| In This Issues | Introduction
Giving and Getting
Textbook Challenge
Health Sciences Department
Open House and Arts Center
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Jeff Manchester
Board of Directors Chair |
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Greetings!
Greetings!
Welcome to the fourth quarterly Las Positas College Foundation newsletter! This newsletter was created to better connect you - our invaluable campus and regional community - with the College and the Foundation's shared goal of building a brighter future together.
Las Positas College serves the entire Tri-Valley from its campus in Livermore. LPC educates students for transfer to four-year universities and colleges and for technical and vocational careers, while also offering life-long learning opportunities for continuous education.
The LPC Foundation informs our regional community about the College its residents own and promotes the College's opportunities, resources, and benefits. The LPCF also develops resources to support the College.
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"Giving and Getting"
Supporter and Recipient Spotlight
Launched on May 6, 2008 by a generous $25 million (which, in time, may reach $50 million!) commitment from The Bernard Osher Foundation to all 112 California community colleges, the Osher Initiative Scholarship Endowment supports student success and opportunity by creating a permanent fund for scholarships, offering long-term relief to the rising costs that keep many students from completing their education at a California community college.
Nelly, Nadia and Frankie
 | Las Positas College student, Nelida Villanueva, recently received a $1,000 Osher Scholarship and plans to graduate in the spring with a double major: one in liberal arts and the other in psychology. Ms. Villanueva intends to transfer to California State University, East Bay in the fall and pursue a BA degree in psychology with a minor in law and criminology.
Nelly is a single parent of a two-year-old girl, Nadia, and a ten-year-old boy, Frankie. "Although I do not always have a lot of free time, I do enjoy reading mysteries, painting, and sculpting. My goal is to combine the last eleven years of working in the social services field with an education so that I can provide a financially stable life for myself and my children," explains Nelly who works full time while attending school.
Consider contacting the Las Positas College Foundation to learn how you too can have a life-changing impact on a student like Nelly!
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Textbook Challenge
The basic cost of a California community college education is a remarkable bargain for students wishing to prepare for transfer to a four-year institution or for those who want career technical instruction. Class fees for California residents are just $26 per credit. On the other hand, the true cost of higher education must also include supplies - principally textbooks. A single text often costs in excess of $100 and can exceed $400. Sadly, these "extra" costs can force some students to attempt taking classes without textbooks or, worse, drop out of college.
The Las Positas College Foundation Textbook Challenge is funded by businesses and individuals who recognize the benefit of an educated community and workforce. The Textbook Challenge makes possible the Associated Students of Las Positas College's Textbook Loaner Program. The student government, with input from instructors, selects the books to be purchased and arranges for them to be available to students in the college library. The ASLPC Textbook Loaner Program is available all students who have a student ID. For a very modest per semester fee, any student can check out a textbook for a seventy-two-hour period or use one in the library for two hours.
Sandia National Laboratories provided an initial investment of $10,000 as seed money for the program in 2009. AT&T became the latest major supporter of the program with a $10,000 grant received last month. Other major supporters include Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo Bank, Topcon Positioning Systems, Shames Construction, and multiple individuals. The LPC Foundation invites your support of this vitally important initiative as well!
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Health Sciences Department
Las Positas College is proud to offer several programs through the newly created Health Science Department. Although Health Sciences is a relatively young department, it has made great strides in the last two years as it met community and health industry needs related to healthcare workers in a broad array of fields. Beginning with a needs assessment of all Tri-Valley healthcare agencies in 2009, the Health Sciences Department developed a strategic business plan that defines the healthcare provider education programs that will most benefit our students and meet our community's needs. These include the Health Science Department's focus on healthcare positions not requiring a four-year degree. Currently the surgical technology major is in high gear. Future programs will include health communication and information technology, pharmacy technician, and radiology technician. The Health Sciences Department has received generous support from the Tri-Valley community.
Major area businesses provided crucially important personnel time, space, and supplies for the Health Science Programs. Major supporters of the Health Science Department include Stryker, Cardinal, ValleyCare Health Systems, Karl Storz Co., and Thompson Surgical. Our Health Sciences Department could not educate tomorrow's health care professionals without this invaluable support. We thank them for their generosity. |
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Open House and Arts Center
 Please join us on Tuesday, October 12 for a Las Positas College Open House and dedication of the Barbara Fracisco Mertes Center for the Arts. The campus Open House is from 3 to 6 p.m. and will feature campus tours and facilities presentations. The Mertes Center dedication begins at 5:15 p.m. Shown are two views of the Arts Center: the 500 seat Main Stage Theater and the 1,500 seat outdoor amphitheater. Dr. Barbara Mertes, for whom the Art complex is named, was the first Dean of Las Positas College in 1975 when it opened as the "Valley Campus" of Chabot College. She is currently a member of the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District Board of Trustees. Light refreshments will be served after the building dedication and complimentary parking will be available during Open House hours in Lot AA. |
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We hope you've found this newsletter informative. In our upcoming issue, we'll tell you about:
- Alumni Outreach
- Foundation Board member profile
Sincerely,
Ted Kaye
Las Positas College Foundation
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