building bridges spring '09
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BridgesAt Chico State
Building
ore stories in this issueudent Spotlight ...........................2
spanic Chamber of Commerce .......2
rman Ellis Retirement ..................3
versity Art Show ..........................5
New Look at Diversity ..................5
dro Douglas Prole ......................6
versity Awards ............................8
Multicultural rally connects studentsBy Everett Meyers
Dozens of colorfully decoratedtables lined the perimeter of theroom Feb. 10 for the rst Multicul-tural Affairs Council (MAC) rally,representing various multiculturalorganizations on campus, reminiscent
of the Disneyland ride, Its a smallworld.Each booth was garnished with
the ags, banners, trophies, and pho-tos of its cultural organization.
The MAC rally was scheduledto begin at 7 p.m. in Bell Memo-rial Union 210, but students eagerlypoured in looking for a frontrow seat well before it started.
As participants enteredthe room, they were handed anumbered sticker that wouldlater place them into a groupthat would rotate tables everyfew minutes, similar to speeddating.
This rally was the rst
event of its kind at ChicoState, and the enormous turn-out speaks for itself.
It was very experimental,guinea pig status, said JosueGuzman, commissioner ofMulticultural Affairs.
Guzman, along withthe rest of the MAC, wasin charge of putting on thisevent. Each year this organi-zation gives $4,000 to diversi-
A n e ws l e t t e r c e l e b r a ti n g d i v e r s i t y a t C h i c o S t a t e a n d i n u s al l S p r i n g 2 0 0 9
ty groups to fund a cultural event, anthis rally was the perfect opportunityfor exposure.
Originally MAC wanted to dosomething big on campus, Guzmansaid. With the help of CC Carter,
director of the Cross-Cultural Lead-ership Center, they brainstormed theidea of having a rally.
My personal opinion is it was ahuge success, Guzman said.
Guest speakers who spokethroughout the night about gettingoutside comfort zones and gettinginvolved included Carter, Jesse Eller,Associated Students president, andChristian Garcia, lieutenant commissioner of multicultural affairs.
By the end of the night, everyon
in the room was motivated, Garcisaid.
Students explore different cultural organizations
at the rst Multicultural Affairs Council rally.
click to continue to page
By the end of the night,everyone in the room was
.
-Christian Garcia
Click here to view a video of the
International Festival.
Herman Ellis, associate vice president
for Student Life, recognized.
http://www.csuchico.edu/diversity/whatsNew/multicultural_spr09.shtmlhttp://www.csuchico.edu/diversity/whatsNew/multicultural_spr09.shtmlhttp://www.csuchico.edu/diversity/whatsNew/multicultural_spr09.shtml -
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Hispanic Chamber
aids new businessBy Lindsay Casale
The Hispanic community has anew vehicle for advancing itsbusinesses and its opportunities.
The Hispanic Chamber ofCommerce of Northern California(HCCNC) is encouraging people toembrace diversity in the communi-ty of Chico and surrounding areas.The organization was establishedin October 2008 to create a greaterappreciation and understanding of
Hispanic businesses, while promot-ing their growth in the community.Maria Shahid, founder and
president of the organization, isextremely dedicated to aiding theHispanic community.
The HCCNC is a nonprotorganization that helps the commu-nity by offering assistance openingtheir business, growing their busi-ness, and assisting in their business
by bringing employees to them,Shahid said.Communities and businesses in
both Butte and Glenn countiesincluding Chico, Oroville, Orland,and Hamilton Cityare aided bythe HCCNC.
One of the businesses thechamber has helped is GaleriaMexicana. This local business,established in 2006, specializes inselling hand-crafted imports, suchas ceramic pottery and wroughtiron wall dcor, made by familiesand skilled craftspeople in centralMexico.
The HCCNC has hosted acouple of tequila tasting fundrais-ing events at the store in Oroville,owner Celina Casimiro said.
Being that the commerceis based in Chico, it brought in
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Student SpotlightThis column is designed to showcasestudent work that celebrates diversityand raises questions about our world.
