The student voice of American River College since 1955

The American River Current
The student voice of American River College since 1955

The American River Current
The student voice of American River College since 1955

The American River Current

John Ferrannini, Author

All content by John Ferrannini
A poster at the southern end of the Liberal Arts breezeway was put on the sidewalk as part of a Los Rios Community College District adversiting campaign seeking to encourage students to sign up for spring classes. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

District advertising campaign encourages students to sign up for classes

John Ferrannini
December 9, 2015
Members of the American River College Concert Band perform 'Alleluia! Laudamus Te!' by the neoclassical American composer Alfred Reed at the Holiday Solstice concert Monday. (Photo by John Ferranini)

ARC, community bands join for holiday concert

John Ferrannini
December 8, 2015
These materials are used in tuberculosis tests provided by the ARC Health Center following the warning from Sacramento County Public Health department that as many as 160 students and faculty may have been exposed to the disease. No active cases were found, but five students tested positive for exposure to the disease. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Five students tested positive for tuberculosis exposure

John Ferrannini
December 8, 2015
The diagnostic agent Tubersol, right, is used to test for tuberculosis by causing a mild allergic reaction in those who have contracted the disease. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Health Center conducts tuberculosis tests

John Ferrannini
December 1, 2015
A Sacramento City College student's phone shows a time-stamped message from the district's emergency message system, run by WARN Command, coming 40 minutes after the fatal shooting that occurred on campus began on Sept. 3. The district is considering new options for which company to use for the ALERT system. (Photo by Barbara Harvey)

Los Rios to consider new companies for ALERT system

John Ferrannini
November 25, 2015
Offices for the United Auburn Indian Community are in a series of buildings that were built utilizing general contractor Bart Volen. ARC professor Greg Baker pled guilty on Nov. 5 to knowingly approving inflated invoices submitted to the UAIC by Volen. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

ARC professor pleads guilty to defrauding American Indian tribe

John Ferrannini
November 19, 2015
A bird sits on the west end of the bottom floor of the American River College library atrium on Nov. 17, 2015. Birds have been entering the atrium through holes in the netting, according to librarian David McCusker. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Pigeon poop finds home in ARC library

John Ferrannini
November 19, 2015
ARC student Nate Ihsan uses his phone to show a verse in the Quran denouncing killing to anti-Muslim activist Vincent Bradshaw, who erected a sign reading 'Why Islam Kills' in front of the Student Center on Tuesday. (Photo by Barbara Harvey)

Students debate with anti-Muslim activists on campus

John Ferrannini
November 17, 2015

Sacramento State student in Paris: ‘City is not the same’

John Ferrannini
November 14, 2015
Matt Paiva smokes a cigarette in front of Davies Hall beneath a sign alerting students to the change in American River College policy that will ban tobacco use effective Jan. 1. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Smoking to still be allowed in cars, on sidewalk

John Ferrannini
November 9, 2015
American River College student Hamid Hafezy, who was born and raised in the Herat Province in western Afghanistan, left the region under threat of death by the Taliban. (Photo by Barbara Harvey)

Faces of war: Hamed Hafezy

John Ferrannini
November 3, 2015
American River College student Monea Mitchell, 18, was the victim of a strong-arm robbery at the No. 1 bus stop on College Oak Drive, next to the main campus (Photo by John Ferrannini).

Student recounts strong-arm robbery

John Ferrannini
November 2, 2015
Award-winning pianist Jon Nakamatsu, right, gives a pen back to American River College Orchestra director Steven Thompson in the ARC Theater on Oct. 30, 2015. Nakamatsu was invited to sign the grand piano after performing with the orchestra. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

ARC Orchestra performs with renowned pianist

John Ferrannini
November 2, 2015
Photo gallery: Los Rios celebrates 50th anniversary with awards dinner

Photo gallery: Los Rios celebrates 50th anniversary with awards dinner

John Ferrannini
October 26, 2015
Former Oakland Athletics player and American River College alumnus Dallas Braden speaks to attendees of the Los Rios Foundation Honors and Awards Gala at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento on Friday. Braden was one of four alumni honored by the foundation at the gala. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Los Rios celebrates 50th anniversary by honoring alumni at gala dinner

John Ferrannini
October 26, 2015
A police officer photographs the scene of a shooting that left one man dead on Cypress Avenue near Garfield Avenue on Thursday. Adrienee Ludd was killed by police during a confrontation, although he did not fire his gun. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Carmichael man never fired at police, sheriff says

