Chapter 6: What’s In a Name?

the Ohlone Indians would consider it an honor to have the new college named for their people. In effect, as a leader of the Ohlone people, he was giving the college permission to use the name.

Mr. Galvan, along with Rupert Costo, followed up with an official letter to Dr. Epler, dated June 7, 1967. The letter was written on behalf of the American Indian Historical Society and included a compelling rationale for naming the college Ohlone. The heart of their reasoning was the value and love of learning in the lives of the Ohlone people. For a full appreciation of their reasoning the complete letter and attachments are presented as Appendix 14.

Wilma Prewitt had been active in attempts to save Ohlone burial grounds from destruction in the face of growing development in the area. Her statement in favor of naming the college Ohlone traced the history and accomplishments of the Ohlone Indian tribe in the Fremont area and pointed out the early cultural and educational contributions made to the area.

Mrs. J. A. Silva of Fremont endorsed the use of the name Ohlone. She quoted sections from History of Mission San Jose by Father Francis Florence McCarthy describing the reactions of the early Spanish priests to the abilities and contributions of the Ohlone Indians. James Bray also announced his support of the use of the name Ohlone. Both Mrs. Silva and Mr. Bray had been strong advocates of preserving the culture and history of the Ohlone people.

Later in the meeting the Board voted unanimously to approve the proposed procedure for selecting a college name as presented. All interested persons and organizations of Fremont and Newark were encouraged to suggest names by June 12, 1967. A Board sub-committee made up of Mr. John Costello and Rev. Jack Wilson would review the suggestions and bring a short list of proposed names to the Board at its June 28, 1967 meeting.

The College is Named Ohlone (Maybe!)

June 28, 1967 Board Meeting (Board Minutes, Appendix 15) There appears to have been some political maneuvering going on between the May 31, 1967 and June 28, 1967 Board meetings. Dr. Marilyn Blawie was a lawyer and professor at Cal State Hayward. Mr. Joseph McCord was a newspaper reporter for the Fremont News-Register, a competitor to the Argus. In the previous April elections Mr. McCord had defeated Dr. Blawie for a seat on the junior college Board.

The Argus also reported on June 19 that Dr. Blawie had threatened a $250,000 libel suit against the Fremont News-Register and Mr. McCord, a reporter for the paper, for libel and defamation related to news reports of Board meetings.

Dr. Blawie was known to be in favor of the name Ohlone for the college and Mr. McCord was thought to have other names in mind. The June 28 meeting was to be Dr. Blawie’s last meeting before Mr. McCord replaced her in July, and Mr. McCord had an interest in delaying the naming decision until he was officially on the Board.