REPORT TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES SUPERINTENDENT/PRESIDENT KEVIN TRUTNA, ED.D - Feather River College
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REPORT TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SUPERINTENDENT/PRESIDENT KEVIN TRUTNA, ED.D.
APRIL 21, 2022
1. STUDENT AND EMPLOYEE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Baseball Coach Terry Baumgartner earned his 800th career college victory
on April 13th encompassing both Western Oregon University and Feather
River College. Of note, his brother was on the WOU team for his 100th
victory and his son was on the team for his 800th victory. Congratulations
Terry on your accomplishments for student-athletes both on- and off-the
field!
Allied Health Director Darlene Oertle was very excited to pass along the news:
• CNA: Nancy Moore successfully concluded another CNA class with three “graduates.” All students hope
to find work locally once they complete their Nurse Assistant Competency Exam and receive their license.
Also, another CNA class (NURS 100: Nurse’s Aide) is slated to begin June 13th.
• Vocational Nursing: So far, the NCLEX-PN pass rates for the cohort that graduated in December 2021 is
100%! Six graduates have taken the NCLEX and have passed on their first try. The California average for
the past year is 73% for comparison. The other three graduates will take the test soon. Also, the current
nursing cohort will be participating in the Kindergarten Roundup next week and are looking forward to
assisting our local schools.
Golden Valley Conference Awards
Women’s Basketball Men’s Basketball
All-Conference Team 1st Team All-Conference
Precious Masters Jake Rick
Serena Sanchez-Gardipe
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention Terry Williams III
Kobree Penney
Kylee Cox All-Defensive Team
Jake Rick
Across the United States, rural STEM students do not enter STEM disciplines at rates comparable to their
urban peers, as well as leave STEM disciplines at much greater rates than their urban peers leave for reasons
that are not well understood. On April 15, FRC was awarded a National Science Foundation S-STEM grant with
Biology Faculty Anna Thompson as the Principal Investigator and supported by Co-investigators Dr. Derek
Lerch and Cameron Sublett from WestEd as the educational researcher. The grant is for $750,000 over 6
years: $450,000 are for scholarships to support eligible FRC STEM students and $300,000 are ear-marked to
carry out research and develop best practices to support rural STEM students as they navigate the STEM
pipeline. With this grant, FRC has the potential to become a model of best practices to support rural STEM
education for rural colleges across the nation.
Feather River College provides high-quality, comprehensive student education and opportunities for learning and workforce preparation and achievement in a small college
environment. The College provides general education, associate and bachelor's degrees, certificates, transfer programs, and life-long learning for a diverse student population by serving
local, regional, national and international students through traditional face-to-face instruction as well as distance education. The College also serves as a cultural, and economic leader
for all communities that lie within the District and embraces the opportunities afforded by its natural setting.
Carson City's Nashville Social Club names Tony Schafer as executive chef; late spring opening planned |
Carson City Nevada News - Carson Now By Denise Clodjeaux
…Tony Schafer began his professional career at 14 working at a popular restaurant in
Quincy, California. He enjoyed taking part in his high school’s culinary classes before
enrolling in the Feather River College’s Culinary Arts Program. He also spent several years
at the popular Longboard’s Bar and Grill in Graeagle, California before making his
“executive chef” debut at Chalet View Lodge, also in Graeagle, at just 23 years old.
On March 23rd the Diversity Committee hosted an event celebrating FRC Faculty who
are Women in STEM, supported by the English department and the library, in honor
of Women's History Month. The event was attended by students, faculty, and
community members and was a great opportunity to celebrate faculty members on
campus and share their stories and experiences in STEM. The book in common, All
We Can Save, was also highlighted at the event as an opportunity to think about the
impact of women on STEM fields, such as environmental studies. Panelists were
Bridget Tracy, Susannah Campbell, Darlene Oertle, Dana Flett, and Dr. Becky
Easley.