John Ferrannini
October 24, 2015
A Sacramento City College student's phone shows a time-stamped message from the district's emergency message system, run by WARN Command, coming 40 minutes after the fatal shooting that occurred on campus began on Sept. 3. The district is considering new options for which company to use for the ALERT system. (Photo by Barbara Harvey)

Report: ALERT system response ‘inexcusably delayed’ following SCC shooting

John Ferrannini
October 23, 2015
Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones spoke to the press Thursday at the scene of a shooting that left one dead less than two miles from American River College. The deceased man shot at three police officers, who returned fire, said Jones. (Photo by Kevin Sheridan)

One dead in police shooting near ARC

John Ferrannini
October 22, 2015
Sondra Fuson, left, and Ellen Read wrap items to be sold at the "grab bag" sale being put on by the American River College Patrons Club on Nov. 4 at 9 a.m. in the Student Center. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

ARC Patrons Club prepares for largest fundraiser of the year

John Ferrannini
October 20, 2015
American River College students board the No. 1 bus at Orange Grove Avenue and College Oak Drive. A crime bulletin was sent out to ARC students that said a woman was robbed at the bus stop late Monday. (Photo by Joseph Daniels)

Strong arm robbery reported across the street from ARC

John Ferrannini
October 20, 2015
Officer Chuck Mabanag displays the non-lethal blank ammunition and starter pistol used during the active shooter drill in the Student Center on Friday. (Photo by Barbara Harvey)

Active shooter drill trains ARC students, staff

John Ferrannini and Michael Pacheco
October 16, 2015
Former American River College student Kristofer Clark, 21, was booked into the Sacramento County Jail on Oct. 8 after allegedly making a threat against the college's main campus, according to police. (Photo courtesy of the Los Rios Police Department)

Bomb plot suspect Kristofer Clark to be released from jail today

John Ferrannini and Jordan Schauberger
October 13, 2015
The marble sculpture 'Columbus' Last Appeal to Queen Isabella' sits under the rotunda of the California State Capitol. The sculpture was crafted by sculptor Larkin Goldsmith Mead at his studio near Florence, Italy and was donated to the capitol in 1883. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Debate: How should Columbus Day be commemorated?

John Ferrannini, Joseph Daniels, and Joe Padilla
October 12, 2015
Former American River College student Kristofer Clark, 21, was booked into the Sacramento County Jail on Oct. 8 after allegedly making a threat against the college's main campus, according to police. (Photo courtesy of the Los Rios Police Department)

Former ARC student arrested for threatening to attack the campus claims innocence

John Ferrannini and Matthew Peirson
October 10, 2015
American River College President Thomas Greene spoke to the press Friday regarding the arrest of Kristofer Clark, a former ARC student, on charges of making a threat to the ARC campus. Police have not confirmed what exactly the threat was. (Photo by Barbara Harvey)

ARC president holds press conference after former student’s arrest

John Ferrannini
October 9, 2015
Marvin Martinez, the chair of the 12-member accreditation visiting team, presents the team's findings in the American River College Theater on Thursday. Martinez told ARC administration, faculty, staff and students what they were doing well on and what needed to improve at the college. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

ARC expected to remain accredited after visit

John Ferrannini
October 8, 2015
American River College Dean of planning, research and technology Adam Karp speaks to a member of the accreditation committee in front of the Learning Resource Center during one of the stops of the campus tour on Tuesday. (Photo by Barbara Harvey)

Accreditation visitors come to ARC

John Ferrannini
October 6, 2015
Pope Francis sits in the back seat of a Fiat as he is driven away from Andrews Air Force Base on Sept. 22, shortly after arriving in the United States. The Pope visited Washington, New York and Philadelphia (Photo courtesy of the White House).

