Summer 2026

Vol. 24

From the Executive Director

Dear Friends of Bakersfield College,

Summer is a great time for planning ahead at the BC Foundation, and we are especially excited to look ahead to the next academic year with our newly-announced BC president, Dr. Stacy Pfluger.

The search committee included two representatives from the BC Foundation board of directors, and it conducted a nationwide search for our new president earlier this year. You can read more about President Pfluger in this issue of Panorama. I am excited to work with her and our board of directors toward implementation of the BC Foundation’s Strategic Plan.

Looking ahead to the next academic year, we’ll see big changes to the physical aspect of campus, as the new Agriculture Science Building (situated near Mt. Vernon Avenue, north of Memorial Stadium) is completed in the next few months. In addition, the new Student Housing apartments on University Avenue will also be completed later this year. 

Finally, I must take a moment to let you know that a record number of scholarships were awarded to students this spring. Nearly $2 million will be delivered to students through the Foundation next year, thanks to our scholarship funders!  

The BC Foundation supports the campus community in many ways, however our scholarship program continues to be the cornerstone of our organization. If you’d like to explore opportunities for creating a scholarship, please connect with us. 

As always, let us know if you’d like a tour of campus or if you would like to talk about how we can work together to turn BC students’ dreams into reality.

Warmest Regards,

Cheryl M. Scott

A Message from the BC President

Dear donors, alumni, and supporters of Bakersfield College,

I am thrilled to be continuing my service to this great institution as the 12^th president of Bakersfield College. Those of you who have attended and supported the College through the years have a deep understanding of the history and legacy of BC. Bakersfield College as it exists today is the culmination of dedication, hard work, and belief in students that began in 1913 and continues to be the hallmark of our faculty and staff. It is an institution where students can explore their futures, expand their horizons, and build a foundation for their futures.

I believe that education changes lives, and not just the lives of our students and graduates, but the lives of their families and communities. My first college experience was at a community college. That institution gave me the foundation for my educational journey and helped draw me back into the community college system later in life. Community colleges, perhaps more than any other sector of higher education, serve dual purposes. We make education accessible to the most diverse student populations nationwide while providing the education and supports to help those students achieve their goals. I am honored to be at the helm of Bakersfield College as we continue to deliver on that mission of access and success in Kern County.

Thank you for your continued support of Bakersfield College, our students, and our mission.

Stacy Pfluger

BC Foundation Marks Record Year of Scholarship Support

The Bakersfield College Foundation celebrated a historic milestone this spring, awarding nearly $2 million in scholarships for the first time in its history.

The achievement was recognized at the annual Scholarship Celebration, where nearly 600 students, family members, donors, faculty, staff, and community supporters gathered to celebrate the opportunities made possible through scholarship support.

For many students, scholarships help ease financial barriers and provide the support needed to stay focused on their educational goals. The record-breaking total reflects the generosity of donors who continue to invest in Bakersfield College students and their futures.

Throughout the evening, scholarship recipients celebrated alongside their families and supporters, while many donors had the opportunity to meet the students benefiting from their generosity.

As the Foundation continues to expand scholarship opportunities, this milestone serves as a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when a community comes together to support student success!

Celebrating BC’s Newest Alumni

Commencement marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Before crossing the stage and officially becoming Bakersfield College alumni, members of the Class of 2026 were welcomed by the BC Alumni Association at the annual Grad Glam Station.

Hosted by BC Alumni Association, the Grad Glam Station helped graduates prepare for their big moment with hairstyling assistance by Drybar Bakersfield, cap pinning, and other last-minute essentials. More than a preparation station, the event served as a warm welcome into the BC Alumni community. As graduates celebrated their achievements, BC Alumni Association board members were there to congratulate them and share ways to stay connected to Bakersfield College long after commencement.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! We look forward to seeing all the ways our newest alumni will continue to make an impact in our community and beyond.

Whether you’re a recent grad or a longtime alum, join the BC Alumni Association today! Sign up for free at www.supportbc.org/alumni and stay connected to your Renegade community.

Alumni Spotlight – What’s Your BC Story?

Bakersfield College was the fertile ground I needed. I was lost and directionless after high school, but BC quickly showed me I could rewrite my own story. The only limits were my dreams, and financial aid, of course.

College fell into my lap after my friend Andy encouraged me to try out for the BC baseball team and my sister Elia encouraged me to register for classes. I didn’t make the team – blasted curveballs! – but I stuck around in the fall and fell in love with school. Classes were nothing like high school. Nobody really knew me so I reinvented myself. I took classical guitar lessons, rest in peace Mr. Haas, and I met many new and interesting people with big ideas. We became each others’ main supporters. As a first-generation college student I needed that.

Luckily, my professors at BC also provided plenty of inspiration. I decided I wanted to become a psychologist to help people, and a writer, like John Steinbeck. One person in particular, Lydia Langner, the director of the International Students Center, had an outsized impact on me. She encouraged me to imagine new possibilities and she showered me with kindness, as she did to everyone else. She also left us too soon, but her legacy continues.

