Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The research team has been super busy for the past week. On Friday, July 20, the team talked with former student Mary Edmundson. Gilbert had this to report:

Today we interviewed another alum from MSJC, Mary Edmundson. Mary attended MSJC in 1966. She shared her experiences and delightful stories of old friends and fellow alum, some still living in the area. It is very enlightening to touch base with some of the these alumni from MSJC to see where they are today and hearing their experiences.

On Monday, July 23, researchers Gilbert and Danielle interviewed Lori Van Arsdale. Ms. Van Arsdale has strong links to the college and community. She was a MSJC student and went on to become mayor of the city of Hemet.  Danielle would like to share her experience with us.

Lori Van Arsdale offered a richly nostalgic view of the college. She regaled us with stories of John Chambers, classroom experiences, and the tremendous achievements of the college in the last 50 years. Perhaps one of our favorite moments in the interview was when she proudly recited a cheer she personally wrote for a homecoming game in late 70s, "MSJC! I don't know about you but it's home for me!" We're extremely excited to work more with her in the future. Overall, we felt that the interview was successful and enjoyable!

As we wrap up the interview process, the team is working diligently on producing a working script. Only one week to go!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

The research team met up with Dr. Roy Mason, MSJC former president, this morning.  We appreciate him for taking the time to talk with us about his period at MSJC.  Reta has this to share:

Today’s class adventure was interviewing Dr. Roy Mason, MSJC former president.  He was very enthusiastic talking to the research team, Gilbert, Sandi, Danielle, and I about what he did for the school when he was the president and now that he is the instructor and the department chair of the Biology Department at the Menifee Campus. Dr. Mason served as a president at Mt. San Jacinto College between 1994 -1999. During his time of presidency, the Honors Program and Phi Theta Kappa program were started. He offered his insight and shared his experience with MSJC for the past 18 years that he has been here. The team was very happy interviewing him and listening to his experience as a president and as an instructor. I want to take the time to thank Dr. Mason for taking the time to talk with us about his experience at MSJC.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Yesterday, the research team traveled from Fallbrook to San Jacinto to conduct interviews for the documentary. Gilbert Van Buskirk had this to say:

Today the team was honored and privileged to conduct several interviews. First, Joanne Hinchliff and Sherri Domenigoni shared their MSJC experiences with us over lunch. Having alumni participating in a project that represents two generations dating back to the institution's roots was an opportunity that comes few and far between. Later, Mr. Don Domenigoni shared his experiences at MSJC and his roots to the community. Their commitment to the school, and this project, exemplifies them as pillars of the institution.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

New Humanities/Science Building

Today's class adventure was a trip into the construction site of the Menifee campus's new Humanities/Science building. We all donned our closed-toe shoes and Mr. Dempsey, the Assistant Superintendant representing the construction company, C.W. Driver, showed us around and allowed us to take some photographs. We had fun posing for group photos then turned Ashton loose with Jerome and Bob to start lining up shots and angles for when we shoot the ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 14th. As of now, it looks like the ribbon cutting ceremony will play a prominent role in the prologue of our film and we would love to have a big, wildly cheering crowd for the film--so everyone should save the date and come be a part of our project at the ribbon cutting ceremony in September!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

MSJC Boot Camp


Tuesday was an exciting day in class. We started off with a presentation by our illustrious leaders, Tom Merritt and Jerome Billins, about the Fair Use Act. They did a great job explaining it so even the Multimedia newbies got a clear understanding. They also taught us what our responsibilities are and how we can make sure everything we do is in our film is in compliance with the laws. Next, we had a presentation by the art people showing some of the cool technology we will have use of—they did some examples of turning a still picture into 3-D, some different types of morphing from an older photo of a building to a new photo, and shared some of the types of music we can use to help portray moods and emotions in the film. The writing team also had a chance to give an update and we shared our progress on the script. It was so much fun to have everyone participate in a fantastic discussion that expanded and refined some ideas for the opening. At the end of the day we even got a surprise treat! The instructors and participants of the MSJC Multimedia Summer Bootcamp invited us to have lunch with them.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Bootcamp, I was able to talk with Don Smith and get an idea of what it is all about. The Summer Bootcamp is a training program offered by the MSJC Multimedia Dept. to teachers from area high schools. It was funded by the Chancellor’s Office, the California Community College Governor’s Technical Education Initiative, and Career Technical Education Community Collaborative Grant and fourteen teachers from the following schools attended: Temecula Valley, Val Verde, Elsinore, Heritage, Chaparral, Perris Lake, Beaumont, Murrieta Mesa, Tahquitz, Murrieta Valley, and Perris. The event is a special 3-day course designed to help the high school teachers prepare their students for a seamless transition into MSJC Multimedia classes—for both dual-enrollment participants and graduates attending MSJC for the first time. MSJC representatives led a total of six sessions that were an Introduction to Multimedia. The sessions were designed to allow MSJC instructors and high school teachers a chance to “get on the same page”. The fast pace of technology changes everything so much, in what seems like just a few minutes, so an open dialog and effective communication between the college and high schools are important for the continued success of students. We are so lucky to have programs like this!
As a parting note, I would like to thank everyone in the Bootcamp for sharing their lunch with us. It was a great privilege and the tacos were wonderful!!

Friday, July 6, 2012

As we approach the mid-point of the summer class, the research continues at full speed. The writing team has met with several former students who have provided interesting thoughts and memories of MSJC. Last week there was a story, written by staff writer Gail Wesson, in the Press Enterprise about our documentary project. Since the story was published, we have been contacted by several current and former students who are eager to share their MSJC experiences. The team appreciates and welcomes the community support.  

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

The research team met up with Kathy Donnell, Director of Supt/President's Office, this morning. We appreciate her taking the time to talk with us before the holiday. Sandi has this to share:


Today, Gilbert, Danielle and I all had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Kathy Donnell during  an interview with her at the San Jacinto campus. Ms. Donnell has had a long relationship with our school: she attended MSJC as a student in the last couple years of the 1960's and she has been an administrator at the college for 17 years. She graciously shared with us some of her favorite memories from her time as a student, including pranks she helped pull on campus and her relationship with the esteemed Milo Johnson, and she passionately explained to us why she loves MSJC so much and why it is such an important part of our community.  It is truly touching to be able to conduct these interviews with people who have so much enthusiasm, love, and pride for this college. One of the most amazing parts of each interview we have done is that the people we talk to have fond, nostalgic personal memories of the school, and/or their own relationship to or individual successes with it, but they become the most emotional when describing their hopes, dreams, and plans for the future of the school and what they want to accomplish for us, as current students, and for the generations that will follow in our footsteps.