Foundation News

Mendocino College Foundation Award Winner Alberto Lozano

Thursday, 25 October 2012 17:39

by Lynda Myers

Ukiah High graduate and artist Alberto Lozano, recently won the Mendocino College Foundation Mary Oosting Scholarship for 2012. This scholarship was established in memory of local artist Mary Oosting, in 2001, by her family and friends to support students who are highly motivated to create visual art. Each year faculty members in the Mendocino College Visual Art Department identify a recipient who demonstrates commitment and enthusiasm in this area of study.

Lozano was nominated for the Oosting scholarship by art faculty member Paula Gray. “The money is certainly helpful, and I appreciate it, but the confidence in my ability and promise is even more satisfying. I am very grateful for that,” Lozano said.

In his second year as a full time student majoring in ceramic arts, Lozano is still deciding where he wants to go after Mendocino College (MC). “I want to transfer to an art school and get a degree, but they are very expensive, and I am not yet sure how I will pay for it,” he said.

Lozano said MC has an excellent pottery program. He has also started taking science classes, which he finds fascinating. He is especially interested in genetics, which he discovered while taking an anthropology class.

A spiritual person, Lozano says, “To be an artist, it is necessary to go deep into one's soul. Art is a way of exploring my inner self. Creativity is a way of expressing what is in my soul. Being centered while throwing on the potter's wheel is one way I tap into that.”

Lozano said he is proud of being in college and finding that he can do the work. “I have surprised myself by discovering what I am capable of,” he said. When he is not in class, Lozano works as a waiter at Taqueria Michoacan, and he also works “side jobs” in construction. In his free time, he likes to hike, meditate, make art, and cook. He is a member of the MC ceramics club.

He advises others who are thinking of going to college, “to come with an open mind, and to listen to what the teachers have to say. Do the lessons and read the books. It has worked for me!”

Lozano said his girlfriend and fellow-artist Taylor Tobisch is an inspiration to him. “She has been taking drawing classes at MC, and I've gotten her to try ceramics as well,” he said.

In closing, Lozano said he is grateful that Mendocino College is part of our community. He would like to thank the family and friends of Mary Oosting for making the scholarship possible. He also thanks the MC Foundation for selecting him to receive the award. “It means a lot to me,” he said.

For more information about the Mendocino College Foundation or to donate towards any of their programs, call them at 707-467-1018.

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CAM Students Receive China and Flatware

Thursday, 18 October 2012 14:12

The Culinary Arts Department at Mendocino College would like to thank the generous donors who funded 3 dozen place settings by participating in the Fund-A-Need program at last June’s Gala on the Green fundraiser.

“When people think about funding a culinary program, china and flatware aren’t usually the first things to come to mind,” says Nicholas Petti, Culinary Arts Instructor. “Ovens, mixers, fryers, even ingredients are suggested- all of which are needed of course, but the goal of our program is to prepare students for work in the hospitality industry and to train them for that, you need to serve people. This donation allows us to serve campus groups and eventually we hope to have enough in our collection to provide all the settings necessary for large events, like the Gala Vine & Dine event.”

Twenty-two students are enrolled this semester in the Culinary Arts program and Petti is proud that three of them have already found employment, just 2 months into their first semester. The restaurant industry is the largest employer nationwide and the need for trained culinary professionals is expected to continue to increase. The focus of the Culinary Arts department is training future professionals to meet this need.

The Culinary Arts Management department will be the caterer for the 2013 Gala Vine & Dine, the Mendocino College Foundation’s annual fundraiser, an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have learned in the 18 unit, 2 semester program. “This year, we’re renting all the plates and silverware. Next year, we might have our own,” Petti continues.    

Petti and the Foundation want to express their sincere gratitude to the staff in the Business and Financial Aid Offices at Mendocino College, Gil & Lorena Tournour, Jim Flaherty, Reema & Peter Meecham, Michael & Virginia Guleff, Jacque Bradley, Rob & Rosalie Scott, Dennis & Madelyn Yeo, Gary & Edelgard Smith, Lesa & Matthew McArdle and Ukiah Rotary’s Monster Bike Ride.           

For more information about the Mendocino College Foundation or to donate towards any of their programs, call them at 707-467-1018.

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Mendocino College Campus Tour

Wednesday, 17 October 2012 16:07

The next-to-last Mendocino College fall campus tour took place today on what turned out to be an unseasonably warm October afternoon. The walk, hosted by Superintendent/President Roe Darnell, included visits to the new Library/Learning Center, the English Learning Lab located in the Library/Learning Center complex, Sustainable Technology and Culinary Arts Management. Tour guests were served a delicious lunch prepared by Culinary Arts instructor Nicholas Petti and his students. Wednesday, November 14 marks the last guided walk for the fall semester. If you are interested in joining in or would like more information, email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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