Chaparral 2018-2019: 27.6 Milestones

Joanna Parypinski (English) is pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of her novel, Dark Carnival, from Independent Legions Publishing. The horror novel about a young man on a quest to uncover the mystery of his mother’s disappearance at a sinister carnival will be released in digital and paperback on June 14th. It is currently available for Kindle Pre-Order on Amazon.

Robert Kibler (Professor Emeritus of Art and Ceramics) would like to share that one of his ceramic art pieces has been acquired to join the permanent collection of the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, N. Y. He is honored that his work is now part of the Everson Museum of Art’s internationally recognized ceramics collection, which includes the finest representations of modern and contemporary American ceramics in the United States. With comprehensive collections and archival holdings central to the history of American ceramics, the Everson is the country’s leading center for ceramics research and exhibitions. The piece that has been acquired by the museum, 'Running Interference 3', is a large, multi-chambered urn, hand constructed in white earthenware, hand painted in a pointillist style on a raised, textural surface. This piece was first exhibited and sold in 1984 in my one-man show at the Garth Clark Gallery, here in Los Angeles, and has been in a private collection until its recent acquisition by the museum. Its dimensions are 20' w, 12' h, 5' d. Several views of the piece, along with other work may be viewed at: www.robertkiblerceramics.com

'Running Interference 3', by Robert Kibler
Earthenware, 1984, Collection of the Everson Museum of Art

The Re-Entry Student Committee worked on a grant proposal for the Chancellor's Grant Award – and they won the grant! They will be the recipients of $113,000, which will be used to develop a program and services for our formerly-incarcerated student population. 

Stela Fejtek (DSPS), a Learning Disabilities Specialist in the Instructional Assistance Center of Disabled Students Programs & Services for 25 years, was the 2019 YWCA Heart & Excellence Honoree.

Stela teaches speech & communication workshops for developmentally challenged adult clients of the Campbell Center. She also teaches lip-reading to hearing impaired adults in our community.

She is an active member of several organizations in Glendale including the Oakmont League, Soroptimists International, and she coaches bocce ball for the Tri Valley Special Olympics. In 2016, she was chosen by Business Life Magazine as one of 25 Women Achievers of the Year. She has travelled the world extensively, including several trips with the Study Abroad Program of Glendale College.

Stela believes in giving generously of herself to make a positive difference in the lives of her students without expecting anything in return She says it’s all about being an active participant in life and having a positive attitude in all you do.

Inger Thompson (Psychology) would like to share that her son, Alexander Gibson, recently graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a B.S. in Construction Engineering.

Chris Franz (Faculty Development) recently earned a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Change and provided the commencement address at the graduation ceremony for Pacific Oaks which was held at the Pasadena Civic Center on May 11^th.

Christopher Franz is the student speaker at Pacific Oak’s 59th Commencement ceremonies on May 11.

Franz earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Change from Pacific Oaks, and has become an integral part of the community.

His studies have focused on educational psychology and building successful organizations. Since 2009, he has enhanced the Professional Development department at Glendale Community College and represented the program at meetings and conferences with the California State Chancellor’s office. Working within the Human Resources and Faculty Development offices, he created processes and policies which continue to ensure success throughout the institution.

Franz is an avid traveler who has circled the globe many times. Despite his extraordinary adventures and increasingly busy schedule, he has managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA

Chris’s travels: