A PUBLICATION OF THE COCHISE COLLEGE FOUNDATION
SPRING 2015
College inducts 19 into Hall of Fame Page 4
BOARD PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I served on the Cochise College Governing Board for 18 years, long enough to know that solutions to serious facilities complications don’t come along every day. For that reason, I applaud The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona for having the vision to donate the former Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center facility to Cochise College. Next year, the facility will be the new home of the currently cramped Nursing & Health Sciences, a more visible Culinary Arts Program, numerous college outreach programs, and two or three local agencies. The arrangement furthers a quality healthcare system already underway here in Cochise County and puts a good neighbor offering quality opportunities in the center of town. I’m no longer an elected board member, but as president of the board of directors of the Cochise College Foundation, my work is not done. The foundation seeks to identify needs associated with renovating and opening the building to students. For example, the nursing program will expand from using about 10 beds to about 30. “Buy a Bed” is something you may hear from us in the near future, if you haven’t already. The college recently hired another culinary arts faculty member, and the foundation hopes to offer scholarships to students where, currently, there are none. We are in the process of evaluating the college’s needs and priorities and intend to come to you well-prepared. Stay tuned!
Jan Guy Board President Cochise College Foundation
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Cover: Dr. J.D. Rottweiler, Cochise College's 11th president, shares the story of Dr. T.C. Johnston, the college's first president, at the Hall of Fame induction.
Board Officers Jan Guy, President Gail Zamar, Vice President Bob Strain, Secretary Mark Battaglia, J.D., Treasurer Board Members Yolanda Anderson Chuck Chambers Jean Giuffrida Karen L. Justice Gene Manring Dan Rehurek, Ph.D. Ruben Teran, J.D. Board Member Emeritus Shirley Gregory Linda Staneart Ex-Officio Member J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D. (ex-officio) Honorary Member Marsha Arzberger Cochise College Foundation Staff Denise Hoyos, Executive Director Sheila Selby, Foundation Coordinator Rose Berumen, Administrative Assistant “Accolade” is published by the Cochise College Foundation, 4190 W. Highway 80, Douglas, AZ 85607. (520) 417-4100 Contributors Rose Berumen Denise Hoyos Liz Manring Keith Ringey Rick Whipple “Accolade” inspires charitable contributions in support of Cochise College by raising awareness about competitive advantages of the college and the activities of the Cochise College Foundation, which promotes student success through scholarships, facilities development, and program support. By supporting Cochise College, the Foundation endeavors to increase the college's accessibility to our diverse and changing communities.
FROM THE COCHISE COLLEGE PRESIDENT From The Beatles and Wilford Brimley to a Hall of Fame induction and commencement, it seemed there was a commemorative affair at every turn in 2014-2015. You might wonder about the necessity of all of that. Stakeholder engagement is important in public relations and fundraising, so I’d say it was both necessary and successful. The Cochise College anniversary provided a hook, a golden opportunity, to garner attention and advance the institution, because five decades is just a little more special than, say, 47 years, and it only happens once. • Nearly 200 of Cochise College’s earliest staff, students and its biggest supporters, not all from Cochise County or even Arizona, attended a Founder’s Dinner in September. That was just enough to allow people to convey thanks and thoughts on the early years. • Two Twist & Shout: The Definitive Beatles Experience concerts drew about 500 people each to less intimate, but equally joyous, events. • About 150 rodeo and western fans bought tickets to see Wilford Brimley in the Douglas Campus Student Union in November. Six months later, an equal, but different, crowd attended the Hall of Fame induction there. • People who wished to support their academic program attended an aviation open house in March, with 100 also signing up for a dinner. Another 100 attended a nursing reunion a month later. • About 20 different individuals provided items for a mobile memorabilia display, and countless others absorbed its message - that there’s more to Cochise College than meets the eye. These statistics, coupled with those from other events, show that we made close to 2,000 new friends! The beauty is in their diversity; the crowd that attended the rodeo benefit isn’t the same crowd that attended the nursing reunion. And both of those events were special in their own ways. Before the year closed, the college began planning for the new one. Next year, we’ll develop the Sierra Vista Downtown Center, a gift of a former hospital property from The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona. You’ll see a fresh marketing campaign structured around the word “possible,” and you’ll see new energy around specific programs. Even though it’s our 51st year, I hope that we have your attention.
J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D. President Cochise College jdr@cochise.edu
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FIRST HALL-OF-FAMERS LEFT MARK ON INSTITUTION C ochise College welcomed its inaugural Hall of Fame class during a special induction ceremony Saturday, May 9, in the Douglas Campus Student Union. The college honored 19 former students, faculty, staff and community leaders who have made major contributions to the mission and goals of the college.
