September 2023

Vol. 13

From the Executive Director

Friends of BC,

Classes have begun for the semester at Bakersfield College, and we’re feeling great about enrollment as we start the 2023-24 academic year.  That’s because our numbers are up 15% compared to last year, and while hybrid classes (online and in-person) are still offered, students are returning to campus in a big way!

Now, with fall events and homecoming coming up in October, we want YOU to come back to campus, too.  Homecoming week is a great time to reconnect with some of your former classmates!  We’ve heard from lots of BC alums over the past few years:  you want the BC Alumni BBQ back!  So now, after an extended absence, we’re bringing back the BC Alumni BBQ on Saturday, October 21, immediately prior to the Homecoming game against Moorpark College!  The barbecue and Renegade Promenade festival start at 1:00 p.m.  Read more about it later in this issue of Panorama.

We love bringing alumni and supporters back to campus.  Walking the grounds gives everyone a chance to stay connected to YOUR community college and we hope it reminds everyone of what Bakersfield College is all about:  our students! 

Can you believe nearly 500 individuals, families, and local organizations support our students each year through our scholarship program!  My family and I recently set up a scholarship in honor of my recently-passed husband, Darren.  I already feel so much more connected with our students!  I’ve been a monthly donor since I joined the BC Foundation in 2020, giving to two worthy programs on campus.  Still, setting up our own scholarship fund is a game-changer!  Our goal is to hit the $10,000 mark (and beyond) so the fund can continue into perpetuity, without the need to dip into the principal. 

Now is the perfect time to set up a new scholarship fund because the application window is open between October and February.  If you’d like to establish a new fund, or help an existing fund grow, call our office at (661) 395-4800.  We’ll walk you through the process and get you on the path toward a meaningful giving plan!

With sincere thanks for all your support,

Cheryl

BC Spotlight: Renegade Nexus

Renegade Nexus

“A place where students can connect with essential resources that make college life easier.” Renegade Nexus, the BC Basic Needs Center is here to help any students who are experiencing basic needs challenges. The Center assists students experiencing food and housing insecurities, financial crises, transportation needs, mental and physical challenges, and more.

In the 2022-2023 academic year:

• The food pantry was visited over 45,000 times
• 40,000 pounds of food was donated to the food pantry
• Over $37,071 in emergency aid was distributed to 163 students
• Over 1,000 GET bus passes were provided to students
• 52 hot meal vouchers were provided to students

If you know any BC student who is experiencing challenges with their basic needs, please have them contact the Renegade Nexus at (661) 395-4355 or click HERE for more information.

Basic Needs Center and Pantry Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting

The Renegade Nexus Basic Needs Center and Pantry at Bakersfield College has a new location! The grand opening and ribbon cutting were held on August 29th, followed by their monthly Farmer’s Market that provides healthy food for the community. If you would like to donate to the food pantry, visit Donate to Renegade Nexus Pantry.

Scholarship Spotlight

Daniela Zuniga, RN

I was lucky enough to receive scholarships for my last two semesters of the nursing program. Thanks to these scholarships I was able to cut down on my work hours and focus on studying. Not only did my grades get better, but my mental health improved because I no longer had to worry about having enough money to buy my books and supplies. Because of these scholarships, I was able to pay for NCLEX and I am now a licensed RN getting ready to start my new grad residency program. I will forever be grateful to BC and all the generous individuals for donating money to help college students pay for their education so they can go out and make a difference in our community.

Make a Difference, Establish a Scholarship

Did you know it only takes $300 to create a scholarship? Scholarships are essential for our students here at Bakersfield College. The majority of BC’s student population works while also attending college. Receiving a scholarship sometimes can be the “make it or break it” point for the students. These funds help pay for their tuition, books, and transportation. In some cases, it relieves them from having to pick up more hours at their workplace, allowing them to focus more on being successful in their educational efforts.

We can help you create a scholarship that fits your philanthropic goals! If you would like more information on how you can make a difference with a scholarship, please reach out to alyssa.cross@bakersfieldcollege.edu.

New Veterans Plaza at BC

On August 31st, Bakersfield College celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting for a new Veterans Memorial Plaza. This memorial is dedicated to and acknowledges those who have served in each branch of the U.S. military. For more information on services available for BC student veterans, visit this link: BC Veteran Services

BC Rodeo Team

By Andrea Prise, Head Coach

The Rodeo Team at Bakersfield College is starting off strong in its third year as a club!  We have already held our first club meeting and participated in the campus-wide events that welcomed students to Bakersfield College after the summer break.  The mission of the Bakersfield College Rodeo Team club is to provide an opportunity for students to compete in the sport of College Rodeo in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) as well as provide an opportunity for the community to be more involved in Western sports, regardless of personal experience. Throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, students travel throughout California and into Nevada to compete against other Community Colleges and Universities that are members of the West Coast Region of the NIRA. College Rodeo events include all the events rodeo fans enjoy at the PRCA rodeos including saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing, bull riding, and goat tying.

