Accolade spring 2014

A PUBLICATION OF THE COCHISE COLLEGE FOUNDATION

SPRING 2014

Fueling up the workforce Page 4

BOARD PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Donors are thoughtful people. Many observe the power of charitable gifts and carefully contemplate how their contributions can make a difference.

This semester, Cochise College earned the support of The Legacy Foundation, which recognized excellence in its nursing program with a substantial gift. It also lost a supporter whose career defined his hobbies, as well as his interest in supporting student success.

Several years prior to his death earlier this spring, Alexander Black recognized how his passion for firefighting had impacted his life, and that he wanted to help others with similar passions. Mr. Black served in the military and went on to a career as a firefighter in New York. In his southeast Arizona retirement, he took hundreds, if not thousands, of photos of fires and collected antique firefighting equipment. His work defined his life, and he found peers at the City of Douglas Fire Department.

The result is a substantial endowment aimed at funding the education and training of fire science students at Cochise College. In defining scholarship criteria, Mr. Black thought first of his own community, one that will benefit should a student whose college education is covered choose to stay and work in the City of Douglas.

Firefighters are necessary first responders, and healthcare facilities couldn't run without nurses. Imagine the impact these funds will make not only on students who receive scholarships from them, but also on all of those in the community whose lives are impacted by their work. Now that's forward thinking!

I want to take this time to commend The Legacy Foundation, Mr. Black and all of the donors who conscientiously plan their gifts to make such a substantial difference. Supporting student success is always an honorable endeavor, and Cochise College, the Cochise College Foundation, and, most importantly, your community, thank you.

Jan Guy Board President Cochise College Foundation

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Cover: The opening of the Automotive Technology Center in Sierra Vista is enabling Instructor James Krause, second from left, to offer both day and evening courses to students like Dale Crane, Krystina Bosanko and Kirsta LaFluer. Photo by Rick Whipple.

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 Cindy Hayostek 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 Sheila Selby 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 Sept. 21 marks the 50th anniversary of the first day of class at Cochise College. On that day in 1964, local businesses advertised their congratulations and best wishes to the college and its students. New faculty eagerly welcomed students to the Douglas Campus. And the college Governing Board, president, and administration busily ironed out final campus details and made plans for a dedication ceremony.

Cochise College’s story is re-told and re-shaped with each noteworthy accomplishment and anniversary. This particular anniversary represents an occasion for the college to recall its roots and recognize the many ways it has provided golden opportunities to its students and the people of Cochise County.

There are still plenty of people around who remember those first years, and we hope to bring many early board members, administrators, faculty and students together at a special event planned for Sept. 21. If you were here in the 1960s, please contact us so we can be sure to formally invite you.

In addition, the college hopes you'll be present at a number of anniversary-themed events planned throughout the year, beginning with ceremonies and special musical performances scheduled for Sept. 22 and 23 at both the Douglas and Sierra Vista campuses. Encourage a Cochise County graduating high school senior you know to apply for the 50th Anniversary Scholars Program – a $1,000 scholarship – through our Financial Aid Office. And consider nominating someone you know who has been affiliated with the college for the Cochise College Hall of Fame.

Whether you’re visiting one of our campuses or sharing your Cochise College story with us, I hope you’ll take part in celebrating five decades of access to and excellence in higher education.

J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D. President Cochise College jdr@cochise.edu

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Relocated program shifts into high gear It takes a community to grow a program.

Cochise College unveiled its new Automotive Technology Center this spring thanks to a partnership with Lawley Automotive, which is leasing a former dealership on Highway 92 in Sierra Vista to the school for next to nothing.

“We’re looking forward to students coming here, not only for our dealership, but other shops in town, to train them here and keep them here,” said Sean Lawley. “I’m very excited for this opportunity.”

In 2005, the college began offering automotive classes at the RPM Car Center on Fort Huachuca and eventually expanded to facilities at the Cochise County Complex in Bisbee and at Lawley Ford in Sierra Vista. These partnerships were an integral part of the early success of the program, but while students added their names to the ever-growing waiting list, there was little room for expansion.

“Having everything in one facility and making an investment in it, we can run a daytime and evening program, offer more classes and increase our enrollment,” said Bruce Richardson, dean of Business and Technology. “This will enable us to provide our own equipment and more convenience for our students. We’ll be purchasing up-to-date, state-ofthe-art equipment, and our students will be trained on the equipment they’ll see in the workforce.”