BC was truly the perfect place for dreaming. It was the right mix of laid-back and challenging. After earning my AA in Psychology I went on to UCLA and later to the University of Michigan Law School. I joined the Peace Corps and have lived on every continent. I became a lawyer – also to help people – and this year my first novel, “Monarchs in the Wild,” is being published. It’s a story about a lost kid searching for meaning in life. It’s set here in the Valley. There’s a special scene in the story where my main character, Cal, visits Bakersfield College. I couldn’t resist paying tribute to everything BC has meant to me.

“Monarchs in the Wild” is releasing June 2nd. Find me at israelmoya.com

Donor Spotlight: Remembering Dr. Richard L. Wright

Former Bakersfield College President Dr. Richard L. Wright dedicated more than three decades to serving students, faculty, and the college community. Today, his legacy continues through the Richard L. Wright Memorial Merit and Leadership Awards, established by his wife, Laurie Wright. In her own words, Laurie shares what inspired her to create these scholarships and honor Rick’s lifelong commitment to student success.

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Creating a memorial for my husband, Dr. Richard L. Wright (Rick), allowed me to transform my loss into something positive. By reviving his legacy of student advocacy through the Richard L. Wright Memorial Merit and Leadership Awards, I believe he would have been delighted and approved of this endeavor. During his tenure as BC president, he established the President’s Scholar Program to recognize, encourage, and provide financial support for students.

Rick’s 14-year tenure as BC president was an exciting period in the college’s history, and I hope it will always be remembered. He was passionate about student success and dedicated to introducing new learning and support technologies to enhance and enrich every student’s educational experience. Known for his approachable and ever-present presence on campus, he actively listened to and addressed the desires of students and faculty. Throughout his 32-year career at BC, Rick consistently taught at least one Psychology course per semester, driven by his love for teaching and the opportunity to connect with his students.

I am honored and delighted to collaborate with The Bakersfield College Foundation in the creation of the Richard L. Wright Memorial Award scholarships. I eagerly anticipate future projects that will benefit Bakersfield College as a lasting tribute to his memory.

BC Welcomes New Athletic Director and Dean of Kinesiology and Athletics

Bakersfield College has named Lynn Kennedy as its new Athletic Director and Dean of Kinesiology and Athletics, bringing to campus more than 30 years of experience as a coach, educator, and athletics administrator.

Kennedy’s career spans NCAA Division I and II athletics, the NAIA, and high school programs, where he has built a reputation for developing successful teams while prioritizing student-athlete achievement both on and off the field. Throughout his career, he has led programs through periods of growth and transformation, emphasizing integrity, accountability, and student success.

In addition to his coaching accomplishments, Kennedy brings extensive experience in higher education, compliance, fundraising, and athletic operations. He has served as a kinesiology and physical education instructor, held leadership roles overseeing athletic compliance and student-athlete eligibility, and spent more than a decade with the Seattle Seahawks organization.

As he begins his role at Bakersfield College, Kennedy looks forward to building on the college’s strong tradition of athletic excellence while supporting student athletes in the classroom, in competition, and in their future careers.

Foundation Supports College Discovery Academy

The Bakersfield College Foundation Board recently provided support for the College Discovery Academy, an innovative summer program that introduces 4th–8th grade students to college-style learning and career exploration.

To help enhance the student experience, the Foundation Board funded 150 iPads that will be used by participants in the program’s current and future cohorts. The Board also provided backpacks for students enrolled in the academy.

This summer, the program celebrated the graduation of 97 College Discovery Academy Scholars, marking a successful pilot that introduced students to new educational opportunities and career pathways while building confidence for the future.

Reflecting on the program’s success, Nicole Alvarez, Executive Director, Early College Innovation & Access, shared, “This pilot’s success would not have been possible without the incredible support of our Bakersfield College community. This academy is a testament to what we can accomplish together.”

The Foundation Board is proud to support programs that help students learn, grow, and prepare for future educational success!

Levan Institute Offers Lifelong Learning Opportunities for the Community

The Levan Institute for Lifelong Learning at Bakersfield College encourages healthy aging by helping participants stay active, engaged, and connected through lifelong learning. While many participants are age 55 and older, classes are open to anyone 18 and older who is interested in exploring new interests, building skills, and meeting new people

The institute offers a wide variety of fee-based, not-for-credit classes, ranging from fitness and wellness to arts, music, and personal enrichment. This fall’s offerings include Aqua Aerobics, Beginning Golf, Pickleball, Bread Baking, Acrylic Painting, Estate Planning, Guitar, Tai Chi, Yoga, and educational field trips throughout the region. Whether you’re looking to learn new skills, stay active, or connect with others in the community, the Levan Institute provides opportunities to learn and grow in a welcoming environment at every stage of life!

Fall 2026 registration opens July 11. To view the latest class schedule, visit www.levaninstitute.org or follow the Levan Institute on Facebook. For more information (or if you’re interested in teaching a class!), contact the Levan Institute at (661) 395-4431.

Welcoming New BCAA Board Members

Meet the BC Foundation Team

Our Partners in Student Success