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The public is invited to learn about cooperative restoration efforts underway one year after the devastating Rim Fire on Thursday, October 16, when the Columbia College Foundation hosts the next installment of its community lecture series.

“Looking Forward: Rim Fire Recovery,” a two-hour evening program at the Sonora High School Auditorium, will be moderated by Columbia College Natural Resources professor Dr. Tom Hofstra, and features leading experts from the timber, ranching, environmental groups and public agencies for wildlife and land management.

Leading the panel discussion will be Yosemite-Stanislaus Collaborative Co-Chairs, Mike Albrecht of Sierra Resource Management and John Buckley of the Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center.

The program is free. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the program will run from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

In addition to Albrecht and Buckley, confirmed speakers include:
• Nathan Graveline, California Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Mary Moore , USFS hydrologist and BAER (Burned Area Emergency Response) Team specialist
• Matt McNicol, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, rangeland specialist
• Tim Tate, Sierra Pacific Industries

Dr. Tom Hofstra, Columbia College Natural Resources Professor, will moderate the panel.
Speakers will focus on the Rim Fire’s ongoing impacts and the efforts underway to find common ground and compromises, said CCF President Stephanie Suess.

“The Rim Fire was the third largest forest fire in California’s history and our community has so much at stake as we move forward,” Suess said. “We’ve heard a lot about policy setting and political posturing. This is an opportunity for the community to hear from folks who are playing an active, on the ground role in the recovery efforts and to learn more about what they see as being the key issues in the years to come. The Foundation is pleased to bring these leaders together for an educational evening.”

For more information, visit www.gocolunbia.edu/foundation or call (209) 588-5065.

The Columbia College Foundation is a community nonprofit established in 1972 to promote quality higher education that enriches the academic, economic, and cultural life of our community. Our mission is to promote student success by providing community resources that support and expand educational opportunities for Columbia College’s students. Learn more at www.gocolumbia.edu/foundation or call (209) 588-5055.

Columbia College faculty and staff will participate in In-Service Day activities on Thursday morning, August 21, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  As a result, campus offices will be closed during that time and will resume normal operations at 1:00 p.m.

Columbia College has named 193 students to the spring 2014 semester President’s List. We are pleased to officially recognize their exceptional scholastic achievement. This acknowledgment is reserved for students who complete a minimum of twelve degree applicable units in a semester at Columbia College with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have received no grade below a “C.”

Columbia College spring 2014 President’s List students are listed below by city.

Altaville – 4
Andrew Collum
Brandon Dillashaw
Caitlin Kitchell
Brent Warner

Angels Camp – 4
Katie Gianelli
Jessi Gonzales
Nathanial Johnson
Sandra Rivera

Arnold – 3
Aiko Gonzalez
Ronald Hawkins
Tina Jones

Bakersfield – 1
Tyler Evenson

Big Oak Flat – 2
Brandy Johnson
Amber Schone

Burson – 1
Christina Armstrong

Camp Connell – 2
Jamey Laugle
Tracey Merry

Chowchilla – 1
Robert Hickman

Columbia – 6
Bryanna Carter
Evan Christian
Wakiza Councilman
Kristina Johnson
Danielle Trotter
Alexandria Van Elgort

Copperopolis – 9
Ashley Albertson
Solishia Andico
Blake Cuevas
Duarte Lucas
Jessica Maschal
Elizabeth Ortiz
Austin Pollard
Caleb Storey
Tommi Velasquez

Coulterville – 2
Domingo Escamilla
Jennifer Hamrick

Groveland – 5
Marcela Hernandez
Travis Jones
Dylan Wanamaker
Christina Wilkinson
Christine Wooldridge

Hathaway Pines – 1
Lindsey McTague

Jamestown – 10
Kaitlyn Byrd
Leslie Caraveo
Franchesca Cavagnaro
Madeleine Dragun
Christina Hidalgo
Larry Hunter
Tabitha Kluth
Erick Pulido
Lucas Shelton
Devin Swycinsky