Some days I thinkI think of what I am
I think of who I amI think of why I am who I am
I am a Black Man
I am a Black Man named Walter
And I am a Black Man named Walter because...
I was DESTINED to be...
A Black Man named Walter
Some days I thinkI think of my purpose
I think of how I can make a changeI think of how I can help advance my people
My purpose is to EducateI can make change by EducatingI can help advance my people by Educating
Some days I thinkI think of Frederick DouglassI think of W.E.B. DuBoisI think of the wisdom and knowledge they left usBut it's the same wisdom and knowledge we take for granted
The key to Black People having better lives...
Is through EducationFrederick Douglass said this
And after learning this...
Some days I thinkI think that I am becoming a vesselI think that I am becoming a vessel for my people
I think that I am becoming a vessel for my people to have better lives
By Walter A. Torrence III
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Herman Ellis leaves legacy at Chico State upon retirementBy Emilie Johnson
After 34 years of dedicatedservice and wise counsel, Her-man Ellis, associate vice presidentfor Student Life and director of
Student Activities, will be retiring
this fall. In his time at Chico State,
Ellis witnessed campus history,
inspired many and had a great
impact on the way we experience
Chico State today.
When Ellis arrived at Chico
State in 1975, he served as a coun-
selor in the counseling center. Helater went on to the Educational
Opportunity Program, served as
the director of Student Activities,
assistant vice president for Student
Life, and will retire as associate
vice president for Student Life and
director of Student Activities.
Herman is one of our last
remaining campus historians, said
Chela Patterson, Educational Op-portunity Program director.
He was here back when there
was a different version of the BMU,
no Yolo, no Tehama, no O'Connell,
no Student Services Center; back
when the Cross-Cultural Lead-
ership Center (CCLC) was the
Multicultural Center, and before
that, the 3rd Street Houses. I'm
sure he has
many, many
memories ofthe changes
that have
occurred on
this campus,
Patterson
said.
The
majority of
Ellis role on
campus wasdedicated to
the success of
Chico State programs and students,
and he had an especially profound
effect on campus diversity.
When it comes to developing
the Latino, African, Asian, and
Native American communities
and working with womens pro-
grams...it doesnt matter what itwas, Hermans always been sort of
behind the scenes and had a seat
at the table,
CC Carter,
CCLC direc-
tor, said.
He
would always
empower
others towork there,
but guide
them and direct them and help
them to understand what the dy-
namics are, Carter said.
Ellis has played a key role in
the creation and implementation
of many campus programs, includ-
ing the Campus Alcohol & Drug
Education Center grant, the devel-
opment and concept of the CCLC,
creating and getting the position of
Greek life advisors on campus, and
the organization of the professional
development committee in its cur-
rent structure and programming.
As a campus leader, Ellis ap-plied his sound reasoning and
teamwork skills to each project he
worked on.
Hermans the type of indi-
vidual that would be able to look
at the landscape out thereand be
able to negotiate and navigate the
most effective and efcient way of
getting things resolved and getting
things to move forward, Cartersaid.
Ellis is respected by his staff and
colleagues and always maintains an
enjoyable sense of humor.
As a supervisor, Herman
speaks softly but carries a big stick
of respect, Patterson said. You
don't ever want to disappoint him.
Ellis (second from right) with Chico State colleaguesat an event in Sacramento, Calif.
In the upcoming years, with such a
gloomy nancial picture, we will all
miss Hermans more than
we can even imagine.
-Chela Patterson
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BridgesChamber provides recognition of Hispanic businessesContinued from page 2
Rally encourages collaboration among student groupsContinued from page 1
people from Chico to Oroville,Casimiro said. Getting that kindof exposure from the chamber is
very helpful.The organization puts on
events like the tequila tastings toraise money, while generating expo-sure for its members. Other eventsinclude celebrations of indepen-dence and various ribbon-cuttingceremonies.