“We sit in the shade of trees that were planted long ago, and tonight, we will recognize many of those who planted those trees,” said Cochise College president Dr. J.D. Rottweiler in his opening remarks. “From bus drivers to board members, from presidents to the secretary that actually ran the college, from faculty to benefactors, you’ll see a wide range of individuals who impacted the college. Cochise College is the people, and we’re proud to recognize some of those people and thank them for the shade that each of us sit in today.” The Cochise College Hall of Fame’s first 19 inductees were nominated last fall through letters of recommendation that explained the ways in which each individual holds a deep connection to the college or has made a substantial contribution to the institution through personal time, effort and interest. The first Hall of Fame class includes college legends with interesting stories. Each honoree received a commemorative plate crafted by the Cochise College Art Department. “We’re extremely proud to induct these 19 individuals, our legends of Cochise College,” Rottweiler said. “They represent our past and our present. It’s appropriate that we celebrate them as we prepare for next week’s 50th commencement, where we’ll celebrate our future. That connection between the past, present and future is really what Cochise College is all about.” The Cochise College Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for future inductees in four categories: Student/Alumni, Team/Group of Students, Faculty/Staff, and Community Leader. For more information about the Hall of Fame, including deadlines and required materials for making a nomination, visit www.cochise.edu/alumni/hall-of-fame or call (520) 417-4735.
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I NAUGURAL H ONOREES
Charles Bloomquist (1913-1979) Elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 1951, Charles Bloomquist, a Cochise County native, used his 1958 appointment as majority leader to shepherd a bill that in 1961 created Arizona’s junior college system and subsequent bills that funded the system. He served as the first chair of the Arizona State Board of Directors for Junior Colleges, helped site Cochise College and other junior colleges, and served on the Cochise College Governing Board, participating in development of the Sierra Vista Campus and other projects. "Cochise College would not be in existence without the timeless dedication and vision of Charles O. Bloomquist. Arizona's education system and Cochise County were forever changed as the result of his efforts." — Susan Spikes Bickel
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A.R. Spikes (1892-1968) After serving as principal and teacher in charge of a fourroom schoolhouse in Bowie, joining the U.S. Army, and being cited for bravery in action at the 1918 battle of Jaulny, France, A.R. Spikes convinced the Bowie School Board to build a high school, promoted a bond issue, oversaw construction, and became the school’s principal. His 1961 introduction of Senate Bill 43, which created Arizona’s junior college system, as well as his continued work on behalf of funding the system, was a highlight and significant accomplishment of 17 years of service in the Arizona Senate. “He was personally ambitious and worked for the good of his community, whether for Bowie and its schools, Cochise County or the state of Arizona, and he knew education was the path to success. … My grandmother wrote about A.R.: ‘During his years in the senate he held many important committee assignments. Being chairman of education for 14 years, his knowledge in school matters was recognized by his peers, who bestowed upon him the title of Mr. Education.’” - Evelyn Lathram, Spikes’ granddaughter
Dr. George Spikes (1921-2011) Douglas’ 2001 Citizen of the Year served for decades at the forefront of efforts to enhance local education and healthcare. Dr. George Spikes worked tirelessly to pass the bond issue to fund Cochise County's junior college district. He also was appointed to the first Governing Board, serving as its chair for the first four years, a time when the tasks associated with that service – locating a site, establishing budgets with no historical frame of reference, selecting a president - required intense board involvement. Spikes also helped establish many other Arizona community colleges as a member of the Arizona State Junior College Board from. His own profession as a medical doctor kept him busy, and he also served as a physician surveyor for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. “My dad thought education was the ticket out of any situation and the means to fill one’s dreams and aspirations. … The idea of a college in Cochise County appealed to him. Its existence would allow others to do exactly what he did: achieve the life that was desired, not the life that was just available for people here.” - Mary Barnes
Andrea Cracchiolo (1889-1989) Advised to relocate from Detroit to a warm, dry climate to combat respiratory illnesses, Andrea Cracchiolo settled in Tucson in 1941 and became involved in real estate. Passionate about education, he purchased his first Tucson home within walking distance of a middle school and the University of Arizona. Cracchiolo acquired 6,000 acres in Sierra Vista in the mid-1950s and developed 1,000 acres for a water company, retail stores and subdivisions. In addition to donating land for an elementary, high school, and university satellite in Sierra Vista, he contributed 40 acres for the Sierra Vista Campus of Cochise College, which has grown with the community and where the library was named for him in 1985. “My dad never had any education himself, but he was probably the most intelligent person I ever met. Here’s a person who had no formal education, who in some little way has been able to help the formal education of thousands of students and will continue to do so in the future.” - Dr. Andrea Cracchiolo III