Opinion: Pope still misunderstood after U.S. trip

John Ferrannini
October 5, 2015
Cameron Weaver speaks at the candidate forums during the student elections of the spring 2015 semester. Weaver, who was elected as Los Rios student trustee, recently cast doubt on the historical account of the Holocaust and said that being a conspiracy theorist is "a title I wear proudly." (File photo)

ASB senator requests recall of trustee ‘skeptical’ about the Holocaust

John Ferrannini
October 4, 2015
Sen. Laurie Jones, left, speaks during the Brave Space Dialogue regarding campus violence in the community rooms Wednesday as Dean of Student Development Manuel Perez and ARC student Nilo Nabavian look on. (Photo by Joseph Daniels)

Dialogue in Student Center addresses campus violence

John Ferrannini
October 1, 2015
Students respond to Student Trustee Cameron Weaver's,(Left), Holocaust skepticism made in an interview with The Current Sept. 16. Students share varying levels of support, outrage and ambiguity for Weaver's comments. (File Photo)

ASB members express support for Trustee ‘skeptical’ of the Holocaust

John Ferrannini, Barbara Harvey, and Jordan Schauberger
September 30, 2015
Students walk toward the entrance of the No. 1 Bus on the corner of College Oak Drive and Orange Grove Avenue on Aug. 31, 2015. Measure A, which renewed the universal transit pass, has passed after a vote by Los Rios students on eServices. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Regional Transit agreement passes

John Ferrannini
September 25, 2015
American River College student Brian Wong, left, works on homework in the Student Center with his friend Israel Solomon, a UC Riverside alum who visited Wong on campus. Wong said that he only uses the WiFi in certain areas of the campus. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

ARC WiFi overhaul to begin next month

John Ferrannini
September 23, 2015
The American River College 2015 Self-Evaluation Report, pictured here, was submitted by the college to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in July. A group from WASC will be visiting the campus from Oct. 5-8 to determine whether or not ARC meets the requirements for accreditation. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Accreditation to end with peer visit to ARC

John Ferrannini
September 22, 2015
Cameron Weaver protests at the annual March In March in downtown Sacramento last spring. Weaver was elected as Student Trustee last spring, a paid position on the Los Rios Community College District's Board of Trustees. (File photo)

Board of Trustees: Holocaust comments ‘abhorrent’

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
September 19, 2015
Cameron Weaver speaks at the candidate forums during the student elections of the spring 2015 semester. Weaver, who was elected as Los Rios student trustee, recently cast doubt on the historical account of the Holocaust and said that being a conspiracy theorist is "a title I wear proudly." (File photo)

Student trustee ‘skeptical’ about Holocaust

John Ferrannini and Barbara Harvey
September 18, 2015
A Sacramento City College student's phone shows a time-stamped message from the district's emergency message system coming 40 minutes after the fatal shooting that occurred on campus began. Students, staff and faculty voiced concerns that the warning message was sent too late at the information session held at the college the day after the fatal shooting. (Photo by Barbara Harvey)

SCC official: login trouble caused ALERT delay after shooting

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
September 17, 2015
ARC quarterback Jihad Vercher passes to wide receiver Tim Johnson during ARC’s 38-2 win over De Anza College on Sept. 12, 2015. Vercher threw three touchdowns during ARC’s home opener, all coming during the first half. (Photo by Barbara Harvey)

ARC’s offense explodes for five touchdowns and 390 yards in victory over De Anza

John Ferrannini
September 14, 2015
A post on the American River Confessions Facebook page exemplifies the separation of sex from the self-sacrifice required by a committed relationship. (Facebook screengrab)

Opinion: Hookup culture leads to unhappiness, confusion

John Ferrannini
September 10, 2015
Students board the No. 1 Bus on the corner of College Oak Drive and Orange Grove Avenue adjacent to American River College. Students should support Measure A, which would renew the universal transit pass for Los Rios students. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Opinion: Bus pass measure not perfect, but the best choice

Ashlynn Johnson, John Ferrannini, John Ferrannini, and Ashlynn Johnson
September 9, 2015
A Sacramento City College counselor and a community chaplain counsel a student grieving on Sept. 4, over the fatal shooting on the campus the day before. Counselors and Chaplains were made available to students, faculty and staff from 9 to 2 p.m. Friday, 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday and 9 to 6 p.m. Tuesday. (Photo by Barbara Harvey)

Sac City College mourns shooting

John Ferrannini and Barbara Harvey
September 4, 2015
Police cars block off the scene of the fatal shooting at Sacramento City College that left one student dead and two injured on Sept. 3, 2015. (Photo by Ashlynn Johnson)

Sac City shooting raises questions about District’s emergency procedure

John Ferrannini and Kameron Schmid
September 4, 2015
Students walk toward the entrance of the No. 1 Bus on the corner of College Oak Drive and Orange Grove Avenue on Aug. 31, 2015. Measure A, which renewed the universal transit pass, has passed after a vote by Los Rios students on eServices. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

