Saturday, May 25, 2019

Irvine Valley College Commencement 2019: a big, sunny day

Commencement speaker: Chapman U President Daniele C. Struppa
He offered four "messages" for students
His Italian accent charmed the crowd, natch
Good speaker.
Brief.
(His wife, Lisa Sparks, yet another academic, is a Republican "school choice"
candidate running against our current anti-Trumpster Rep, Katie Porter.)
(For an even chirpier take—if such can be imagined—see also IVC's Facebook Page or IVC Flickr)

Lots of happy students

Struppa

Rebel Girl snapped this pic (above)
Duelling Nikons


The student speaker (Sergio Garcia-Koobac, I believe) killed (photo from IVC's Facebook Page)





Rebel Girl admired this big head so she took a photo. —RG

On the periphery of IVC's curiously named "Live Oak Terrace."


Rebel Girl had a prime seat with the faculty, so she interrupts Roy's roving with a few of her pics:
Mark McNeil says farewell after 40 years








Carissa (Film Studies) turned down NYU and is waiting to hear from USC.


Emily worked in the Writing Center and starred as Janet in this year's Rocky Horror production.  —RG

Habiba's WR 1 research project focused on Mexican women's access to higher education opportunities. —RG
Amaya is off to Texas State U. —RG




Randell, a Poli Sci major, is off to Cal Poly Pomona. —RG





This gentleman practically lived in the writing center this year. —RG



* * *
Back to Roy's roll:


Always lots of little kids at these things.



Dean's daughter, another cutie


Mark's been teaching at IVC since 1979. (As a full-timer since 1980.)
I owe him a case of beer. Why? We've all forgotten.
Popular Spanish instructor and textbook author, Jeanne Egasse, was here at IVC from the very beginning
(1979, when the place was called "Saddleback College, north campus"). She is also retiring after 40 years.
Good luck, Jeanne and Mark! [PS: I might've jumped the gun in the case of Jeanne. Maybe she hasn't
retired just yet.]

Jeanne in action




Yep, some dogs were in attendance.





This year's effort was well-received









Roquemore and Struppa

The VPI was a veritable ray of sunshine





AFTER THE CEREMONY:





A rough year for so many pictured here but it's hard to be cynical in the face of such hope.
Besides, we're still here! —RG


* * *

Cessa and friends


Brittany's little girl is seriously cute

Seriously smart, too. Scary smart.

Some of the Humanities crowd (English, History, Pre-School)


In the halls of the Humanities. Note the Canadian and Mexican flags. Meanwhile,
the College President is known to wear a MAGA cap.
We're into diversity, bigly.

The Reb and I share an office. Very rock 'n' roll, punk, alternative

Virginia's office up in Liberal Arts. Her star shines brightly. She's largely responsible for the college's
acclaimed literary journal, The Ear:



IVC's famous (infamous) Commencement Crossword Puzzle, created by Rebel Girl.
Very cool

AFTER AFTER THE CEREMONY:

Hangin' at the pizza place after the ceremony

Whew! But lots of grading up ahead.
We enjoyed opining about IVC's new "lactation pod," costing the college a reported $11k


Have a great summer!

HAVE SOME FUN









23 comments:

Anonymous said...

A clear reflection of how a commencement should go: very nice, indeed.

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Love the "lactation pod" logo. Especially the two "eyes."
Have a great summer!

Anonymous said...

Lovely!

Anonymous said...

There is a pod in the BGS building at Saddleback.

Anonymous said...

The "pods" are odd: why not just a well outfitted room with sink and a comfy furniture? The pods are like sitting in a tin can. A strange setting for pumping and/or breastfeeding - locked in twice. It IS progress from a few years ago when IVC leadership suggested it wasn't their problem but perhaps actually consulting the women who make sue of the facilities would have been good.

Anonymous said...

I don't think Jeanne is retiring. Not yet anyway. That lactation pod is a shining example of their fear of women's bodies.

Anonymous said...

This is ridiculous. Maybe do some research before offering ill-informed opinions. https://www.mamava.com/

The pods are in response to a recently passed state law. We are in compliance with the law.

