Story of WWII Veteran and Native Son Now Part of AZ Memory Project

Phoenix College's Raul Castro Institute and Latino Perspectives Magazine commissioned booklet on the late Arthur Van Haren, Jr., ace fighter pilot

(PHOENIX, Ariz., Dec. 22, 2011) – The lifetime accomplishments of the late Arthur Van Haren, Jr., a World War II ace fighter pilot and one of Arizona’s most decorated military pilots, is now available through the Arizona Memory Project, which was created by the Arizona State Library as part of the state’s 2012 centennial celebration.

Van Haren’s life story was chronicled in a booklet commissioned by Phoenix College’s Raul Castro Institute and Latino Perspectives Magazine and released to the public in November.

“It’s a wonderfully inspiring life story,” said Richard Prouty, manager of the Arizona Memory Project for the Arizona State Library. “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to distribute these important documents referencing Latino and Latina contributions to Arizona culture and history.”

As part of the distribution effort, the copies of the booklet have been sent to county librarians throughout the state and should be available in the state’s public and other libraries soon, if not already.

Archiving the accomplishments Lt. Van Haren comes shortly after the Raul H. Castro Institute, Latino Perspectives Magazine and Salt River Project saluted Lt. Van Haren at the 4th Annual “Honoring Those Who Serve” luncheon banquet November 16, 2011, at the Wyndham Hotel in downtown Phoenix.

The event honored his accomplishments as a World War II fighter pilot ace and a decorated member of the Navy’s “Flying Rippers.” Lt. Van Haren downed at least 9 Japanese Zero fighter planes during his service in the Pacific theater.

With the Van Haren family on hand, the event praised the Arizona native as well as other veterans and first responders from the local area for their contributions to society.

During her welcoming remarks, Phoenix College President Dr. Anna Solley, said, “Perhaps the best way we can repay our debt to them is to tell their stories in order to inspire a new generation of leaders to serve our country and our state.”

Diane Halvorson, daughter of Lt. Van Haren, captured the spirit of the event in her remarks: "Thank you for capturing the man he was, the service he did for his country during World War II, what he went through, and the best part of who he became," she said.

Among those present were City of Phoenix Mayor- elect Greg Stanton and new Phoenix Councilman-elect Daniel Valenzuela. The event was emceed by CBS 5 News Anchor Catherine Anaya and City of Phoenix Manager David Cavazos.

Phoenix College Community Steps Up With Holiday Donations

(PHOENIX, Ariz., Dec. 21, 2011) -- It has become a Phoenix College tradition. During the holidays, faculty, staff and students find ways to help those in need and bring some joy and kindness to those less fortunate than themselves.

This infectious spirit of giving has been embraced by the PC community.

This year, the 11th annual Holiday Refugee Family Adoption program organized by the PC English Department adopted 23 refugee families.

“We select families that have been here for a short period of time,” said Joseph Kimbuende, an adjunct faculty member in the English Department, who coordinates the annual effort and co-founded the program along with retired PC residential faculty member Pam Rogers. “They need everything you can imagine."

While the effort is focused on the holiday, donations are accepted year-round, he added. “They come empty-handed so they need the basic items of survival, such as cooking utensils, bed sheets, blankets, beds and furniture.”

This year, students in Robiz Ozz’s English 101 class created a service learning project to raise donations to supplement the adopt-a-refugee-family drive. Students coordinated cupcake and candy sales, raised money, and gathered new and gently used clothing, toys, and household items. And as part of class competencies, students wrote letters of request, learning logs, learning charters, journal entries, and a final comprehensive essay reflecting what they learned from the project.

In all, students raised about 25 large bags of clothing, shoes, purses, and other accessories, 10 large boxes of children's toys and books, baby clothes, and sundry household items. They also purchased personal hygiene products and made 8 gift baskets that included coupons for free submarine sandwiches ($250 in coupons) and bought over $450 of gift cards to grocery and department stores.

The PC Women's Leadership Group also got the spirit of giving by supporting an overseas platoon of U.S. soldiers. They provided gifts to about 35 soldiers. The gifts ranged from snack foods and canned goods to recreational/leisure items and toiletries. WLG representatives Thelma Martinez, Elena Hernandez, Jennifer Nez and Adelina Armenta joined forces to coordinate the effort.

Other student clubs, such as the Cheerleading team, Black Student Union, Honors, Phi Theta Kappa and others also adopted families and raised donations for those families. Veterans Services joined in collection efforts for the Toys for Tots campaign. Not to be outdone, student-athletes from PC gave almost $500 to the Child Crisis Center for the holiday season.

