Sammy and his sax.

Ten years ago, Sammy “Pro” LoProto never would have expected he’d be re-entering college in his late fifties. But, as a real estate broker in the Bay Area, the burst of the nation’s housing bubble took its toll on his business. Working at a Fresno real estate firm, Sammy noticed the prevalence of college-educated salespeople and knew he had to stay competitive.

“I decided it was time to finish the college education that I started nearly 40 years earlier,” Sammy said.

In January 2010, Sammy began attending Oakhurst Center with the intent of continuing his education and improving his musical performance skills as a saxophone player. He immediately knew it was the right decision.

“I was overwhelmed by the camaraderie I had with educators and fellow musicians,” Sammy said. But his aspirations soon outgrew the Oakhurst Center campus and he decided to take courses at FCC too.

“I was overwhelmed by the camaraderie I had with educators and fellow musicians.” –Sammy “Pro” LoProto

“Jumping in at Fresno City College, I was pleasantly surprised at the beauty of the campus and the enthusiasm of the students and the teachers,” he said. “In particular, the Music Department chair, Larry Honda, was a beacon of light. He kept me focused on the sax and love of music, and propelled me into the fulfillment of education.”

As Sammy continued his musical education during summer school (even using his saxophone as an audiovisual aid in his speech class), he also kept an eye out for new opportunities.

“In the Fall semester, I had a chance meeting with my next hero, Dr. Dympna Ugwu-Oju, Journalism Department chair at FCC,” he said. “I took her up on an offer to join the newspaper production and news writing classes. I found it to be addicting and fruitful.”

It was only once the fall semester had ended that Sammy realized he had completed 39.5 units since starting in January. But that wasn’t all.

“I never took notice of my GPA,” Sammy said. That is, until the president of the academic senate called and told him to pick up my dean’s list certificate. He had completed those 39.5 units with perfect 4.0 GPA.

This spring, Sammy continued writing articles for the Rampage, the FCC newspaper. In all, he has published nearly 30 articles in both the print and online editions.

“Over my two short semesters with the Rampage,” he said, “I have interviewed a wide spectrum of celebrities, educators, and administrators. I had to pinch myself when I did a face-to-face interview with a childhood hero, Chubby Checker, who was a featured performer at the Big Fresno Fair in October 2010. I had to explain to the rest of my twenty-something-year-old classmates who he was.”

What’s next

While the state budget cutbacks and enrollment reductions call into question his transfer to Fresno State, Sammy is determined to continue his education.

“Obviously my education will never stop,” he said. “And even though I will be 59 in July, a B.A. in journalism and a master’s in communication are well within my grasp. My future plans are definitely related to the future of education in California. I would love to teach middle school music and write for relevant musical publications, such as Jazz Times or even Downbeat or any mainstream music magazine. If the new retirement age is 70-plus, there’s even a chance I could teach journalism right here at FCC.”

Whatever Sammy decides, he’s just getting started.

Sammy lives in Oakhurst with his wife, who is also an accomplished musician.

Margaret was raised in rural Fresno County and graduated from Caruthers High School.

She began her career in law enforcement in 1980 when she was hired as the first female police officer in the City of Kerman. At the time, the landscape for women in law enforcement was very different. Margaret wore men’s shoes and uniforms because they weren’t available for women. There were few women role models to look up to, so Margaret depended on the guidance of supportive male mentors.

“I never wanted or expected to be promoted or given an assignment just because I was a woman.” —Margaret Mims

“I never wanted or expected to be promoted or given an assignment just because I was a woman,” she said.

In 1983, Margaret became a deputy sheriff for Fresno County. She became the first female sergeant to supervise field patrol units, and went on to become the first woman to achieve the ranks of lieutenant, captain, and assistant sheriff.

During her time as deputy sheriff, Margaret also earned a bachelor’s degree from Fresno Pacific University and a master’s in public administration from National University.

She was elected Fresno County Sheriff in 2006.

As sheriff, Margaret is responsible for managing more than 1,000 sworn and non-sworn personnel, managing Fresno County jail and detention facilities, and providing security for the countywide court system.

Her decades in law enforcement have earned Margaret numerous awards, but she and her husband Gary see their two children, Jacklyn and Randy, as their greatest achievement.

“That’s probably the most important contribution I made to society,” she explained: “the great kids I raised and leave behind to grow up and contribute to our communities.”

Margaret is this year’s Reedley College Distinguished Alumnus.

Gary Yep is sworn in as mayor of Kerman.

“I decided to attend Fresno City [College] because I didn’t know where I wanted to go for college, so it made the most sense to stay local,” said Mayor Gary Yep of Kerman.

Gary was elected mayor last year. He grew up in Kerman and attended Fresno City College after high school.

“Community colleges are important,” Gary said, “because some people don’t have everything mapped out like others do. People who don’t have the financial ability, or people who just aren’t sure what they want to do, can mingle with future community leaders and figure out what they want to do with their life.”

“Community colleges are important because some people don’t have everything mapped out like others do.” — Gary Yep

Gary used his time at Fresno City College to explore his interests in business and marketing. He became involved with the college’s chapter of DECA, an international association of marketing students. The goal of DECA is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in the fields of marketing, finance, hospitality and management. In the organization’s annual competition, Yep earned first place in the state, and third in the nation, for a food marketing project.

Fresno City College is also where Gary first held elected office as senator for the associated students.

He earned an Associate of Science degree in Real Estate before transferring to San Diego State University where he graduated with a BS in marketing.

Further education took him across the globe. At the University of San Francisco, Gary earned a joint MBA in international finance and a law degree. He was admitted to the California Bar as an attorney in 1995. Gary also studied at the University of Paris, Sorbonne Institute, and Trinity College in Ireland. He spent a summer at the University of Hong Kong comparing Asian business practices to those of American and European markets.

Gary eventually returned to Kerman where he became president of Valley Food Super Center, a local business established by his parents in 1955. He is co-owner of the company, along with his brothers Mark and Jerry.

As a businessman and attorney, Gary felt he could serve his community even more as an elected official.

“I decided to run for mayor because I wanted to make a difference in the community,” he said. “I had thought about it for years and the time was just right.”

He currently serves as mayor of Kerman and chairperson of the city council.

In his free time, Gary travels and plays tennis. He lives in Kerman with his wife Stephanie and their two children, Jake and Sydney.

Austin was born and raised in Reedley. He decided to attend Reedley College after high school because “it’s the same caliber of teaching that I’d receive at a four-year university for a fraction of the cost,” he said. “Plus, I live two and a half miles from the college.”

“I work most of the time grinding up grape and almond tissue samples and conducting various extractions to see what their exact chemical composition is.”

He is in the Pete P. Peters Honor Program, a program that offers a customized curriculum for students with exceptional academic achievement. In addition to his honors courses, Austin has taken at least one chemistry course each semester since first attending in Fall 2009.

Austin’s academic learning is supplemented with practical chemistry experience. He works as a lab technician at the USDA research center in Parlier, part-time during the school year and full-time during summer.

“I work most of the time grinding up grape and almond tissue samples and conducting various extractions to see what their exact chemical composition is,” he said. He is helping study the effects of a certain bacteria that is spread by the glassy-winged sharpshooter. The goal is to identify chemicals present in plants that are resistant to the bacteria and compare them with chemicals present in non-resistant plants. When differences are found, a hybrid plant can be developed to combat the harmful bacteria.

But chemistry is just one of Austin’s interests. Last month, he competed in the Northern California Powerlifting Championship in Modesto. He earned both state and national titles in the bench press with a lift of 375 pounds, setting the record for his age bracket.

“I would like to compete in December or early next year while I’m still in this bracket to increase the record to make it harder to beat,” he said.

In May, Austin will transfer to Fresno State to complete his degree in chemistry. After graduation, he plans to attend pharmacy school at the University of the Pacific in Stockton.

“I have really enjoyed my stay here at Reedley College,” he said. “It has been everything I expected and then some.”

FCC student Darline Guelce

After a great tragedy strikes, people often reevaluate their lives and where they are headed. Such was the case for Fresno City College student Darline Guelce.

Darline was born and raised in Haiti. After graduating high school, she attended the State University of Haiti where she studied social communication and received her degree in 2006. She began working for the Haitian government’s Institute of Vocational Formation in Port-au-Prince.

“When you experience a crisis, the most important thing is to find a way to get through it.”

On January 12, 2010, as Darline drove home from work, a catastrophic earthquake struck with a magnitude of 7.0.

“People were trying to hold onto trees to avoid falling down,” she recalled. “In front of me, a supermarket of five floors had literally been swallowed by the earth. Instantly, the place occupied by this building became empty.”

Darline’s immediate family was spared, although she knew life would never be the same for her family or her country. The quake had killed an estimated 230,000 people, injured another 300,000, and left one million homeless.

