Share: Dr. Bradford Johnston is a history professor at PCC, but in another life he might have been a lawyer. So what stopped him? “I was set to enroll or matriculate in law school with my twin brother, and at the last minute decided not to do so. Perhaps I was having too much fun skateboarding,” Johnston said. Johnston remembers how, at age thirteen, he noticed many neighborhood kids skateboarding, saying, “I instantly thought that it was cool. I was intrigued.” Before this, his exposure …
Posters of Nanostar research break down the hard science behind research breakthroughs
Share: In September, the Courier reported a story about the Nanostars, a team of young scientists researching DNA and designing new applications for that research under the guidance of PCC instructor Dr. Jillian Blatti. Now, the Poster Session at PCC gives us a chance to spotlight their research in greater detail. The Natural Sciences Division Undergraduate Research Poster Session is a biennial conference held at Pasadena City College that provides an opportunity for students to present the research they have done with their professors, peers …
Incoming director plots new partnerships for Pride Center
Share: Located on the fourth floor of the R Building, the Pride Center is a small, essential space for members of the LGBTQ+ community on campus. But the Pride Center was facing a time of transition after staff turnover. Resource advocates, like Lucy Rokitski and Bryce Simon, had moved on, leaving a vacuum… but also opportunity. Ana Bernal filled that vacuum. A former student of PCC, Bernal has been the new director of the Pride Center for one week. Ana Bernal is staying busy in …
From the Archive: Even in the 30’s, we knew Jackie Robinson was special
Share: [Editor’s Desk, 2024: When we reached the 1930s in this by-the-decade retrospective, we knew we wanted to find a story about Jackie Robinson. The college and city are both rightly proud of Robinson having been from here, but how much of that was obvious hindsight? We were concerned that our past articles might have been part of the racist system that marginalized black athletes. Did our historical peers respect Robinson as they should have? It turns out, the sports writers in our past knew …
Pasadena’s art walk explores intersection of community and art
Share: The blocks between Los Robles and El Molino were filled with Pasadena residents and locals for the annual two-day Art Walk. Booths lined up showcasing different styles of art including oil painting, jewelry and handcrafted pottery from Mexico. For some attendees, this was their first Art Walk, enjoying the creative atmosphere, food and a live singer playing an acoustic guitar. One local resident shared her excitement, saying, “This is my first time. I live down the street and saw something going on, so I …
‘La Reina de HSIs’ teaches colleges how to reign with ‘servingness’
Share: Outside of PCC’s Westerbeck Hall a group of predominantly Latine staff, faculty, and students gathers. As the crowd becomes larger, event organizers encourage newcomers to scan QR codes for the nearing presentation. As they do, attendees help themselves to food and drink including conchas—traditional sweet bread rolls common in Latine households, and an emblem of the “servingness” Dr. Gina Ann Garcia teaches. A visiting professor from UC Berkeley, Garcia’s keynote address is a homage to PCC’s observation of Hispanic Heritage Month and a reflection …
‘Carried on a million prayers’: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson brings her story to LA
Share: In the darkness of the Wilshire Ebell Theater, Ketanji Brown Jackson describes when she was sworn in—the moment that Chief Justice Roberts immediately shifted from casual conversation to solemn gravitas. “Are you prepared to take the oath?” Roberts asked her. Jackson drew a deep breath to steady herself. She looked at the two Bibles she was swearing on. One was the Jackson family Bible, an heirloom from her parents. The other was the Bible once owned by John Marshall Harlan, which has been signed …
Missed Club Rush? Here’s where to find your people
Share: There’s a good reason the quad was so crowded last week. Club Rush and University Day were both present out there. Club Rush (dubbed “Clubchella” this year) is when PCC students get to express their passion and enthusiasm for their club activities where the entire campus can see them. It’s a reminder that learning doesn’t have to be done in a classroom. College clubs are a way to get direct, practical experience without the pressure of a grade. There’s no need to wait until …
California artists paint dire picture of a planet in crisis
Share: Six artists from California are gathered on stage in a dim theater room at Pasadena City College. At the podium, art director Jeffrey B. Cain and curator Lucinda Luvaas lead the discussion of the issues facing the planet highlighted in the art. On the screen behind them is the exhibit title, “Reflections On Our Warming Planet: Part Three.” “We wanted to showcase what art can do outside of the art dialogue, how it could work with particular issues, scientists, how it could work with …
From the Archive: Courier covers college’s conception
Share: [Editor’s Desk, 2024: As we celebrate PCC’s centennial by going through the Courier archives, we found the perfect story this week. The Courier was founded in 1915 as the Pasadena High School Chronicle, but PCC itself measures its start from the opening of the Junior College at the high school in 1924. That means we were able to find the story where we covered the opening of the college itself! Unfortunately, as you can see from the photo, the archived copy has suffered some …