Common sense: PCC is the place to be

A close friend with a flourishing business is currently enrolled in a Television and Radio Department class at Pasadena City College. He told me something about needing to learn the art of the voice-over.

Though this gentleman is classified as a senior citizen, and one who has earned several college degrees, he has not been placed in a special class for those who’ve already been around the block a few times. Instead he has the opportunity, as do younger students, to learn in a multi-generational environment.

Then there’s the story of the disappointed parents of the son who wasn’t, for whatever reason, shipping off to the Ivy League college of the family’s dreams.

“Huh?” they responded when the suggestion of Pasadena City College was floated their way. “But, but…” they stammered throughout a conversation on the merits of attending our local community college.

Just about every Pasadena local can give directions to Pasadena City College, but few talk about all that this learning institution offers. There’s much to take in.

For starters, while searching for what to do over the holidays, going for a walk around the campus grounds with family members both young and old can be a winner.

One good stop is the campus art gallery’s new exhibition, “The Shape of the Universe: Recent Deep Space Photography,” which runs through Feb. 9. For sure, Jet Propulsion Laboratory is not the only space act in town.

Take a rest stop at Galloway Plaza, which offers an opportunity to appreciate just how fortunate our community is to have local philanthropist Bill Galloway, who supports the college.

To the south of the plaza, take in the Boone Sculpture Garden, containing pieces donated by the Hixon Foundation, yet another sign of local philanthropy at work.

Then to the north is the fabulous Shatford Library, named for local attorney, civil rights activist and former college trustee Walter T. Shatford.

Oh, you know all about these things. Yes, lots of us know the campus like, well, the back of our hands. But too many people haven’t got a clue.

Enrollment figures from fall 2010 give us a quick look at who’s got their minds focused on what the place has to offer. Out of 32,000 credit students and 8,000 noncredit students, African Americans account for a shameful 6.5%.

Is that just too bad for them? There’s that theory that says, Them that’s got shall get and them that’s not, oh, well.

But maybe before it is time to enroll a relative in college, families underrepresented on the Pasadena City College campus — African-Americans, that is — should recognize the power of this local resource and introduce Pasadena City College to their children as the place where academic achievement is a reality for the young and the old.

For more information, visit www.pasadena.edu.

Shirlee Smith is an Altadena resident, parent and author of “They’re Your Kids, Not Your Friends.” She can be reached by email at shirlee@talkaboutparenting.org and online at www.talkaboutparenting.org.