Dr. T.C. Johnston (1919-1964) Hired Feb. 1, 1963, as Cochise College’s first president, Dr. T.C. Johnston died in a plane crash in the Whetstone Mountains en route to an education conference in Colorado. Previously, Johnston served as director of University of Arizona Personnel and Placement Services, head of the University of Omaha Secondary Education Department, and as a K-12 teacher and principal. He never got to see the personal institution he envisioned, and his widow and four children relocated to Oklahoma after his death. “As a typical teenage girl, I ran to the phone each time it rang and one evening in January 1963, I answered to a man’s voice on the other end of the phone asking to speak to Dr. Johnston. … He offered my dad the presidency of Cochise College. In my 15 years, I had never seen him so gratified and filled with joy. You see, Dad had applied for a presidency in California and in Oklahoma and as he said both times, ‘I am the bridesmaid, not the bride this time.’ I am so grateful to the college for giving my father the chance to be a ‘bride,’ albeit for a short time in his much too abbreviated life.” - Barb Carter
Dr. John Eaton As Cochise College’s founding dean of instruction, Dr. John Eaton developed curriculum, academic standards and transfer agreements, labor-intensive projects for someone starting from scratch. He left Cochise in 1967 to serve as the founding president of Michigan’s West Shore Community College. Eaton returned to Sierra Vista to direct the University of Arizona branch campus, then became executive director of the Cochise College Foundation, where he endowed the Dr. John and Mary Eaton Scholarship. Eaton has served on the college Governing Board since 2004. “I’ve had the privilege of serving Cochise College in four different capacities: dean of instruction, education consultant, foundation director, on the governing board, and there’s one more: the father of a graduate in 1972. Each different role has been a satisfying experience and an honor.” - Dr. John Eaton
Jan Guy (’76) Jan Guy found a home at Cochise College not just as a student, but also as a volunteer. She joined the board of the college foundation in 1992 and found herself elected to the Governing Board in 1995. She chaired that board from 1998 to 2003 and again from 2005 to 2012, before being named board member emeritus in 2013. To honor her commitment, the board recommended her as a Lifetime Member of the Association of Community College Trustees. Guy continues to serve on the foundation board, currently as president, and also organizes therapy dog visits to the local hospital. “As some of you in this room have heard me say before, sometimes in our life, we are blessed to be able to do something we love that we think makes a difference. That defines my board service. My heart will always belong to Cochise College. I have two degrees after I left Cochise College, but my heart belongs here.” - Jan Guy
David Pettes In the nearly five decades Dave Pettes has been associated with Cochise College, he’s done everything from teaching and administration to writing an accreditation report and engaging students in community service. While he was hired as a social sciences faculty member, he was often called upon to serve in leadership roles. Through it all, he maintained a reputation among students as an exciting teacher, reliable mentor, and inspiring role model who’s always among the list of favorites and could often be seen hustling from class to meeting to office and back again.
Hector Leon Sr. (1927-2006) Hector Leon traveled thousands of miles during 20 years with Cochise College. Following a time of professional instability, he joined the college in 1968 as custodian, mechanic assistant and bus driver, safely toting hundreds of athletes entrusted to the college to competitions and back. He had a special connection to baseball and was laid to rest with a Cochise College Apache team jersey given to him by former head coach and friend, Dr. James “Bo” Hall (’71). “Dad was very proud to drive the bus. Courteous, professional and most of all he cared of the kids. He called the kids his boys. He made a promise to take them from point A to B, to each game all the time. … He and Coach (Bo) Hall were close. Close enough that dad would tell Bo anything. After a loss, he said ‘Coach, if you would have done this and this and this, you would have won.’ Coach said ‘Hec, I am the baseball coach, you are the bus driver. I don’t want to hear it. Just take us home.’” - Hector Leon Jr. (’72)
“His years of being an instructor, friend, counselor, administrator and community leader will always be remembered by those who have benefited from his presence in their lives. Dave has the art of giving back. It is ingrained in him. It is part of what drives him and has made him so successful as an instructor and a human being. I call this Dave’s giving magic, and he is a model of that giving magic.” - Ruth Britton
“Most of the time, he was right.” - Dr. James “Bo” Hall (’71)
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Dr. Joe Gilliland Few of Cochise College’s first faculty and staff can say that they are still serving students, but Dr. Joe Gilliland can. Gilliland retired from fulltime teaching in 1988. At that time, he’d taught in the humanities, primarily composition, literature and philosophy. But his resume includes time as chair of humanities, communications and foreign languages; acting director of libraries; and vice president/provost for the Sierra Vista Campus. He was named Cochise College faculty emeritus in 1990. Though his teaching load is minimal, he’s still considered an advisor to the college. “It’s been the happiest choice I could have ever have made. This college was ‘Tumbleweed Tech.’ There was no grass, a few trees, a lot of wind, and there was disbelief that in the middle of this desert were some of the most beautiful buildings I’d ever seen. And they still are. It’s wonderful to be in a place like this.” - Dr. Joe Gilliland
Dr. James “Bo” Hall (’71) It would be easy to believe Dr. Bo Hall was inducted into the Hall of Fame based on his athletic achievements. He holds the Cochise College home run record (wooden bats), earned all-conference/region honors as a player in 1971, and later coached the Apaches to back-to-back World Series appearances. He’s earned honors and held regional and conference leadership positions, and he is already in the Arizona Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame and the Arizona Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame. But it’s starting in “dumbbell English,” going on to earn a doctoral degree, and serving in dual roles as athletic director and dean of student services that makes his story special. “God has blessed me in many ways. My wife, my family and Cochise College. I started here in dumbbell English (although I still think they placed me wrong). And it gave me many opportunities. It started my academic career, it started my baseball career, and it kickstarted my coaching career. Cochise College has meant a whole lot to Bo Hall and the Hall family. And I will always be an Apache.” - Dr. James “Bo” Hall (’71)
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George Huncovsky (1925-2013) George Huncovsky may have taught college mathematics for 20 years, earning National Science Foundation Scholarships in 1965, 1968 and 1969, but his talents extended beyond what one might expect. Huncovsky wrote poems about his colleagues that were often shared at retirements and other gatherings. He also developed models, including one of the campus benches and another of the Douglas Campus itself. Huncovsky was named faculty emeritus in 1990 and, as the last of the original faculty to retire, received a bottle of cognac the last of that group provided as a reward. “I think what made his actions far reaching in the formative years of this fine institution of learning were the ways he applied his own values and principles to everything he did. He made his actions exceptional by the way he conducted himself. He lived by simple principles: patience, selflessness, humor, honesty, commitment, integrity, responsibility, compassion, generosity and fairness, to name a few. He time and time again applied those standards to all those actions, and that’s what made him outstanding.” - Harvey Huncovsky
Doris Dees Widely regarded as the glue that held things together from one administration to the next and helped smooth transitions, Doris Dees served as the secretary to seven Cochise College presidents. She also sang in the college choir, participated in theater productions, and avidly supported the athletic teams. Dees is an all-around college ambassador whose name is synonymous with Cochise College. “I’m happy to have been part of the early people that were hired to work for Cochise College and to be a part of the foundation of Cochise College as it is today. I want to thank my husband, Doug. He shared me with Cochise College for 28 years. I’m proud I’m part of this college that has built this reputation and for becoming the college it is today. I’m glad I was part of those people.” - Doris Dees
Albert Velasco (’79) Albert Velasco helped build the Douglas Campus while employed by W.F. Connely Construction in 1963 and 1964. Later, he felt fortunate to be hired by the college to work with the grounds crew; it meant he could work near home, pursue an education, and provide opportunities for his family. Velasco was superintendent of physical plant/facilities, overseeing security, switchboard, water/waste management, and HAZMAT monitoring, from 1969 to 1995. “Cochise College was a real life changer for me and my family. The faculty and staff, administration, Doris (Dees) … everybody has been a mentor, a teacher, literally, because I graduated from Cochise College, my children graduated from Cochise College, and my grandchildren are graduating from Cochise College, with two more coming in.” - Albert Velasco (’79)
Dr. Karen Nicodemus A job as head coach of women’s basketball doesn’t often lead to the presidency, but Dr. Karen Nicodemus achieved that goal, serving in a variety of leadership positions during her 23-year career with the college. Earlier in her tenure, Nicodemus worked in planning and assessment and served as department chair, dean, and vice president for instruction. After she became president in 1998, the college embraced online systems and classes, obtained a variety of important grants to move key programs forward, and earned 10-year reaccreditation, a personal best for the institution. Nicodemus also served on the state board of education and the Governor’s P-20 Council and was named president emeritus shortly after retiring. Together, she and another inductee, Dr. Joanna Michelich, endowed a fund to support innovative teaching and learning at Cochise College. “I’ve always felt like the best job in the world is one where you want to wake up and go to work the next day. That’s a result of the quality of people, and I’m so fortunate to be part of Cochise College, and I’m so honored to be part of this group. … And thank you for the good work that’s still happening at Cochise College.” - Dr. Karen Nicodemus
Dr. Joanna Michelich (’68) Cochise College faculty members inspired Dr. Joanna Michelich (’68), an active and popular student from Douglas, to do more than simply achieve a grade. So she did. Michelich went on to serve in a variety of dean positions at the University of North Dakota, West Shore Community College, and Central Arizona College (CAC). In 1978, the State Board for Community Colleges of Arizona, the Arizona Mining Association, and Cochise College presented her with the Outstanding Community College Alumni Award for 1964-1978. Michelich served as vice president for student services at CAC and finished her career as vice president for instruction/provost at Cochise College. “This college gave me wings. This college picked me up when I was ready to fall down on various occasions, whether as vice president or as a student. It was the people here who always challenged me, who helped me grow. … This is the kind of faculty and staff Cochise College has been blessed to have since day one.” - Dr. Joanna Michelich (’68)
Ken Jones (1957-2008) No less than seven people stepped forward to assist with the nomination of Ken Jones, founder of the Cochise College Center for Economic Research. Jones joined the college as a faculty member in business in 1992. He founded the CER in 1995 and secured CER membership in the Association for University Business and Economic Research, making Cochise the only community college member and achieving recognition as a U.S. Census Bureau State Data Center affiliate. Jones’ work was recognized by the Sierra Vista Economic Development Foundation in 2001, and he earned the University of Arizona’s Eller Graduate School of Management Alumni Achievement Award in 2002.