Phoenix College's One-Stop Enrollment Center Opens Jan. 3; Note location-service hour changes for Dec.-Jan.

(PHOENIX, Ariz., Dec. 15, 2011) – The new One-Stop Enrollment Center will open its doors January 3, 2012. Everything students need to experience a streamlined registration process is housed inside this building: Admissions & Records, Advisement, Cashiers, Financial Aid, NAU/ASU Transfer Offices, Recruitment & Retention, Veterans' Services, and the Welcome Center.

Our well-trained Welcome Center staff are ready to greet and assist students and 15 my.maricopa.edu self-serve computers will be available. A new high-tech queuing system will provide students with notification of their place in line on numerous monitors in campus buildings. They will also receive texts indicating their turn is coming up.

The new Student Union also will be open on January 3, 2012, although you can stop in for a sneak preview now. This space will be used for club and other meetings and features a game room, a coffee bar proudly serving Starbucks coffee, laptop recharging stations, computer usage areas, large video screens and an outdoor patio for campus events. This new-and-improved version of the Bears’ Den is designed for relaxing and socializing as well as studying. A space referred to as an academic center will give students a chance to work on projects in a group setting.

Temporary Service Hours and Locations
With all the exciting changes taking place on campus, we will have some temporary service hours and locations during the months of December and January:

December 19-23, 2011: Limited enrollment services this week. Financial Aid, Admissions & Records, Advisement, and Counseling hours are Monday-Thursday 8-5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m.-noon. Located in the current Financial Aid and Counseling locations (HC Building). The Cashiers Office will remain in its current location with hours Monday-Thursday 8-5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m.-noon.

January 3, 2012: The new One Stop Enrollment Center opens. Hours are Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Services include Admissions and Records, Financial Aid, Welcome Center, Advisement, International Education and Recruitment & Retention.

January 9, 2012: Counseling and the Contact Center will be located on 2nd floor of the LC building.

January 9-19, 2012: Extended service hours for Student Affairs: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Other Important Dates• January 10: 2012 Employee Convocation - Student Affairs offices open at 10 a.m.
• January 14 (Saturday): Extended service hours for Student Affairs from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
• January 14: New Student Orientation, 8 a.m.-noon.
• January 14: Term begins for Saturday class start dates
• January 16: Closed for MLK Holiday
• January 26: You’re invited to attend a special ceremony! Help us officially open the new One Stop Enrollment Center and the new Student Union on this day from 1:30-2:30 p.m. More information will be coming soon!

The Choirs at Phoenix College Perform Friday

Share an evening of holiday song with the Choirs at Phoenix College as they perform "O Lux Beata." The performance will be at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 North Central Avenue in Phoenix. It begins at 7:30 p.m.

The Choirs are made up of the Concert Choir, ProCantus Chamber Singers, McConnell Singers Women's Choir, and Phoenix Community Choir.

They are directed by Dr. Kenny Miller. Mrs. Ellen Brown will play the organ, Mr. Bill Moore, piano, and the Phoenix Chamber Brass will accompany.

There is a suggested donation of $5. We are also encouraging audience members to bring canned food to donate to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.

Hope to see you there! Bring the family.

When:
Friday, December 9, 2011
7:30 p.m.

Where:
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
4715 North Central Avenue

Admission:
$5 suggested donation

Phoenix College Library Presents "Winter Storytime" for Preschoolers

(PHOENIX, Ariz., Dec. 5, 2011) – The preschool children of Phoenix College students and employees will be treated to children's story book readings, songs, an arts and craft activity and snacks as the college’s Fannin Library staff and librarians present “Winter Storytime” on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011.

The activities are designed to instill the importance of reading to children and their parents. Phoenix College President Dr. Anna Solley will be one of the featured readers. She will read from “Froggy Se Viste” while librarian Renee Smith will read “Owl Moon” and “Giraffe’s Can’t Dance.”

The children will play games to help them interact with the readings and storylines.

“A lot of our students are parents so this is a great opportunity to introduce them to storytelling and the importance of reading in their children’s lives,” said Kelly Lambert, the library’s instructional coordinator. “And the children of students and employees will be able to come to campus see where Mom or Dad spend so much time.”

The event will be held in the Library’s Campus Vista Room from 1-2 p.m. Registration is requested but not required. Click here to register.

The readings and activities are aimed at children 2 to 5 years old. All children who attend must be accompanied by an adult caretaker.

The Library also will have a book/dvd display set up of items students can check out on parenting issues such as child nutrition, breastfeeding, children's literature and other topics. Parenting literature will also be handed out.

“We want to build a sense of community through the Phoenix College Library,” Lambert said. “We want people to feel that this is their library.”