Glendale Community College Celebrating 90 Years

The party begins with the “Reaching for the Stars” gala on Saturday, Sept. 30 starting at 6 p.m. right on the Glendale Community College campus. I find it fitting that organizers of the 90th anniversary chose the name “Reaching for the Stars” for this historic event. GCC opened its campus – and their state-of-the-art planetarium – to the public as a viewing site for the historic solar eclipse on Aug. 21.

I joined in on the fun with GCC board president Dr. Armine Hacopian for a spectacular experience. GCC provided glasses for over 2,000 people to view the eclipse. The GCC Planetarium is an all-digital (computer-driven) full dome theater developed by Sky-Skan. It boasts both 2D and 3D “live” digital star fields using DigitalSky 2 and Digital Universe 2 full-dome video or “movies” presented via SkyVision and a fully computer controlled 5.1 surround sound system and automated high intensity LED lighting. They present all of their shows on a custom-built 30-foot diameter dome. The theater seats 48 patrons in power reclining seats built by Recaro. For a personal touch, all shows are presented with a live narrator, allowing audience Q&A. How amazing is that?

These are the kinds of great additions to the campus that GCC can make through sponsorships and donations from the community. This 90th anniversary gala is being put on by the Glendale College Foundation. Their vision – to establish a charitable foundation that would support college facilities and programs and build public awareness of the college – is today’s reality. Their mission is to create public awareness of the needs of the college; to promote the college to business and industry and the greater Glendale community; and to raise funds for facilities and programs.

The gala celebration promises to be a fun night and will feature a reception with silent auction, awards presentation, live auction, live entertainment and, of course, a fabulous dinner. Funds raised from the 90th anniversary event will be dedicated to such things as scholarships, emergency funds for students in need, musical instruments, scientific equipment, uniforms for nurses and young athletes struggling to afford them, books, transportation tokens and other essential learning tools. Admission to the “Reaching for the Stars” event is $250. For information on becoming a sponsor of the event, log onto www.glendale.edu and search 90th anniversary celebration and all the opportunities to support. For more information, contact Lisa Brooks at (818) 551-5196 or email her at lbrooks@glendale.edu. Until then, “keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars!”

Upcoming Events

90th Anniversary Celebration of GCC on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. at Glendale Community College, 1500 N. Verdugo Blvd. in Glendale.

Oktoberfest kick-off mixer on Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at SIG Property Management, 2937 Honolulu Ave. in Montrose.

Oktoberfest on Saturday Oct. 7 from noon to 11 p.m. in the 2200, 2300 & 2400 blocks of Honolulu Avenue in Montrose.

  melinda clarke