Dr. Dan Rehurek A variety of positions in teaching, career placement, and admissions, and as vice president for instruction, led Dr. Dan Rehurek to the college presidency. Named president emeritus in 1993, Rehurek also served on the Douglas School Board and Arizona School Boards Association and was a founding member of the Douglas Economic Development Corp. After retirement, he joined the board of the Cochise College Foundation, where he and his wife Yvette continue to grow the Dr. and Mrs. Dan Rehurek Scholarship fund. Rehurek’s newest project is service on the Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College Governing Board; the county is currently served by Cochise College.
“His work made Cochise College unique among its sister institutions and more than held its own against the state universities and their own research centers. … His ongoing commitment to excellence, perseverance in the face of great hardship and love of his work served as an inspiration to all of us who worked with him.” - Dr. Karen Nicodemus
“The barriers to higher education are formidable and, for so many, insurmountable. We know the story: finances, family obligations, distance, work, children and, yes, unpreparedness. But this community college was here for them and for 50 years has offered that initial opportunity for so many. … I’m most grateful for this opportunity to serve this great college.” - Dr. Dan Rehurek
Roger Weller Plenty of people achieve 20plus years in teaching. But there aren’t that many who can also say their website, which happens to be connected to Cochise College, has drawn millions of clicks from across the globe. In addition to the Virtual Geology Museum, whose 2,500 images of minerals, rocks, fossils and gemstones and other materials, serves as a resource for educators, scientists, and hobbyists, Weller recently unveiled Mars Explored, which offers quick, easy access to more than 4,300 views of Mars, plus links to maps, videos and geology. “It’s a wonderful thing to work at an institution where these things are available to you, to be as creative as you would like to be. … It’s been a wonderful environment to work in, and the college has been a large part of my life. Coming into the building tonight, I remembered I had my wedding reception here at the Student Union many years ago. I’ve been so thankful to work at a wonderful institution and see it grow from a tiny little place to a huge beautiful thing on both campuses.” - Roger Weller
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Rody Ramirez, seated with Cochise College Director of Nursing & Health Sciences Jennifer Lakosil, was a veteran and the only male in the first nursing class, which reunited, above, in May.
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Three headed to NISOD conference The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award honors distinction in teaching. Cochise College is one of more than 700 community colleges around the world that belong to NISOD. Employees at participating institutions recognize their colleagues by nominating them for the award. This year's award recipients from Cochise College are John Walsh, Marguerite Conners and Edmund Priddis. John Walsh is the director of Library Services. He began at Cochise College as a student, earning his Associate of Arts degree in business administration in 2003. He went on to earn bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Arizona, all while working in the college’s libraries as an aide, in the circulation department and as a librarian before being promoted to director in 2014. “I do what I do because I truly believe in the mission of this college,” he said. “There is no one alive, other than the students themselves, that cares more about their academic success than I do.” Walsh has published articles in journals and other publications, and he has presented research at symposiums and conferences across Arizona. He is an advocate for implementing effective instruction techniques and literacy initiatives at all educational levels. Marguerite Conners was a Career Services and Cooperative Education coordinator at Cochise College for 13 years prior to becoming the Student Success coordinator in 2012. In her current role, she creates strategies and initiatives to improve student success rates, works with teams to identify educational barriers, and is an active member of grant committees that seek funding for student success initiatives.
Cochise College are working together to develop new initiatives that help our students overcome educational barriers so they can achieve their academic goals.” Conners holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northern Arizona University. In addition to her work duties, she also serves as a Phi Theta Kappa honor society advisor, and she leads or serves on numerous committees, including Student Success, Adult Basic Education Transition, and Service Learning. “I am thrilled to be attending the NISOD conference with Edmund and John and I admire their devotion to our students' learning and achievement,” Conners said. Edmund Priddis has been a science instructor at Cochise College since 2009 and the department chair since 2014. He holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology and a master’s degree in integrative biology from Brigham Young University. “I have been working at Cochise College for almost six years now and I have enjoyed my experience working here. One of the biggest things for me has been the encouragement to try new things and always continue growing,” he said. “I also enjoy working with the students. I love the smaller class sizes and the chance to really get to know students. The students amaze me as they juggle the many demands on their time and many of them truly shine as they accomplish their goals. I hope I have helped students on their path towards a bright future. At the end of the day, I look back and think about how thankful I am to be able to associate with the students and faculty and staff at Cochise College. I have been supported and helped by so many people, I hope I am able to follow that example and give back to others.”
“I enjoy what I do because I have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of individuals from across the college to work on one common theme: student success,” she said. “As colleges across the nation face challenges with student retention and persistence, departments at
Priddis is also a Phi Theta Kappa honor society advisor and Honors Program mentor for the undergraduate research team that has spent the last two years studying bean beetles and wildlife navigation along the San Pedro River. These studies, conducted by students under the guidance of instructors, have been presented and recognized at local, regional and national levels.
