Fall 2026

Vol. 25

From the Executive Director

Dear Friends of BC,

The excitement of Fall Semester at Bakersfield College never gets old! It means the campus is bustling with students, faculty, and staff…and energy galore! 

The start of the school year also means scholarship season is right around the corner. Applications for the 2026-27 academic year open in October, and we encourage all BC students to apply. High school seniors planning to attend BC next year are also invited to apply for scholarships.

If you are a support BC students with donations, you are in good company! Nearly 1,500 unique donors supported Bakersfield College in the past fiscal year, many of them creating or contributing to scholarships for our Renegades. Scholarships open doors to a bright future, and we are grateful to each of our generous donors who make these opportunities possible!

If you are interested in contributing to an existing scholarship, or even creating one of your own, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

On another note, Homecoming is around the corner and will be held on Saturday, October 17. The BC Alumni Association is changing things up this year, and instead of holding their BC Alumni BBQ in the quad, they will gather alumni at “Tailgade” in the parking lot east of Memorial Stadium. You’re invited to come out and enjoy deep pit beef sandwiches prepared by BC Culinary students, and be sure to stop by the beer garden, too. It all starts at 4:00 p.m. and will wrap up at 6:00 p.m., just as the football game vs. Fullerton kicks off.

As always, we invite you to visit the transformation happening on campus. Stop by and take a look around, and if you’d like a tour of a specific area, please call us at (661) 395-4800.

Wishing you a lovely autumn,

Cheryl

Alumni Tailgade–Join Us!

President’s Scholars Program Returns to Bakersfield College

The community recently gathered for a special reception to officially welcome Dr. Stacy Pfluger as Bakersfield College’s 12th president. During the event, President Pfluger announced the return of the President’s Scholars Program, renewing a tradition with more than 40 years of history at BC.

Dr. Rick Wright, BC’s sixth president, played an important role in the program’s history by encouraging support from the campus and broader community. His wife, Laurie, recently continued his legacy with a generous gift to the President’s Scholars endowment.

Students are selected for the program through an application process and must maintain a 3.5 GPA while completing at least 12 units each semester. Scholars receive a $1,000 scholarship for each year they participate in the program, along with opportunities to develop their leadership skills and interact with the president.

The 2026–27 President’s Scholars are Sa’Kai Gilford, Madison Gonzalez, Marcus Parada, Aline Chavez and Brandon-Adan Campos.

Bakersfield College is proud to celebrate this year’s scholars and see President Pfluger carry this meaningful tradition forward!

Alumni Spotlight – What’s Your BC Story?

My BC story began as a student-athlete at Bakersfield College, where I played basketball for one year and competed in track and field for two years. One of the highlights of my time at BC was winning a state championship in track. Athletics taught me discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of working toward a goal, lessons that have stayed with me throughout my life.

After BC, I transferred to California State University, Bakersfield, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. My education prepared me for a rewarding career in public service that has spanned more than 20 years.

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to serve individuals and families in several meaningful roles. I worked within the prison system as a substance abuse counselor for two nonprofit organizations, helping individuals address addiction and make positive changes in their lives.

I later joined the Kern County Department of Human Services as a Human Services Technician, helping families obtain and maintain food and housing security. As a Program Specialist, I helped individuals receiving public assistance gain valuable work experience, develop employment skills, and move toward becoming self-sufficient.

I also served as a Program Specialist with the Kern County Probation Department. In that role, I helped individuals understand how their thoughts influenced their behavior and how developing healthier ways of thinking could lead to better choices and positive changes in their actions.

Eventually, my journey brought me back to Bakersfield College not as a student, but as an employee. I currently serve as the Program Manager for Public Safety Training, helping students become the next generation of public safety professionals. My returning to BC has been especially meaningful because this is where so much of my personal and professional foundation was built. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the college community that helped shape me and to support students as they prepare for careers dedicated to serving others.

Donor Spotlight: The TGFT (Thank Goodness for Technicians) Scholarship

Why Give a Scholarship?  Simple, really… it makes a positive impact while providing encouragement to students pursuing their dreams. Who wouldn’t want to do that?

