On April 18, 2008Fresno City College hosted its third annual martial arts workshop. The event is the brainchild of Asian American studies director, John Cho, who started coordinating the classes when he realized that several other faculty members studied various forms of martial arts. Instructors this year included Dennis Adkins (student services), Homer Green (counseling), John Cho (Asian American Studies), Bernard Navarro (American Indian studies), and a handful of others.
Students were very enthusiastic about the lessons. Joshua Thomas , a business major, participated in Brazilian jujitsu and Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu demonstrations. He was impressed with the attention to detail Kung Fu required. Jacquie Cotton, a nursing student, said, “I wish they would offer this more often. Even just the self defense classes.” This sentiment was echoed by Chicano studies major Cresencia Cruz. “Its necessary to know some things… I wish more women had come to the self defense class,” she said.