Marguerite Conners, Edmund Priddis, and John Walsh.
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Faculty emeriti recognized Cochise College recognized two new faculty emeriti in 2015: art instructor Monte Surratt and Spanish instructor Martha Bordelois. Faculty emeriti are recognized for their continued value to education and as a reward for exemplary past service. Retired members of the full-time faculty, counselors or librarians are eligible for emeriti status if they have retired within the last five years or are retiring at the end of the current year, served in that capacity for 10 or more years anytime during employment at Cochise College, consistently made significant meritorious contributions to the instructional process during those years, and are in good standing with the institution at retirement. Surratt was hired at Cochise College in 1989 and continues to teach part time since retiring in 2012. He attended the University of Arizona throughout his college career, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1972 and his Master of Fine Arts degree in 1979. In his 22 years at Cochise, he was a recipient of the NISOD Excellence Award, which honors distinction in teaching, and also served as a department chair for seven years and an associate dean for eight years. “It’s been very rewarding. I couldn’t ask for a better job — if you have to have a job and work for someone,” he laughed. “I just really have enjoyed my time here, and that’s why I’m still doing it.” He keeps a studio at the Central School Project in Bisbee, and his paintings and drawings are regularly exhibited at the Subway Gallery on Main Street. He also lives part time in Tucson, where he worked as a full-time studio artist for 10 years before his friend and former classmate Al Kogel, a longtime Cochise art instructor, suggested he apply for the faculty position at the college. While his primary mission was inspiring students in his two-dimensional art classes, Surratt also enjoyed his administrative roles because he was proud to be an advocate for the Art Department and fine arts at the college. “Everybody can find their creative spirit; it just depends on what medium,” he said. “I always kind of had an idea that teaching would be good because you’re around people who are creating all the time. The preference would have been a
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professional painter, living off my artwork, but that’s rare. Teaching was the next best thing.” Bordelois holds a bachelor’s degree from the Maxim Gorki Foreign Language Institute and a master’s degree from the University of Havana. She was hired at Cochise College as a part-time instructor in 1990 and full time in 1993 before retiring in 2012. Bordelois left Cuba with her husband and daughters in 1981 and moved to Sierra Vista, where she learned English by taking classes at Cochise College. As an instructor, Bordelois represented the college at a convention of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese in Puerto Rico in 2000, and she was also a recipient of the NISOD Excellence Award. “Teaching is my passion,” she said. “I really enjoyed the whole experience at Cochise College and don’t have anything to say but good things about the institution. I grew up a lot in that institution and learned a lot, also, from my students and all my colleagues.” She began teaching at just 13 years old when Cuba instituted its Literacy Campaign in 1960. Bordelois, an avid reader since early in her childhood, was technically too young to be an instructor, but she convinced one of her neighbors to be her mentor and supervisor in the program. At the end of a rigorous six months of classes, many of her students — fishermen from the Havana coast who previously couldn’t write their names — were not only reading and spelling, but also penning letters to their families. At that moment, Bordelois knew she would teach for the rest of her life. She continued instructing language classes and decided to learn Russian, since the close ties between the two countries led to many Russians living in Cuba. “I always say a teacher is born, not made,” she said. “That first experience was intimidating, but I wanted so much to help them that I found the strength. Something just came over me and I said ‘I can do this.’” After moving to Arizona, learning English and finally getting hired on at Cochise College, Bordelois primarily taught Spanish as well as a few Russian classes. One of her two daughters, Sandy, took classes at Cochise and later taught Spanish part
time as an associate faculty member. She earned a master’s degree at the University of Arizona and currently teaches English as a Second Language at UA. Bordelois’ other daughter, Betty, also graduated from UA and became a civil engineer. Bordelois’ husband, Carlos, worked as a custodian for the Sierra Vista Unified School District for 23 years and was a housekeeping supervisor for two of the schools before retiring in 2009. Bordelois said she and her family are grateful to have spent the last 34 years in southern Arizona, and she was proud to give back to the community by teaching at the college. “We were very lucky to be able to leave Cuba when we did and we’re very blessed to have
had all the opportunities here,” Bordelois said. “It was hard at first, at least for me, because I couldn’t communicate with most people in the community. But it was interesting and wonderful to see your daughters growing up and achieving their goals. I can’t believe all these years have passed so fast. As an immigrant, we really did achieve the American dream.”
Donors sponsor second archaeology exhibit Alumni John ('72) and Rosaline Pintek have funded a new exhibit of archaeological materials unearthed by students or donated decades ago. The first exhibit opened in the Douglas Campus Administration Building in 2013. The second, constructed by college building construction technology students, can now be seen in the Sierra Vista Campus Library. Both exhibits feature locally relevant materials and are curated by history faculty Rebecca Orozco.
