CCA Alumni Half-Century Club: 50 Years of Living History by Jim Norrena and Jessica Russell
CCA’s Alumni Association hosted a two-day event over graduation weekend in May 2012 to pay tribute to all alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago, and especially graduates from the class of 1962. Henceforth, every year, alumni who reach the 50-year milestone will be officially inducted into the college’s Half-Century Club and honored with commemorative activities that celebrate their particular chapter in the college’s history. bill moggridge. (Mr. Moggridge passed away in
earlier showed up to participate in the inaugural event. “We
September; see the “In Memoriam” section on page 46 to
have such a deep appreciation for all of our alumni,” says
read more about his career.) CCA alumnus and photographer douglas sandberg (Photography 1997, former Alumni Council president, and chair of the centennial alumni celebration in 2007), was heard to observe: “I don’t think artists should retire. They get good at age 80! It is impossible to do too much to encourage and honor our distinguished alumni.” Following the luncheon, the club enjoyed an exclusive tour of the San Francisco campus, led by CCA’s Director of Research and Planning david meckel . The weekend culminated with the 105th commencement ceremony, at which the honored alumni enjoyed VIP seating. Half a century may seem like a lifetime to a new graduate, but several of the Half-Century Club members commented that graduation didn’t seem like all that long ago. Alumna and retired book illustrator joan machado (Advertising 1952) summed it up: “My education itself was definitely a great success, since I have been able to pursue art all my life. And one thing that hasn’t changed is the camaraderie among me and my fellow artists.” Machado has remained friends with many of her classmates, and has twice been married (both times to CCA alumni!). A
Director of Alumni Relations jessica russell , “but the Half-Century Club is especially significant. Its members are the living history of this institution, some of our most treasured alums, and it’s such an honor to have them here for this celebration.” One of the eldest club members in attendance was earl f. holt (MFA Advertising 1949), age 91. He had studied under wolfgang lederer , a master of book design who was influential in developing the college’s design curriculum, and went on to found Holt Graphics in Oakland 57 years ago. His son manages the company today. The weekend kicked off with a breakfast reception on the Oakland campus with President stephen beal and honorary event chair richard m clean (Painting 1958), followed by a tour of the campus’s studio facilities. One overheard comment: “Where’s the volleyball court?” [Fact: It is now the site of the A2 Café.] A shuttle then took the group to the Honorary Doctorate Luncheon near the San Francisco campus, where club members had lunch with donors to the college and CCA’s 2012 honorary doctorate recipient, IDEO cofounder
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Twenty-one amazing alumni from the classes of 1962 and