Culinary Program Thrives

More than great wines, Sonoma County’s world-renowned Wine Country is also considered a leading area for restaurants, quality specialty foods, and culinary innovation. SRJC’s Culinary Arts Program enjoys an outstanding reputation locally and throughout the state.

SRJC’s Culinary Program provides an intensive course of study, and prepares students for a career in the professional food industry, integrating classical and modern culinary techniques with strong kitchen management skills. Many of the Culinary Arts faculty members are professional chefs with extensive backgrounds in the food industry, and several are graduates of professional culinary academies.

Beginning Culinary Arts courses are held at Garcia Hall on the Santa Rosa Campus, while production courses are offered at the SRJC Culinary Arts Center currently located at 458 B Street in downtown Santa Rosa. This 5,500 square foot facility includes a Culinary Café and Bakery where students receive hands-on experience working in a commercial kitchen, retail bakery, and restaurant open to the public. A culinary center will be built across from the Santa Rosa Campus on Mendocino Avenue.

Agriculture Key to Area’s Past and Present

Named for former SRJC Board Member Robert Shone, SRJC’s 365-acre Shone Farm was established in 1972 near the Russian River. The self-sustaining farm generates income from the sale of grapes from its vineyard operation, oat hay, oat silage, and sheep and swine operations. Students receive instruction from outstanding educators and local industry professionals. Students majoring in agriculture and forestry also receive a hands-on educational experience at Shone, including specialty crop production. Produce raised by students is used in SRJC’s Culinary Program.

Dedicated in 2007, the 100,00 square foot Warren G. Dutton, Jr., Agriculture Pavilion includes a wine education laboratory, conference and learning center, and a showcase arena. In fall 2008, the Russ Gleason Memorial Arena was dedicated for SRJC’s Equine Program, and the Shone Farm Foundation was established to oversee a wine educational laboratory and a bonded winery.

Public Safety Training Center

Future police officers, firefighters, and EMTs develop lifesaving skills at SRJC’s Public Safety Training Center, set on 20 acres in Windsor. The facility was completed in 2002, offering students career skills training in law enforcement, corrections, fire technology, and emergency medical care. Courses are taught by top instructors in modern facilities, including a firing range, emergency medical care facility, state-of-the-art scenario training village, and a driving instruction area with skid pad. PSTC is also the largest provider of in-service training for public safety professionals north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Athletics — A History of Champions

With an outstanding history of championships — teams have won 13 state championships across more than 20 sports programs SRJC’s well-known Department of Physical Education, Dance, and Athletics offers a comprehensive program to meet broad student interests.

SRJC’s Athletic Department’s alliance with the Associated Student Body began when the students voted to field a football team in the early 1920s. President Floyd P. Bailey was one of the first coaches at SRJC. The "Bear Cub" mascot was selected because of the SRJC’s affiliation with the University of California, Berkeley. SRJC’s official school colors - red and blue - were chosen because of the College’s close ties with UC Berkeley (blue) and Stanford University (red). Today, the Santa Rosa Campus offers a beautiful backdrop for top athletic facilities, fields, and venues for an array of competitive sports and fitness interests. The Petaluma Campus completed a new health and fitness center in summer 2008, broadening class options in the south county.

Top Teams Burnish Athletic Legacy

SRJC’s highly successful teams for both men and women range from basketball, baseball, swimming, and soccer to softball, football, track, and tennis. Student athletes are encouraged to succeed in an environment consistent with the educational objectives of SRJC, and typically earn high grade averages as they also excel in sports. The College attributes the strength and popularity of its athletics programs to the hard work of student athletes, fortitude in the classroom and competitive settings, and to an exceptionally talented, dedicated group of coaches.

The annual Clo’s Classic football game is a highlight of the football season, and is cosponsored by the College and Clover Stornetta Farms. This exciting competition has become one of the most sought after bowl games in CCC athletics. Selected by the competition’s teams, local charities are the beneficiaries of Clo’s Classic’s proceeds.

Year-Round Visual and Performing Arts

SRJC’s Theatre Arts, Music, and Art departments provide students with skilled training by expert instructors with significant experience in their fields. Learning from respected performers and artists, students perform the finest theatrical productions. Musicians study theory and composition, play in the jazz ensemble or the symphonic band, or sing in the choir. Visual artists learn light, shadow, and form to create fine paintings, sculpture, and ceramics. The beautiful new Art Gallery in the Doyle Library brings top quality art exhibits year round to the Santa Rosa Campus that include works ranging from paintings and ceramics to jewelry and photography.

Community members are welcome to SRJC to enjoy outstanding performances year round through the college Arts & Lectures series, seasonal musical performances, a Chamber Concert series, and Theatre Arts performances that includes comedies, musicals, and Shakespearean dramas.

The College is also home to the renowned Summer Repertory Theater, which has attracted students and professionals of all ages nationwide since its inception in 1971. Many of the 6,000-plus students who have participated in SRT have found employment with major universities and as professionals in the television and film industry.