Public invited to submit comments prior to college’s accreditation visit Public invited to submit comments prior to college’s accreditation visit Cochise College is seeking comments from the public about the college in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. On Oct. 26-27, the college will host a visit with a team representing the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Cochise College has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1969. The team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation. The public is invited to submit comments regarding the college to: Public Comment on Cochise College The Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL 60604-1411 The public may also submit comments on the Commission’s website at www.hlcommission.org/HLC-Institutions/third-party-comment.html. Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. All comments must be in writing and received by Sept. 26.
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NEWS OF ALUMNI & FRIENDS 1970s Susan Burnett Husband (’70) is a librarian for Pima County. Tom Daneker (’70) and Liz (Bagwell) Daneker (’71) credit Cochise College with preparing them for their university degrees and careers. They visit Cochise County about once per year from their home in Texas. A transplant from Oklahoma City, Richard Bradley (’71) came to Cochise on a baseball scholarship. He worked in social services and is now a retired commercial pilot who earned a degree in psychology from the University of Kansas where, in 1972, he had the ninth best batting average in NCAA Division I baseball. Bradly is a licensed master in plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electricity. Marian Jo Fischler (’74) is a clerk with the Greenlee County Health Department. Bobbie Heiden Hood Wiles (’74) is a nurse practitioner with Cardiology Associates of Mesa. Betty Howard (’75) retired from civil service at Fort Huachuca and is active in the National Active and Retired Federal Employees. Karen Smith (’75) is a tax manager for match.com. Maryellen Clinkingbeard, who last attended in 1976, has retired as a Federal Aviation Administration inspector.
Al Tomlinson (’76) retired as a deputy from the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department in 2006, worked for the Cochise County Superior Court for five years, and is now a wildlife specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Michael Weymer (’88) is a pilot with Atlas Air, where he flies cargo and passengers around the world in a Boeing 747 from his base in Miami, Fla. Previously, he worked for Stateswest Airlines/USAir Express, Arizona Airways, Casino Express Airlines, and DHL Airways.
Gene Clinkingbeard, who last attended in 1977, is an Airbus captain for American Airlines.
Lorenzo Dye (’89) is a mechanic maintenance technician for New Tribes Mission Aviation, McNeal.
Debra (Honnas) Wehrman (’78) is a registered nurse with Molina Healthcare of Washington.
Sonia Gasho (’89) is a rancher and homemaker whose daughter Emily also attended Cochise.
1980s Gerry DeVera (’83) worked in civil service and moved to California then Nevada and is now retired.
Kenneth Stewart (’89) is general manager of Service Uniform in Texas.
Larry Kostroski, who last attended in 1983, is a pilot and mechanic for Hangar 31 Aircraft Services, Tucson. Cesar Chavez (’85) is an electronics technician with Raytheon Missile Systems, where he has worked for 16 years. Mentoring first and second lieutenants on specific nursing techniques inspired Cyndy Port-Dean (’86) to become a certified surgical nurse/instructor. She works at Brown Mackie College in Tucson. Benita Fisher (’88) is a registered nurse consultant with Mid-Atlantic Healthcare.
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1990s Since leaving Cochise College in 1990, David Duncan has become a pilot with US Airways/American Airlines. Barry Imler (’90) earned a University of Arizona degree in renewable natural resources and a master’s in watershed management. He is a national program manager for the United States Department of Agriculture. A licensed practical nurse for Lorien Health Care, Christy Imler (’90) has worked in clinics with underserved populations, home health and nursing homes. Roy Maines (’92) is a consultant with Davisbase Consulting, a firm focused on developing teams that deliver value. He has also
worked for Microsoft, Wachovia Bank, Perot Systems Corporation, and Mantech International. Robert Barraza (’94) has his own private investigation business in the Phoenix area. John Richardson (’94) studied aviation maintenance technology at Cochise. Inspired by the air ambulance traffic at the Truth or Consequences, N.M., airport, he bought a Cessna 414A and opened an air ambulance business in Las Cruces, N.M. He later sold the business with a fleet of 17 aircraft. Robert Skelton (’94) is a program manager for the U.S. Army in Texas. Raymond Lamoureux (’95) is a Microsoft System Center Service manager with ARMA Group. Robert “Jeff” Speakman (’95) earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology at Northern Arizona University, a master’s in anthropology at the University of Missouri, and a doctorate from the University of Barcelona. He is director of the Center for Applied Isotope Studies at the University of Georgia. Jeff Wnuk (’96) is a Federal Aviation Administration repair station owner with S3 International, a Wisconsin provider of commercial and military aircraft parts and repair services. Brian Blankenship (’98) is a network engineer with L3 Communications.
