Río Hondo College Director of Dance, Dr. Alyson Cartagena, has been selected to serve an additional one-year term on the American College Dance Association (ACDA) Board of Directors, where she will continue to support both national and regional ACDA conferences and festivals for the Baja region, which includes Southern California. Cartagena, known for her passion for dance education and for opening doors to community college students who are looking to earn a degree in dance and/or transfer to a four-year college or university, has already completed two consecutive three-year terms on the ACDA Board of Directors.
Río Hondo College to Hold Healing Circle for Loss of Professor
Río Hondo College will hold a healing circle and grief counseling at the L Tower breezeway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, July 20, to support the community as it grieves the loss of Professor Julius B. Thomas, who passed away on July 9. The event will provide students, faculty, staff and alumni the space to share thoughts and feelings on the loss of Thomas. Río Hondo College is located at 3600 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier.
The Río Hondo College Foundation’s signature fundraising gala, “A Taste of Río,” dazzled guests with an impressive array of artisan cuisine, craft beer and wines, exquisite gift baskets and lively entertainment. This year’s event, held June 9, brought in the highest amount in the history of the fundraiser, raising more than $107,603 for scholarships and student support services. “A Taste of Río” hosted more than 350 patrons, who noshed on freshly prepared culinary delights and curated spirits provided by nearly two dozen local vendors.
A Taste of Río, Río Hondo College’s biggest annual event, will bring delicious foods, fine wines, craft beer, vibrant entertainment and more when the event returns to campus from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 9. The event, which is produced by the Río Hondo College Foundation, will raise funds to support student scholarships, programs and equipment to promote success. For more information visit: https://www.riohondo.edu/a-taste-of-rio/. Río Hondo College is located at 3600 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier.
Nearly 1,800 Río Hondo College students strolled, jogged and danced onto campus wearing smiles on their faces and colorful grad caps – some with hopeful messages about their dreams and futures, and others with homages to their loved ones, nationalities and personalities – during the College’s 60th commencement ceremony on May 26. This year, 1,791 students earned Bachelor of Science, Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. Of these degrees, 1,074 are Associate degrees for transfer, meaning they are eligible for admission to the California State University system.
Río Hondo College Dance Concert Promises Expressive Spring Concert
Río Hondo College’s Dance Program students and staff are preparing to captivate the community with a series of vibrant and breathtaking solo and ensemble dances during “Emergence” – the Spring 2023 Dance Concert. The concert, co-directed by Kristina Urteaga and Carol McDowell, will be held 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 11 and 6 p.m. on Friday, May 12 at the Kinesiology, Dance and Athletics Complex at Río Hondo College, located at 3600 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier.
Río Hondo College’s Dance Program students and staff are preparing to captivate the community with a series of vibrant and breathtaking solo and ensemble dances during “Emergence” – the Spring 2023 Dance Concert. The concert, co-directed by Kristina Urteaga and Carol McDowell, will be held at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 11 and 6 p.m. on Friday, May 12 at the Kinesiology, Dance and Athletics Complex at Río Hondo College. The concert will feature “Where I Left Off,” an ensemble dance work created by guest choreographer and College alumna Rivka Villanueva.
Río Hondo College Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores will host “Un Cafecito at a time” or “One Coffee at a time” virtual chat to meet with community members and the public at large. The audience will help drive the conversation with the questions they ask and the comments, suggestions, and feedback they share over coffee during this open to the public event. Dr. Flores, who started her tenure as Superintendent/President of Río Hondo College on July 1, 2022, launched “Un Cafecito at a time” in January 2023 as a monthly conversation with the campus community. More than 60 students, faculty and staff attended the first Cafecito chat in January before the spring semester started and more than 70 attended each of the February and March events.
Río Hondo College’s Forensics Speech and Debate program has been ranked 10th in the nation overall among community colleges and universities, a milestone that recognizes the hard work, dedication and persistence of the College’s students and faculty over the last 50 years. The honor was announced during the National Parliamentary Debate Association Championship, held March 25 to 27. The Forensics Speech and Debate program, which was formed in 1970, has steadily climbed the ranks over the years – placing 17th in 2022, 21st in 2021 and 27th in 2020.
Río Hondo College and the Río Hondo College Foundation will host its annual golf tournament at 8:30 a.m., on Friday, Sept. 22 at Candlewood Country Club. Players will enjoy a morning of golf, lunch, beverages and snacks while knowing that their patronage will provide financial assistance for scholarships, programs and equipment for the College’s community. For more information visit: https://www.riohondo.edu/foundation/golf-tournament/. Candlewood Country Club is located at 14000 Telegraph Rd., Whittier.