La Grange – 3
Shelby Leal
Ian Merzwinski
Casey Stone

Le Grand – 1
Jared Slate

Lee Vining – 1
Christine Weedman

Lodi – 1
Carlos Andrade

Manteca – 2
Michael Granadoz
Jace Nunes

Mariposa – 1
Brooke Earling

Merced – 1
Kyle Roos

Mi Wuk Village – 3
Diana Kurpiewski
Haley Perkins
McKenzie Rollins

Modesto – 6
Chanele Chang
Preston Haselton-Parke
Royal Huff
Barsen Lazar
Juan Maya
Cala Riebe

Mokelumne Hill – 2
Amanda Carson
Amanda Walker

Murphys – 8
Shane Ashworth
Courtney Brooksher
Ryan Felix
Dao French
Joseph Hollett
Brittany Kurgan
Alex Lanthier
Karl Riedel

Oakdale – 12
Lane Branch
Danielle Cummins
Devin Donahue
Dakota Fields
Kevin Koppinger
Ignacio Lopez
Tiara Marquez
Jordan Miller
Brandon Neal
Marcus Northcutt
William Stewart
John Toman

Pinecrest – 1
Tracy Gianelli

Pioneer – 1
Katelyn Goehner

Rio Vista – 1
John Parker Donnelly

San Andreas – 3
Chris Pettinichio
Peter Ruth
Granite Swann

San Rafael – 1
Mark Johnson

Santa Clara – 1
David Ortegon

Sonora – 50
Monika Aldabe
Elizabeth Bradley
David Burghgraef
Ericka Carter
Matthew Connot
Joshua Desalles
Brooke Elder
Ashley Fleming
Brooke Fulkerson
Tyler Fyfe
Kevin Gilles
Leah Gissler
James Goellner
Brenna Hagerty
Lily Harris
Taryn Horn
Amanda Jackson
Toriana Johnson
Rachael Kelly
Amelia Kerns
Blenna Kiros
Brandan Lockwood
Allison Loyd
Austin Lunde
Alex Lundeen
Shannon Lundeen-Kreuzer
Kirstin Meyer
Victoria Morrison
Anna Noonan
Katherine Owens
Jose Paz
Jared Personius
Matthew Prier
Stephen Rawls
Samantha Rice
Morgan Ridings
Shanee Robinson
Kelly Rodman
Summer Sanz
Anthony Schacht
Jennifer Shockley
Sunny Short-Miller
Dylan Smith
Shella Sneed
Emily Terrazas
Mandy Truong
Taryn Vanderpan
Shaun Vitek
Dakota Wanamaker
Samantha White

Soulsbyville – 4
John Lopez
Brianna Molin
Kelsie Nelson
Matt Wilkins

Standard – 2
William Parks
Kyle Warren

Stockton – 1
Abigail McDonald

Tuolumne – 13
Rosendo AmayaWood
Isabella Bachtelle
Hope Bainbridge
Daniel Britt
Trent Brown
Cynthia Coleman
Hannah Grabowski
Mason Handford
Brandon Ohler
Kyrstyn Patton
Megan Sonnberger
Rubyann Willis
Michael Zervos

Turlock – 1
Alexander Schmidt

Twain Harte – 9
Brian Beasley
Daniel Brunolli
Sutherland Bulkin
Barbara Fish
Courtney Ross-Tillman
Katelyn Stewart
April Utile
Connor Wikholm
Sarah Woodside

Valley Springs – 11
Edwin Bobrycki
Lee Christensen
Amanda Crocker
Katherine Fortel-Royeton
Beth Gibson
Colleen Larkin
Hayley Litzenberg
Angela Materne
Trista Pruett
Clara Smart
Marina Torre

Walnut Creek – 1
Daniel Gearing

Contact: Office of the College President, Coni Chavez, (209) 588-5115

Columbia College will hold its 45^th Commencement on Friday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Oak Pavilion. A reception for the graduates, their families, friends and guests will be held immediately after the ceremony in Carkeet Park next to the pavilion.