This year is an exciting time for the Rodeo Team at Bakersfield College as we will be hosting our first-ever College Rodeo in Bakersfield!  While Kern County is no stranger to rodeo with many Pro Rodeo events held throughout the year, this will be the first Intercollegiate Rodeo in history!  It is a chance for our community to see the up-and-coming stars of the Pro Rodeos who work hard in the arena as well as the college classroom. The rodeo will be held this November 11^th, Veteran’s Day, at the Kern County Fairgrounds in the Grandstands Arena.  Please join us at this historic event and cheer on our local cowboys and cowgirls competing in College Rodeo as well as celebrating our community’s Veterans!  If you would like to sponsor this event, follow this link: Sponsor the Inaugural Intercollegiate Rodeo. For more information on the Rodeo Team at Bakersfield College, please contact Head Coach Andrea Prise at andrea.prise@bakersfieldcollege.edu.

2023 Alumni Hall of Fame

Nearly 300 Bakersfield College supporters joined us as we inducted the newest additions into the BC Alumni Hall of Fame. We celebrated outstanding Renegades: Steven Val Alvidrez (posthumous), Ryan Alsop, Max Becherer, Robin McNabb, and Jay Tamsi. Congratulations to them all, who demonstrated to our community how big of a difference Bakersfield College can make! Learn more about their individual journeys HERE.

Panorama Feature: Your BC Story

Amanda Hernandez

When deciding what college to attend for continued education, students ask themselves many questions. But the truth is that an institution’s reputation takes precedence over the opportunities that may be available for the student. My journey was a clear representation of this.

Following high school graduation in 2018, many of my peers were enrolled and planning to attend Bakersfield College, but I refused to apply because I felt that attending a community college meant that I was less intelligent than other students.

During that time, I decided to continue my education at a four-year institution and quickly became dissatisfied with the major I was enrolled in. I was working toward a kinesiology degree, working a full-time job, and trying to figure out my next steps in life without much guidance.

My grades began to decline rapidly and I ended up being put on academic probation due to my low GPA. During this time, I decided to switch to an online environment at a different university. I thought this would finally help me get on track with my education, but that was furthest from the truth. I switched my major more than four times between the two institutions, only to lose my financial aid after my GPA dropped below a 2.0.

After believing that I wasn’t “made” for school, reinforced by my slipping grades, I dropped out in 2020 and decided to open a small business. Though this opportunity was one that taught me a lot about the world of business, I found myself yearning for more and that just wasn’t it.

In my first full time semester at Bakersfield College, I enrolled as a journalism major, and decided to be part of the school newspaper known as the Renegade Rip. At the time, I did not realize how beneficial this hands-on course would be for future employment.

In my first semester at Bakersfield College, I earned a 4.0 semester GPA and received my financial aid again. I also met one of my counselors, Keri Kennedy, who guided me through the process of transferring courses from my previous institutions.

BC began to give me hope after many failures and personal life circumstances that impacted my journey in the past.

In my most recent semester, I was hired for my first-ever writing job. I currently work as a marketing writer in the marketing department at Bakersfield College. My manager, Monika Scott, has supported me as a student and employee, and given me the opportunity to gain experience as a writer and further my skills for future opportunities. In addition, I earned a journalism scholarship and was offered the chance to join the Psi Beta Kappa honor society. These are a few accomplishments I had never imagined.

The success didn’t end there. After two months of employment with Bakersfield College, I recently applied for an internship with a local news station for a summer position, and ended up being considered for a full-time permanent position. Last Friday, I received the opportunity to join their team full-time while I finish my last semester at Bakersfield College in the fall of 2023.

The research and data are out there to prove that college is worth it. Today’s labor market increasingly rewards highly educated workers and those with degrees and certificates, but I’m here to share that the college experience as a whole is what you put into it.

To get the most out of your college experience, I highly recommend attending a community college. You won’t regret it when you get that job offer you’ve always dreamed of.

Upcoming Events

Renegade Legacy Society

Do you want to make an impact that extends far beyond your lifetime? Create a lasting legacy by joining our Renegade Legacy Society! The Renegade Legacy Society recognizes donors who have included Bakersfield College in their estate planning. Planned gifts allow you to support our current and future generations of students. You can learn more about our planned giving program HERE, or contact us at (661) 395-4800.

BC Foundation 2022/2023 Financials at a Glance

7/1/2022 – 6/30/23

Revenue $10,703,006
Expense $7,355,796
Net Assets $58,569,201

Get to know the BC Foundation Team