From the Office of Acting President Elñora Tena Webb

The first month of the semester has flown by. Below, you’ll find listings of upcoming activities on campus and successes by our faculty, students and friends. This list is proof, once again, that Laney College and the individuals that make up our community are truly remarkable.

We’ll be unveiling the Laney College Educational Master Plan – a document created by the students, faculty, classified staff and administrators to examine the opportunities for the next 5-10 years to grow and strengthen our College. The feedback of the community was the most important piece in the development of this plan. We hope to share the findings with each of you this spring.

Professionals & Scholar Athletes

Seabirds Making a Comeback

Thanks to the efforts of Mark Rauzon and other scientists, feral cats were removed from Wake Atoll and rare seabirds are making a dramatic comeback in the central Pacific Ocean. Professor Rauzon’s effective environmental advocacy inspired geography student Wesley McAfee to star in the fun and educational “Safe the Water” video. Rauzon is a Laney Geography Professor and Co-chair of the Earth and Human Sciences Department.

A Winning Translation

Dr. Zujian Zhang recently won the Fu-lei Prize, the highest award for French-Chinese scholarly translation.  Professor Zhang’s translation, The Way of the Mask, was authored by world renowned French anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss.  The award ceremony was held at Beijing University in December.  French Ambassador Hervé Ladsous and 2008 Nobel Laureate Le Clézio presented the award to Dr. Zhang.  Dr. Zhang is the Laney College Foreign Languages Department Chair.

Women’s Basketball Continues Streak

After defeating Contra Costa College last Friday, the Eagles Women Basketball improved its record to 11-1 in the Bay Valley Conference. The Team is 19-5 overall, with three games remaining, in the regular season. Laney will play at Mendocino College on Thursday, February 11. The last home game will be against Merritt College on Wednesday, February 17 at 5:30 p.m.  Eagles Women Basketball will then play at Napa Valley College on Friday, February 19.

Upcoming Events

Year of the Tiger – Laney Style

Students are welcoming the Year of the Tiger with a festive celebration on Thursday, February 11, 11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. in the Quad. Participants will enjoy music, dance and a kung fu demonstration.  Participants can also win an iPod and other gift items.

Black History Month Begins

Laney College Black History Month celebration began with writer & activist Tim Wise’s lecture on “Barack and a Hard Place: Challenging Racism, Privilege and Denial in the Age of Obama.” Upcoming events will include:

• Ella Baker Center Executive Director Jakada Imani will present “Economic and Social Justice in Oakland” (Tuesday, February 9, 10:30 – 11:50 a.m., E-207)

• Green for All Program Manager Julian McQueen will discuss “The Road Map to Green Jobs for African Americans” (Tuesday, February 16, 6 – 7:30 p.m., E-200)

• Tabia African-American Theatre Ensemble will present “Black History through Historical Figures, Poetry, Song, and Dance” (Wednesday, February 17, 11 a.m. – 12 noon, D – 200)

• Former political prisoner & Black Panther leader Erica Huggins will discuss “Women, Social Justice and Economics” (Tuesday, February 23, 6 -7:30 p.m., E-200)

Don Reed’s “E 14^th Street”

The Laney Theater is presenting comedian Don Reed’s “E 14^th Street,” one of the 2009 East Bay Express Top 10 Plays. Catch this hilarious and uplifting performance on Fridays (February 19 & 26) and Saturdays (February 20 & 27) at 8:30 p.m.

Lunar New Year Luncheon

The Peralta Asian Pacific American Association is hosting a Lunar New Year luncheon on Friday, February 26, 12 noon – 1:30 p.m., at the Silver Dragon Restaurant in Oakland Chinatown.  The event is open to all Peralta employees and students.  Cost is $25 per person.  Members of the Laney Team are encouraged to make reservations by February 19 with Lilian Chow, Darlene Cruz, and Susan Truong.

News & Information

Transfer Tips

The Laney College Transfer Center advises students on strategies to gain admission to four-year institutions through counseling, workshops, campus tours as well as advising sessions with college/university representatives. Twelve institutions, including U.C. Berkeley and Stanford, are scheduled to visit the Laney campus this semester. To arrange an appointment for one-on-one counseling, contact the Transfer Center at T-301 or call (510) 464-3135. 

Study Abroad in Ghana

“Cultural Consciousness in the Performing Arts” is Laney’s first study-abroad program to Ghana, Africa.  This summer course (July 27 – August 10, 2010) offers a chance to study Ghana through the lens of arts and humanities with a specific emphasis on West African dance and drum. For more info, contact Dance Department Professor Andrea V. Lee at avlee@peralta.edu or (510) 228-8969.

Good News Magazine

The Good News Magazine is accepting original art and literature for its 2010 edition. Laney students and employees are encouraged to submit fiction, poetry, non-fiction, photographs, artwork and graphics to G233, from noon – 2 p.m. daily.  Deadline for submission is Friday, February 26.  For more info, contact Professor Burt Dragin at (510) 464-3459 or email: burtdragin@aol.com.

Did you know…

More than 500 students graduate with Associate of Arts and Science degrees from Laney College each year.

Please send comments and story ideas to
Eliza Y Chan, Public Information Officer, elizachan@peralta.edu

Laney College | 900 Fallon Street | Oakland | CA | 94607 | www.laney.peralta.edu