Bakersfield College (BC) hosted its published authors panel on March 26 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Levan center to showcase professors of BC who have recently authored published works.

Students and faculty filled the seats, food and beverages were provided to everyone who was in attendance. Attendees were asked to save questions till the end and be respectful to speakers.

The panel featured Dr. Tommy Tunson, criminal justice professor author of “Transformational Policing Model: Bridging the Racial Divide”, Oliver Rosales, history professor author of “Civil Rights in Bakersfield Segregation and Multiracial Activism in the Central Valley” and Keith Wolaridge a business professor author of “Five Pillars: A father’s discussion with his son and society to keep both on solid ground”.

Each author made their way down the line introducing themselves and presenting their own diversity in each book to the audience, while the host asked questions about each author’s individual book.

When asked about a directly intended target audience for their books, each authors answers varied from one another as each of their books covers very different topics.

“My target audience believe it or not was the city government, law enforcement, Americans in general that wouldn’t really talk, think and look about how we treat each other in American society and what better way than in policing” Tunson stated

As the panel came to a close, attendees were allowed to now ask their questions in an orderly fashion to one or all authors at once.

Students raised questions to specific professors and were answered with full detail responses. Conversation flowed naturally between each author as they were allowed to chime in and respectfully discuss various topics provided by the audience.

The event was benefitable to not only the students but the authors, who engaged in scholarly conversation with one another.

“It was a fantastic experience and evening.  I appreciate and am honored to share the platform with two exceptional scholars, Dr. Tunson and Dr. Rosales. It was our goal to inspire and inform at the same time.  I believe we accomplished our goal and look forward to teaming up again.” Wolaridge stated

Authors thanked students and faculty for attendance as well as the Levan center for hosting. It is encouraged for students to acknowledge and show support for BC’s local authors.