Ed Roundup: Alumni barbecue, lifelong learning courses coming up
| Thursday, Jul 29 2010 06:00 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Jul 29 2010 06:08 PM
A full schedule of fall courses available for Bakersfield College's Levan Institute for Lifelong Learning -- which includes robotics, wine appreciation and more -- is now available online and via phone request.
Courses offered by the institute are primarily tailored for seniors, but are are open to all adults. Courses vary in length and subject, are offered throughout the week and are not for college credit. Other courses include pastry and dessert baking, foreign languages, art, woodcarving and writing.
Fees vary by course and a few will require books or materials. Some classes offer field trips.
The Levan Institute was made possible through a $5.7 million donation by Dr. Norman Levan, a professor of medicine and local dermatologist.
For a schedule of courses, go to bakersfieldcollege.edu/levaninstitute, or call 395-4431 to request one.
The Bakersfield College Alumni Barbecue that raises money for students and athletic programs will return Sept. 16 at the college football practice field on University Avenue.
The community -- along with Bakersfield College alumni, faculty and athletics teams -- is invited to the 56th barbecue. It is the major fundraiser of the year for the alumni association.
The celebration offers barbecued steaks and chicken by the BC Culinary Arts Program and the food services staff. The Tony Ernst Band will provide entertainment, as will the cheer team and drumline. Coaches from fall sports will also introduce athletes from teams.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a social, followed by dinner. Cost is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, $15 for students and $5 for children under 12. Tickets are available at the gate, or by calling 395-4326 or 395-4800.
More than 93 percent of Bakersfield College's nursing program graduates passed the California Board of Registered Nursing national exam on their first attempt, about 5 percentage points better than the state and national averages.
The recently released report of pass rates showed 93.23 percent, 179 of 192, of BC graduates passed on their first try. The state average is 88.47 percent and the national average is 88.42 percent.
"We are pleased that our students continue to be successful after they've left Bakersfield College's program," said Cindy Collier, dean of Nursing and Allied Health, in a statement. "These are extraordinary results and I am extremely proud of our graduates as well as the faculty and staff who work so tirelessly to prepare our students."
The primary mission of the college program is to prepare men and women for careers in health occupations. Graduates of BC's program have found employment in acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, corrections facilities, medical clinics, urgent care facilities, home health and others.
-- Jorge Barrientos, staff writer
For more education news, go to The Californian's education blog, The Grade, at www.bakersfield.com/blogshttp://www.bakersfield.com/blogs, or follow The Grade's Twitter at twitter.com/TBCTheGrade.
