GWC Colleagues - Golden West College

Golden West ColleagueSpencer CarleAn Interview with Spencer Carle, Professor,Economics – the last charter faculty memberto retire out of the original 70 charter facultymembers.Q. Tell us about the career path that led you to Golden West CollegeI went to Morningside High School in Inglewood. I walked to schoolevery day because the school was only 2 blocks away. I was always a”Goody two shoes” at school. I was the kind of person whom all theteachers liked. I did all of my homework and was always quiet. I was onthe swim team and played water polo. I was never good at those things,but I really enjoyed them. I graduated in the top 10 percent of my highschool class. When I graduated from high school, I didn’t know whatI wanted to do. I knew I was going to college. My mom told me I usedto say that I wanted to be a teacher. While in high school, I rememberone day that I got up around 1:00 a.m., and rode my bicycle throughthe El Camino campus, and thought to myself, “Gosh I’d just love to stayhere.” I went to El Camino Community College because I never thoughtI would be able to go to a 4 year college. I never thought my parentscould afford to send me to one. I was the first one in my family to go tocollege. I was a business major and took a number of economics coursesat El Camino and really loved them. I transferred to UCLA as a businesseconomics major, where I received my B.A. and then received, M.A.degree in 1964. I lived at home that whole time.After graduating, I went to work for the City of Los Angeles in theSewer Maintenance Division, earning $5700 per year. I was doing postgraduate work at UCLA in 1966, when the opportunity became availableto interview for the position at GWC.Q. What are your memories of that interview?I was interviewed in the farmhouse that was used as the administrativeoffice for the college, while the college was under construction. I wasinterviewed by the Dean of Instruction, Jim Nelson and the SocialScience Division, Chairman Jim Catanzaro. It was a very informalinterview. They asked me how much money I would like to be making,I didn’t find out until later that our pay scale was a little bit lower thanthat of other schools. I told them that within three years, I would like tobe making $10,000 dollars. They said if you teach both day and nightclasses, you will earn around $10,000 a year. I accepted the position. Mycontract would be for $5700 and I would be working only 10 monthsand would have a vacation. I was working for the city for 12 months andhad no vacation.Q. What was it like, starting a new college?The people that were here were exceptional. Everyone came fromdifferent places and I was the youngest in the Social Science Division,at 25 years old. I just felt empowered because there were these olderpeople and, in many cases, I thought smarter people. I was actuallythe same as they were. The first four years I had time to be on a lot ofcommittees, which I enjoyed. Committee members would get togetherafter meetings and go out to dinner. We had disagreements with theadministration, had disagreements with Bill Shawl, Dean of Instructionand disagreements with Dale Miller, Dean of Students, but I never feltthreatened in any way. We had a collegial atmosphere, I really enjoyed it.Our division got as big as 27-28 faculty. We had Police Science as part ofthe division at one time. We just had a really good group of people whogot along very well.I had not meet Bill Owens from the Business Division until our twodivision chairs brought us together to develop a new course. At thattime Cal State Fullerton was saying that students transferring there,Continued on page 192Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue

Golden West ColleagueEdith CardinaliAn interview with Edith Cardinali, AdministrativeAssistant to the Vice President and the last to retireof the original 60 classified staff members.Q. What was your education and career path leading to the presenttime?I actually attended three different high schools in Garden Grove. I wentto Garden Grove High School my freshman year. Then my parentsmoved, and I transferred to Rancho Santiago. I spent my last two yearsat Bolsa Grande, where I graduated. As far as work experience, a teacherrecommended me to work at a medical lab while still in high school.I started working there for 20 hours a week when I was 16 years old.When I began college, I quit that job and did part-time secretarial workfor a real estate office and an insurance company. I graduated fromOrange Coast College with an AA degree. One of my college instructorsrecommended that I apply for a job at a new college that was beingbuilt. The interview for the college job was interesting. The individualdictated two letters to me, gave me two pieces of letterhead and twoenvelopes, and then had me transcribe the letters by typing them onstationery. When I finished, he read the letters, signed and put themin the envelopes. It seemed so bizarre that I didn’t think I would getthe job. Fortunately I was hired to work at GWC as an IntermediateSteno Clerk for Evening College. We had night classes here and oversawthe off-campus sites where programs were conducted both in thedaytime and at night. Some of the offerings included Typing classesat Westminster High School, Parent and Child workshops at SiglerPark, and Sewing classes at Marina High School. We didn’t have PublicSafety then and other support services available at night. We were selfcontained. When Coastline College began operation, I moved to theinstructional wing. Then with reorganization, I worked in CommunityServices for 10 years and ultimately in Administrative Services for thelast 13 years.Q. Do you have any memories of the early years at Golden West?I remember Dr. Dudley Boyce, our founding president, and his antics.He had a wonderful laugh, and you could hear it when he was at thetop of the stairs in the Administration Building. There was so muchinnovation. People were encouraged to try different things, and thecurriculum was growing by leaps and bounds. At that time, buildingswere being erected, and confusion came about when setting up classes.We once scheduled a class in the elevator due to miscommunication,because the rooms had been renumbered on that building. We had thelecture series at night. Robin Mathews was the student employed tohandle the registrations. It was interesting to see him first as a studentand then later as a faculty member. That’s the one thing which has beenthe most exciting aspect of being here so long. It’s inspiring to see thestudents return to share their stories, and then see former studentshonored as Pillar of Achievement recipients such as Pat Meredith.Q. You have been here for 44 years, what has kept you here?The college has continued to evolve through the years. It’s beenfascinating, because of the advancements in technology. I didn’t havemy first electronic typewriter until I’d been here for 17 years. With newstudents coming in all the time, it gives a sense of freshness and vitality.Our products here are the students and their education which hopefullywill allow them to improve their station in life. Whether it is to acquirea better job or a degree, we have so many students here pursuing theirdreams. Every day is unique. You think to yourself that you’ve seen it all,and then something different happens. We have the greatest benefits,and it’s a wonderful place to be. Raising my four children with all of thevacation time we are given was also a plus for me as a parent. I couldn’tever see myself leaving until now.Continued on page 20Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue 3

Golden West College says Farewell to 37 Faculty,Staff, and Managers – Totaling 1,148 Years of Service23 Faculty RetireesDianne BoothProfessor, NursingDianne Booth joined the nursing faculty at GWC in 1971 as an instructor in the LVN program and the Psych Tech program. She received both herBSN and MSN from California State University Los Angeles. During her time with GWC, she has held various positions within the nursing department,including Assistant Director as well as teaching in both the entry nursing course and the graduating students. For the last few years, Diannehas worked in the community setting where she developed many innovative student placements.Dianne enjoys gardening and has shared this passion with the nursing department as she cared for our plants and brightened the offices with avariety of flowers. One of her favorite places is Palm Desert where she enjoys time with family and friends.Roger CampProfessor, PhotographyIn 1977, Roger Camp was hired to teach and direct the photography program at Golden WestCollege. While at GWC, he began to photograph the Huntington Beach pier, which served as thefocus for a 15 year study of the southern California coastal lifestyle. His “On the Beach” portfoliohas been published and exhibited worldwide in over 100 venues, and remains the work mostclosely associated with him. Photographs from this collection resulted in Roger being awardeda Leica Medal of Excellence in Documentary Photography in 1992 and the Graphis/Agfa Photo,Sports Photographer of the Year in 1994. This was followed by a Lucie 1st Place in the peoplecategory in 2007.Roger’s award winning book, Butterflies in Flight, was published in 2002. Selling over 27,000copies, the book was awarded the international printing industry’s highest award for itsdesign and production. Butterflies in Flight was singled out by NBC’s Today Show, AmericanPhotographer magazine and the Associated Press as one of the best photo books of the year.The book, designed by Roger in the accordion fold format, opens to 42 feet displaying 300 of theworld’s most beautiful butterflies in simulated flight. This publication was followed in 2005 byanother digital photography book, 500 Flowers.Roger’s work has been exhibited over 200 times and published in over 150 books and magazines.His photographs are held in 43 permanent corporate and public collections. He is to be commended for his 33 years as a faculty member at GWCand for the body of his creative work as an artist. His students have benefited tremendously from being mentored by “a master photographer,” andhis presence in our Photography program will be greatly missed.Roger and his wife Susan plan to continue traveling, first to South America (Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay) then to Scandinavia, EasternEurope and Syria. Roger plans to write more poetry. He has eight poems coming out in seven journals this spring and summer including the NorthAmerican Review, New England Review, the Grove Review, etc. He is also working on two more photography books.4Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue

Dennis CarrieProfessor, MathematicsDennis Carrie has been a member of the Mathematics department since August of 1984. Asa member of a tightly knit team, Dennis helped develop the highly successful MathematicsComputing lab. Dennis wrote the Rey-Carr software used in the GWC remedial mathematicsprogram which has been highly successful teaching a large number of students at very low studentcost. Dennis was also co-investigator on three different National Science Foundation Grants, thefirst of which established the use of Mathmatica software for visualizing calculus in the communitycollege classroom.Dennis is nearing completion of his Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from Laguna College of Art andDesign and will spend his retirement practicing his craft.“I am grateful for having been employed at Golden West College since 1984. My goal inretirement is not to retire, but to pursue a career in figurative painting.”Self PortraitNadine DavisProfessor, NursingNadine Davis has been a valued faculty member at GWC for over thirty years. She began as afaculty member in our Human Services Program and later joined the Nursing Program. Nadinehas held many positions in the Nursing Program, as well as participating the Coast CommunityCollege District committees and serving as a Union Vice-President.As if that was not enough to keep her busy, Nadine is the faculty advisor for the GWC CaliforniaNursing Student Association (CNSA). Due to Nadine’s hard work and love of students, GWChas one of the most active CNSA chapters in the state. Under Nadine’s mentoring, we have hadnumerous nursing students elected to the association’s State and National offices. Nadine alsoserves as the unofficial School of Nursing social committee, as she organizes numerous studentactivities, fundraisers and Nurse Week celebrations.Nadine is so well liked by her students that they stay in touch over the years. You cannot go intoa local hospital as a GWC faculty member without many nurses asking “How is Nadine?” In addition,many of her students have become her friends.In her spare time, Nadine enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and reading a goodbook. Nadine likes shopping at Farmer’s markets and sharing a good meal with good friends.We are excited for Nadine as she begins this new chapter in her life, but we know we will see heraround campus as she continues to work with CNSA.Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue 5

Ron GibsonProfessor, GeologyRon Gibson came to Golden West College in September of 1968 when he left the corporate worldas a geologist for American Cement to join our then new college. As our senior ranking memberwith 42 years of service, Ron has overseen many changes in the Math and Sciences Division.Ron has brought a love of teaching and a love of geology to his students. He has worked hard tomaintain his expertise as a geologist consulting weekends and summers through 1991. In factone could often find Ron working as an exploration geologist on projects in places such as Brazil,Spain, Greece, Peru, and Indonesia. This expertise paid handsome dividends in the classroom as isevidenced by his being named GWC teacher of the year in 2006. Ron is also known for one otheraccomplishment: in 1992 he made medical history as the only long term survivor of malignantschwannoma which managed to claim a portion of his jaw bone, but could not keep him out of theclassroom more than a few weeks.In retirement, Ron plans to golf and spend time with family including five grandchildren. Butmost of all, Ron plans to return to his first love as he himself states: “Geology beckons and I seemyself bouncing along in a four wheel drive on some God-forsaken dirt road in search of whoknows-what.”Good luck, Ron. We know you will find it.“I periodically hike-to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back the same day. I like to take along a sign with my ageon it so I have a record of the hike with my age.”Carol Grimes, Ph.D.Professor, ChemistryCarol Grimes joined the Golden West College Chemistry faculty in September of 1977. She hasspent the past 33 years in service of her students and her college. Carol has developed coursesand written and maintained several different laboratory manuals. She still holds open “problemsessions” every Friday for students to drop in and receive extra assistance. She serves on college–wide committees and participates with science demonstrations at events such as preview daysand counselors’ breakfasts.In addition, Carol has been a strong advocate for science education in the community. Everyspring, in cooperation with the Orange County Department of Education, Carol organizes andruns the Science Olympiad competition for Orange County high schools. She also assists withthe organization of the middle school competitions, participates in the state-wide competitions,and assists with other events such as Chemistry Week at the Santa Ana Zoo. This past year Caroltook on “Science Showtime” the first GWC Science Night for 5th and 6th graders and theirfamilies with the help of the Huntington Beach Rotary Club.In retirement, Carol plans to travel with husband Ray to Montana, then to North Carolina fortheir older son’s wedding, then hopefully to New Zealand in 2011. She also has a room full offabric arts projects requiring her immediate attention! In a stroke of luck for GWC, Carol alsoplans to maintain a hobby of organizing and running Science Olympiad and Science Showtime,at least for a few years. Welcome back Carol, and Happy Retirement!Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue 7

William Hyde, Ph.D.Professor, PhilosophyBill Hyde is retiring this year after 26 years of service. Before joining us in 1984, he like manyhung on to teaching being a “freeway flyer” for nine years and also, quite contrary to histemperament, sold real estate for four years. Besides teaching, he has been Chair of SocialSciences for eight years and has served on the Academic Senate, IPD, CCI and Planning andBudget committees. He has published several professional papers and delivered papers atmeetings of the American Philosophical Association and also at Philosophy Symposia at Cal StateFullerton. His main avocation is music, and has given several formal piano recitals. FollowingRobin Matthews retirement vow to “spend the next 5 years reading”, he vows to catch up on all hisunread New Yorker magazines.”Susan Lee-WarrenAssociate Professor, ArtSusan Lee-Warren graduated from Golden West College with an AA in Art. She later attendedArt Center College in Design and graduated magna cum laude with a major in illustration. Sheworked many years as a free lance illustrator before becoming the head designer at the OrangeCounty Register in the special sections advertising department. After matriculating from NorwichUniversity in Vermont with an MFA in painting she was an adjunct instructor at California StateUniversity, Fullerton and Cerritos College as well as working as a full time faculty member in artat Marymount College where she taught digital imaging, drawing and painting and served as chairof the Art Department. Susan began teaching digital and traditional art at Golden West College in1999. She also taught two years in the district’s Paris program and served at Art Department chair.A lifelong artist, her work has been exhibited in numerous shows including the Bowers Museumof Art, Irvine Fine Arts Center, SPA Gallery, Pomona, Huntington Art Center and Cypress College.In retirement Susan plans to travel with her husband Roger Camp, and will continue to do morepainting. She is the proud owner of a new liver (January, 2009).Louis Mikelson, Professor, Biological SciencesLou Mikelson first came to Golden West College as an Instructional Associate in the Biology Department in September of 1970. After one year he washired as a faculty member who taught both General Biology and Anatomy and Physiology. As demand grew, he later specialized in Anatomy. Lou alsotaught Karate in the Physical Education department for several years. One can often find Lou sharing a cup of coffee with students either outside hisclassroom or in the student center.In retirement Lou looks forward to holding Karate classes in his home gym and participating in discussions with fellow retirees and other friendsover coffee or lunch—or perhaps while relaxing in the zen garden he has designed and built. He also may finally have enough time for his hobby ofbuilding intricate displays and villages for the Christmas holidays. And his Halloween display is not to be missed. Have a wonderful retirement, Lou!8Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue

Donald LindsayProfessor, Biological SciencesDon Lindsay has served Golden West College in many capacities over the last 39 years. He beganhis career as an Instructional Associate in September of 1971 where he patiently helped studentsto learn both General Biology and Anatomy and Physiology and to have fun while doing so. Within5 years he was the lead faculty member for all Physiology classes. He next advanced to BiologyDepartment Chair, a position he held for over 20 years.Don’s dedication and loyalty to his students, his faculty, and his college are unsurpassed. Donsees each person as an individual to be supported and nurtured so they can meet their goals andachieve their dreams. This explains the kind but firm way he treated students and led his fellowfaculty. Don speaks with great pride about the fine part time faculty who learned their craftwithin our department and moved on to permanent positions throughout Orange County andbeyond. Don’s steadfast support of students, programs and faculty have made him the ideal chair.Don led the department with vision, fairness, and good humor. Department members couldcount on Don to advocate for what the department perceived to be right for our students. Theyhave thrived under his leadership and thank him for it.Although Don will remain with us for a while as a part time instructor, he will use some of hisnew found time to spend with family including his five grandchildren ages 6-16 years. And, ofcourse, there will be time to fish, and swim, and re-tool that golf swing. Happy Retirement, Don!You have earned it!!Don MillerProfessor, CounselorDon Miller has worked at Golden WestCollege for 37 years. He is a proud productof the community college system (SanBernardino Valley College). Don has lovedworking at Golden West and helping studentssucceed. He started his career at the collegeas an instructor in the newly created HumanServices Program. He later moved into theCounseling Department where he is knownfor among other things, never turning downan opportunity to help a student and givingstudents his home and cell phone number andtelling them to call him whenever they neededhelp. He will be missed and we wish him thevery best as he starts the next phase of life inretirement.Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue 9