“For many years, Haiti has been considered one of the poorest countries in the world,” she said. “After that day, the poverty became more visible.”

A month after the earthquake, Darline traveled to the U.S. to visit her older brother in Fresno. At first, she said, “I didn’t come to stay. I came just to spend a few days and come back.” But she realized the unique opportunity she had to further her education, and at the same time find some emotional relief from the trauma she left behind. “I decided to stay,” she said.

She obtained a student visa and enrolled at Fresno City College, where she is training to be a physical therapist. Eventually, Darline will return to Haiti where she hopes to aid in the reconstruction process.

Refugee camp in Haiti

“I know that today more than ever, Haiti needs people with a good level of competence to rebuild it,” she said. “The media have shown the physical destruction of Haiti, but many people are also destroyed, either physically or emotionally.” These are the people she wants to help.

“My roots are very special for me,” Darline said. Her time in the United States has reminded her how important her home is to her. It has also given her hope.

“When you experience a crisis,” she said, “the most important thing is to find a way to get through it because, at the end, believe it or not, you will become more determined to reach your future goals.”

Tyler Standridge, student tutor at FCC

The Tutorial Center at Fresno City College is open to all SCCCD students, but learning support services are also offered on-site at other District campuses. The Writing Center at Willow International offers reading and writing assistance from student tutors like Tyler Standridge.

“It’s always great to see a student do well on an essay or assignment for their class.”

Tyler grew up in Clovis. After graduating from high school in 2008, he began attending Willow International Center the following semester. For a few semesters Tyler tutored privately, using his academic skills to help fellow students, but this semester he joined the Writing Center as a student tutor.

“I enjoy helping students on their writing and understanding of the English language,” Tyler said.

So it seemed like the Writing Center was a natural fit. The Writing Center at Willow International helps students with any academic reading or writing, from basic skills like grammar and punctuation to strategies for time management and research processes. As a trained tutor, Tyler helps other students improve their English skills, earn higher grades, and increase their confidence. He gives assistance to students struggling in their classes and to students just looking to enhance their writing skills.

“It’s always great to see a student do well on an essay or assignment for their class,” he said.

As a student tutor, Tyler balances time for his own classes and assignments with his time help others in Writing Center. He’s done a good job so far, completing many general education courses, as well as additional computer and English classes. Next year, he plans to transfer to California State University, Fresno where he will major in computer science with a possible minor in English.

He is thinking about a career in software engineering, “although that could always change,” he said. “I’m not entirely sure what I’ll do after graduation, although I’d like to continue tutoring if possible.”

Kiel Famellos-Schmidt helps design a cooperative coffee village in El Eden, Nicaragua.

As co-founder and partner of Spacio Design Studio, Fresno City College alumnus Kiel Famellos-Schmidt uses his architectural training to show clients that design matters. “It has a value,” he said. “It’s not just aesthetics. It also has a functionality aspect.”

Kiel, an urban designer working toward his architecture license, was raised in Fresno’s Tower District before attending Fresno City College. Although he always had a strong interest in architecture, before settling on a major, Kiel said he “tested the waters” to see if he was making the right decision.

At FCC, he took classes in philosophy, writing, anthropology, and even archery. “I liked being able to pick and choose what really interested me,” he said. “It was a time to try things out. The experience helped me determine that I really wanted to do architecture.”

“Exploration is important.”– Kiel Famellos-Schmidt

With a solid educational foundation in place, Kiel transferred to the University of California, Berkeley where he earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture. After graduation, he joined Public Architecture, a non-profit think tank based in San Francisco, and worked on design projects around the world. Assignments included a cooperative coffee farm in Nicaragua and an orphanage in Sri Lanka. While he was a long way from home, he was surprised at how familiar it felt.

“There were a lot of conditions in these Third World countries that reminded me of Fresno—cultural issues, homelessness, agriculture, poverty—and I was feeling like my energy wasn’t focused,” Kiel said. “So I wanted to come back here and help, because I have roots in Fresno and I feel like I can make long-term connections. I can focus my energy to achieve some measurable results.”

Kiel and his wife moved back to Fresno. He found work at a local architecture and engineering firm, and even taught architecture classes at his alma mater, Fresno City College. He also created Archop.org, a blog dedicated to exploring and improving the built environment of the San Joaquin Valley. But, when he was laid off last year, Kiel took the opportunity to form his own firm with a few former colleagues.

The new company, Spacio Design Studio, is a boutique architecture and design firm with offices Fresno and Los Angeles. Their work includes anything from space planning to urban revitalization, but it is all based on contextual design that engages the community.

