The Ivelina Petkova Story: How Fullerton College helped her adjust to life in America

My name is Ivelina Petkova and I was born in Bulgaria (Easter European country located on the Black Sea Coast). I lived in Germany for many years before I came to the United States. I won a green card through a lottery. Yes I know it sounds unbelievable, but it's true. There is a green card lottery for many countries, and every year the american government gives 55,000 green cards to people from all over the world. I truly belive that everything happens for a reason and destiny borught me to the United States. I willl never forget my first day here, May 5th, 2007. I came by myself with only two suitcases and I didn't speak any English.
The first days were very hard. I cried a lot. In Germany I was successful with my studies, had a good job, close friends, and my own place to live. In my heart there was something missing and I was sad. I had to start learning English so I could continue on with my life. I started working at a McDonalds. I didn't know what the word "spoon" meant, but a few months later I was taking Drive Thru Orders. My English was getting better, but after six months I decided to register for an ESL (English as a Second Language) class at Fullerton College.
Susan Vincent was and still is my counselor. EOPS (Extended Opportunity Program Services) is an amazing program that has helped me since my first semester at Fullerton College. Arthur Hui and Kathi Johnson were the first teachers who helped me get a good start and motivated me to learn English. After I completed my ESL class, I transferred to Enlish 100 and Amy Dickinson pushed me hard to learn reading and writing. This helped me get a customer service job which helped me develop even better grammar, spelling, and reading skills. Later when I took English 103, Mr. Miguel Powers never separated me from the group, even though I spoke with a European accent. I was treated amazingly by him and my classmates. With these new skills I received a better job at the John Wayne Airport.
Yesterday I started my third and last year at Fullerton College. I am trying to keep my GPA over a 3.6 and I am almost ready to transfer. Unfortunately, with the budget cuts at CSUF I will have to wait. I appreciate Fullerton College Foundation for giving me a $500 scholarship. My major is International Business. My passion is learning about other languages and foreign cultures. I love working with people from all over the world. I hope I will be able to finish my studies on time.
I just would like to tell all the sudents who start at Fullerton College, "Never give up. Believe in yourself and do it. The magic power of positive thinking will help you succeed."

Dave Marzan, FC Alum now attending NY University School of Medicine!

My name is Dave Marzan and I attended FUllerton College from 2004-2007. I started my college education as a Liberal Arts major without a clear direction of my academic future. After taking basic biology 101 with Dr. Wu and Basic Chemistry with Dr. Bianchino, I became deeply interested in the scientific world. I continued my interest by taking numerous courses with Dr. Young, Feaster, and Collins. I decided transferring to UC San Diego would be a good fit for my interests. Dr. Young and Feaster obliged by writing me letters of recommendations.
In my subsequent three years at UC San Diego, I decided to major in Neurosciences and Physiology, worked as a laboratory assistant, earned a position on the Dean's list for my academic performance, went to Cornell for a summer internship and was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
If it was not for the foundation and guidance I received at Fullerton College this would of not been possible. I graduated from UCSD in 2009 with a 3.5 GPA and applied to New York University School of Medicine. I am now living in Manhattan and starting my second year of doctoral studies here at NYU. I have come a long way since Fullerton College.
Thank you Fullerton College, for all the invaluable opportunities that you presented to me. No matter where I go and do, I will always remember where I came from.

Dave Marzan

Judith Goffin's Story- Summer of '71

I went back to Fullerton College the summer of 1971, after taking time off from college to have a family, which is how things were done in the 60s and 70s. I needed some units to matriculate to CSUF- which at that time had just become a University and not a State College.

It is strange how one instructor can really change your life and your outlook on humanity and your personal responsibility to the planet where you live. Now that may sound pompous, but it is truthful.

In a class of about one-hundred students, in walks a young man— he was probably in his late 20s or early 30s, dressed in shorts and biking gear and introduces himself. And that is how Mark Parratt came into my life.

It was summer, so most of my studying was done poolside while keeping an eye on my kids, who were great swimmers.

I was truly fascinated with the class Man and His Environment---it really changed my way of thinking about the environment, how I could personally make a change and how to live my life with respect for planet Earth.

Mark spoke on everything from how to handle waste products, how to purchase a car that was friendly to the environment, the tundra and how the forests maintain their ecological balance.

I still have that picture in my head about how the trees managed to survive after fires. I can’t pick up an acorn, tree seed pod without thinking that this is the beginning of another forest.

And, he spoke of the rain forest way before it made headlines in the print and electronic Media. As a re-entry student, I thought wow; this is the beginning of my educational journey.

When, I was trying to get Mark’s last name, to prepare this article, Bruce Cordell, PhD, Dean of Natural Sciences at Fullerton College, said “Few folks remain with memories back that far, sadly.” But, I am still here and remember Mark’s teachings as I incorporate them into my life to this day.

I pay attention to how and when to water my garden, using compost to maintain an ecological balance for my plants and planted trees to give back oxygen into the planet and my life—they are very tall now after 40 years.

And, I have had a vegetable garden and fruit trees, all these years, which makes me happy and has encouraged my grandson to always say, “what is there to pick today?’ when he comes to visit.

I researched what is the best use of electricity, using compact florescent bulbs, and continue to return bottles and cans. I don’t get newspapers delivered anymore, although I loved reading the ads, but view most everything on the Internet (which was not available in the 70s), how things have changed. I plan local neighborhood travel using my car as efficiently as I can. Although, actually in the 60s and 70s a Sunday afternoon drive was part of Americana.

I don’t remember what kind of grade I got in the class, but remember that the summer of ‘71 changed my life and that of my family and friends. I loved talking about how rich our environment was and how individually we could protect it for our future.

I think over the last 40 years, we have done a pretty good job of preserving the environment, although others say not.

From my point of view, Man and His Environment was a class that impacted my life and continues to influence me, thanks to the engaging, energetic, informative instructor Mark Parratt. I’m glad I took his class the summer of ’71.

-Mark Parratt is a retired professor emeritus of environmental biology at Fullerton College. His recently published book, "Fate is a Mountain" recounts the adventures of him and his ranger family in Glacier Park during the 1950s and '60s. The following is a link to a recently published article by Parratt for the Great Falls Tribune in Montana: http://bit.ly/dt6qJF