Among the graduating class, 99 Associate of Arts Degrees will be conferred, 8 Associate of Arts Transfer Degrees⁺, 93 Associate of Science Degrees, 16 Associate of Science (Occupational Education) Degrees, and 63 Certificates of Achievement.  Twenty-five will graduate with distinction (cumulative grade point averages of 3.75 or better) and 27 with honors (between 3.5 and 3.74 grade point averages).

Those who will receive both A.A. and A.S. or A.S.O.E degrees are Solishia Lourdes-Diana Andico, Shane Colton Ashworth, Shelah Hope Ball, Franchesca Louise Cavagnaro, Mitchell Patrick Finn, Cody Daniel Green, Kaiden Joseph Grossi, Stephanie Lynn Hoffman, Estefani Jurado, Brittany Lace Kurgan, Duarte Pamplona Silva Lucas, Lindsay Nicole Macon, Daniel Edwin Mathews, Caroline Elizabeth Ann McCartney,  Jubilee Dawn Morton, Noelle Garland Norton, Evelyn M. Sawtelle, Kevin Robert Steele, Valerie E. Stevens, Abby Lyn Sunday, Devin Eugene Swycinsky, Jessica Lee Turpitt, Regina Marie Welch, and June Patricia Wylie.

In addition, both associate degrees and certificates will be presented to Timothy Ryan Acker, Courtney Danee Everhart, Allison Opal Kagay, James Elliott Alton Lewis, Gloria L. Marler, Summer Sanz, and Gabriella Renee Taylor.

Matthew Christman, President of the Associated Students of Columbia College (ASCC), will deliver the welcome address.  Doralyn Foletti, President of the Classified Senate and John Leamy, President of the Academic Senate will convey the college’s staff and faculty welcome.  The student graduation address will be delivered by John Toman and the concluding student farewell will be by Franchesca Cavagnaro.

Dr. Angela R. Fairchilds, Columbia College President will introduce members of the class of 2014.  She will be joined by Yosemite Community College District (YCCD) Trustees Dr. Lynn Martin (Board Chair, area 1), Mr. Don Viss (Vice Chair, area 2), Ms. Linda Flores (area 5), and Mr. Mike Riley (area 6), along with Dr. Joan Smith, YCCD Chancellor.

Also assisting in the ceremonies will be Dr. Leslie Buckalew, Vice President of Student Learning; Mr. Gary Whitfield, Vice President of College and Administrative Services; Dr. Melissa Raby, Dean of Student Services; Mr. Michael Torok, Dean of Instructional Support Services, Arts & Sciences; and, Mr. Chris Vitelli, Dean of Career Technical Education.  Ryan Murphy, Columbia College student and musician, will perform the National Anthem and the Columbia College Big Band, under the direction of Dr. Rod Harris, will provide other musical selections during the event.

By hometowns or residing cities, members of the Columbia College graduating class of 2014 are:

Altaville

Jordan Ray Cox

Brandon S. Dillashaw

Sean Patrick Doyle

Skyler William Waid

Brandy Leanne Word

Angels Camp

Bertha Elizabeth McHatten

Christopher Micheal John Pettinichio *

Tyco B. Sedler

Rebecca Lorraine Wilson

Antioch

Lindsey Lee Schrader

Arnold

Ronnie Hawkins

Nancy Sabrina Summerlin

Avery

Steven Villegas

Big Oak Flat

Alexandria Marie Bigger

Burson

Courtney Marie Dunn

Carmichael

Michael A. Gold

Jennifer M. Johnson

Chowchilla

Robert Tyler Hickman

Columbia

Julia Rae Bentley

Kenneth J. Brunges

Dominic Michael Cummins

Joshua Duncan Fraga

Heather Marie Lovell

Hilary Cordelia Maxworthy *

Alexandria Catherine-Nicole Van Elgort *

Jeremiah Keen Van Elgort

Copperopolis

Solishia Lourdes-Diana Andico *

Stacey C. Boitano

Heather M. Day **

Tyiona Britney Love

Duarte Pamplona Silva Lucas **

Coulterville

Scott Forrest Gallegos

Mary Jane Mc Dermand *

Groveland

Travis Scott Jones

Gloria L. Marler *

Hughson

Julia Christine Davids *

Jackson

Justin Michael Mendoza

Jamestown

Leslie Blair Caraveo *

Franchesca Louise Cavagnaro **

Elizabeth Rose Cutting

Gloria Ann Doehring

Courtney Danee Everhart **

Ryan Thomas Foster

Edward Charles Miller

Aaron M. Padilla

Erick Agustin Pulido

Kristi Nicole Shepherd *

Kevin Robert Steele *

Vanessa Ann Stewart

Amy Louise Sutton

Devin Eugene Swycinsky **

Fred Jack Westmoreland

La Grange

Stephanie Lynn Hoffman *

Teri Kelly **

Christoph L. Lefebvre

Livermore

Taylor Michael Class

Manteca

Sarena Danielle Riqueros

Mariposa

Travis S. Moore

Merced

Peter L. Brown

Jared Jarvia Jarvis

Kyle Andrew Roos

Mi Wuk Village

Shelah Hope Ball **

Steven Jeffrey Bechtold

Julianna Karen Noe-Hoefle

Jake M. Radetich *

Matthew Elijah Sydney

Moccasin

Yvonne Marie Kappl

Modesto

Amber Marie Huizar *

Sarah Marie Lynch

Marie Elizabeth Marinovich

Sean C. Soper

Mokelumne Hill

Sierra Kathleen Keller

Caroline Elizabeth Ann McCartney

Clemen Sutherland-Moore

Mountain Ranch

Maxwell S. Witting

Murphys

Juan Diego Arce

Shane Colton Ashworth

Susan Marie Easley

Mitchell Patrick Finn

Adriana Yosemith Garcia Ruiz

Brittany Lace Kurgan

Stormie May Pyle

Devon K. Rudd *

Sonja Elaine Ryavec-Goranson

Kaylee Rose Tanner-Dillashaw

June Patricia Wylie

Newman

Sarah Richelle Tidwell

Oakdale

Lindsey Gayle Bear

Lane Gregory Branch **

Emir Bustos

Andrew Eligio Camacho

Jessica Christine Carwin

Patrick Nicholas Fabry

Dakota Ezekiel Fields

Daniel John Gazdik

Kevin A. Greer

Audrey Mae Mack

William Michael Montgomery Monlux *

Leah Marie Partenheimer

Vanessa Lizbeth Perez

Natally Reyes

Garrett S. Smart

William J. Stewart

John Albert Toman

Regina Marie Welch

Adrienne Karin Wesson

Oakhurst

Kaiden Joseph Grossi

Pioneer

Katelyn Michele Goehner

Plymouth

Stephen Henry Havill

Ripon

Trinity Elizabeth Souza

Riverbank

Cala Riebe

San Andreas

Bob G. Beatty

Miguel Angel Contreras Ancona

John R. Davis **

Alexandria Pearl Gonzales

Justin John Rapetti

Peter Walter Klaus Ruth

Andrew E. Springer

San Martin

Timothy Ryan Acker

Sonora

Carly June Belemecich *

Rashele Marie Berger

Suzanne Michelle Beutler

