A year PAID ADVERTISEMENT An open letter to the Bakersfield community: and a half ago I moved to Bakersfield to serve the community through my role as President at Bakersfield College. I wanted to take this opportunity to say a sincere "Thank You" for making me feel welcome and supporting me in that role. Bakersfield is deservedly proud of its College and its history in the city. On many occasions when I was out in town, I was stopped by people telling me how much the college has meant to them and the many connections the people of Bakersfield have had and continue to have with this historic college. As President, I had the pleasure of working with many very active community members who continue to donate their time and resources to give back to the College. The Alumni Association is constantly developing new and creative ways to maintain community connections. At the most recent graduation ceremony, for example, they set up a tent providing graduates with support, making sure they looked their best for their big moment crossing the stage. The Bakersfield College Foundation has stepped up by providing funding for the equipment necessary to start up the logistics support program partnership with Amazon and become the sole provider of training for Amazon on the west coast. They have also begun to look at a new strategic plan that could increase the ability to develop programs and secure the financial resources to continue innovating at the College. The Athletic program at Bakersfield College is clearly dear to many Bakersfield residents and I have been so impressed by the commitment of the community in making it as successful as it can be. Most recently this has occurred through establishing one of the first Name, Image, and Likeness collectives in the country for community colleges to ensure continued athletic success. Bakersfield College will continue to move forward because it is not about who is leading it, as I shared many times in open forums with the College. BC is and always has been about the faculty, staff, and students who live out the mission and purpose every day in big and little ways. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to serve them as they are BC. Thank you, BC. While I came to Bakersfield to serve the community through my role at BC, I will now look for new ways to serve Bakersfield and this amazing community. Dr. Jerry E. Fliger Past President, Bakersfield College A year PAID ADVERTISEMENT An open letter to the Bakersfield community : and a half ago I moved to Bakersfield to serve the community through my role as President at Bakersfield College . I wanted to take this opportunity to say a sincere " Thank You " for making me feel welcome and supporting me in that role . Bakersfield is deservedly proud of its College and its history in the city . On many occasions when I was out in town , I was stopped by people telling me how much the college has meant to them and the many connections the people of Bakersfield have had and continue to have with this historic college . As President , I had the pleasure of working with many very active community members who continue to donate their time and resources to give back to the College . The Alumni Association is constantly developing new and creative ways to maintain community connections . At the most recent graduation ceremony , for example , they set up a tent providing graduates with support , making sure they looked their best for their big moment crossing the stage . The Bakersfield College Foundation has stepped up by providing funding for the equipment necessary to start up the logistics support program partnership with Amazon and become the sole provider of training for Amazon on the west coast . They have also begun to look at a new strategic plan that could increase the ability to develop programs and secure the financial resources to continue innovating at the College . The Athletic program at Bakersfield College is clearly dear to many Bakersfield residents and I have been so impressed by the commitment of the community in making it as successful as it can be . Most recently this has occurred through establishing one of the first Name , Image , and Likeness collectives in the country for community colleges to ensure continued athletic success . Bakersfield College will continue to move forward because it is not about who is leading it , as I shared many times in open forums with the College . BC is and always has been about the faculty , staff , and students who live out the mission and purpose every day in big and little ways . I will always be grateful for the opportunity to serve them as they are BC . Thank you , BC . While I came to Bakersfield to serve the community through my role at BC , I will now look for new ways to serve Bakersfield and this amazing community . Dr. Jerry E. Fliger Past President , Bakersfield College