The college is leasing the former dealership buildings and lot for 2 1/2 years at a rate of $1 a year, and before the contract expires, there is room to negotiate up to two five-year extensions. The north building is 10,600 square feet and was renovated in time for the start of spring classes. It holds eight automotive

Story by Liz Manring, photos by Rick Whipple

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bays, two classrooms, faculty offices, the former show room that is now a lobby entrance, as well as three small computer study rooms. Remodel of the south building, which is 8,772 square feet and has five bays, is slated to begin this summer.

New automotive scholarship available

The seed for the Lawley partnership was planted by James Krause, a Bisbee native, who began teaching part time for Cochise College in 2007 and has been the full-time automotive instructor since 2012. He spent 12 years at Lawley Automotive, starting as an automotive technician and working his way up to shop foreman.

“I went through a program like the one we’re trying to develop here,” Krause said. “What I’m after is not losing our Cochise County students to other places. We want to develop something that’s in competition to keep our workforce in Cochise County and even draw from other states.”

His former employer met with Cochise College President J.D. Rottweiler early in the fall, and plans for the lease and renovations were in the works in just a few weeks. The dealership buildings sat vacant since Lawley purchased the former Ideal Motors in 2011, except for use by the Fraternal Order of Police for its annual Halloween haunted house, meaning there was much work to be done by the college’s maintenance staff to have it ready by spring.

“This partnership is an example of thinking outside the box, partnering with local groups and businesses that have the foresight and dedication to the community to donate a facility like this,” said Cochise College Governing Board Chair David Di Peso.

“This benefits our students, job necessities and helps the local economy, and it’s one of many partnerships the college has put together. We’re small, innovative and we can move quickly, and I’m proud to be a part of that type of group.”

Rottweiler said the partnership with Lawley is a prime example of the three ways in which Cochise College makes an impact in the community: a locally-supported institution supporting local needs; local citizens — like Krause — learning, earning and teaching in their com- Mike Jarrett checks under the hood of a car in one munities; and local busiof the bays at the remodeled dealership. nesses and industry partnering with the college to ensure a skilled workforce.

“It takes a community to make things happen, community leaders willing to invest time, expertise and resources,” he said. “It takes a community college that wants to fulfill its lofty mission: to provide accessible educational opportunities that are responsive to a diverse population and lead to constructive citizenship, meaningful careers and lifelong learning.”

Growth in the Cochise College Automotive Technology Program coupled with a desire to keep their son’s memory alive inspired Ed and Jennifer Shiver to establish the Jonathan Shiver Memorial Scholarship fund.

A 2003 Buena High School graduate, Jonathan joined the U.S. Army in 2007, serving as a power generator operator and deploying to Iraq, where he was a driver for the command sergeant major and the general of his unit. Jonathan said the day he joined the Army was the day that changed his life. Prior to his death in January 2010, he appreciated the friends he made and the opportunity to see and experience things that the Army provided.

However, Jonathan always enjoyed visiting Sierra Vista during his military leave. Drawn to cars at an early age, he earned an associate degree in automotive technology from Wyoming Technical Institute and worked in Phoenix as a mechanic prior to his military service. He never turned down a friend who needed help working on a car, and he described military generators as an “engine in a box – just no wheels or transmission.”

The Shiver family is deeply connected to Cochise College. Ed and Jennifer both graduated from Cochise later in life. Jennifer works full time as an academic and career advisor, and Ed and the couple’s daughter Danielle both teach part time.

Providing a scholarship to Cochise College automotive students seemed like a fitting way to give back to Jonathan’s hometown. The scholarship will be awarded for the 2015-16 school year to students who have earned at least nine automotive technology credits and a 2.0 or higher grade point average.

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Artist, retired teacher earns praise

Much has changed since 1977. That was the year Apple started selling computers, and gas cost about $.62 per gallon.

It’s also the year that Al Kogel joined the Cochise College Art Department.

During a 35-year career, Kogel taught Design Fundamentals, Drawing, Water Color, Painting and Bowling. He served as department chair and learned about wood carving and art therapy during two sabbatical leaves. He also connected classes with the community, inviting guest artists and performers to the college, taking on public mural projects, and conducting residencies at local schools.

Kogel retired in 2012 and continues to be an active member of the college community as an instructor. This year, the college recognizes him as faculty emeritus in honor of his lifetime commitment to the profession.

Retired members of the full-time faculty, counselors or librarians are eligible for emeriti status if they have retired within the last five years, consistently made significant meritorious contributions to the instructional process, and are in good standing with the institution at retirement.

Kogel earned his bachelor and master of fine arts degrees from the University of Arizona. The freedom and opportunities afforded to him at Cochise College were two of the main reasons he spent his entire teaching career here. His sabbatical leaves were unique experiences that had a profound impact on his teaching philosophy.

“It’s interesting to figure out how to access people and their creativity,” he said. “I’m more interested in the process than the product. I haven’t had that much experience here working with art students who are already very skilled, but this is what I know how to do — teach the beginners, the people who aren’t going to go on to take another course. The art therapy helped me realize I couldn’t use the model we used in art school, and I stayed because I wanted to learn how to be better at doing this.”

Kogel also continues to create and show his own work at venues in Arizona and across the U.S. His extensive resume includes solo and group exhibitions at the Davis Dominguez Gallery and Pima Community College in Tucson, the Mesa Museum of Art, the Robert Hughes Gallery in San Antonio, and the Hansen Gallery in New York City — all within the last three years. He has permanent collections in Tucson at the Tucson Museum of Art, Streich Lang Law Associates, Union Gallery and the University of Arizona, as well as in Lubbock, Texas, at the Museum of Texas Tech University.

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EMPLOYEE AWARDS ANNOUNCED Cochise College annually recognizes employees with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and Achieved Classified Excellence (ACE) awards. Recipients for both awards are selected from nominations provided by the college at large.

The NISOD award honors distinction in teaching and rewards the winner with attendance at the annual NISOD conference in Texas. This year's recipient is biology instructor Christi Charters, who has been a full-time biology instructor since 2005. Charters earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from California State University and a doctoral degree from Capella University. She has been a member of the college’s Employee Senate and the Employee Relations Committee, she assists with the Science Club, and she started the science summer camps. In addition, she has been a mentor for the USA Funds Mentoring Program, a work study advisor, and an Honors Program mentor.

The ACE award recognizes members of the Cochise College Classified Association, which holds fundraisers and food drives in support of the college and its students. All active participants in the association’s fundraising efforts, the 2014 winners are: • Diana Acosta, an accounting technician who serves as an administrator with the TOPS wellness program and goes above and beyond to help students through the financial aid process; • Pam Caster, administrative assistant for Adult Education, who has led the holiday door decorating contest and wreath auction; • Carmen Morales, accounting technician principal, who also volunteers to represent the college at the Cochise County Fair and the Douglas-Williams House museum; and • Stella Martin, department assistant for Counseling and Advising/Student Services, who volunteers with a number of organizations in the Douglas community.

Christi Charters, above; Diana Acosta, Pam Caster, Carmen Morales and Stella Martin, below left to right.

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A portrait of Andrea Cracchiolo overlooks the Horace Steele Conference Room, where the Governing Board and many other groups meet.

Vision, teamwork set foundation for college access A gift of 40 acres of Sierra Vista land is one that keeps on giving, some four decades after it all began.

Cochise College transformed that 1974 contribution from local businessman Andrea Cracchiolo into the Sierra Vista Campus, which today houses nine classroom buildings, a student union, and various administrative facilities and serves thousands of students from the region per semester.

The library is named for Cracchiolo, and the campus owes its presence to his forward thinking and a family connection with businessman Horace W. Steele.

Andrea’s son Dan served as Steele’s attorney and friend and advised him in establishing The Steele Foundation, and Dr. Andrea Cracchiolo III serves on the foundation’s board. The Steele Foundation, whose mission focuses on developing the wellStory and photos by Liz Manring.

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being of children, young adults and families through education, preventative health, and community enrichment, has provided $300,000 – about $25,000 annually since 2002 – that has helped maintain the campus library as a focal point and resource center for the entire campus community.

Steele Foundation grants helped initiate the popular student laptop checkout program, update Instructional Media Services technology that makes communication and class attendance accessible, completely furnished a classroom and meeting space, re-carpeted floors, and bought new sets of tables and chairs for the commons area, study rooms, meeting rooms and classrooms.

“We’ve been able to use it for things we wouldn’t ordinarily buy,” said former library Director Pat Hotchkiss, who retired in 2014. “I’ve always considered it a real boon to the college, the Sierra Vista Campus, the library and the students.

We’ve tried to focus the money “Making money is not the on students: computers for students, furniture for students. It’s main goal in any business. always been something very It’s really about giving back important to us.”

to the community.”

Horace Steele, an Arizona native born in 1896, served in the U.S. Army during World War I, worked as a special agent with the FBI, founded the Texas Independent Oil Company and later owned truck line Valley Copperstate. He and his wife, Ethel, formed The Steele Foundation in 1980, and since 1987, the foundation has awarded nearly $100 million in grants to organizations in Arizona.

Following Steele’s death in 1985, Dan Cracchiolo was appointed the foundation’s president. A few years after the Andrea Cracchiolo Library was built, checks to ensure it remained a welcoming place for the community and stu-

dents began arriving. The Steele Foundation provided $50,000 for all of the furniture for the public meeting space now named the Horace Steele Conference Room.

“Our family wanted to continue contributing something to the building that was named after our father and keep that name alive,” said Dr. Andrea Cracchiolo III. “This maintains our roots a little bit.”

The Sierra Vista Campus library was originally housed in a portable building before moving to the rear of the current Administration Building.

The first Andrea Cracchiolo Library opened in 1985 in the building that is now the Fitness Center.

Today’s library overlooks a campus green that is also anchored by the Learning Commons, Science Building and Student Union.

Prior to making the gift that ultimately made college more accessible to regional residents, Andrea Cracchiolo, an Italian immigrant, opened several businesses, including the Bella Vista Motel, Cochise Enterprises, and Bella Vista Ranches, a limited partnership that included Bella Vista Water Company and about 6,000 acres, some of which was developed, and part of which remains an active cattle ranch.

“He was a hoot and just loved to talk,” said Hotchkiss, who started her career at Cochise as a part-time librarian in 1975 and recalls the dedication ceremony for the facility. “He certainly valued education.”

The Cracchiolo boys went on to successful careers.

Dr. Cracchiolo is an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to his passing, Joe ran the businesses and, along with his wife Pat, was an active citizen and philanthropist before turning the job over to Sierra Vista resident Judy Gignac, who became general manager for Bella Vista Ranches and general manager/VP for the water company in the late 1980s.

Dan is principal partner with Burch & Cracchiolo law firm.

According to Jack Zeigler’s “A Brave New World,” written to commemorate the college’s 40th anniversary, Joe remembers his father asserting, “Making money is not the main goal in any business. It’s really about giving back to the community,” a philosophy that has had a lasting impact for Cochise College, its students and Cochise County.

The Andrea Cracchiolo Library anchors the west end of what is now the campus green.

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Grant helps renew focus on completion The Financial Aid Office, aided by a grant from USA Funds, has implemented a number of financial literacy programs that have helped to better focus students on completing their goals and also significantly reduced the loan default rate.

At 9 percent, Cochise College’s default rate, once at 29 percent, is now the lowest of any community college in Arizona.

It dropped in three years thanks to a college-wide effort to steer the culture from one of unlimited exploration toward one of completion, an initiative that also reflects the direction of the federal Pell Grant program.

The federal government now limits the number of years over the course of a student’s lifetime to six full-time years of Pell funding, forcing students to focus or face the possibility of running out of assistance. At Cochise, students who are close to 150 percent of the limit are placed on a restricted enrollment basis, meaning they need to discuss completion strategies and specific courses with an advisor in order to receive aid.

The USA Funds grant supports a two-tier mentoring program in which 39 financial aid students have been paired with faculty/staff and a peer, who discuss financial literacy challenges and solutions with them. USA Funds also provides online life skills lessons for students and a system by which the college can notify students who have left of their lenders and payment information.

In addition, the college contracts with Wright International Student Service to educate students about how to have their loans deferred or begin repaying them. Financial Aid Director Karen Emmer has spoken extensively with faculty and administrators and given numerous workshops that have helped students and employees alike understand the consequences of loan default and how to avoid it.

“It’s really a whole-college effort,” Emmer said. “We’re more focused on helping students graduate, so they don’t have more debt, they can go on to a university and get degrees and pay loans off. We’re all moving in one direction toward completion.”

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Representatives of the Legacy Foundation, Sierra Vista Regional Health Center Foundation, and Cochise College Foundation celebrate the creation of an endowment for nursing scholarships.