Adrienne June Biehl

Jason Alan Biehl **

Brianna Jane Brink **

Tyler Scott Byington

Travis Clayton Caires *

Jason Robert Caldera *

Jenny Rue Carlston **

Christopher Jacob Carter

Nathan C. Carter

Justin Taylor Chormicle

Aaron G. Cloyd *

Matthew Allen Connot **

Taylor Nicole Crawford

Robert O. Divinagracia

Derek M. Drown

Ashley Lynne Fleming **

Leah Christiana Gissler **

Sarah Noreen Gissler **

David Michael Gonzales

Cody Daniel Green

Maesey McCall Henington

Marshall Clifford Henry

Andrew Young Hillis

Gregory Thomas Jerman **

Jayme Gail Johnson

Kyler William Johnson

Estefani Jurado *

Allison Opal Kagay

Mariah Ann Kelly

Teanna Rose Kosik

Shelby Louise LeBlanc

Chelsea Elizabeth Lemons

Erik Winsor Long

Allison Mary Loyd

Elizabeth Ann Luepke

Shannon Laree Lundeen-Kreuzer **

Hanna Frida Helena Lundgren *

Ashley Corinne Mager

DeShon Frank Mansfield

Luke A. Maples

Noah D. Martin

Joseph Stanley Marx

Caitlin Summer Ann Miles

Jordan Lee Mittry

Jolene Louise Montoya

Victoria Joy Morrison

Ryan Michael Murphy *

Molly Elizabeth Myers

Noelle Garland Norton

Myong Hui Ogawa

Stephanie R. Olley

Ashley N. Payne

Jose I. Paz

Jennifer Lynn Perry

Jared Mikkal Personius

Suzanne Marie Persson

Scott Alan Pittman

Shanee Raqual Robinson

Kelly Elaine Rodman

Shawnie D. Rutter

Summer Sanz

Jacob L. Sarver

Evelyn M. Sawtelle **

Alexandrea Lynn Serrano

Richard Reider Shade

Marley Orion Silverbrand

Sonya Gayle Steele

Valerie E. Stevens

Lily Anna Stobaugh

Abby Lyn Sunday

Gabriella Renee Taylor

Alexis Franz Tena

Gilberto Sanchez Torres

Janeen M. Valente

Kailyn Michelle Vaughan **

Mason Cruz Verde Green

Lindsey A. Walliser

Audrey Lynn Weeks

Samantha Lynn White **

Maria Danielle Wilbur

Shylo J. Wilson

Ryan Evan Zamzow *

Soulsbyville

Isaac Daniel Campos

Brandon E. Humphries **

Holly Katherine Hunter

James Elliott Alton Lewis

Matthew Nathan Lora

Kelsie Miriam Nelson *

Kathryn Marie Oliveira

Andrew James Skokan **

Michelle Devin Pinard Smith

Dylan Walker Standers

Standard

Jean Marie Wolfgang *

Sunnyvale

Daniel Vital Ligthart

Tuolumne

Hope Emmanuel Bainbridge

Travis Ryan Bainbridge **

Kimberly Esther Brodie

Aaron Michael Cook

Aaron Timothy James

Chris Brian Kautzer

Lindsay Nicole Macon

Jubilee Dawn Morton

Brandon J. Ohler

Alexander Kurt Olson

Megan Diane Sonnberger *

Michael William Zervos II

Turlock

Kayla Dallas Bache

Tara Jo Romano

Emily Marie Thompson *

Twain Harte

Cody Lee Bearce

Tonya Shontell Bills

Katairy Malloy Gregory

Clayton Robert Guy

Kaitlyn Brianne Hanson **

Royal Herald Huff

Pablo G. Lopez

Raina Lynn Mitchell

Vallecito

Kelly Daren Roberts

Valley Springs

Zackary L. Freeman

Shane Christopher Tate

Walnut Creek

Daniel Edwin Mathews

Waterford

Jessica Lee Turpitt

Winchester

Cameron Douglas Arthur

**Distinction

*Honors

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The Columbia College Fire Academy will hold its graduation ceremony and presentation of certificates on Wednesday, April 30^th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Oak Pavilion.  The event is open to the public.

