’s volleyball team, which recorded a 16-0 season where it won the BVC title, will send three players to four year universities.

Setter Jade Horder will play at Cal State Los Angeles. In her single season at Solano, Horder tallied 664 assists, 38 service aces and 53 kills and was named to the BVC All-Conference first team. Teammate Alana Sibblies signed a full scholarship to play at the University of Antelope Valley in Lancaster, Calif. Her two-year career totals at Solano include 125 blocks and 345 kills. SCC’s Elyssa Rollins also receive a full scholarship to Southern Arkansas University where she’ll major in nursing. Rollins played in all 188 sets at Solano where she never missed a point and tallied 321 digs, 66 service aces and 429 kills. She was named to the second team All-Conference last year and received first team BVC MVP honors this year, as well as being named to the Nor Cal All Regional team and All-Conference Academic Team in 2017.

SCC’s men’s basketball team, which had a 10-17 overall record and went 5-11 in conference play this past season, had one student sign with a four year school.

Leon Williams, a 6’3 guard, signed with Mayville State University. Williams averaged 12.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game with a 43.7 percent field goal and 33.7 three-point percentage.

For Immediate Release Apr. 20, 2018

LIVERMORE, Calif. - Four Las Positas College students received scholarship awards recognizing their service and academic achievements at the 92nd Annual Alpha Gamma Sigma (AGS) California Community College Scholastic Honor Society Convention April 13-15. 

Student Paulina Gurevich, Carmen Dayton, Amaya Meza and Christopher Yang received scholarships of $900, $1100, $1100, and $950, respectively. Gurevich, a sociology major transferring in spring 2019, received the Ed Walsh Award recognizing outstanding service. Dayton, a business major graduating from LPC in spring 2018 and transferring in the fall, was awarded the Virginia Coffey Award recognizing academic excellence. Meza, a biology major transferring this fall, received the Charles Bell Award, recognizing outstanding service and Yang, a physics major transferring in the fall won the Kathleen D. Loly Award recognizing academic excellence.

“The students who attended enjoyed participating in the workshops and other convention activities,” said AGS Honor Society Advisor Ashley McHale. “They were excited and energized and wanting to return next year, even though many were transferring.”

The convention, held at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose, hosted multiple breakout sessions and enjoyed keynote speaker, Dr. Lonita Cordova, Dean of Equity and Success at Merced College. Four hundred forty-one students representing 36 college chapters attended the event. Forty-three student members received scholarships totaling $44,850.

For Immediate Release Apr. 18, 2018

MOOREFIELD, W.Va. - Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College will display middle school student artwork in its Eagle’s Nest Gallery through May 24.

The county-wide student art show, which has run for at least 20 years, is organized by the Friends of the Hardy County Public Library in conjunction with Hardy County art teachers and gives 6-8th grade students a chance to share their work with the public in a gallery setting.

“These shows are important because they highlight the wonderful invention and creative expression of the students of Hardy County,” said visual art teacher Jack McCullough. “The work is a joy to see.”

A reception and awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

For Immediate Release Apr. 13, 2018

SANTA ANA, Calif. - Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) has named Adriene “Alex” Davis as its new Assistant Vice Chancellor of Economic and Workforce Development where she will serve as the Executive Director of the Los Angeles Orange County Regional Consortium (LAOCRC) and the main point of contact for LAOCRC chief executive officers. Davis will also facilitate implementation of California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office career technical education, workforce economic development initiatives and oversee regional projects.

Davis comes to RSCCD from LAOCRC, where she served as the chair for the Dean Resource Associates (DRA) and College Resource Leadership Council (CRLC) and was most recently the Dean of Academic Affairs and Office of Economic Development and Workforce Education at Los Angeles City College (LACC). Within these roles, Davis secured over $60 million in competitive and allocated funding for LACC, Los Angeles Community College District and community college partners in the LA region, and collaboratively worked with local colleges and universities, including those within the California State University and University of California education systems.

Prior to her role at LACC, Davis was the Director of Community Advancement and a continuing education instructor for El Camino College, where she established 43 new partnership collaborations throughout the South Bay service area to support small business development and developed two programs, Summer Buss on Biz Youth Entrepreneurship Program for youth 14-27, as well as Small Business Mentor Protégé programs for the cities of Carson and Compton.

In addition to her 25 years of public and private industry experience and strong background in program development, funding and creating partnerships, Davis is on the board of directors for the New Ways to Work organization and an advisory council member for PBS SoCal. She also serves as an international mentor to the City of Bangkok in Thailand for Navamindradhiraj University and a curriculum and program development advisor for the Urban Community College of Bangkok.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Apr. 12, 2018

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Chart topping Christian Science recording artist Julia Wade* will star in 3Below Theaters & Lounge’s upcoming production of The People in the Picture this April.

Wade, currently signed under Watchfire Music, has been hailed by critics as “the female equivalent of Josh Groban” by Inside World Music. As a recording artist, Wade has 12 solo CDs with the 13th to be released in 2018. Recently, Wade began a concert project, “Is Anybody Listening?” at New York City’s Sheen Center for Thought and Culture.

As Red in The People in The Picture, Wade will perform alongside Susan Gundunas* (Raisel/Bubbie) and Natalie Schroeder (Jenny). Wade’s character desperately fights the past as her daughter learns the truth about her family through Bubbie’s stories. There’s skeletons in the family closet, and the characters laugh and cry their way toward coming to terms with their family’s secret before it’s too late.

With book and lyrics by bestselling novelist Iris Rainer Dart (Beaches) and music by Mike Stoller (Stand By Me and Jailhouse Rock) and Artie Butler, who arranged recordings for a number of prominent artists (Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Louis Armstrong), The People in The Picture takes audiences on an emotional rollercoaster as Bubbie recalls her life – as she remembers it – as part of the Yiddish theater during the Holocaust and the audience is ripped from the present and thrown back into a time when just being Jewish could get you killed. Wade’s character constantly finds herself in the middle of living her own life, following her dreams and caring for her aging mother.

The People in The Picture is being presented for the first time since it’s 2011 Broadway run, under the direction of Dart, Stoller and Butler. The musical, complete with new musical numbers and a stellar cast, is directed by Scott and Shannon Guggenheim with musical direction by Stephen Guggenheim.

Supporting cast includes: Stephen Guggenheim* (Moishe/Marvin), F. James Raasch (Chaim), Jim Ambler* (Pinsker/Perskey), Brian Watson (Krinsky/Kopelman), Krista Wigle* (Chayesel/Charlotte/Dobrish), John Minagro* (Doovie/Dave) and Emma Berman (Young Red/Rachel).

Who: 3Below Theaters & Lounge What: The People in The Picture, book and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler When: Previews: Thursday, April 12 – Sunday, April 22. Show times: Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Opening Night: Thursday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. Additional Performances: Fridays-Sundays April 27-May 13. Show times: Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday-Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Where: 288 S. 2nd Street, San Jose, 95113 Tickets: $41-$58, www.3belowtheaters.com or (408) 404-7711

As part of the performance, there will be a pre-show presentation if audience members sharing the people in their picture. For more information on how to be involved, and be entered to win a family heirloom crafting kit complete with archival paper and embellishments, shadow box and instructions on how to create your heirloom, email [email protected].

*Member Actors’ Equity Association

Contact: Melissa McKenzie 3Below Public Relations [email protected] 408-404-7711