I was diagnosed with Stage 4 B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma on tax day, April 15, 2025. My world changed that day. I had no symptoms other than a persistent cough that started in November. It progressively and slowly grew worse, eventually turning into pneumonia. I landed on the fringe of sepsis when I entered the hospital a month later, staying for eight days and undergoing my first chemotherapy treatment. After eight long months of chemotherapy, losing my hair, and dropping about twenty pounds, I kicked cancer’s butt. My scans now show that I am cancer-free.

The reason I’m sharing my cancer journey is because of the process it took to get diagnosed. Along the way, I had CT scan after CT scan, X-rays, a thoracentesis, a lung biopsy, a PET scan, and a port placement. All of these procedures relied on a radiology or CT technician to complete, alongside the radiologists.

During each visit on this journey, I would ask the technicians if they had attended our program at Bakersfield College. Some were former students, and some were not. The alumni smiled when they said, “Yes, I liked my instructors at BC!” I also asked if anyone had ever helped them with a scholarship, and they said no. They had never even heard of a scholarship for radiology.

That is when the lightbulb went off in my head.

These technicians are truly amazing people. They work in an industry that is vital to the early detection and ultimate outcome of cancer treatment. They literally saved my life, and I am eternally grateful.

This was a deeply emotional experience, and I couldn’t have gotten through the treatment with such a positive attitude without my mom. She is a wonderful, calm, and lovingly positive person; I am so very blessed and thankful for her. She and my dad were my greatest support system and caregivers throughout my journey, alongside some caring friends and my work family at Bakersfield College.

I have worked at Bakersfield College for 35 years. While I had always thought about establishing a scholarship—and knew how awesome it would be to do so—I had never actually done it. Until now.

My mom and I partnered to form the TGFT Scholarship. TGFT stands for “Thank Goodness For Technicians.” We recently met our scholarship recipient, and I learned that she had actually helped provide some of my own treatment during my medical journey. She was incredibly grateful for the help.

You never know when someone is going to save your life. Give so that you can ensure that person has the skills to help!

BC Alumni Share Career Insights at First Lunch & Learn

Bakersfield College kicked off the semester’s Lunch & Learn series on September 9 with “Navigating Your Career Pathway,” an engaging conversation connecting students with accomplished BC alumni. Presented by the Bakersfield College Alumni Association and Student Government Association, the event gave students an opportunity to hear firsthand how education, networking, mentorship, and community involvement can shape a career.

Panelists Janelle Capra, Bob Meadows, and Matt Munoz shared insights from their diverse professional journeys in media, public relations, nonprofit service, banking, business, music, journalism, marketing, and community leadership. Their stories highlighted that career paths are rarely linear; that curiosity, adaptability, strong relationships, and a willingness to pursue unexpected opportunities can make a lasting difference.

Students also participated in an audience Q&A and a LinkedIn and networking presentation focused on building a professional presence, making meaningful connections, and identifying mentors. The event concluded with additional networking, allowing students to continue the conversation with the panelists. Thank you to our alumni speakers and campus partners for helping launch the semester with practical advice, inspiration, and a strong sense of Renegade pride.

Join us for the next event, “Lunch & Learn with BC Alumni: Resume Building & Interview Success,” on Tuesday, October 27^th, 2026, from 12:30 – 1:20 pm in CC 231. Prepare for your next opportunity through a hands-on workshop, then stay to network with BC alumni, ask questions, and make valuable professional connections.

Celebrating Renegade Athletics

Bakersfield College kicked off its 100th football season with a celebration honoring a century of Renegade history and tradition.

The BC Archives joined the festivities at the first home game with a special display featuring trophies, letterman jackets, and other memorabilia from the program’s past. Together, fans celebrated the generations of players, coaches and supporters who have helped build the legacy of BC football.

Here’s to 100 seasons – and the next chapter of Renegade football!

Scholarship Applications Open October 1

Do you know a BC student who could benefit from a scholarship? Encourage them to apply! Bakersfield College scholarship applications open October 1, offering students opportunities for financial support as they work toward their educational goals.

Visit BC Financial Aid Scholarships for application details and deadlines.

Interested in establishing a scholarship to support BC students? Contact the Bakersfield College Foundation at (661) 395-4800 to learn how you can make a lasting impact!

A Year of Impact: 2025-2026

Our Team

Our Partners in Student Success