Harold Sanders (’97) earned two associate degrees and is a retired federal officer who will send one of his children to Cochise this year. Wendy Carmichael (’98) is a self-employed pet and house sitter in Ohio. She also published “A Knight’s Secret: Book One: Journey Begins,” a book for teens. Osbourne Ferguson (’98), is a pilot with the U.S. Army. William Kimbelton, who last attended in 1999, is an information technology analyst at the University of Cincinnati. 2000s Kale Kiyabu (’01) worked as a traveling nurse in New Mexico and Texas and as a registered nurse in Sierra Vista before retiring. Michael Schutze (’02) is a correctional sergeant with the Arizona Department of Corrections. Kerwin Nance (’03), former Cochise College basketball player, attended Colorado State University-Pueblo on a full athletic scholarship, earned a master’s degree, and is a plan reviewer/health inspector with the City and County of Denver, Colo. He is also a Certified Basketball Official. Leslie Taylor (’04) is the director of nursing services for Kindred Hacienda Rehab and Care Center. Bridget Chacon (’05) is a minister for Young Life in El Paso.
New funds A proud first-generation college student, Linda Marie Coronado-Arvizo (’06) is an accountant for Youth Development Institute in Albuquerque. She holds a master’s in business administration. Kellyanne Hale (’07) is an intelligence analyst/exercise controller for Northrup Grumman who earned her degree at Cochise while deployed to Iraq. Leonardo Wesley (’08) is a senior intelligence analyst with the U.S. Army who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work at Fayetteville State University. Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science, Monte White (’08) is an intelligence analyst with Integral Consulting’s National Ground Intelligence Center. Alel Stewart (’09) is a pilot with Southwest Airlines. 2010s Art Barcelo (’10) is enrolled in a doctoral program in general psychology with emphasis in performance psychology at Grand Canyon University. After attending Cochise, where he earned multiple degrees, he earned a bachelor’s in human services and a master’s in public administration at Wayland Baptist University. He is a program director for Mary’s Mission and Developmental Center. Joshua Brown (’10) is district executive of Sequoyah Council Boy Scouts of America in Virginia.
Russell Rowe (’10) is a Spanish teacher for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Daniel Chung (’11) is a registered nurse with Health South. David Wheeler (’11) is an analyst for Varen Technologies, an intelligence services provider in Maryland. Shelby Gonzales (’14) is attending Northern Arizona University. Charles (Casey) Hoyack (’14) this year earned a bachelor’s in history and a bachelor’s in philosophy, politics, economics and law from the University of Arizona. He plans to pursue a master’s in history at the university beginning this fall. Derek Kas (‘14) earned two degrees with high honors while serving in the military. He is employed by the Department of Defense. IN MEMORIAM Mildred Galliher, Faculty Emeritus, Science, Feb. 12, 2015
To honor her family’s connection to Cochise College and celebrate the institution’s 50th anniversary, Jerry Harwood, widow of Dr. William Harwood, the college’s second president, established the Dr. William and Jerry Harwood Scholarship. Set to award $1,000 annually, the scholarship will benefit fulltime social science students who indicate an interest in political science or law careers. Dr. Harwood came to Cochise College from Foothill College. Arriving before the college opened to fill the shoes of Dr. T.C. Johnston, who perished in a plane crash, Harwood hired many of the first faculty and staff and provided the energy and experience necessary to guide the college through important decisions related to curriculum, personnel, and construction. Jerry continues to reside in Cochise County and regularly attends college functions. Sammie Howard Paschal, former director of housing on the Douglas Campus and manager of the once-popular Elderhostel program, has established a new scholarship endowment. The first recipients of the scholarship for education students will be identified for the 2015-2016 school year. Since retirement, Paschal has remained friends with many college counterparts. She resides in Cochise County. The children of Kay Bennett, who passed away in 2014 after working for many years as a nurse, established the Kay Bennett Memorial Nursing Scholarship. After retirement, Bennett volunteered for the Sierra Vista Hospice. Her daughter, Karen, previously worked in the President’s Office at the college. Members of the Aviation Flight Club actively participated in a 50th anniversary Aviation Open House and Dinner by holding a silent auction that raised about $1,000 for club activities, such as educational field trips to aviation museums and employers. Associate faculty Dr. Khai Quang Phi, formerly a military doctor, has established a new fund using his Cochise College salary. The Science Department Fund welcomes donations from various sources and is intended to help advance the college’s science programs. Contributions may be used for things like equipment, faculty development, facilities and scholarships. Cochise County native Pamela Sanders dedicated her life to teaching, first at Naco Elementary School, and then at Double Adobe Elementary, from which she retired as head teacher. After she passed away in May, family and friends donated to the Pamela Sanders Memorial Teaching Scholarship, which will provide financial assistance for education majors residing in the Double Adobe, McNeal and Elfrida areas.
Share your news and updates at www.cochise.edu/alumni or email alumni@cochise.edu.
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PAID TUCSON, AZ PERMIT NO. 3341
4190 W Highway 80 Douglas AZ 85607-6190
MEMORY PLANE All we know about this picture is that it was taken in the early 1970s and "Working on Mooney" is written on the back of it. Share your images or help with identification by emailing alumni@cochise.edu.