President’s Blog

Photo Credit: Nina Gomez

Recently the Commercial class in our School of Film pitched the idea to me to make a short film explaining Brooks Institute’s Red Dot Policy. This policy was developed a very long time ago at Brooks to ensure that all students use our industry-current equipment and modern up-to-date facilities in a professional, safe, respectful and dependable manner.

Best of all, the students asked me to “star” in this video!

How could I turn down an opportunity to launch my big-screen career – especially after reviewing the script?

This film will be featured during our orientations to help students better understand the Red Dot Policy. No doubt the film will receive some laughs (whether intended or not!) while communicating to our new students key aspects of the policies and procedures used to check out equipment and reserve facilities.

Special thanks to the great film crew (below). They were well organized, professional and, best of all, fun to work with!

From Left to Right: Producer, Taylor Erickson; Director of Photography, Danielle Sandoval; Brooks Institute President, Dr. Roger Andersen; Sound Specialist/Actor, Eric Guerrero; and Director, Jared Alden (Not pictured: Editor, Dan Simmons) Photo Credit: Nina Gomez

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This past Sunday (August 30), 100 students participated in our October Commencement ceremony held at the historic Arlington Theatre in beautiful downtown Santa Barbara. The last two graduates to receive their Bachelor of Arts degree diplomas in Professional Photography were Katie Groth and Ace Ujimori.  Katie and Ace met when they started at Brooks three years ago. Upon receiving her diploma, Katie attempted to return to her seat with the other graduates but I asked her to stand with me as Ace crossed the stage to receive his diploma. Once Ace received his diploma from me, he turned to Katie, got down on one knee, and pulled out a small jewelry box and opened it to reveal an engagement ring. “Katie Groth, will you marry me?”  When Katie jumped into his arms with tears in her eyes, the entire graduating class erupted in cheers and gave this very special couple a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. Although most couples clearly remember where they were when they became engaged, I doubt that Katie and Ace will ever forgot this very important moment in their lives – and Brooks Institute history! “Commencement” means beginning. This past Sunday ’s commencement was truly a new beginning for Katie and Ace and their lives together as they become Brookies (Brooks Institute alumni). Katie and Ace: the very best to you from all of your family at Brooks Institute!

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Brooks Institute is proud to announce that the United States Department of Veterans Affairs  has given approval for the school to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Yellow Ribbon Program became effective on August 1, 2009 and Brooks Institute has already begun enrolling veterans for its September/October academic session.

Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will pay tuition and fees benefits up to each state’s highest public undergraduate tuition per credit hour and fees per term. In the state of California, eligible veterans will receive up to $287 per credit hour (based on eligibility tier) for classes taken at approved institutions of higher learning.  Brooks Institute continues to demonstrate its commitment to the support of our military population through its participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program.  For veterans who are 100% eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, Brooks Institute will provide  contributions, through the Yellow Ribbon Program, in the form of an institutional grant of up to $4,525 per year for tuition and fees that exceed the CA in-state maximum.  The VA will match this contribution, thus providing up to $9,050 for eligible veterans and ensuring military students have the opportunity to obtain an affordable degree from a premier institution.

“Eligible veterans will also receive a monthly housing allowance of up to $1,800 per month, as well as a yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 every 12 months,”  according to Brooks Institute President Dr. Roger C. Andersen.  “This new program provides veterans with a very attractive financial benefit package to attend Brooks Institute and obtain their degrees in professional photography, film, visual journalism or graphic design.”

Whether someone is completely new to the field or seeking new skills to enhance an established career, Brooks Institute’s educational philosophy of “learning by doing” can provide a person with the artistic, technical, and business expertise needed in the field of photography.

“Our 63-year old school achieved its greatest growth in the late-1940s and early-1950s with the passage of the GI Bill that followed World War II,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs David Litschel.  “Many veterans decided to pursue their dream of a career in the visual arts by attending Brooks Institute of Photography – now Brooks Institute. We anticipate another large number of veterans will take advantage of this great new program to pursue their dream at our prestigious school.”

Classes are taught by experienced instructors in professional photography, film, visual journalism, and graphic design at beautiful, scenic campus locations in Santa Barbara, California.

For more information about Brooks Institute visit www.brooks.edu.

For more information about the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/School_Info/yellow_ribbon/index.htm.

