SFCC Welcomes New President
The SFCC community welcomes Rebecca K. “Becky” Rowley, Ph.D., as its ninth president. A native of Clovis, New Mexico, she was president of Clovis Community College from 2011 until July 1, when she joined SFCC. She began her career at CCC teaching English, eventually serving as executive vice president of Academics and Student Services before becoming president.
Dr. Rowley has extensive experience supporting community colleges: she chairs New Mexico Independent Community Colleges, championing student retention and success and advocating for two-year institutions at the state legislature and in business communities. Read more about Dr. Rowley at www.sfcc.edu/welcome.
SFCC extends its deep appreciation to Cecilia Cervantes, Ph.D., who led the college as interim president for nearly two years during the presidential search process.
SFCC Unveils Ceremonial Mace 
A college’s ceremonial mace symbolizes a high official or authority. It is usually presented at commencement, during processions and on important occasions. Although founded more than 35 years ago, until recently SFCC did not have a mace. Thanks to Interim President Cecilia Cervantes, Ph.D., who initiated the project, and Fine Woodworking Program Head Douglas Jones, a beautiful mace now signifies the transformational power of education at SFCC.
Doug designed and built SFCC’s mace from local wood. He incorporated symbolism that reflects the college and its community. Loosely based on SFCC’s logo, the piñon pine orb is supported by four bentwood elements atop an elm staff. The ridges on the handle represent the six academic schools. Fine Woodworking faculty member Laura Yeats ‘turned’ the orb and the base and provided the Siberian Elm lumber, salvaged from a downtown Santa Fe street tree.
Santa Fe Restaurant Associate Gives $10k
John Sedlar, Eloisa in the Drury Hotel executive chef, Sllin Cruz, Geronimo executive chef and Fernando Olea, Sazon executive chefowner surprise SFCC chefinstructors Jerry Dakan and Patrick Mares with $10,000 for SFCC Foundation’s Greater Santa Fe Restaurant Association Endowed Culinary Arts Scholarship. SFCC chefs and students volunteered at the Greater Santa Fe Restaurant Association Gala, giving students the opportunity to work with some of the most accomplished Santa Fe chefs.
Christus St. Vincent & Anchorum St. Vincent Donate Ventilator
CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center and Anchorum St. Vincent recently donated a state-of-the-art ventilator to the Respiratory Care Program. The program received the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
“Without this generous gift, the ventilator would have been very costly for us,” said Respiratory Care Director Rebecca Jeffs. “It will help better prepare our students to serve the needs of the community. We appreciate everyone’s help: CHRISTUS St. Vincent President and CEO Lillian Montoya and Respiratory Manager Scotty Silva, Anchorum St. Vincent President and CEO Peter Bastone and Director of Philanthropy and Communication Desiree Turner.”
