“This would be one of the few times in my life that I ended up being genuinely happy over a misunderstanding,” Kula said. “I grew up in a rural Iowa farming community and learning how to make adobe for the adobe brick project helped me reconnect with my roots.”

The adobe brick project was conceived in an Introduction to Philosophy honors class, in which students are asked to create an experiential learning project that focuses on the college’s Environmental Technology Center (ETC)– a volunteer-based experiment which brings together CGCC students, faculty, K-12 students, community, and local businesses to plan and promote sustainable living practices. 

Kula said the first step in the project was to secure funds in order to purchase some of the materials needed to create the bricks.

“I wrote a grant proposal outlining the materials and funds we would need for the semester, including how these funds would allow for students to engage in sustainable actions, learning activities in the fields of philosophy, geology, chemistry, and mathematics, as well as make an impact on the local and global community through our Facebook page and demonstrations at the adobe site,” Kula said. “The Center for Civic and Global Engagement awarded us $500 to get started.” 

Pictured: (Left to right) CGCC students Richard Lory, Cambria Greer, Brooke Kennedy, Shane Kula, and Shelbie Kaitlyn in the adobe mixing pit after a long day of mixing adobe and making bricks.  

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Nine Chandler-Gilbert Community College student-athletes realized their dreams this fall when they signed with NCAA four-year universities to play baseball beginning in fall 2012. 

Those players include right-hand pitcher Preston Hill, who signed with Temple University; infielder Logan Davis, who signed with the University of San Diego; outfielder Mac Handel, who signed with Stephen F. Austin University; outfielder Tyler Hollick, who signed with Ohio State University; outfielder Matt Wehrli, who signed with the University of North Dakota; right-hand pitcher Malcolm Purdy, who signed with Grand Canyon University; right-hand pitcher Hunter Herdt, who signed with Grand Canyon University; right-hand pitcher Kevn Hammann, who signed with University of Pacific; and right-hand pitcher Matt Schmitt, who signed with the University of North Dakota.       

 

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to move on to Ohio State University, but I will miss CGCC, because it has become like a family to me - the coaches, players, and anyone involved with the baseball program is a part of that,” said sophomore Tyler Hollick.  “Playing at CGCC was the best decision I ever made because it elevated my game on the field and made me the person I am today.”  

CGCC head baseball coach Russell Luce said that it’s rare for a community college to have this many players sign this early with NCAA Division 1 teams, and it’s the most CGCC has had in one season.

Pictured (left to right): Kevin Hammann, Matt Wherli, Mac Handel, Logan Davis, Malcolm Purdy, Hunter Herdt, Preston Hill, Matt Schmit, and Tyler Hollick

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As part of a celebration of the Great American Smokeout, the Maricopa County Community College District in November formally launched Maricopa BreatheEasy, a healthy-living initiative that will result in smoke-free and tobacco-free properties on July 1, 2012. On that date, the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges will join more than 500 other colleges and universities that have become smoke-free, tobacco-free, or both.