Students could lose Los Rios bus pass

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
September 2, 2015
CAEB President Justin Nicholson, left, explains his plans for the Sept. 24 club day as vice president Mary Stedman looks on. CAEB had five vacant positions at their first meeting of the semester Tuesday. (Photo by John Ferrannini)

CAEB opens school year with five vacant positions

Jordan Schauberger, John Ferrannini, John Ferrannini, and Jordan Schauberger
September 1, 2015
Students brace a long line at the Starbucks in the Student Center on Wednesday. In spite of the opening of a new Peet's in the portable village, many students remain brand-loyal to the long-established Starbucks. (Photo by Kameron Schmid)

Coffee Wars: Starbucks challenged by Peet’s new presence on campus

John Ferrannini and Ashley Nanfria
August 27, 2015
Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn reports the weather on the weekday morning broadcasts of KCRA-TV news. Verdoorn teaches Geography 306 at ARC this semester. (Photo courtesy of Dirk Verdoorn)

KCRA-TV news weatherman starts teaching at ARC

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
August 24, 2015
John Gamber, left, receives a shirt from fellow employee Randy Schuster at ARC's Fall 2015 Convocation for consistently 'hitting the target.' Said Gamber: 'As someone who wore camouflage for 15 years, I cannot tell you how nervous this makes me.' (Photo by Kameron Schmid)

ARC and Los Rios announce initiatives at Fall 2015 Convocation

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
August 21, 2015
Los Rios Chancellor Brian King's Fall 2015 Convocation address will be webcast and cablecast on Comcast channel 15 Friday at 1 p.m.

ARC and Los Rios to webcast Convocation presentations

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
August 20, 2015
Tanishq Abraham, 11, (center) at American River College's graduation last May. Tanishq's sister Tiara, 9, also studies at ARC.

[Photo] Child prodigies attend ARC

Kameron Schmid and Kameron Schmid
July 29, 2015
Dominique Polani, who was arrested Friday as a suspect in a string of Sacramento bank robberies, attends American River College according to her Facebook page.

Alleged bank robber an ARC student according to her Facebook page

Barbara Harvey, John Ferrannini, John Ferrannini, and Barbara Harvey
July 18, 2015

Rock band recounts its Warped Tour experience

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
July 7, 2015
Tobacco use on the American River College campus is scheduled to become prohibited starting next January.

Tobacco use to be banned at ARC beginning in 2016

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
July 7, 2015
Carolyn Forche recites her poetry at SummerWords on May 30. Forche is an internationally renowned, award winning poet.

Internationally renowned poet concludes SummerWords event

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
June 25, 2015
ARC professors discuss the basics of screenwriting at SummerWords

ARC professors discuss the basics of screenwriting at SummerWords

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
May 30, 2015
SummerWords opens with poetry and pastries

SummerWords opens with poetry and pastries

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
May 29, 2015
ARC ends academic year with annual commencement ceremony

ARC ends academic year with annual commencement ceremony

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
May 21, 2015
Homeless couple returns to ARC to take classes and collect recyclables

Homeless couple returns to ARC to take classes and collect recyclables

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
May 12, 2015
ARC women’s track and field take first place at NorCal championships

ARC women’s track and field take first place at NorCal championships

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
May 11, 2015
A mother silenced: A Ukrainian immigrant struggles to follow her son's murder trial

A mother silenced: A Ukrainian immigrant struggles to follow her son’s murder trial

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
May 4, 2015
Students organize annual ARC fashion show

Students organize annual ARC fashion show

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
May 1, 2015
ARC to cut back on water use in response to the drought

ARC to cut back on water use in response to the drought

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
April 29, 2015
ARC student fashion blogger wrote for The New York Times and The Huffington Post

ARC student fashion blogger wrote for The New York Times and The Huffington Post

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
April 28, 2015
Slapping petitioner sentenced for murder

Slapping petitioner sentenced for murder

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
April 20, 2015
ARC student said she was shot during road rage incident

ARC student said she was shot during road rage incident

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
April 17, 2015
Survey heralds possible changes to campus smoking policy

Survey heralds possible changes to campus smoking policy

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
April 14, 2015
ARC nears end of accreditation process

ARC nears end of accreditation process

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
April 7, 2015
Mother of slapping petitioner speaks out after son's conviction

Mother of slapping petitioner speaks out after son’s conviction

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
March 20, 2015
Left is an Andy Warhol artwork hanging on the wall while top right, Colin Lewis working on in a work room, bottom right Kong Meng Lo on his laptop.

