The story of millions of Mexican nationals brought to the United States to work on America’s farms as guest workers is now being told in an exhibit entitled, Bittersweet Harvest - The Bracero Program 1942-1964, now on display through April 30 in the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Library.

This free exhibit chronicles the history of bracero laborers brought in from Mexico to toil on America's farms during and after World War II.  Braceros were Mexican nationals who were brought to the U.S. between 1942 and 1964 on short-term labor contracts under the Emergency Farm Labor Program during President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's tenure to counter the labor shortages after World War II. The program was subsequently administered by a U.S. government agency.

CGCC faculty librarian Dr. Larry Miller said the college felt it was important to bring the traveling Smithsonian Institution Exhibit to CGCC because it’s a story that hasn’t been told.

“The bracero guest worker program is typically not in any history books and many people don’t understand how important it was to this country during World War II,” Miller said.  “It’s a part of our history and it relates to a lot of the people who live here. The exhibit shows their contributions during a very difficult time in U.S. history.”

Pictured: CGCC Library Faculty Larry Miller at the entrance to the Bittersweet Harvest Exhibit in the CGCC Library. 

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The lights of Broadway are shining on former Chandler-Gilbert Community College student Ryan Jesse.

Jesse, 25, recently made his Broadway debut in the role of Bob Gaudio in the Broadway cast of Jersey Boys, the Tony, Olivier, and Grammy Award-winning smash hit musical. 

Jersey Boys, which opened on Broadway to critical acclaim in November 2005, is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks who became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time.

Jesse says he feels blessed to be performing on Broadway just three years after completing his musical theater degree from the University of Northern Colorado.

“It’s great and it’s amazing to be where I never thought possible,” Jesse said. “To be at a place in my life where my childhood dreams are realized is incredible, and it’s an honor to get to do this every night.”

Pictured l - r:  Jarrod Spector (as Frankie Valli) and Ryan Jesse (as Bob Gaudio)  Photo credit: Joan Marcus

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