Certificates will be awarded to 26 students based on their successful completion of the academic and manipulative training as mandated for a California Firefighter Level One. Before applying to the state for Firefighter I Certification, students must still complete six months of full-time or one year of part-time field experience. “Some of the graduates have been hired by the Columbia College Fire Department, local Fire Districts, City of Sonora, Tuolumne County Fire Department, or seasonal employment with CAL FIRE or the United States Forest Service. Most students have obtained intern or volunteer positions at local fire departments since entering the academy,” said Shane Warner, college fire technology instructor. “Many of the students will pursue full-time jobs in the fire service once their education is completed at Columbia College.”

In addition to the “routine” fire training classes, specialized training was delivered involving Auto Extrication, Confined Space Awareness, Incident Command System 200, Hazardous Material First Responder Operation, Firefighter Safety and Survival, Basic Power Saw Safety, Low Angle Rope Rescue, Emergency Medical Responder and live fire suppression training.  Another component that has been embedded in many of the certifications is the CAL FIRE Basic Wildland Firefighter Certification (179 hours).

The event will open with traditional bagpipes being played.  Angela R. Fairchilds Ph.D., Columbia College President, will deliver a welcome message. Todd Skrabak, Aptos/La Selva Fire Department Division Chief – Training, will deliver the keynote address, and Mike Ferreira, Captain/Paramedic from Ebbetts Pass Fire Department will present closing thoughts.

Family and friends will view a student produced audio/visual presentation of their intensive 16 weeks of training. The rigorous training is designed to help serious candidates meet the requirements for demanding careers as professional firefighters, including more than 576 hours of academic and manipulative training.

Spring 2014 Columbia College Fire Academy Certificate Recipients:

Carlos Andrade

Austin Taylor

Blake Cuevas

Brandon Dillashaw

Devin Donahue

Brooke Elder

Tyler Evenson

Ty Hickman

Caitlin Kitchell

Tabitha Kluth

Ignacio Lopez

Jessica Maschal

Domenick Meitzel

Jordan Miller

Marcus Northcutt

Brandon Ohler

Jose Paz

Kyle Roos

Anthony Schacht

Jared Slate

William Stewart

Casey Stone

Caleb Storey

Brent Warner

Taylor Westberg

Michael Zervos

For additional information, contact Shane Warner, Fire Technology Program Coordinator, at (209) 588-5308.

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The Columbia College Symphony of the Sierra will perform its spring 2014 concert on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. in the Dogwood Forum Building on the Columbia College campus. Admission is free. Doors open at 2:30 p.m.

The orchestra will perform the first movement from Joseph Haydn’s Symphony 101. “The orchestra has grown a good deal this season and we are ready to take on longer works,” says conductor, Mic Harper. “It is a real pleasure to be conducting one of Haydn’s last works with this ensemble. For our many young members, this is their first opportunity to play Haydn.”

There will be two soloist performing works. The orchestra’s concert master, Merel Jacobs, will perform the violin solo from Jules Massenet’s Meditation from Thais. Flautist Crystal Leers will be the soloist on John Tatgenhorst’s Poem for Orchestra. Other works to be performed are: Dello Joio’s The Dancing Sergeant, Corelli’s Fugue and Vivace, March Militaire by Saint-Saens, and Andante Festivo by Jean Sibelius. Harper says, “This is a wonderful way to introduce children to the world of symphonic music, and the program will entertain audiences of all ages.”

For more information contact: Mic Harper (209) 770-1258 or harperm@yosemite.edu.

 

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The Columbia College Foundation will host the annual Columbia College Scholarship and Awards Celebration on Thursday, April 24, beginning at 4:30 p.m. to recognize scholarship recipients and donors. The public is invited to attend the event, which will be held in the Dogwood Forum at Columbia College.

This year, 72 students were awarded scholarships to assist with their educational expenses, totaling more than $84,000 in awards.  Many of these scholarships were contributed by community organizations and individuals and a number are offered annually through the Foundation’s endowed funds.  At least 20 scholarships each year are funded through the Foundation’s Osher Scholarship Endowment, established in partnership with the Bernard Osher Foundation and the Foundation for California Community Colleges.

Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships upon their enrollment at Columbia in the fall. Criteria vary depending on donors’ preferences; examples include area of study, academic excellence, volunteer involvement or demonstrated financial need.

“We are grateful to our community neighbors who support and encourage our students through their contributions,” noted Dr. Angela Fairchilds, College President. “The Scholarship Celebration is a way for us to recognize some of our outstanding students and let our donors know how much we appreciate their efforts.”

Mel Kirk, Columbia College Foundation President added, “This celebration is always an uplifting event for everyone involved. It’s inspiring to see the generosity of our community and the hard work of the students come together in such a meaningful way. ”

The Columbia College Foundation is a community nonprofit established in 1972 to promote quality higher education that enriches the academic, economic, and cultural life of our community. Our mission is to promote student success by providing community resources that support and expand educational opportunities for Columbia College’s students. Donations to the Columbia College Foundation are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Questions about the Foundation should be directed to Amy Nilson, Director of Development, at (209) 588-5055 or nilsona@yosemite.edu.

WHO:        Columbia College Foundation
WHAT:      “Focus on Foothill Water: Beyond the Drought”
A free community event featuring the region’s leading water experts from the Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Watershed Management Group
WHERE:     Sonora High School Auditorium
WHEN:      Thursday evening March 13. Doors open at 6 pm; program 6:30-8:30 pm

A panel of experts on foothill water and a leading authority on California water issues will be the featured speakers at a free community event presented by the Columbia College Foundation Thursday evening, March 13.

“Focus on Foothill Water: Beyond the Drought,” a two-hour evening program at the Sonora High School Auditorium, will be moderated by Columbia College Natural Resources Professor Dr. Tom Hofstra, and features leading experts representing a range of interests including local water districts, agriculture, the environment and native California tribes.

The evening’s keynote speaker is John Mills, a leading authority on California water and a Columbia resident. Mills, one of state’s top water advisors was just appointed to the California Emergency Drought Task Force.  He will offer an overview of the twists and turns in local watershed management over the last 80 years.

Mr. Mills’ comments will be followed by a guided discussion among panel members, all of whom are representatives in the Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Watershed Management Group. Speakers include:

Tom Scesa- General Manager, Tuolumne Utilities District
Jerry Cadagan- Founder, Protect Our Water & Environmental Resources
Lindsay Rae Mattos – District Manager, Tuolumne County Resource Conservation District and Administrator, Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Watershed Management Group
Don Stump – President, Mountain Counties Water Resource Association and President, Calaveras County Water District
Patrick Koepele  – Acting Executive Director, Tuolumne River Trust
Stephanie Suess – Community and Resources Development Director for the Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California. Suess is also a Columbia College Foundation director.
Tom Trott, General Manager, Twain Harte Community Services District

Speakers will focus on the big picture of watershed management – past and future – rather than the specifics of the immediate drought emergency.  “No issue is more critical than water right now,” said Mel Kirk, Columbia College Foundation Board President. “This is a chance to learn from the region’s experts on the issues that got us here, the range of interests involved and the efforts underway to work together on long-range solutions.  The Foundation is pleased to bring these key players together for an educational evening.”

“Focus on Foothill Water: Beyond the Drought” kicks off a new community lecture series planned by the Columbia College Foundation. The program is free. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the evening’s program will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Refreshments by Columbia College Culinary Arts students will be available at an intermission and after the event.

For more information, visit http://www.gocolumbia.edu or call (209) 588-5065.

The Columbia College Foundation is a community nonprofit established in 1972 to promote quality higher education that enriches the academic, economic, and cultural life of our community. Our mission is to promote student success by providing community resources that support and expand educational opportunities for Columbia College’s students. Learn more at www.gocolumbia.edu/foundation or call (209) 588-5055.

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