Yes, would have been nice to offer space sooner, and yes, it would be wonderful if there was an abundance of space to provide outfitted rooms with comfy furniture that are always accessible to employees and students. But you can't just have any space that complies with the law.

The pods provide modernized space to students and employees and ensure compliance with what we need to be doing a publicly funded entity.

Sheesh.

Anonymous said...

From one of the pod skeptics: I have done research about this issue as I was one of the staff people who helped advocate for the initial lactation rooms on campus a few years ago, back when our initial request was met with incredulity and resistance. I understand and respect the law's requirements. I recognize that the pod meets those requirements. I just question the process that resulted in the purchase of the units might have included (maybe it did) the input of people likely to use them to see if this choice was the best choice. It could be that indeed women who currently sue the lactation room on campus were consulted and were part of the process. Mamamva does seem like a great company, woman-owned, etc.

I am also curious about whether the library staff who now is in charge to scheduling the pod was also part of the process. Perhaps they were and are on board with this.

Process, you know, collegial consultation with those involved and concerned. Differing views discussed, considered, respected, etc, etc. Sheesh indeed.

BTW, nice photos of graduation Roy!

Anonymous said...

TWO things about the pod: one: it serves the needs of mothers who are pumping milk; two: it can also serve the needs of mothers who are breastfeeding babies. However breastfeeding mothers are still allowed by law to breastfeed anywhere they like. Because the pod exists doesn't mean they have to use it. The needs of mothers who pump are different and the pod addresses those. Granted, it does seems odd to have a pod in an otherwise private room when the room itself could be brought up to code. They work great in airports. It is a positive step. As usual, we are not allowed to question anything without getting spanked. (I heard the library was not consulted.)

Anonymous said...

For anyone that has ever nursed or had to pump on campus in the past, they know this is a HUGE step up from the closet. "That lactation pod is a shining example of their fear of women's bodies." Are you serious?!?! Not every woman wants to be on display, this pod is a great space for privacy and being discreet. This has nothing to do with fear of our bodies, because really....those that have given birth know.... In a workplace, this is a great option to have and it is appreciated, of course though, someone always has something negative to say...especially when this original post is about the happiness of commencement.

Anonymous said...

The pod is a big step but it's still also one worth talking about. Why not? Just like the needs for more accessible gender neutral restrooms across the campus. Discussion is part of a healthy, open process. For example, we used to open every commencement with a loud Christian prayer. Remember? We don't anymore. That's a big step too - but it only happened because people pushed and talked - and yes, went to court and won and lost. The idea that we don't talk about what happens on campus, that we can't both applaud and critique is anathema to education. It's possible to do both.

Anonymous said...

It is possible to take a step forward and still have a critique about the step taken and how and why.

Anonymous said...

Love the pride and joy in the faces of these students.

Anonymous said...

There is a difference between talking about what's going on on campus, and complaining for the sake of complaining...the negativity surrounding the lactation pods appears to be a bit gratuitous.

And when something has progressed, and to compare complaining about that progression to complaining about the prayer, it's honestly just a bit much. Apples to oranges.

Anonymous said...

Turnips to nitpickers.

The Saddleback pod is very uninviting housed under the stairwell of the BGS building as though it were a large trash disposal container. Functional but not sensitive to the needs of women who might wish something akin to a room in a home.

Anonymous said...

Shut up and be grateful.

Anonymous said...

Your sensitivity and lack of articulateness are amusing 8:16 p.m. Hope you are not a faculty member though you might be a fringe administrator.

Anonymous said...

LOL. Fringe administrator.

Anonymous said...

9:58....another condescending faculty prick. Thank you for consistently proving the stereotype true.

Anonymous said...

Chill out a bit people.

Anonymous said...

Interesting that the SOCCCD Board of Trustees attended Commencement since this Gang of 7 couldn’t give a damn about IVC.

Anonymous said...

What condescending thing did Tim Jemal say on the commencement stage this year?

Roy's obituary in LA Times and Register: "we were lucky to have you while we did"

  This ran in the Sunday December 24, 2023 edition of the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register : July 14, 1955 - November 20, 2...