Andy Warhol art hiding in plain sight around campus

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
March 20, 2015
Breaking News: Slapping petitioner convicted of murder

Breaking News: Slapping petitioner convicted of murder

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
March 19, 2015
Nobel laureate speaks to packed audience at ARC

Nobel laureate speaks to packed audience at ARC

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
March 16, 2015
The importance of philosophical education is that it teaches us to critically examine our own beliefs.

Opinion: Philosophy requirement needed at ARC

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
March 13, 2015
ASB CAEB president censured after “substance” related conference expulsion

ASB CAEB president censured after “substance” related conference expulsion

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
March 6, 2015
Student government leaders march on the capitol

Student government leaders march on the capitol

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
March 3, 2015
No censure planned for Diefenbacher, says ASB chief

No censure planned for Diefenbacher, says ASB chief

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
February 25, 2015
ASB Notebook: Senate Director of Activities calls 'B---S---' on $5000 budget increase

ASB Notebook: Senate Director of Activities calls ‘B—S—‘ on $5000 budget increase

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
February 24, 2015
Guardian Angels patrol high-crime trail

Guardian Angels patrol high-crime trail

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
February 23, 2015
CAEB plans next month’s outer space club day

CAEB plans next month’s outer space club day

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
February 20, 2015
Tempers flare over March in March funding in Senate meeting

Tempers flare over March in March funding in Senate meeting

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
February 20, 2015
California legislators discuss community colleges at Governmental Affairs Day

California legislators discuss community colleges at Governmental Affairs Day

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
February 13, 2015
ASB Notebook: ASB plans Club Day, Color Dash, and March in March

ASB Notebook: ASB plans Club Day, Color Dash, and March in March

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
February 10, 2015

Opinion: Community colleges teach what universities can’t

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
February 10, 2015
Los Rios district inducted into Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame

Los Rios district inducted into Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
February 9, 2015
Samuel Kinsey, originally from Arizona State University, was sworn into the Associated Student Body student senate on Tuesday.

Senate task force to plan March in March

John Ferrannini and Miranda Bolar
February 4, 2015
Professor David Austin went from working at Disneyland to working at ARC

Professor David Austin went from working at Disneyland to working at ARC

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
January 31, 2015
Student Senate approves two new senators

Student Senate approves two new senators

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
January 30, 2015
LGBT club plans outreach for new semester

LGBT club plans outreach for new semester

John Ferrannini and Lena DoBynes
January 27, 2015

Photo gallery: Women’s basketball loses at Sierra

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
January 26, 2015
Law must be respected, not undermined

Law must be respected, not undermined

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
December 11, 2014
Senate ends semester with new expenses, t-shirt donations

Senate ends semester with new expenses, t-shirt donations

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
December 4, 2014

ASB Notebook: CAEB President draws fire for transgender comment

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
December 2, 2014

Battery in student center results in suspension

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
December 2, 2014
Senate to spend $16,000 on back-to-school packets

Senate to spend $16,000 on back-to-school packets

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
December 2, 2014
ARC Color Run postponed, CAEB director of activities says

ARC Color Run postponed, CAEB director of activities says

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
December 2, 2014
Senate Director of Communications juggles ASB and music

Senate Director of Communications juggles ASB and music

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
December 1, 2014
Los Rios Police and ARC administration work to reduce Arcade Creek trail crime

Los Rios Police and ARC administration work to reduce Arcade Creek trail crime

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
November 25, 2014
Student government leaders sent home from General Assembly for substance incidents

Student government leaders sent home from General Assembly for substance incidents

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
November 25, 2014
Fierce: CAEB President’s transgender comment “should not have been said”

Fierce: CAEB President’s transgender comment “should not have been said”

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
November 24, 2014
Some Los Rios student accounts accidentally deleted by district

Some Los Rios student accounts accidentally deleted by district

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
November 19, 2014
Suspects in Tuesday’s campus robbery match suspects in thwarted robbery last month

Suspects in Tuesday’s campus robbery match suspects in thwarted robbery last month

John Ferrannini and John Ferrannini
November 18, 2014
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