Ted PalmerProfessor, Architecture TechnologyPaula MucciaroInstructor, American Sign LanguageAfter 37 years of handcrafting and hand-coloring Christmas cards, Ted Palmer is retiring fromthe Golden West College Architecture Department. He has been a creative mentor to nearly 3400future architects and designers. More than 75% of those students completed their certificatesand directly joined the architectural/design industry or transferred to a university. Many of hisstudents are now principals or owners of their own architectural firms.Ted and his wife Patti plan to continue sharing their hearts and home to infant foster babies for thecounty. Ted claims that sleep is vastly overrated; as attested by nearly 150 little folks they have hadin their care during the last 14 years. Ted also plans to pursue professional endeavors in his privatepractice. Travel, grandkids, family, woodworking, artwork, relaxing, boating in Lake Havasu, andan occasional nap will fill Ted’s retirement beyond measure.Paula Mucciaro (Sign Language/Interpreting) began her career at Golden West College in 1970,when she was hired as an hourly interpreter for what was then called The Hearing ImpairedProgram and later referred to as the Disabled Student’s Program and Services (DSP&S). In 1985,Paula began working as an assistant to the director of DSP&S, and in 1987 she was hired as theprogram’s full-time director. While serving as director of DSP&S, Paula obtained several grants toestablish a computer learning center for deaf and hard of hearing students. This center providedstudents with various disabilities the opportunity to use a computer like any other student oncampus. During this time, Paula also worked as an adjunct instructor teaching Sign Language andInterpreting. In 1999, Paula decided that teaching was her first love, and she applied for and washired to teach Sign Language and Interpreting as a full-time faculty member. In her retirement,Paula plans to start checking off items on her “bucket list.”Paula is to be commended for her outstanding service to students and our college communityover the past 40 years. We could not possibly have had a more competent, caring, and talentedemployee and faculty member. Her retirement will be a tremendous loss for the college, and shewill be greatly missed!Lowell “Pug” PierceInstructor, Physical EducationA member of the first Golden West College Football team in 1966, Pug returned to GWC as anAssistant Football and Assistant Track Coach in 1975. Pug spent 27 years coaching football and35 years coaching track. An avid racquetball player Pug hosted many tournaments at the college.He taught a wide variety of physical education courses. Upon retirement Pug plans on continuingworking with young track athletes and traveling around the country.10Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue

Chuck WhitchurchProfessor, English and HumanitiesA few months after arriving here in 1972 with an M.A. in Comparative Literature from UCI,English & Humanities Professor Charles Whitchurch began work on a National Endowment forthe Humanities (NEH) grant, co-designing an interdisciplinary curriculum. Soon afterward hespent a year on another NEH grant, co-creating the framework and esthetic foundation for a newKOCE-TV course, Humanities Through the Arts, which won the Ohio Award for Excellence.As a humanities professor, Chuck was also active in the art world, opening a fine arts gallery,publishing art catalogs and articles, serving as President of the Art Dealers Association ofCalifornia, and curating gallery and museum exhibitions.A Golden West College Teacher of the Year, Professor Whitchurch was a frequent recipient of AlphaGamma Sigma appreciation awards, and is one of four GWC professors to receive California’sHayward Award for Excellence in Education.Ten years ago Chuck helped secure Partnership for Excellence funds for the GWC HonorsProgram, which he co-founded, designed, developed and led. While he was honors coordinator,GWC students won scholarship awards at honors and national Model United Nations conferences.As a member of the Honors Transfer Council of California (HTCC), Chuck presented researchfindings and honors pedagogy at national honors conferences. Elected HTCC president by his fellow honors directors, he helped develop the annualHTCC research conference at UCI. The GWC honors students Chuck mentored for this annual conference regularly earned major scholarships forresearch and service, and won the statewide organization’s highest award three years out of nine. As editor of the conference anthology, BuildingBridges, Chuck helped scores of California students refine their research abstracts for inclusion in UCI’s highly acclaimed publication. This pastyear, the HTCC named its top award the Charles Whitchurch Director’s Scholarship, in honor of his contributions “establishing an impeccable (andperhaps impossibly) high standard of excellence.”Chuck’s achievements are indeed a credit to his commitment to the highest standards of excellence and scholarship. Upon retirement, Chuck plans totravel, sell art, enjoy his family, read without taking notes, hike through national parks, not grade papers, and cultivate his garden.Mai-Ying Woo, Ph.D.Professor, Business, Accounting, Management, Marketing and Real EstateAfter 47 years of teaching, I have found a new life in the world of ranching and thoroughbred horseracing. Having taught for five years at Lennox High School and then being blessed with the 42years of teaching here at Golden West, I am now embarking on a new career of the care and feedingof horses, sheep and dogs. My fiancé, Bob, and I will travel and continue to work on our dreamof a Kentucky Derby contender. We met at our 50th year Hawthorne High School class reunionand it has been nonstop laughter and enjoyment of life. Taking care of all the animal people isnot so different from taking care of students and developing programs for them to succeed in lifeand sharing in their laughter and joys. The most gratifying part of teaching is to have former andpresent students come to us with stories of their successes and how we may have played a smallpart in their lives. At this very moment, we have a former student receiving a prestigious awardfrom Chapman University. My daughter-in-law, Cassie, is connected with the Regional HealthCenter and a nursing student here at Golden West while my son, Steve, works at Cypress College,so I will always be connected with community colleges. And, I will still be back to work with theGolden West College Foundation as well as teaching a few classes in the Fall. You can take theclassroom away from the teacher, but you can’t take the teacher away from the classroom. Bob isvery supportive of my staying with teaching part time as he is well aware of how difficult it is togive up a career that one cares so much about. My best to all who it has been my great fortune tohave met and worked with throughout the years.12Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue

9 Classified Staff RetireesDianna AderCosmetology ReceptionistDianna was originally hired on September 21, 1992 as a full-time Cosmetology Receptionist under Mary Aigner. She loved working in Cosmetologywith the many students, instructors, and staff. On January 13, 2010 she transferred to College Support Services and became the cheerful voice ofGolden West College, helping numerous students, potential students, and others with their many questions regarding our college and directing themto the various departments on campus. Dianna will be greatly missed and we wish her much happiness in her retirement.Pamela BevingtonAdmissions & Records Tech 2Pam Bevington began her career in the Admissions and Records department in 1990 as an hourlyregistration assistant. She continued her employment on a hourly basis performing a varietyof duties within the department until 1998. At that time, Pam applied and was the successfulcandidate for one of our full-time positions in the department providing support to matriculation,counseling and in student records. Pam is an exemplary employee and has been a huge asset tothe department and the college. Pam is not only a great employee, but also a great friend to hercolleagues. We wish her well in her retirement but she will greatly missed by all.“ I have lots of plans after I retire. My husband and I have a vacation home in La Quinta, CA, wherewe will golf a little more and keep exploring the beautiful desert. There is a lot of the United Stateswe still would like to see. I will definitely be spending more time with my three grandchildren andone on the way.” We wish her well in her retirement but she will greatly missed by all.Diane CassensCourse Assistant 1Diane Cassens retired in December after an 18-year career as a classified employee at Golden West College. Diane began her career at GWC in 1991 asan hourly employee, and within a few months was hired into a full-time position as an office assistant in Admissions & Records under the supervisionof Shirley Donnelly. Diane transferred to the Career and Technical Education division in 2000, working as a course assistant. In 2005, Diane beganworking in the Arts and Letters division as an assistant in the World Languages Lab, where she excelled in working with students and staff. Diane willbe remembered for her smiling presence and her friendly service. Congratulations to Diane, and best wishes for an enjoyable retirement.Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue 13

Shirley LantzGraphic ComposerShirley comes from a family of District employees. Her fatherRalph Troupe worked at Orange Coast College for many yearsand her mother Peggy Troupe worked at the District Office inAccounts Payable. During Shirley’s teenage years she enjoyedgoing to work with her mother on the weekends.Shirley began her career at Golden West College in 1979 as aMailroom Clerk. She later became a Typesetter and transferredto the Graphic Center under the supervision of CharlesFreeman. As typesetting machines became obsolete and werereplaced by computers, Shirley made the transition to GraphicComposer by advancing her skills. The job entailed formatting,creating and inputting content for many of the college’spublications. Her position moved to the College Promotionsdepartment in 2008 under the supervision of Debbie Bales,where her job duties expanded to campus photographer.She enjoyed the opportunity to use her talent as a photographer and learn new skills working with the design team. Her colleagues in CollegePromotions will sorely miss Shirley. She is talented, conscientious, dependable, and a valuable member of the team.In retirement, Shirley will pursue her hobbies and interests, which include hiking, bicycling, kayaking, photography and Frisbee golf. Shirleyadded, “My husband and I are planning to move to our condo in Hawaii. This has been a dream of ours for many years but I will miss all of thefriends and co-workers that I have known in my 31 years on campus.” Aloha!Teresa PhungStaff AideTeresa spent her 23 1/2 years working for Coast Community College District. In early 1984she started as a student assistant working in the EOPS/Financial Office. In late 1989, she got apermanent position as a Counselor Aide working with the GAIN program. After 7 years workingwith the GAIN program, Teresa transferred to the District working in the Business Link Programwhere she was an Administrative Assistant/Staff Aide for Raymond Thompson for 4 years. In2000, Teresa once again transferred to Golden West College supporting the Job PlacementProgram as a Placement Specialist. Teresa worked in this position from 2000 to the present. Asof June 30, 2010, Teresa will be making one last transfer to her home as a retiree. Her retirementplans include return trip to her home country Vietnam and trips to Europe or perhaps Japan laterif her husband has a job transfer to Japan. In addition to traveling, Teresa plans to work in theretail industry as a personal shopper. She says, “ I like to help people to dress up professionallyand fashionably.” We wish her much happiness in her retirement.14Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue

Anita RenningerStaff Aide, Academic Senate, IPD, and Staff DevelopmentAnita Renninger was hired in September 1983, at the District Fiscal Affairs Office as a ClerkTypist, Senior. Anita has been at GWC since 1984, working in Community Services as aClass Scheduling Technician; the Foundation Office as a Foundation Assistant; and in OfficeAdministration as a Lab Instructional Associate and part-time instructor. In 1992, Anita earnedher AA degree from GWC. Anita is ending her career by completing her third year as a Staff Aideto the Academic Senate, Staff Development, and IPD, which has benefited from her experience,dedication, and organizational skills. Anita says, “this has been the most challenging, rewarding,and satisfying of her career.“In retirement, Anita is looking forward to taking classes for fun, traveling, gardening, quilting,reading, and most importantly, spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.Anita’s 3rd grandchild is due to arrive in mid-June, giving her the opportunity to completelyspoil this one. Anita will be kicking off her retirement with a 5-day trip to New York City over theMemorial Day holiday. Anita says she is looking forward to an empty calendar,” one that I can fillin the days or not.”Barbara SablanDivision/Area CoordinatorIn 1972 I was a student at GWC enrolled in the Secretarial science program. Fred Owens theAthletic Director, called Bill Owens in the Business Division and asked him to recommend astudent to work in the P. E. and Athletic office. I went for an interview and was hired as a parttime 160 day student assistant. When a full time position became available in 1974, I had thegood fortune to be hired for that position. One of my memories from those early days was using amanual typewriter, with no correction capabilities and that awful yellow onion skin second sheetpaper. Golden West has been a wonderful place to work! I am going to miss my co-workers, theplayers and athletes, they have just been great to work with through the years.It’s going to be hard for me to adjust to all that time off, I’ve worked since I was seventeen andhave only taken two months off when I had my daughter. My plans include spending a lot of timeworking on my old Victorian house, which will be one hundred years old in 2014. I will be able tospend more time with my three grand kids, explore my hobbies of photography, playing the pianoand developing some new skills. I definitely want to give back to the community and charitableorganizations.My husband and I want to do a lot of traveling, spending time with relatives in Oregon,Washington and Texas. When my daughter graduates from college we want to relocate to anotherstate, both of us have lived here all of our lives.Advice for my replacement, don’t take things too seriously!Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue 15

5 Retiring ManagersSally CoffeyDirector, Community and Special ServicesSally Coffey came to Golden West College on January 3, 1977 to serve as Veterans’ Coordinator.She served for three years in that capacity recruiting Vietnam veterans, helping them to collecttheir G.I. Bill benefits, find jobs, housing and psychological counseling. Sally proposed and coproduceda TV show on KOCE in 1979 calling attention to the plight of veterans suffering fromPost Traumatic Stress Syndrome and Agent Orange.In March 1980, Sally came to work in Community Services to supervise the programs and events.This included workshops, seminars, the Family Film Festival in the outdoor amphitheater and, ofcourse, the swap meet. Since Sally took over as Director in 1989 the swap meet has grossed in theneighborhood of $35 million dollars for the Golden West campus. She was elected and has servedas a board member of the California Swap Meet Association for 20 years.Community Services has provided a creative outlet for Sally to develop new programs. She feelsfortunate to have had such an efficient staff to assist in making her ideas come to fruition. Sallyhas enjoyed working with the many presenters who offer the programs.Sally developed the E-Waste program which her office has hosted 3 times per year sinceSeptember 2007. The program has collected in excess of 310,000 pounds of communitye-waste and grossed more than $30,000. The proceeds have benefitted campus technology,scholarships, and sustainability related expenses. In the past year and a half Sally has pushed for the development of a Veterans Center on campusto accommodate combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. She has served as co-chair of a Veterans’ task force and the Center wasrecently approved to open in June 2010. Sally feels strongly about assisting those who have served in the military and last year she established aCombat Veterans’ scholarship.Sally was honored as the Manager of the Year in 2001-2002. After 33 1/2 years at Golden West College She is grateful for the opportunity she hashad to work in our beautiful campus environment. “I will miss all of my friends and colleagues who have made my time here so enjoyable. GoldenWest has truly been my family away from home.”In her retirement Sally plans to travel to Morocco, Turkey, Spain and Italy. She will be spending more time with her two children and two teenagegrandchildren and growing fresh vegetables in her Laguna Beach Community Garden.Dr. Seuss said it best: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”…that is Sally’s motto.16Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue

Belen GenetSupervisor, EOP/S, Re-Entry, CalWORKs, and Career & Employment ServicesBelen Genet has worked for CCCD for 19 years – all at Golden West College. Beginning as a StaffAide in the Counseling Division she went on to work in the Intercultural Center and the CareerCenter prior to serving as Supervisor of the Career and (student) Employment Services Center,the Re-CalWORKs Center, Outreach and EOP/S. Belen has worked as Part-time faculty at GoldenWest College and as an instructor for Central County ROP prior to coming to GWC.Among the associations Belen served she represented GWC as the Campus Representative onCDMA and served as President, Vice President and Parliamentarian on the Board of Directors ofthe American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC).Belen and her husband, Tim, travel extensively. Having already enjoyed a safari in Kenya, severaltrips to France and Italy and others to Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Budapest, Hungary, Moorea,Greece, Turkey, Croatia and a host of others, she and her husband will continue to enjoy travelingaround the world. A trip being contemplated for September 2010, is a 30-day cruise to theHawaiian Islands, the French Polynesian Islands, Fiji, New Zealand and ending in Australia. Otherfuture trips will include the Bahamas, South Caribbean, Panama Canal, Canada and anywhereelse that sounds like fun! They will also continue to enjoy spending time with their two children,Joslyn and Joshua, and their families which include five grandchildren.Mike HemphillDirector, Grounds“It’s been a great experience here, I was just 22 years old when I began to work here, I’ve put six kids through school.” Mike actually started work atGolden West College Maintenance & Operations in 1968 however he was soon drafted in 1969 and took some time off for military service in Vietnam.He returned to Golden West College in May of 1973 and has been here ever since. Mike started out as a Groundskeeper, moved into the position ofEquipment Operator in 1974, became the Mechanic in 1980, and in 2000 officially began his position of Grounds Supervisor. Working at Golden WestCollege was somewhat a family affair since Mike’s father Jack Hemphill also worked for GWC Maintenance & Operations for about eight years andretired in 1977.Mike has accomplished many things at GWC: He cut and graded all the terraces in the Amphitheater on the East side of campus. He built the ore carsand created the “mine shaft” in front of the Library. He welded and created the sculptural trellis on the South side of the Bookstore. He salvaged allthe palm trees on the West side of the Library from a miniature golf course and planted them byhand. In the 70’s Mike actually spent 3 days a week, every week, plowing. Mike also crafted, built,and created by hand many of the tools and equipment that just did not exist back in the day! Histalents are exceptional.Mike has been instrumental in every aspect of landscape for the Golden West College campusfrom the time when the campus was open fields and dirt to what you see today.In retirement Mike has a restoration project on his 1972 El Camino which he acquired from hisfather in 1974. He’s rebuilt the engine and now plans to do some much needed body work on it.He plans to travel with his wife Sandy and of course take care of and spend time with his numberone priority, his family. They will be visiting family in Texas, Alabama and New Jersey. Mike alsoplans on finding some new skills.We asked Mike what words of wisdom he would give the person brought in to fill his position.“One of the hardest reasons for me not wanting to leave is I am afraid they will not replace meright away. If someone is brought in, I would tell them not to micro manage. We have a great crewhere, they know their job, their areas. Give them support, suggest, don’t tell, be good to your crew.”Mike will be missed greatly along with his continuous loyalty, and endless hours of contributionsto the GWC campus and his friends and colleagues.Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue 17

Steve LudwigDirector, GWC BookstoreSteve Ludwig came to the GWC Bookstore in June 1995. Since then he has seen thecampus and the textbook business constantly change and evolve in challenging ways.In a joint effort with a superb staff and the campus community, and with a constantfocus on serving students better, he oversaw the remodeling of the store, the fullimplementation of point-of-sale technology and online textbook purchase, and theestablishment of a Study Abroad Scholarship. Working with the Foundation and theLibrary, he implemented the STAR program to assist students with their textbooks,and the store generously contributed promotional prizes to numerous campusevents and organizations. Fine Arts, Athletics and the campus paper, The WesternSun, received regular financial support from Bookstore revenues, and the Bookstoresponsored special events, such as book-signings and readings by faculty.For his next adventure, he plans to continue developing his playwriting career, and tosee a whole lot more of the world.Lois Miller, Ed.D.Vice President, InstructionDr. Lois Miller began teaching at Golden West College in 1980 in the mathematicsdepartment. She taught in the classroom for many years. She served as theMath Department Chair, and also served as Staff Development Coordinatorbefore becoming the Dean of Math/Sciences & Health Professions. During thistime Nursing began their initial expansion while beginning to design their newbuilding. In 2005 Lois became the Vice President of Instruction. Her leadershipand organizational skills were put to the test almost immediately with therelocation of almost every classroom and office during the massive Central Plant/HAVAC building project. As VP she was able to open a new nursing building shehad dreamed of as Dean. She has also participated in planning new buildingprojects for Math and Science, Criminal Justice and Language Arts. Lois trulyenjoyed her career at the college serving students and considers the people thereas extended family members, so will miss everyone when she leaves. But, Lois islooking forward to retirement – the next chapter of her life, when she will havetime to travel with her husband, Mike, and will have quality time to be “Grandma”for her four grandchildren. We hope she stops by next year to check out a bookin the new LRC that overlooks the California Native Garden she helped supportduring her long career at GWC.18Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue

Spencer Carlecontinued from page 2should have a math course or an economics course. So the two divisionchairs got together and said, “OK, you two guys are going to make up acourse and you are going to teach it. Neither of us had ever taught a teamcourse. I called him and told him I’d go over to his house to brainstorma course. I went to his house and he had three kids at the time. We hada great time talking and planning. The course we developed was titled,“American Economic Problems.” We were both in the class at the sametime all of the time. Every day, Bill and I, had a topic where one of uswould start lecturing for 25 minutes, followed by the other coming in,re-enforcing or rebuking what was said. We taught the course for 3 yearsuntil Bill became a full time accounting instructor. These were all smallclasses, I think the maximum was 35 students. It was a great experiencefor both of us.In those days close friendships developed. Bill Owens, his wife and kidsbecame very good friends of mine. I went up with them and stayedwith them when they would vacation in Oregon. Bill taught me how tofish and we just had a great time. I knew Bill for 40 years. When he diedshortly after he retired, it was a real shock.Dick Ridenour came in 1972 to the English department. He and Ibecame good friends. Dick was only here 3 years, maybe 4 years, beforehe moved to Oregon. He still is my closest friend. We go to Oregon atleast once a year and I stay with him. I met some really good people here.In fact, it is how I met my wife. She and her twin brother were studentsof mine. She was a very hard working student, her brother not so much.After my future wife, graduated from Golden West, she went on tograduate from the University of Florida. We got married in 1970. We’vebeen married 39 years.Q. In your 44 years in the Social Science Division what courses haveyou taught?Well, besides the team class I taught, I’ve taught Introductory Microand Introductory Macro and that’s all I’ve taught for 44 years. I lovethose courses. Economics doesn’t change that much. The circumstanceschange and the examples change. There are some new theories thatcome up, but for the most part it hasn’t changed that much. I really loveeconomics. When I was getting my business degree, I ended up taking alot of economic courses. My field was labor and industrial relations. SoI ended up taking labor economics. After my bachelors, I went back toschool for economics. It’s a subject that makes sense, and that’s what Ilike about it.Q. How would you describe your teaching style?I am a lecturer, I don’t give homework, I didn’t like homework as astudent.Q. What would you like to be remembered for after 44 years of beinghere?That I did my job. I was hired to do a job and I did it. I hardly missed aday. I remember once, in the ‘60’s, I missed a week due to illness. But nomore than a day or two a year after that. I hope people remember me asbeing a “good teacher.” But I really don’t care if the school remembers meat all, the school as an institution is not important to me. What I did wasmost important to me. The students and my colleagues were importantto me.Q. As you retire, what are you most proud of as far as your legacy?I am most proud of the fact that I kept high standards over the years. I’vegotten easier over the years, but I still try to maintain what I considera college level standard. I’m proud of the students I’ve had who havebecome successful. With invention of e-mail, I have been contacted bypast students whom I taught twenty years ago. It is neat to have thatre-connection. A funny story; one time, at graduation, I was talking withDoug Larson and someone from the audience, watching, came up to meand thanked me for flunking him when he took my class. He said, “Ithelped me focus and try harder.” It is those things that make what I dosatisfying.Editors Note: Spencer has been a strong advocate for academicexcellence and institutional integrity throughout his professional career.The following list of activities shows his involvement with the collegebeyond the classroom.• Social Science Division Chairman 1972• Assistant Division Chairman in charge of budgets about 4 yearsduring the 1970’s• Senate Salary Committee to negotiate with the District before we hada union• District Budget Committee• Presidential selection committee (when we hired Fred Garcia)• Senate (about 16-18 years)Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue 19

Edith Cardinalicontinued from page 3Q. Can you recall any examples where you were able to gain moreinformation from colleagues?I’ve been very fortunate to have supervisors who have given me a jobto do, allowed me to do things in my own way; and as I grew, theyhanded more responsibility to me. I was raised in the generation wherewe called people by their surnames such as Mrs., Mr., or Dr. KarenHalverson influenced me to start calling the instructors and staff bytheir first names. ThisQ. Did you fight the advancement of technology or did you welcomeit?In the beginning, it was frightening to think “do I have the capacity tolearn something new such as working with a computer.” But once I usedthe computer, it was astounding. Change is always somewhat scary, butnow whenever a computer program is upgraded, I don’t give it a secondthought. Now I love and embrace it with just a little grumbling. We’vecome a long way! I would never want to go back to ditto machines withthe purple ink on my hands or the old mimeograph machines with theblack ink. Now I can send documents electronically to my printer, copymachine, etc., without the mess.Q. If someone was going to replace you, what advice would you giveas you leave?I would advise them that being flexible is critical, because things arechanging constantly. I work with facilities, and events get cancelled,rooms get switched, and you just have to smile and keep going. Youcan’t allow yourself to become frustrated. Maintain a positive attitude.We all are here to function as a team, and we just have to keep that inmind. We are here to help one another; and we are serving by assistingthe faculty, students and the administrators. We just make it work. That’simportant! Something may be received at the last minute, and you haveto do whatever is necessary to communicate that information, so theevent will be successful and the outcome positive. I would suggest to anew person coming in to be a good listener and to be very respectful.You have to separate the fact that an individual may seem angry withyou, but in reality, they are actually more upset with the situation. Youneed to listen and try to put yourself in their shoes. I remember oncewhen an old man carrying a cane almost appeared to hit me, becausehe was upset. My coworkers were frightened for me, because I waspregnant. He didn’t strike me. I got him calmed down, and he was fine.You want the outcome to be mutually satisfying when a student orcommunity member leaves.Q. Can you describe how you see your position at this time?I’m an assistant to the vice president of Administrative Services, andso there are a lot of things that I do to help Janet Houlihan. She has ademanding job and schedule. Also, I have the task of working withDistrict relating to problems with the campus phone system. When thephones break down, I have to make certain they get repaired and areoperational. I work with facility rentals with outside groups as well asthe Service Award gifts.Q. Can you describe what you plan to do in your retirement years?My husband and I met while ballroom dancing and would like to brushup on our social dancing skills such as the waltz and fox trot. I alsohave four grandsons with whom I want to spend more time with andattend the various programs at their schools. Luckily, I was able to seemy grandson, Dillon, read a speech recently that he wrote about his dad.It was so incredible to witness that special moment first hand. I alsowant to do volunteer work for our church, and my husband and I willprobably take extended vacations.I love to garden and do the weeding and manicuring of our flower bedsat home. When people walk into our backyard, they are blown away.My husband designed and built the pond. We have a lot of gold fishswimming in the pond. We also have water lilies and plants. We go outthere and enjoy breakfast, listen to the water, and watch the birds. It isvery peaceful and truly my escape from reality.I’ve been very fortunate to work with amazing people here at GoldenWest. I feel as if this is my second home and my second family. We havesuch beautiful grounds... I love to walk out on the track as well, and I amgoing to miss it and the people, too; because I have a lot of friends here.As I leave, I want to make sure that I’m always challenging my mind andseeking to learn.Editor’s Note: Edith has been honored twice as the Classified Employeeof the Year for 1994-1995 and 2005-2006. She was given the CharlieSianez Exceptional Service Award in 2006.Edith and her husband, relaxing in their extraordinary backyard.20Wavelength May 2010 Special Retirement Issue