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Photo Credit: Laurel Costa/Brooks Institute

On Friday, July 31st, Brooks Institute honored local firefighters in a private reception by giving them a poster of images from the Jesusita Fire along with messages of thanks. The poster was conceptualized by BI faculty member Bill Robbins and composed of images taken by students, staff, faculty and alumni. Those on-hand to accept a framed version of the poster and letter of gratitude on behalf of their department were: Interim Fire Chief for the City of Santa Barbara Fire Department, Andrew DiMizio; Fire Chief for the City of Montecito Fire Department, Kevin Wallace; Battalion Chief for the Ventura County Fire Department, Bryan Vanden Bossche; and Captain Ron Topolinski of the Ventura County Fire Department. Thank you to all who worked very hard to stop the Jesusita Wildfire.

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From left to right: Pat Seminario, Rick Rickman, President Andersen, Photo Credit: Nina Gomez/Brooks Institute

Images from Rick Rickman’s book The Wonder Years are on exhibit at the Visions Gallery located inside the Marriott Ventura Beach. Last Thursday, July 16, the opening reception was held at this premiere Ventura hotel, hosted by General Manager Pat Seminario (left). The Wonder Years exhibit will be on display through August 28, 2009.

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Left to right: Bill Robbins, Roberto Riccio, Dr. Roger Andersen, David Litschel Photo credit: Tracy Trotter

Roberto Riccio, Managing Director of Istituto Marangoni, a world renowned fashion and design school with campuses in Paris, London and Milan visited Brooks Institute on Thursday, June 25. Istituto Marangoni and Brooks Institute are  both  Career Education Corporation schools. During the visit to the Jefferson Campus, Vice President of Academic Affairs David Litschel, Professional Photography faculty member Bill Robbins and I discussed possible joint ventures and partnerships we agreed to pursue in the coming months.

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Career Education Corporation President & Chief Executive Officer Gary E. McCullough visited the Ventura campus on Friday, June 26 and met with key members of the school’s management team.

(L-R) Mike Boyd, Director of Admissions; Tim Halsey, Controller; Gary E. McCullough, CEC President & CEO; Dr. Roger C. Andersen, President; David Litschel, Vice President of Academic Affairs; Katie Huber, Director of Career Services; Photo Credit: Tom Loge

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"To Protect" an image by Ellen Webber will be among those on display

With over 300 entries submitted to participate in the 20th Annual Women in Photojournalism Conference Exhibit, images by Brookies, Ellen Webber, Elyse Butler, Mikayla Mackaness, and Jennifer Emerling were among the 48 selected. This conference is sponsored by the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) and is designed to bring together professionals, educators, and students in the photojournalism industry. Offering a supportive atmosphere for women to network and share experiences, this year’s seminar will focus on the history of women in photojournalism and address some of the challenges of the industry today. This event is a part of Convergence ‘09 and will be held on June 10, in Las Vegas.

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The Career College Association has selected Brooks Institute for its 2009 Innovative Best Practice/New Program Award winner.

In January 2008, Brooks Institute implemented a truly innovative program to generate “the next big idea” from the grass roots of our employees. The Innovation Excellence Award program solicits proposals from all employees that can generate additional revenue, reduce operating expenses, and/or increase operational efficiency. For the five quarters that the program has been in effect, Brooks has received more than a dozen proposals each quarterly cycle from full-time and part-time faculty and staff. The school has implemented five innovative ideas to improve our school. The employee receives $500.00 and special recognition at the school’s quarterly Town Hall meetings as well as prominent mention in the bi-monthly President’s Newsletter.

Winning proposals ranged from the grand and big-scale (i.e. close our two ground bookstores and convert to a 100% online bookstore) to the small but significant (purchase 250 chairs and save over $5,000 in annual rental costs for different events throughout the year.)

“All of us at Brooks are thrilled to be recognized for our Innovation Excellence Award program, ” states President Dr. Roger C. Andersen. “The value of the program lies in its simplicity and buy-in from our staff. Also, it recognizes that every single employee can offer suggestions from his/her unique perspective that can greatly benefit the school. Best of all, this program can be adopted by any other school in the United States immediately so it is completely transferable to every work setting.”

This award will be presented to Brooks Institute at the CCA Annual Convention in mid June in Orlando, Florida.

The Career College Association (CCA) is a voluntary membership organization of private post-secondary schools, institutes, colleges and universities that provide career-specific educational programs. CCA has more than 1,500 members that educate and support over one million students each year for employment in over 200 occupational fields.

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