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Hard hats and mortar boards adorned the tables to signify higher educational dreams come true and building on the future of education at the Kern River Valley Education and Cultural Foundation 20th Anniversary celebration. The Paradise Cove Restaurant in Lake Isabella was the venue for the event held on Wednesday, January 11, 2011. The festivities began with a Presidential reception which provided residents the opportunity to meet and greet Cerro Coso President, Jill Board. The event also afforded an opportunity to recognize staff with twenty plus years of service to the KRV campus and present the 2010 Clayton A. Witherow Academic Achievement Award.
Jill Board was keynote speaker for the evening and provided some historical background on the educational services provided by Cerro Coso in the Kern River Valley. The college has provided instructional and student services in the Valley since 1986. To date, over 340 area residents have received degrees from the Cerro Coso's KRV Center. Many of these students go on to receive higher degrees and return to live and work in the Valley. Cerro Coso graduates are working in the local schools, medical facilities, media, and various businesses. "It's all about relationships," stated Board. "The relationship that we have with the students, residents, and local organizations is what makes Cerro Coso Community College strong and allows us to fulfill our mission to educate, innovate, inspire, and serve."
Erie Johnson, Director of the KRV Campus spoke on the Past and Future of Cerro Coso in the KRV. "We look forward to expanding both education and training opportunities within the KRV campus, and taking Cerro Coso and our students in these areas to the next level," stated Johnson
The following staff members were recognized for their 20+ years of service to the Kern River Valley campus. Adjunct Instructor, Ron Montague; Department Assistant III, Inge Olsen; Adjunct Instructor, Jean Pack; and Counselor and Faculty member, Gayle Whitlock.
Cerro Coso Community College Kern River Valley student, Kimberly Word, received the 2010 Clayton A. Witherow Academic Achievement Award. Word received a check for $1,000. This Award is presented to a qualified KRV student with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.75 who exemplifies Dean Witherow's commitment to the pursuit of education.
The Kern River Valley Education and Cultural Foundation delights in student success and has developed a Text Book Fund to provide students in Basic Skills courses including Math, English, and Reading with their textbooks for free. Funds raised by community donations will be utilized to begin the implementation of the new program.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Natalie Dorrell, Public Information (760) 384-6260