Even though these events are
put on to raise money forthe organization, they arenot always successful in ob-
taining that goal, said FawnMendoza, secretary of theHCCNC.
It depends on a lotof variables because thereis a lot of preparation,Mendoza said. There is a lot ofturnout at some and not so much atothers, but the recent tequila tast-
ing in February was asuccess.
Although eventsare the main source ofprot for the organiza-tion, it is not the onlyway the HCCNC raisesmoney.
Funds are also gen-erated from chambermemberships, which al-lows members to put anad in the local Spanishnewspaper, Sabias Que,
advertising their busi-ness, Mendoza said.
There are big plans
for the HCCNC in the future,including a new location. Its mem-bers are planning to move intoa new ofce and are looking forgrants to offer English and Spanishclasses.
You dont have to be Hispanicto get involved with the organiza-tion, Shahid said.
Any person who wants tobe part of the HCCNC can be amember or on the board of direc-tors, Shahid said.
Getting involved and receivingmore information about the HC-CNC is simple. Anyone can callthe HCCNC or visit its Web site atwww.hispaniccc.org. The organiza-
tion also has open meetings on therst Tuesday of every month foranyone who is interested in joining.
After the speeches, studentsgot into small groups designatedby their sticker and spent 30 sec-onds visiting each organizationstable before rotating to the next.Certain clubs had food that wasrepresentative of their culture.
A constant clamor echoedthroughout the room as eagerbodies moved from table to table.After everyone had a brief chanceto examine the booths, the rallycame to a close.
Senior Fausto Guillermo,president of the Gamma Zeta Al-pha Fraternity Inc., attended the
event and thought it was a hugesuccess.
The event gave a chance fororganizations to meet other simi-lar organizations, and all the guestspeakers did a great job of en-couraging people to get involved,Guillermo said.
Participants were encouragedto stay and follow up with the or-ganizations that interested them.
Garcia and the MAC chose toput on this event to create an op-portunity for these diverse groupsto get to know one another, and tohopefully someday work together.
We wanted them to see otherorganizations that are out thereand network, Garcia said.
Garcia hopes that one day therally gets so big they can hold it inthe gym. He even wants studentsin the dorms to hear about thisand look forward to it.
I would be really happy leav-ing my term knowing that therally would be another programheld up to the expectations of theInternational Festival and Multi-cultural Night, Garcia said.
Getting that kind of
from thechamber is very helpful.
- Celina Casimiro
Celina Casimiro, Galeria Mexicana store
owner, benets from HCCNC services.
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BridgesExhibit unites campus and community through artBy Emilie Johnson
The inaugural Diversity ArtExhibit in March gave ChicoState students, faculty, staff, and
community members the oppor-tunity to showcase their diversecultures through artwork. Each ofthe 14 participants brought theirown talent, style, and inspiration to
and the way they live their liveseach day.
As I have matured and
found peace in my own skin, Ihave learned the challenging butbeautiful craft of building bridgesamongst people, said Erica Flores,program coordinator of the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center atChico State. I pride myself inmy lifes work within diversity andbuilding community.
Flores submitted an acrylicpainting with chalk layered ontop titled The Kiss, which was in-spired by a picture taken of Presi-dent and Mrs. Obama during theNew Hampshire primaries.
Through my own interpreta-tion I wanted to capture this beau-tiful moment of intimacy, vulner-ability, and tenderness betweentwo very strong individuals, Floressaid.
Community member andartist Sandora Nishio submitted
four pieces to the show, two acrylicpaintings and two stoneware
the show through paintings, pho-tography, and sculptures.
Diversity Art Exhibit curator,
organizer and Chico State advisorJosh Whittinghill said an art showthat focused on diversity ratherthan a single artists theme was aprofound experience.
The artitself was fun,energizing,and inspiring,said Whittin-ghill. Experi-encing differ-ent cultures,emotions, phi-losophies, andperspectives ofthe artists andthe artworkwas excellent.