Healthcare nonprofits announce scholarship endowment Local hospital affiliates distributing funds from the recently dissolved Sierra Vista Regional Health Center Foundation established The Legacy Foundation Endowment for Nursing Scholarships with a $500,000 contribution. The gift recognizes the value and quality of the Cochise College Nursing Program while also establishing a relationship with leadership of a new hospital that is under construction in Sierra Vista.

The endowment, announced in January, is expected to generate about $25,000 annually in scholarships for students accepted into the Nursing Program. Some 85 percent of the nurses in Cochise County graduated from Cochise College, and the college anticipates even greater opportunities in the area of healthcare with the development of a new hospital facility in Sierra Vista. The board of the non-profit affiliated with the new hospital - The Legacy Foundation - opted to honor the wishes of the previous non-profit.

“We are extremely proud and so, so thankful of this recognition by those in our community of the quality of nursing education here at Cochise College,” said Denise Hoyos, executive director of the Cochise College Foundation. “The gift validates the work of the entire team here at the college and is particularly fitting as we move into our 50th year of serving Cochise County.”

New funds Scholarships to help fire science students More than $7,000 in scholarship funds are anticipated to be available for fire science students beginning in the 2015-16 school year, thanks to the forward thinking of late Douglas resident Alexander C. Black.

Prior to passing away in February, Black made arrangements in his trust to establish The Alexander C. Black Fire Sciences Endowment to help provide access to students pursuing careers related to his lifelong passion. He established the scholarship fund with a $150,000 bequest that will generate scholarships in perpetuity. Born in 1940, Black served the U.S. Army as a Hawk Missile Battery Technician. He later became a firefighter in Syracuse, N.Y., and moved to Douglas following his retirement in 1986.

Upon relocating, he used his skill with a camera to serve as the official Douglas Fire Department photographer. His home was a virtual museum of fire memorabilia, most of which has been donated to the Texas Fire Museum.

Scholarship recognizes role model London Moffett Jr. lived a purposeful life of service to others, and this year, his son, Dr. James Moffett Sr., and daughter-in-law, Frances, of Sierra Vista established an annual scholarship with the Cochise College Foundation that serves to preserve and further the values London Moffett instilled in his children.

London Moffett Jr. passed away in 1991. Born in 1915, he served as a conscientious newspaper carrier and supervisor, a committed U.S. Army soldier in World War II, and a respectful Mississippi educator. During 31 years as an educator in Hinds County and Jackson Public Schools, he served as a teacher and principal of the V.L. Ruben Junior High School in Bolton, Miss. In that position, he was a role model for his three children and countless students.

The London Moffett Jr. Memorial Scholarship will be awarded this fall to a Douglas High School graduating senior with a 2.5 or higher grade point average who enrolls full time at Cochise College.

Family honors late administrator with gift Children of the late Col. Roy Kane, who played a key role in establishing the Sierra Vista Campus following a career in the military, have honored his legacy by establishing the Business & Technology Department Fund. The goal of the contribution, matched by a giving program at Kane’s son Robert’s employer Northrop Grumman, is to help the Building Construction Technology program purchase classroom supplies and equipment. Kane joined the college as coordinator of cooperative education in 1971 and left in the early 1980s, referring to his time at Cochise as among the most meaningful of his working life. He passed away in May 2013.

More of this story can be viewed on the alumni blog at www.cochise.edu/alumni.

Dorothy and Roy Kane, attending the 25th anniversary of the Sierra Vista Campus in 2003.

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Club seeks contributions for residency program Students enrolled in Cochise College’s new respiratory therapy program have established a fund to help support their participation in a residency at California’s Loma Linda University Neonatal Perinatal Specialist program. Tax-deductible contributions to the Respiratory Therapy Student Association Fund will be used to support the activities and advancement of the program.

Employee group funds new scholarship Contributions are now being accepted to help a scholarship fund named for the Cochise College Professional Association reach endowment status. Advancing educational excellence and improving instructional opportunities districtwide is among the CCPA’s purposes; members include faculty and professional staff members. Scholarships will be targeted to full-time students with a 3.0 or higher grade point average and documented financial need.

Our Mission Cochise College provides accessible educational opportunities that are responsive to a diverse population and lead to constructive citizenship, meaningful careers and lifelong learning.

The Cochise College Foundation promotes student success through scholarships, facilities development, and program support.