The EOPS Advisory Committee met on April 5th. In addition to reviewing the past year and choosing next
year’s Banned Books, time was afforded to hear community and student members offer suggestions on
improvement. One result is through our County Library collaborating to provide Project Read baskets to the
campus. EOPS will gather the baskets/books and they will be located in the CalWORKS and Child Development
Center. Student committee members provided direct feedback to the Plumas Transit representative as to
what students truly need in the bus system. Great job to Monica Potter and Amanda West for organizing a
successful, collaborative event. The participants were eager to reconnect in person which was evident by the
number of people in attendance.
The FRC Baseball team visited the 4th graders at Quincy Elementary
just in time for Little League. The team ran three different stations for
the children (hitting, infield and outfield) then finished the visit with a
fun scrimmage.
Thank you for volunteering, Terry and the coaches and players. It
really makes an impact on the children who are excited to take a field
trip to visit FRC and root for the Golden Eagles at the April 18th home
game against Lassen College.
FRC President Report to Board of Trustees
April 21, 2022
Page 2 of 9
Kim Beaton is pleased to announce that the Incarcerated Student Program received an award of $172,000 for
the Rising Scholars Network in a competitive grant through the Chancellor’s Office.
Dr. Will Lombardi reports that the Eagle Pride/EcoFarm cooperative campus garden is showing signs of life!
In the last month, Pride members have weeded and installed ground cover with wood chips supplied by the
maintenance crew, prepared the raised beds, and planted seeds donated by Leslie Wehrman of Forest &
Farm. Littledove Headrick contributed potted herbs, and Pride members have built hoop houses and repaired
the existing irrigation system. EcoFarm students will share starts with Eagle Pride to be transplanted soon.
Eagle Pride invites the campus community to tour the garden during the Cultural Fair!
Dr. Lombardi also produced the latest Terrane blog for Friends of Plumas Wilderness, and he completed the
April edition of "Conversations in the Gallery" with featured artist Chris Mehne for Plumas Arts.
J Damron sends in that there will be a closing reception for
a photography exhibit in the Art/ORL gallery celebrating
and appreciating the efforts of two students: Brittney
Harmon and Greg Lohn. They are exhibiting their
cumulative photographic work from the past few
semesters. The closing reception will be Friday, April 29th
from 5:00-7:00 pm with a BBQ outside the Art/ORL
building.
ASFRC President Rachel Abramson writes:
Our first annual March Madness was a success! We had about 70-100 people show up. Eight teams
made up of 3-4 people participated in the 3 v 3 tournament and about 20 people participated in the
3-point contest. For the college basketball March Madness bracket challenge we had about 30 people
turn in brackets that the ASFRC officer tracked as the tournament went on. The winners of the 3v3
tournament were Collette Florentine, Steven Keats, Jacob Backus, and Precious Masters. The winner
of the 3-point contest was Iyanna Gomez and the winners of the Bracket Challenge were Morgan Avrit
and Jerry Thomas (pictured). During the event, we also served a Nacho Bar from Paradise Grill and it
was very popular. Many people participated and a lot of people just came to watch the games and
eat food. Overall, we had a great turnout and a lot of positive feedback from the event. Definitely
hope it turns into an annual event!
FRC President Report to Board of Trustees
April 21, 2022
Page 3 of 9
FRC Flex Day Activities
Audrey Selby is thrilled to report that Upward Bound has resumed in-person field trips! Upward Bound
participants attended Chico State’s Choose Chico Day Saturday, April 9th. Upward Bound also hosted a Test
Prep Workshop for participants the evening of Wednesday, April 13th to help student prepare to take the SAT
and state assessment test (CAASPP) this spring. As usual, Upward Bound continues to be a presence on all six
target high school campuses (Chester Jr./Sr. High School, Quincy Jr./Sr. High School, Portola Jr./Sr. High School,
and Plumas Charter Chester, Quincy and Indian Valley Academy sites) hosting weekly lunch meetings and one-
on-one advising appointments.
This year we are pleased to report that the vast majority of Upward Bound graduating seniors plan to attend
FRC, with 11 students enrolled for classes at FRC in fall. Through a collaborative effort with admissions,
advising, and the TRIO SSS program these seniors took the steps to matriculate, register for classes during
TRIO priority registration, and apply to the TRIO SSS program to continue receiving TRIO support once college
students.