Personal lifeexperiencesinspire manyof the shows
participants,both throughtheir artwork
Student brings new meaning to diversity on campusBy Everett Meyers
At just over 4 feet tall, senior JoeCarlinos big heart and ambi-tions have helped him rise to the
challenge in the face of adversity.Carlino grew up an only child
and was raised around both littleand average-sized people.
I am really lucky in the factthat my family are little people,Carlino said. They have alreadybeen through all the challenges andstruggles that little people face.
Though Carlino has not metother little people in Chico, it does
not bother him, he said. Carlinois comfortable around everyone,and even sees himself marrying an
average-sized woman someday.Growing up in San Lorenzo,
Carlino came to Chico State to getaway from home, but not too far.Undeclared at rst, he always knewhe wanted to do something withcommunication. Finishing up hisfourth year, Carlino will be graduatingthis May as a communication de-sign major with an option in Internet
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Erica Flores, program coordinator of the Cross-CulturalLeadership Center, shared her talent at the art exhibit.
click to continue to page 7
Joe Carlino, a graduating senior,
at work at the Disability Support
Services ofce.
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Pedro Douglas: student mentor, diversity advocateBy Lindsay Casale
Being a minority in college canbe a challenge, but with theright support and role model, any
student can have the opportunity toachieve what they want in life.
The driving force that motivatesmany minority studentsat Chico State is PedroDouglas. He is dedi-cated to helping studentspursue careers in highereducation, promoting di-versity on campus, and isalso active in the Chicocommunity as a choir
director.Douglas came to
Chico State from FloridaInternational Universityin 2001 for the positionof director of StudentHealth Services. Now heis the associate vice pres-ident of Student Affairsand uses his position toadvocate the importanceof diversity.
Promoting diversity is importantso we can understand each other, hesaid.
When I think of the worddiversity, I think of it in all of its
dimensions, Douglas said. Weserve as role models, not just for
students of color or students withdisabilities. I think we also serve asrole models to students who never
nd themselves in that category.In 2002, Douglas brought the
National Undergraduate Fellow
Program (NUFP) to Chico State.The NUFP aims to encourage un-derrepresented students to pursuecareers in higher education.
Douglas job is to give students agood denition ofhigher education,he said. Since theNUFP has been atChico State, it hasbeen very success-
ful because it hasso many opportu-nities for students.
Students aregiven the chanceto intern at nu-merous institutionsas well as inter-view directors on
campus to learn about their posi-tion and how they can achieve that
job after college.Paula Selvester, associate pro-
fessor of education in the Depart-
ment of Education at Chico State,strongly thinks Douglas dedicationis benecial for minority students.
Pedro Douglas isdedicated to promotingdiversity and supportingstudents of color on cam-pus in all their endeavors,Selvester said. For aslong as I have known him,as [director of StudentHealth Services] to now in
his position, he has madediversity support and de-velopment his mission.
In addition to helpingstudents and promotingdiversity at Chico State,Douglas also has anotherpassion. Singing has al-ways been very importantto him, since he comesfrom a very musical fam-ily. After joining a gospel
choir when he rst came to Chico,Douglas was quickly recruited asthe director of the Chico Commu-nity Acappella Choir.
Made up of singers from differ-ent faiths and churches, the ensem-ble of nine performs in many placesthroughout the community, includ-ing Chico State, various churches,and Bidwell Mansion.
Aside from his presence in the
community, Douglas promotesdiversity by being an example ofsuccess as a minority himself.
Douglas wants students to seethat being of color and becomingan associate vice president, or evena president, is a reality for them, hesaid.
Surely, I hope when studentssee me that they say, Hey thatssomething I can do, he said.
Pedro Douglas, associate vice president
for Student Affairs, is inuential on campus
and in the commuity.
We serve as ,
not just for students of color or
students with disabilities. I think we
also serve as role models to stu-dents who never nd themselves
in that category.
-Pedro Douglas
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Art inspired by life experiences, cultures and traditionsContinued from page 5
ceramic sculptures, all of whichreected her life experiences as aJapanese-American woman.
In my recent paintings, I pres-ent my interpretation of the internalstrength, vitality, and beauty ofmulticultural women, Nishio said.
Her appreciation for the hu-
man spectrum and diversity inu-ences her personal lens and artisticvoice.
Nishios sculptures, both cre-ated using the Japanese coil build-ing technique, were also inuencedby her cultural background.
The shape and ared top ofJomon InspiredVessel pays tributeto the pottery cre-ated by the womenof the ancientJomon culture ofJapan, Nishiosaid.
Another artistwho contributed tothe Diversity ArtExhibit was ChicoState freshmanSteven Garcia. Hesubmitted a paint-ing of Ice Cube,who has inspiredGarcia through
his unpublicized
contributions to low-income neigh-borhoods in Southern California.
Community member Frank
Smith showcased his still photosof birds, landscapes, and ow-ers, surprising viewers with a levelof professionalism no one wouldexpect from a person with only oneyear of experience.
Each of the artists had theirown story to share through theirartwork and their stories have notgone unheard.
My art has always been aboutwhat it does for me; however, myexperience of showing my art hasallowed me to also realize what artcan do for others, Flores said.
The Diversity Art Exhibit wasorganized by the Chico State Ofceof Diversity, Tray Robinson, JoshWhittinghill, and Lindsay Bartlett.For information regarding partici-pation and other details of futureshows, please contact Bartlett inKendall Hall 110 or by phone
530-898-4764.
Sandora Nishio, artist and community member,
contributed four pieces of art to the exhibit.
Colleagues will miss Ellis wisdom and activismContinued from page 3
Ellis poses with his daughters at the Chico Statesign in the early 1990s.
Not because he yells at yoube-
cause he doesn'tbut because he
is so nice about it even when he is
yanking your chain.
Looking forward, there is nodoubt that the Chico State commu-
nity will miss Ellis after his well-
deserved retirement.
Even though I have risen
through the administrative ranks
and I have less need for Herman's
advice than I did earlier in my
career, I still nd myself making
my way back to
his ofce during
times of crisis,
Patterson said.
In the upcom-ing years, with
such a gloomy
nancial pic-
ture, we will all
miss Herman's
wisdom more
than we can even
imagine.
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This university award is
granted to an individual studentor recognized student organiza-
tion that has signicantly con-
tributed to the development of
a positive multicultural environ-
ment at Chico State. This years
recipient, Maribel DeLaCerda,
has worked toward furthering the
education of others ever since
she entered Chico State in 2005
The Conversations on Diversityseries focuses on the complexities
of group and individual identi-
ties and how they inuence one
another. This years Conversations
on Diversity series explored sources
and responses to the hate and
fear around and within us. These
campus and community members
exemplied the power of diversityin our community.
Pulling us Together Award:
Book in Common Group
Teaching Back Award:
Spencer Blair
Behind the Scenes Award:Pedro Douglas
Walk the Line Award:
Molly Heck
The After Chico Award:
Maria del Rocio Guido
Promising Newcomer Award:
Collaborative Response to
Violence Project
Taking it to the Classroom
Award:
Dr. Nandi Crosby
Taking it to the Streets Award:
Cesar Chavez Day Planning
Committee
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Elizabeth Renfro
Celebrating outstanding diversity work of our campus communit
as an Educational Opportunity
Program student. AdmissionsCounselor Bertha Alicia Curiel
said, It is very apparent Ms.
DeLaCerda is one of the most
driven and focused students that
I have ever encountered in terms
of educating others about the
importance of self-acceptance,
self-enhancement, and cultural
tolerance and understanding.
From left to right: Elizabeth Renfro, Spencer Blair, Stephanie Jimenez, Pe-
dro Douglas, LoriBeth Way, Nandi Crosby, Molly Heck, Dawn Frank, Thia
Wolf, Bill Loker, Maria del Rocio Guido, Liz Colson, Nan Timmons
Maribel DeLaCerda
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