The past, present and Futurama of professor Dunbar

Share: Reclining back in his desk chair in the large PCC radio studio, repping PCC in a large red Pasadena City College sweater, professor Geoff Dunbar reflects on his decades of experience in the radio and TV industry, as well as his time here at PCC. Dunbar has been teaching television and radio at PCC for sixteen years now but has been doing audio production and radio for well over 20 years. In the 90s, he created his own recording studio, which got him work …

Historic campus redwood chopped down, will native species replace it?

Share: Just 15,000 years ago redwood trees were common in the Los Angeles basin. The climate was cool and moist, and saber tooth cats, dire wolves, giant ground sloths, and coyotes roamed the forests.  By about 1970 when the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) was planted in the quad at PCC, the climate in Southern California was considerably warmer and drier, and much less hospitable to the tree whose natural habitat is now limited to a slice of Northern California and southern Oregon where it receives …

Education after incarceration: CORE supports system impacted students

Share: On a Wednesday afternoon, right around lunchtime, the sound of laughter can be heard all the way down the hall of the Student Services building emanating from the office that serves as a home for PCC’s CORE Program. The laugh belonged to former PCC student, Lorenzo Byers. Byers, though not currently enrolled in classes at PCC, still likes to hang out in L-106. “It’s like a very addicting place,” said Byers, “Like you always wanna be here. I would say that this is like …

PCC celebrates Shatford Library’s illustrious history at 30th birthday party

Share: Over 30 years ago, between the E-building and lot 7, a barren plot covering about 60,000 square feet of land awaited construction. Plans for the new library began over 30 years prior, with groundwork starting in 1991. The old library, located in the L-building, opened in the summer of 1949. For the time, the new space impressed the college with the steadfast construction and the jump from 38,000 books to over 43,000 books. However, its end was imminent. On Sept. 7, 1993, a new …

Say hello to the new boss at PCC, Dr. José Gómez

Share: With a tall cup of Diet Coke and the sun shining through the windows, Dr. José Gómez, the Interim Superintendent-President, speaks fondly of the musicians who once walked PCC’s halls, from Eddie Van Halen to Kenny Loggins. The awe and excitement with which he spoke of these legends translates directly to his love and dedication to PCC, not just as an institution but as a community as well. Gómez assumed the role of Interim Superintendent President in late July following former president Erika Endrijonas’s …

C you later: C-Building is now the Jack Scott Building

Share: Celebrating his legacy and commitment to the college, the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees re-dedicated the administration building to honor former PCC president Dr. Jack Scott at a ceremony last Thursday. Scott served as president of Pasadena City College from 1987 to 1995, laying the groundwork for a $150 million bond program that revitalized the college’s facilities and infrastructure. During his presidency, he oversaw the construction of five new buildings, including the Shatford Library. “Even after he began his retirement, although we all …

Something new under the sun: PCC Observatory sheds light on partial eclipse

Share: At 8:30 a.m. last Saturday morning, 9-and-a-half year old Nathan and his aunt, Lorena, hung out on the roof of Lot 4 at PCC. They perched on a cement curb and gazed at a tiny shape on a square of paper. Nathan explained what he was looking at.  “You basically just want to line it up, and you’ll be able to see the curving,” he said. Armed with a simple pinhole camera that he had made downstairs with the help of volunteers from the …

Help Wanted: PCC’s search for Lance O’ Lot’s entourage

Share: Lance O’ Lot is here to stay! In March 2023, PCC introduced its new mascot, Lance O’ Lot, bidding farewell to the retired Larry the Lancer. While Lance O’ Lot remained somewhat elusive, a recent job posting indicates that we’ll be seeing a lot more of him. PCC posted on their Instagram, last week advertising tryouts to be Lance O’ Lot, a paid position. While only one person will fill the role of Lance O’ Lot, PCC is looking for extra help with all …

PCC women’s water polo fights to stay afloat against El Camino

Share: It was a tough 12-8 loss for the Lancers in a well-fought battle against the El Camino Warriors. PCC Women’s Water Polo team had their first test at home against the El Camino College Warriors. Although it was a tough loss, the Lancers really played an unbelievable, well-balanced game.  “We saw them play on Saturday in the LA Valley Tournament although we didn’t play them, and so everything they did today we expected,” Terry Stoddard said when asked if El Camino’s play style was …

Pumpkin Spice Latte’s 20th anniversary is here, but who’s here for it?

Share: Goodbye “hot girl summer,” and hello Pumpkin Spice Latte. The signature Starbucks beverage made its return to the menu for the 20th year in a row, bringing along with it staunch supporters and absolute haters.  The Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) has graced the Starbucks menu for 20 years now, however its life on the menu hasn’t come without pushback. This most notable comes from Starbucks’ own baristas, who are required to fulfill the orders of pumpkin lovers. “I feel like it’s been horrible,” JP, …