At MCC, we never tire of hearing about the pursuits and successes of our alumni. Below is a compilation of alumni who have been in the news this school year. If you or a fellow alum is featured in the news, we’d like to know. Send the information to marcy.snitzer@mesacc.edu.
Ward Shares Success Path at Mesa Community College
Cameren Ward talks about his role as student services specialist in Mesa Community College’s Testing Services Center.
Arizona Informant, January 13, 2016
Strathmore's Who's Who Honors Dianna M. Johnson as a 2016 Professional of the Year
Dianna M. Johnson, of Mesa, Arizona, has recently been recognized as a Strathmore’s Who’s Who Professional of the Year for her outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of roofing. She is an MCC alum.
Pr.com, December 30, 2015
Eastside Fire Taps Out-Of-State Candidate for New Fire Chief
Jeff Clark has been the fire chief for the Chandler Fire, Health & Medical Department in Chandler, Arizona, for the last seven years. The Eastside Fire & Rescue board in Washington extended an offer to Clark for the open EF&R fire chief position. He has an associate of applied science and fire science from Mesa Community College, a bachelor’s degree in public safety administration from Grand Canyon University and a master of administration from Northern Arizona University.
Issaquahreporter.com, December 22, 2015
Dr. Gerardo E. de los Santos Resigns as President and CEO, League for Innovation
After nearly 17 years at the League of Innovation, 10 years as President and CEO, Gerardo E. de los Santos, Ph.D., will be stepping down from his leadership role due to family health responsibilities.
Gerardo is an MCC alum.
PressReleaseRocket.net, December 7, 2015
Karate Class Offered in Spring Semester (Ron Striegel)
Ron Striegel is the newest faculty member teaching classes in the Health Care Navigation Program at OJC (Colorado). Most of his professional life has been in the health care industry, first in nursing then spending 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry in various capacities. Most recently Ron worked as a Hospital and Patient Services manager for Fresenius Medical Care.
He earned his master’s degree in education with a teaching and learning theory emphasis from Capella University, and his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Regis University in Denver. Ron is a currently licensed practical nurse having received his nursing certificate from Mesa Community College, Mesa, Arizona.
La Junta Tribune, November 30, 2015
Coverage of MCC Honors Alumni for Contributions
The Mesa Community College Hall of Fame was held Nov. 5 honoring alumni, community members and MCC employees whose personal and professional accomplishments and positive contributions to the college and community set them apart.
East Mesa Independent, November 11, 2015
East Valley Tribune, November 18, 2015
MCC Hall of Fame Alumni Achievement Award (OIG Chief Terry Azbill)
On Thursday, November 5th, Mesa Community College (MCC) held its first annual Hall of Fame event honoring alumni, community members, and MCC employees whose personal and professional accomplishments to MCC and the community deserve special recognition.
The Alumni Achievement Award was presented to five alumni who have excelled in their professions, while giving back to their communities. Among the five was Terry Azbill, Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the Office of Inspector General.
AZ Dept. of Economic Security, November 16, 2015
Honran a Hilda Luna
Mesa Community College honored Hermenegilda "Hilda" Luna into its Hall of Fame for raising awareness of cancer among Hispanic women in Mesa.
Prensa Hispana, November 12, 2015
BYU Speech Mentions Duane Oakes
Terry R. Seamons, President of the BYU Alumni Association, spoke about Duane Oakes at his August commencement address.
Partial quote: "Through an educational career he has devoted himself to keeping the legacy going of the things he learned at BYU. He stayed involved."
speeches.byu.edu, August 13, 2015
Kemp off to Good Start in Unexpected Role as Pirates' Top QB
Former MCC Athlete featured in USA Today
USA Today, September 23, 2015
(Coverage of) Arizona SciTech Appoints New Director of Programs and Education
Arizona SciTech today announced the appointment of Susan Farretta as their new Director of Programs and Education. Farretta is a graduate of Mesa Community College. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Management and a Master of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix.
Business Wire, August 26, 2015
ITBriefing.net, August 28, 2015
Hites Scholarship to MCC Grad Helps Smooth the Transfer to ASU
MCC graduate Andrew Sypher receives Hites Scholarship.
Nearby News, August 28, 2015
Living by the Golden Rule
Daniel Kipp, who attended Mesa Community College, and his wife, Laurie, own Continuous Rain Gutter Systems & Show Low Garage Doors in Vernon. The combination of garage doors and rain gutters, water storage tanks and rain harvesting has given them a successful business much needed on the mountain. Their business employs local people and put dollars into the White Mountain economy.