TREX training on campus March 24-25
Multiple community groups came together to learn
prescribed burn techniques and safety procedures
FRC President Report to Board of Trustees
April 21, 2022
Page 4 of 9
Beef Science Agricultural Laboratory – FRC Campus
New hay barn and calving barn funding by Strong Workforce Grant
2. SUPERINTENDENT/PRESIDENT ACTIVITIES REPRESENTING FRCCD
a) March 11 – FRC Foundation meeting regarding dorm bond payoff
b) March 11 – Keenan Insurance meeting regarding Emergency Operation Procedures
c) March 12 – attended softball game vs. Yuba College, Marysville
d) March 15 – meeting with Paul Mrowczynski
e) March 15 – FRC Foundation Business management Council meeting
f) March 17-18 – personal vacation
g) March 22 – FLEX day
h) March 22 – Shasta College North State Together grant meeting
i) March 23 – CCCAA Board meeting
j) March 24 – live interview on KSUE/KJDX Live@5
k) March 25 – FRC Foundation meeting
l) March 28 – JKAE architect meeting
m) March 31 – ACCJC workshop for FRC self-evaluation report process
n) April 4 – Ukraine-Russian conflict Teach-in
o) April 5 – lunch with trustees Bill Elliott and John Sheehan
p) April 5 – meeting with trustee Kimberly Kaznowski
q) April 6 – breakfast meeting with trustee Guy McNett
r) April 7 – meeting with ACCJC VP Catherine Webb
s) April 8 – CCCAA Board meeting
t) April 8 – JKAE architect meeting
u) April 8 – attended beach volleyball game vs. Sierra College, Delta College, College of Marin
v) April 11 – JKAE architect meeting
w) April 11 – attended District Attorney David Hollister PG&E settlement announcement meeting
x) April 13 – Innovation Hub meeting hosted by John Steffanic, Greenville
y) April 18 – attended baseball game vs. College of Redwoods
z) April 21 – Quincy Chamber of Commerce Board meeting
FRC President Report to Board of Trustees
April 21, 2022
Page 5 of 9
3. FRC SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES PRESCRIBED FIRE ON CAMPUS
FRC was proud to complete an 8-acre burn in two units over two days this April. This burn was an incredible
opportunity to train students in professional and technical skills related to the application of fire to achieve
land management goals. The burn reduced surface and ground fuel loading as well as killed some small trees
and ladder fuels, all with the objective of making our campus forest more resistant to and resilient in the face
of potential future wildfires. According to retired FRC professor Mike Yost, this was the first time the unit had
been burned since the late 1970s, when his forest management course used to complete campus burns to
manage fuels. Forest Health & Fuels Management | Environmental Studies (frc.edu)
There are very specific and limited conditions in which sites can and should be burned to limit smoke impacts
to our community, ensure safe burning conditions, and ensure that the ground is not too wet to prevent
desired fuel consumption. FRC was lucky to have one of these days line up with the period of time when
support partners were available. Acknowledging that the burn did create short-term smoke impacts that are
more disruptive on days when school is in session, we hope that the burn provided a learning opportunity for
some in our community who did not know much about prescribed burns and how they work. We appreciate
the patience and support of the campus community and Quincy residents during the project to improve
campus safety and forest health.
This incredible accomplishment was made possible by the hard work of our campus forest manager Jon
Dvorak and with significant investments by other campus faculty Dana Flett, Saylor Flett, and Bridget Tracy.
Many students from our Ecosystem Management course, the Special Topics course, and Environmental
Science participated in some component of the burn, including the site prep, the actual burn, mapping, and
mop up.
FRC imagines that this is just the first of many future prescribed fire training opportunities that will be
supported by our growing fuels and fire program and now our $2 million dollar fund from the PG&E Dixie Fire
settlement to help support training programs in fire and fuels management.
FRC President Report to Board of Trustees
April 21, 2022
Page 6 of 9
The footprint of the prescribed burn ended on the hillside above the main parking lot at the point where the
forest transitioned from predominantly conifers to oak trees. At the time of the fire, campus oak trees were
almost to the bud phase and the fire would disrupt or potentially destroy the oak buds, compromising the
trees themselves. With this knowledge, the decision was made to limit the underburn through the conifer
section of the hillside. Approximately eight acres underwent prescribed burn treatment.
The burn was made possible as a result of significant support from FRC's many partners, including the
Watershed Training Center, Plumas County Fire Safe Council, the Feather River RCD, CSU Chico's Big Chico
Creek Ecological Reserves Team, the Plumas National Forest, CALFIRE, Quincy Volunteer Fire Department, the
Plumas Underburn Cooperative, and the California Conservation Corps.
4. THREE FRC STUDENTS EARN PHI THETA KAPPA ALL-CALIFORNIA ACADEMIC TEAM HONORS
First Team - Madison Gray, Feather River College
Who you are is intricately linked to past experiences and who you’ve known. Thinking
about your life and your experiences, explain what motivates you to succeed and who you
are now.
What motivates me to succeed and be who I am now is to ultimately help my parents and
help those around me. Growing up, I was fortunate to have a roof over my head, clean
water to drink, food on the table most nights, warmth, and an overwhelming amount of
love from my family regardless of our situation. I did not grow up having the newest toys, the biggest house,
or the best gear for sports. I grew up having to work for what I got and getting by on what my mom or dad
could provide for me that day. Thus, what motivates me to be who I am is to give back to the people who
raised me as well as help others in my profession when I am older and as many people as I can now. I do this
by working hard in the classroom, volunteering, and working hard in the gym, weight room, and at practice
everyday to work towards getting myself scholarships at my next school. I am motivated by this because my
parents deserve everything that they gave me to be repaid by being a first generation college student as well
as making them proud and not causing debt for me or my family. I am also strongly motivated by my career
path that I hope to achieve in working with children to change or impact their lives as well.
What is your career goal?
My career goal is to first obtain a masters degree in child psychology to then drive me into the field where I
can hopefully work as a child psychologist in a hospital to help children through tough surgeries. I did not have
everything growing up, but what I did have was an abundance of love and belief that I could be anything and
do anything I set my mind to if I worked really hard at it. I want to instill that same feeling in the patients I
work with. Not everyone is blessed with healthy bodies, brains, and a safe environment. Therefore, if I can
change a young child's life for the better just with a touch of hope, love, and belief that they are capable of so
much more than they may think, especially in a vulnerable time when they might be scared or alone, that is
something I will do. I will treat them with the same love and care that my family did for me to get through the
hard days. Love and compassion is something that I think is lost in most professions, and although it is always
smart to keep things professional and not emotional, caring about your job and patients is a lost art. I want to
make a difference for our future generations, future doctors, lawyers, congressmen, teachers, politicians,
police officers, etc. My career goal is to bring as much love in this world as possibly can through child
psychology.
FRC President Report to Board of Trustees
April 21, 2022
Page 7 of 9
During the Covid-19 pandemic, how did you volunteer your time?
During the pandemic, I volunteered my time much at church (cleaning, stocking, etc.), I also bought neighbors
groceries for them if they were immunocompromised or too old to go out. When COVID cleared up a bit and
sports began again I also volunteered at volleyball camps and other events. Most recently during the pandemic
I volunteered my time working for a camp with children who just recently lost their homes to a devastating
fire that burned their whole town down (Greenville, CA). I volunteered with my teammates and we played
games and volleyball with the students while their parents filed through insurance and met with their lawyers
about what to do next. This was a way to keep their minds off the devastations that had occurred in their lives
at such a young age. I also ref high school and middle school volleyball matches locally and just today went to
the elementary school in town to clean their PE shed, pump up new equipment, organize the equipment, and
put together new basketball hoops.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Second Team - Jiles Wallace, Feather River College
Who you are is intricately linked to past experiences and who you’ve known. Thinking about your life and your
experiences, explain what motivates you to succeed and who you are now.
What motivates me to succeed is not the certificates or degrees, nor the honors or awards. I am motivated by
the transforming power of education and experiential learning; I want to become the best version of myself.
I am motivated by change and growth, and education challenges me to do both. The people who have
influenced me to change, and to succeed are the people I have harmed. I feel I owe that debt to each and
every one of them; to be better and do better.
What is your career goal?
My career goal is to become a certified alcohol and drug counselor I and II. I am already enrolled in ADS courses
at Palo Verde College, and currently an intern in a certificated domestic violence program at Mule Creek State
Prison. I am also in the process of obtaining a R.A.D.T. certification through CCVAPP. A Bachelor’s degree in
Psychology is the only requirement I have yet to fulfill.
Campus Activity Description
I participated within the scope of leadership to orchestrate the development of the Celebrate Recovery on
the Inside Program on A-Facility at Mule Creek State Prison, by working in tandem with the leadership team
and sponsors to ensure a successful program.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Third Team - Seth Anderson, Feather River College
Who you are is intricately linked to past experiences and who you’ve known. Thinking about your life and your
experiences, explain what motivates you to succeed and who you are now.
Would I still be me with a traditional childhood? My sister and I have always had to raise ourselves throughout
our childhood. My mom broke her back night and day. Sometimes worked five days a week, usually 12-hour
shifts when I was only eight. Which consequently means she wasn’t present very often. No one was around
to cook us dinner, we are TV dinners and chips on most weekdays. No one helped us with homework. No one
was around to take us to practice, we had to find our rides and remember our gear. No one woke us up in the
morning for school or reminded us of school projects or how cold it was and to bring a coat. We just did it.
FRC President Report to Board of Trustees
April 21, 2022
Page 8 of 9
After that first time, you walk out to recess and your fingers go numb, you remember to bring a jacket. I
developed a sense of independence from living this way. I made my breakfast and dinner while persevering
through homework and managing dyslexia. I had to stay on top of all the extracurriculars I did when I was
young. I found how to problem solve, how to be social, and how to work hard. Everything I have ever done
was because I wanted to. My mom would come home from a long day of work knowing she did not have to
worry about me. I’m not sure if I would have acquired these skills any other way except the way I did.
What is your career goal?
I’ve dreamed of being a nurse practitioner my whole adolescence. I think my mom and grandpa being my
biggest role models and working in the health field made this an easy decision. My grandpa is one of the
smartest people I know, and the way he talks about his career always interests me. Working in the health field
changed my grandpa's whole life from the way he converses to how he thinks daily. The real deciding moment
for what I wanted to do with my life was when I was in my first health science class. It's the first time I never
wanted the lecture to end. I love learning about the body and how to be the healthiest you can be. Not only
do I enjoy learning about the health field, but I love to share the information I know and improve other
people's knowledge. I finally found out why my mom and grandpa love to talk about what they experienced
that day at work and share stories. College is my way of working towards this aspiration. How I become the
man I want to be and work a job I not only enjoy but where I’m well respected.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, how did you volunteer your time?
During Covid, I used my time to participate in various community services including elementary school physical
exercise, the Catholic Church’s food hall, and our tutoring lounge. And three of my teammates were offered
the opportunity to teach all the elementary school kids in Quincy, California how to play sports like frisbee
and basketball. We would put together circuits and coach the children on how to have proper form and what
the rules were. I am an active Catholic and looking to help the Catholic community any chance I get. That's
why when I heard the Father ask to help move canned goods in the food hall I was all for it. My friend and I
helped them move all the food got a chance to grow closer to our fellow Catholic friends. Lastly, I am
frequently in the tutoring center getting papers checked or getting help on homework. So when Mrs. Joan the
head of the tutoring department needed students to help her film an instruction video for future tutors I was
an obvious choice. We then met up and a camera guy came in and filmed me and two tutors writing a research
paper.
FEATHER RIVER COLLEGE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Communicate 2. Demonstrate 3. Locate, 4. Demonstrate a 5. Develop a clear 6. Demonstrate 7. Value their
effectively critical evaluate, sense of sense of self, relationship skills education,
thinking skills and apply personal and purpose, and through understand its
information professional ability to interpersonal privilege, and
ethic achieve goals communication, become
compromise, responsible
teamwork and citizens
collaboration
FRC President Report to Board of Trustees
April 21, 2022
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