Ways to Give Donor contributions help provide thousands of dollars in scholarships and program support each year. You can help support these and other college activities in a variety of ways.

Grant helps inspire young scientists Solar panels power campus lights Agriculture and rodeo students are now able to manage their animals after dark thanks to a contribution of solar panels from Northrop Grumman.

The panels have been installed in a remote area of the Douglas Campus that houses practice and educational space along with accommodations for livestock. The contribution allowed the college to install lighting that makes it easier for students and staff to take care of stock after hours. In addition, the corporation has provided $12,000 in funding to support scholarships and other needs of the Aviation Program.

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An education performance group sponsored by Cochise College K-12 Outreach and APS Foundation inspired students from 35 classrooms in nine rural Cochise County schools to get excited about science last fall.

Nearly 750 students and 35 teachers took part in fun science experiments offered by The Science Alliance at their schools. Demonstrations focused on chemistry and chemical reactions, and students saw the impact of dry ice on balloons, made their own superballs, and observed color changes and reactions when different substances combined.

The pilot program, dubbed ASPIRE (Arizona STEM Pathways in a Rural Environment), served to excite students about science through hands-on programs and workshops. It builds on the college’s initiative to build pathways to science, technology, engineering and math education that recognize that the factors leading to a student’s decision to pursue careers in science and technology are not confined to their college years.

• Establish an Annual or Endowed Fund • Planned Gifts • Personal Property • Real Estate • Cash and Pledges • Matching Gifts Check our website to give online, or contact us at (520) 417-4735 to determine an appropriate use for your gift.

Look for more news reflecting Cochise College’s strategic priorities in future publications: • Competitive advantages • Excellence • Everything speaks • Completion

NEWS OF ALUMNI & FRIENDS William Alsobrook (’12) earned a degree in intelligence operations and worked in that field. Today, he is the owner and chief executive officer of Galveston Private Soccer Club and W&B Photography and Design.

Last fall, the University of Arizona honored Yolanda Anderson, who joined the board of the Cochise College Foundation several years after her 2003 retirement as dean of the Cochise College Extended Campus, as an Alumna of

the Year. Anderson earned UA degrees in 1969 and 1973 and, following a career as a teacher and administrator, takes an active role in numerous community service activities and continues to serve on both the Cochise College Foundation and Cochise Education Foundation boards of directors and as a mentor for student teachers at the University of Arizona South.

Javier “Shorty” Fimbres (’77) retired after 32 years with the City of Douglas and 22 years in the U.S. Air Force. Today, he is director of the Douglas Area Food Bank.

Lifelong Friends Current and former Cochise College employees gathered at the Tucson home of Dr. Mark von Destinon to help celebrate his wedding vows. Von Destinon is a recently retired Social & Behavioral Sciences faculty member whose father worked at the college in its early years and who also held a variety of other positions. Pictured in the back row (left to right) are Byron Berry, Stella Martin (‘83), Larry McAlister, Patti Mueller-McAlister, and Chuck Hoyack. Seated in the front row are Alvina Munoz Hoyack (‘ 81), Ana Munoz Salcido (’79), Dr. Mark von Destinon, and Faye Douglas. Also attending but not pictured were former employees Ron Slominski, Robbie Robison, Cynthia Robison, Al Coons (’67), Vince Pachuilo, Shirley Doughty, and Mary Lee Shelden, and current employees David Gage and Ken and Christi Charters.

Jared Grissom (’13) earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Intelligence Operations and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Maryland, University College.

The Northern Wyoming Community College District recently hired Cochise College alumnus and Dean of Math, Science and Health Sciences Dr. Richard “Bubba” Hall (‘89) as vice president for academic affairs. After graduating from Cochise, where he was a baseball standout, Hall played one year of baseball at the University of Southern Mississippi and spent

Jeffrey Ingerson (’12) earned a degree in administration of justice, is an animal control officer with the City of Sierra Vista, and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems at Potomac University.

another three at Oklahoma City University, where he played, coached and earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He joined Cochise in 1993 as a math instructor and baseball coach, earning a Master of Secondary Education from Northern Arizona University and a doctoral degree from Capella University, and becoming dean in 2010.

Markus Jennings (’91) played baseball at Cochise College and is assistant athletic director and director of athletic advancement and major gifts with Kent State University.