White Mountain Independent, August 25, 2015
Rebecca Ming Hsu, MC, Named Top Female Executive in Forensic Pathology
Rebecca Ming Hsu, MD, Forensic Pathologist and Owner of Hsu Enterprises, LLC, has been named a Worldwide Branding Top Female Executive in Forensic Pathology. A qualified professional in her field, Dr. Hsu is trained as a funeral director. She received an associate's degree in mortuary science from Mesa Community College in 2007 and an MD from the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in 1995.
24-7pressrelease.com, August 25, 2015
Non-Traditional Student's Life a Lesson to Others
MCC alum Cindy Wong had a lot of obstacles to overcome as a youth – some that have taken decades to reconcile. She's now a scholarship student at ASU. Read her story:
ASU News, August 19, 2015
Valley Native Gets 'Wicked'
The Land of Oz is returning to ASU Gammage with the beloved musical Wicked. Stepping onto the Yellow Brick Road as part of the ensemble and as the understudy for Glinda and Nessarose is East Valley native, Beka Burnham.
After starring in productions at Mesa Community College and Greasepaint Youtheatre, the aspiring actress moved to Boston to study musical theater at The Boston Conservatory at the age of 17.
East Valley Tribune, August 16, 2015
ASU Officer Devotes a Lifetime to Law Enforcement
Stewart Adams retires from the Arizona State University Police Department after nearly 40 years of service. Adams attended Mesa Community College.
ASU News, August 12, 2015
Small Park in Old Town Surprise Honors 3 Olympic Track Talents
MCC Alum LaMonte King is honored in the Three Star Park in Surprise, AZ, along with Tim Williams and LaNorris "Crickett" Marshall, who were Olympic-class track athletes in the 1970s and 1980s. King was a star at Arizona State, an AAU national champion 200-meter runner and a top five athlete in the long jump. In 1980, Marshall had just finished at Mesa Community College and was posting top-five national times in both sprints.
yourwestvalley.com, August 2, 2015
Mountain West Moves to 8-Man Officiating Crew
Article mentions MCC football player and alum Austin Apodoca.
The Denver Post, July 30, 2015
Alum Helps ASU Microbiology Students Realize Their Dreams
Coming from a family of modest means, alumnus Michael Peddecord understands that a college education is expensive.
Though he would eventually graduate in 1970 from the microbiology program in Arizona State University’s School of Life Sciences, he started at Mesa Community College to save money and worked several jobs during college to pay for tuition.
ASU News, July 20, 2015
Phoenix Designer Will Release New Line of Leather Handbags After Successful Kickstarter
In just over two days, former MCC student Jennifer Boonlorn successfully funded the $10,000 needed for her Kickstarter campaign.
Now nearly a month later, the Phoenix fashion designer is at nearly $19,000, giving her plenty to work with as she releases the new collection for her Soul Carrier handbag brand.
Arizona Republic, July 13, 2015
Dianna M. Johnson of German Roofing Recognized by America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals
Dianna M. Johnson of Mesa, Arizona has been selected as Professional of the Year by America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals for her outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of Roofing. Johnson earned her A.S. at Mesa Community College.
PR Newswire, July 10, 2015
Seattle's Newest Southpaw
Josh Fields, a former standout pitcher from Columbia Falls, played eight seasons at all levels in the minors, a remarkably long career compared to the average three- to five-year span. After graduating from Mesa Community College in Arizona, Fields was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 23rd round of the 2001 MLB draft.
“It’s a pretty cutthroat business. You either perform or you don’t. And there’s always someone next in line trying to take your job,” Fields said.
Flathead Beacon, June 16, 2015
Oswald Named Community Manager
MCC alum Mark Oswald has been named community manager of The Highlands at Dove Mountain, a 1,297-home active adult development in Marana.
Inside Tucson Business, June 9, 2015
Brian Richards Looks Forward to Challenges of New Job
Newly appointed Snowflake Town Manager Brian Richards attended Mesa Community College and Arizona State University, where he graduated with a degree in accounting in 1993.
Arizona Journal, June 1, 2015
MCTV Coverage of Veterans Convocation and Bonnie Brockway
Maricopa Now coverage of MCCD Veterans Convocation and MCC graduate Bonnie Brockway.
Maricopa Now (Bonnie Brockway appears at minute 25:15)
MCTV, the digital television channel, is a partnership between the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and Cox Communications. Any subscriber to Cox Digital Television in Maricopa County can view MCTV on Cox Channel 11.
Life's Lessons by Deborah Bateman, Commencement Address
Commencement speaker Deborah Bateman blogs about addressing the crowd of graduates at MCC.
Deborahbateman.com, May 20, 2015
Video of 2015 Professor of the Year, Ann Ewing
Video of Dr. Ann Ewing, winner of the 2015 Mesa Chamber Professor of the Year. Video of Dr. Ann Ewing, winner of the 2015 Mesa Chamber Professor of the Year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYwqHZDzaNs