Music Professor Stephen Thomas performs in China

Pianist Stephen Thomas, a CSU Stanislaus Professor of Music, took his talents to China in August to perform concerts, present master classes, and to adjudicate piano competitions.

Students responded positively to his advice during master classes in Jinan, China, and his performances and presentations were met with great enthusiasm. His tour also took him to Harbin, China, and prompted invitations to return in the future, Thomas said.

Garfield’s school for homeless children in Stockton reopens at new site

The Transitional Learning Center school for children of the homeless founded by CSU Stanislaus Professor of Teacher Education has relocated to a new home of its own.

Closed down at its original site of 17 years in June, the school reopened less than a half mile away from its previous location, this time at the former site of the Stockton Alternative High School on Van Buren Street. In addition to instruction, the school will continue to offer clothing, supplies, access to counseling, and referrals for medical, dental, and other services.

The school closed in June at the St. Mary’s Interfaith Community Services campus under the Crosstown Freeway after leaders at the site cited declining enrollment and lack of resources.
A separate TLC Foundation with broad-based community support has since been established and the school is officially operating in a partnership with the San Joaquin County Office of Education.

Since Garfield founded the school in 1992, more than 7,000 children of poverty-stricken families have passed through its doors. Many CSU Stanislaus students have been able to obtain valuable experience by joining other volunteers in providing staffing at the school.

Biology Chair Mark Grobner talks about rabbits in Canada

Dr. Mark Grobner, Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, was the keynote speaker at the recent annual meeting of the Ontario Rabbit Association in Canada.

Grobner told his audience that many American rabbit producers do not plan ahead as they establish rabbit herds and find the costs often surpass the profits. He noted that gaining knowledge about the rabbits is the key factor, pointing out that herds fed a diet higher in fiber have proven to be healthier.

An experienced rabbit breeder, Grobner earned his Ph.D. while working at the Oregon State University Rabbit Research Center. Starting out in the rabbit-raising businesss when he was eight years old,  Grobner later launched companies in Western Oregon and later in California with herds of more than 1,600 rabbits. He currently keeps 300 breeding does at his rabbit ranch south of Turlock and has done extensive research on operating rabbit ranches and factors that go into successful rabbit production.

Mark Bender of Ag Studies honored with Good Egg Award

Dr. Mark Bender, who has served as Founding Endowed Chair of the CSU Stanislaus Department of Agricultural Studies since 2002, was honored with the Good Egg Award in Modesto on October 29. The award is presented annually to leaders and supporters of the egg industry.

Heading into the Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP) with a part-time teaching schedule this year, Bender has helped to improve the connection between the University’s steadily growing Agricultural Studies Program and the community. Bender has been active in fair competitions over the years and promoted ties with regional community colleges. Before joining CSU Stanislaus, Bender served as Dean of Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, and Technical Education at Modesto Junior College.

Recipient of a number of national and state honors, Bender served as the advisor to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Kika de la Garza Fellowship Class in Washington D.C. this past summer. His duties included assisting and advising the Hispanic National Program Leadership panel with the Fellowship program that promotes increased educational opportunities for Hispanic-Americans. One of 20 faculty from all over the country who were recognized in 2007 with participation in the program, he has been invited to participate again next summer.

Former CSU Stanislaus instructor involved in upcoming
Gem Show

Michael Whittier, who has taught geology classes at CSU Stanislaus, is President of the Mother Lode Mineral Society that will hold its annual Gem & Mineral Show at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in Turlock, March 13 and 14. A number of CSU Stanislaus faculty and students have been involved with the show over the years.