Former humanities faculty Allan Meyer recently published his second book, “A Dog’s Choice,” in which a

talking dog, an aging cynic, and a 4-year-old girl are part of a loveable disorder that once flourished in the fictional town of Hearts Landing, Ariz.

After graduating from Cochise College, Dr. David Mosow (’66) went on to Northern Arizona University to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He returned to Cochise College for two years as assistant director of the Upward Bound program. He returned to NAU and earned a Master of Arts in Counseling and doctorate in school leadership, spent several Continued on page 14

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Continued from page 13 years in secondary schools and higher education, and later started a software company in Mobile, Ala., to develop and market K-12 student records management systems. The company sold in 2002, and Mosow partially retired and funded the Mosow Family Foundation which, among other things, funds scholarship opportunities at Cochise College and Northern Arizona University. Also upon retirement, he earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Auburn University.

Mosow is also a licensed pilot and aircraft mechanic.

He serves on the Northern Arizona University Foundation and the Missionary Tech Team boards of directors. Additionally, he consults with small business start-up companies and works on airplanes.

Jose Portugal, Jr. (’99) earned a degree in liberal arts and is a senior systems engineer with NCI Information Systems.

Cleve Voiers (’68) played tennis at Cochise College and is now a business owner in Deming, N.M.

Bob Strain was honored in January as the Greater Sierra Vista Veteran of the Year. Strain retired from the Air Force and went on to serve as a city councilman and mayor, as well as with many organizations which not only help veterans but those in the community who have never served. He joined the Cochise College Foundation board in 2011.

Cochise College English faculty Jay Treiber, who holds a Master of Fine Arts and joined the college full time in 1994, recently participated as a guest author at the Cochise Community Creative Writing Celebration. Torrey House Press published Treiber’s “Spirit Walk,” about a college professor who journeys to the borderland scene of his

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adolescent lapse in judgment, enduring yet another crucible in order to right his life.

Vant W. Vickers, III (’93), who earned a degree in aviation maintenance technology, pursued a career on the technical side of the printing industry and is a technical support engineer and group leader for Presstek, Inc.

Barbara Wiles (’74), known to her college friends as Bobbie Heiden Hood, followed her sister into the Cochise College Nursing Program and is now a registered nurse and nurse practitioner at Cardiovascular Associates of Mesa in Arizona.

Share your news and updates at www.cochise.edu/alumni or email alumni@cochise.edu.

Being among the first Cochise College graduates was a big deal, according to Maretta Ramirez (’65), whose graduating class of three above celebrated at the Gadsden Hotel that year. A married mother who’d worked as an accounting technician, Ramirez came to Cochise after some time at San Francisco Bay-area Diablo Valley College. She earned an associate of arts and went on to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Arizona State University.

She worked as a special education teacher in the Scottsdale schools until her retirement. Alfredo Necoechea (’65), right, grew up in Douglas and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1960. He transferred to Cochise from Eastern Arizona College after the 1963-64 school year. He married Rose Morgan of Miami, Ariz., and raised two sons, each of whom earned football scholarships and attended universities in California, where Necoechea is now retired.

Well, it’s our birthday too, yeah!

They Say It’s Your Birthday!

September 21, 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the first day of class at Cochise College.

Anyone reviewing the college’s history in detail would be pressed to overlook the fanfare with which local residents greeted the institution. Some offered to drive others to the polls in order to support the vote that ultimately solidified the college’s existence. Students lined up to register for classes and secure a spot in the dorms. Local businesses extensively advertised their congratulations and best wishes in commemorative newspaper publications.

That year, the Beatles took America by storm on the “Ed Sullivan Show.” This fall, Twist & Shout: The Definitive Beatles Experience helps Cochise College celebrate the spirit in which it was formed with free public concerts at the Sierra Vista and Douglas campuses.

The shows, planned in conjunction with a private event for the college’s earliest founders and two public ceremonies, anchor a golden-anniversary calendar that is still forming. The college Center for Lifelong Learning plans anniversary-themed Brown Bag Lunches. The college foundation will recognize students selected to be part of the 50th Anniversary Scholars Program.

Other activities are in the works, with the primary goal being to attract people to campus.

Plan now to be immersed in the complete Beatles experience, and keep up with the dates and times of anniversary events by visiting www.cochise.edu/50.

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Students board the Cochise College bus, bound for parts unknown. If you know these students or where they’re headed, we’d love to know! Email us at alumni@cochise.edu.