“It’s easy to do what you’ve already seen and what people are familiar with,” Kiel said. “The weight, I think, is on the designer to really explore what a client needs, rather than just what they’re asking for. Because there might be something that can better represent the client—aesthetically, functionally, and even economically.”

For a recent project involving ACEL Fresno, a charter high school based in Downtown Fresno, Kiel took a unique approach to planning the school’s use of space.

“Rather than talking only to the upper level administration at the school,” Kiel said, “we also held design workshops with the students and teachers—talking to the people who are in the space from day to day,” Kiel said.

The primary benefit of these workshops is a sense of pride and ownership among those who spend time in the finished space. “Even if a student’s suggestion was already planned the final design,” Kiel said, “the fact that they are engaged—and see their suggestion in the final product—means they feel a little more connected to it and empowered.”

Kiel’s time at Fresno City College is continually reflected in his career and life.

“Exploration is important,” he said. “And not getting stuck behind one idea. I was able to look around and experience other things [at Fresno City College] before committing to architecture as the best course of action. And I still practice that today. I don’t just settle on one idea. I’ll explore it. Both in design and in making decisions, you want to look at things from more than one angle.”

Peters Business Building. Craig School of Business, CSU, Fresno.

When Tiffany Lowe began attending Reedley College, she was a pre-pharmacy student. After a semester, she decided a pharmacy career wasn’t for her. But she went on to earn an associate degree in general studies, and began taking business classes in preparation for her transfer into a business major at CSU, Fresno.

“I was heavily involved on campus at Reedley College,” Tiffany said.

She served on a number of committees and as a member of the Associated Student Body, as well as serving as the student trustee on the SCCCD Board. “I attended district board meetings as a representative of the students of Reedley College and the North Centers,” Tiffany said. She updated the board on the colleges, providing a student perspective.

“I encourage students to attend community college before attending a four-year university.” – Tiffany Lowe

As a member of the Pete P. Peters Honors Program at Reedley College, Tiffany took advantage of challenging courses, preparing her for upper-division classes. “In particular,” she said, “the honors English courses greatly improved my writing skills. Many faculty members were great teachers who became mentors.”

Tiffany rounded out her schedule with a number of business courses. “I took accounting, micro and macro economics, finite math, entrepreneurship, and business law classes in addition to my general education classes,” she said.

Tiffany’s diligence paid off when she earned the Craig School of Business Fresno Merchants Scholarship at CSU, Fresno. The academic scholarship is awarded to entering freshman or transfer students majoring in business administration. Tiffany began attending CSU, Fresno last fall.

After she graduates, Tiffany plans to attend graduate school or start her own business.

Tiffany is glad she began her higher education at a community college. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Reedley College,” she said. “I encourage students to attend community college before attending a four-year university. I believe it’s a great place to transition from high school to college.”

We’re taking you back to 1975 for a look at the hit game show, “Community College or NOT!”—the quiz show where we find out if you know the difference between a community college and a four-year university.

Joe Williams

“I’m deeply humbled and shocked,” Joe said of the award. Joe is president of Richard Heath and Associates, a social program management firm, and has been serving the Fresno community both publicly and privately for more than 40 years.

At the age of 9, Joe moved to Fresno from Mississippi. He attended Edison High School and Fresno City College before graduating in 1967 from Fresno State College (later renamed California State University, Fresno) with a bachelor’s degree in social welfare and a minor in psychology.

“I’ve always wanted to make sure I clearly understood what was going on in the community and what the needs are,” he said.

“I’ve always wanted to make sure I clearly understood what was going on in the community and what the needs are.” – Joe Williams

Soon after graduation, Joe was appointed executive director of the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC), where he served for 22 years. During his time there, he helped establish successful programs emphasizing early education, family health, and job development.

Joe was instrumental in gaining funding for the Fresno Sanctuary, which provides services to runaways and transient youth. The Sanctuary was renamed the Joe Williams Center upon his retirement from the EOC in 1993.

In 1977, Joe was elected to the Fresno City Council, eventually serving two terms. He was Fresno’s first African-American council member. He has also served on the boards of Community Medical Centers, the Fresno State Foundation and Premier Valley Bank.

After leaving the EOC, Joe joined Richard Heath and Associates, continuing his community-focused work at a private company. He served as chief executive officer until 2003, and now oversees the company as president of the board.

Joe received the Fresno City College Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2003 and the Fresno State Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2006. He and his wife Laura have three children and four grandchildren.