A PUBLICATION OF THECOCHISE COLLEGE FOUNDATION

SPRING 2014

Fueling up theworkforce

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BOARD PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Donors are thoughtful people. Many observe the power ofcharitable gifts and carefully contemplate how their contri-butions can make a difference.

This semester, Cochise College earned the support of TheLegacy Foundation, which recognized excellence in its nurs-ing program with a substantial gift. It also lost a supporterwhose career defined his hobbies, as well as his interest insupporting student success.

Several years prior to his death earlier this spring, AlexanderBlack recognized how his passion for firefighting had im-pacted his life, and that he wanted to help others with similarpassions. Mr. Black served in the military and went on to a

career as a firefighter in New York. In his southeast Arizona retirement, he tookhundreds, if not thousands, of photos of fires and collected antique firefightingequipment. His work defined his life, and he found peers at the City of Douglas FireDepartment.

The result is a substantial endowment aimed at funding the education and train-ing 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 studentwhose college education is covered choose to stay and work in the City of Douglas.

Firefighters are necessary first responders, and healthcare facilities couldn't runwithout nurses. Imagine the impact these funds will make not only on students whoreceive scholarships from them, but also on all of those in the community whoselives 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 ofthe donors who conscientiously plan their gifts to make such a substantial differ-ence. Supporting student success is always an honorable endeavor, and CochiseCollege, the Cochise College Foundation, and, most importantly, your community,thank you.

Jan GuyBoard PresidentCochise College Foundation

Cover:The opening of the Automotive Technology Center in SierraVista is enabling Instructor James Krause, second from left, tooffer both day and evening courses to students like DaleCrane, Krystina Bosanko and Kirsta LaFluer. Photo by RickWhipple.

FROM THE COCHISE COLLEGE PRESIDENT

Sept. 21 marks the 50th anniversary of the first day of classat Cochise College. On that day in 1964, local businesses ad-vertised their congratulations and best wishes to the collegeand its students. New faculty eagerly welcomed students tothe Douglas Campus. And the college Governing Board, pres-ident, and administration busily ironed out final campus de-tails and made plans for a dedication ceremony.

Cochise College’s story is re-told and re-shaped with eachnoteworthy accomplishment and anniversary. This particularanniversary represents an occasion for the college to recall its

roots and recognize the many ways it has pro-vided golden opportunities to its students andthe people of Cochise County.

There are still plenty of people around who remember those firstyears, and we hope to bring many early board members, admin-istrators, faculty and students together at a special eventplanned for Sept. 21. If you were here in the 1960s, please con-tact us so we can be sure to formally invite you.

In addition, the college hopes you'll be present at a number ofanniversary-themed events planned throughout the year, be-ginning with ceremonies and special musical performancesscheduled for Sept. 22 and 23 at both the Douglas and SierraVista campuses. Encourage a Cochise County graduatinghigh school senior you know to apply for the 50th Anniver-

sary Scholars Program – a $1,000 scholarship – through our Fi-nancial Aid Office. And consider nominating someone you know who has beenaffiliated with the college for the Cochise College Hall of Fame.

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

J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.PresidentCochise Collegejdr@cochise.edu

Board OfficersJan Guy, PresidentGail Zamar, Vice PresidentBob Strain, SecretaryMark Battaglia, J.D., Treasurer

Board MembersYolanda AndersonChuck ChambersJean GiuffridaCindy HayostekKaren L. JusticeGene ManringDan Rehurek, Ph.D.Ruben Teran, J.D.

Board Member EmeritusShirley GregoryLinda Staneart

Ex-Officio MemberJ.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D. (ex-officio)

Honorary MemberMarsha Arzberger

Cochise College Foundation StaffDenise Hoyos, Executive DirectorSheila Selby, Foundation CoordinatorRose Berumen, Administrative Assistant

“Accolade” is published by the CochiseCollege Foundation, 4190 W. Highway 80,Douglas, AZ 85607. (520) 417-4100

ContributorsRose BerumenDenise HoyosLiz ManringKeith RingeySheila SelbyRick Whipple

“Accolade” inspires charitable contributions insupport of Cochise College by raising awarenessabout competitive advantages of the collegeand the activities of the Cochise College Foun-dation, which promotes student successthrough scholarships, facilities development,and program support. By supporting CochiseCollege, the Foundation endeavors to increasethe college's accessibility to our diverse andchanging communities.

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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 keepthem 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 ex-panded to facilities at the Cochise County Complex in Bisbee and at Lawley Ford in Sierra Vista. These part-nerships were an integral part of the early success of the program, but while students added theirnames 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 day-time and evening program, offer more classes and increase our enrollment,”said Bruce Richardson, dean of Business and Technology. “This will en-able us to provide our own equipment and more conveniencefor our students. We’ll be purchasing up-to-date, state-of-the-art equipment, and our students will be trainedon the equipment they’ll see in the work-force.”

The college is leasing the former deal-ership buildings and lot for 2 1/2years at a rate of $1 a year, andbefore the contract expires,there is room to negotiate up totwo five-year extensions. Thenorth building is 10,600square feet and was ren-ovated in time for thestart of springclasses. It holdseight automotive

Relocated program shiftsinto high gear

Story by Liz Manring,photos by Rick Whipple

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New automotivescholarship available

Growth in the Cochise College Automotive Technology Program coupled with a desire to keeptheir son’s memory alive inspired Ed and JenniferShiver to establish the Jonathan Shiver Memorial

Scholarship fund.

A 2003 Buena High School graduate, Jonathanjoined the U.S. Army in 2007, serving as a powergenerator operator and deploying to Iraq, wherehe was a driver for the command sergeant majorand the general of his unit. Jonathan said the dayhe joined the Army was the day that changed hislife. Prior to his death in January 2010, he appreci-ated the friends he made and the opportunity tosee and experience things that the Army provided.

However, Jonathan always enjoyed visiting SierraVista during his military leave. Drawn to cars at anearly age, he earned an associate degree in auto-motive technology from Wyoming Technical Insti-tute and worked in Phoenix as a mechanic prior tohis 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 anacademic and career advisor, and Ed and the

couple’s daughter Danielle both teach part time.Providing a scholarship to Cochise College auto-motive students seemed like a fitting way to giveback 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 highergrade point average.

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

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

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

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

“This partnership is an example of thinking outside the box, partnering withlocal groups and businesses that have the foresight and dedication to thecommunity to donate a facility like this,” said Cochise College GoverningBoard Chair David Di Peso.“This benefits our stu-dents, job necessities andhelps the local economy,and it’s one of many part-nerships the college hasput together. We’re small,innovative and we canmove quickly, and I’mproud to be a part of thattype of group.”

Rottweiler said the part-nership with Lawley is aprime example of thethree ways in whichCochise College makes animpact in the community:a locally-supported institu-tion supporting localneeds; local citizens — likeKrause — learning, earningand teaching in their com-munities; and local busi-nesses and industrypartnering with the college to ensure a skilled workforce.

“It takes a community to make things happen, community leaders willing toinvest time, expertise and resources,” he said. “It takes a community collegethat wants to fulfill its lofty mission: to provide accessible educational oppor-tunities that are responsive to a diverse population and lead to constructivecitizenship, meaningful careers and lifelong learning.”

Mike Jarrett checks under the hood of a car in oneof the bays at the remodeled dealership.

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Artist,retired

teacherearns

praise

Much has changed since 1977. That was the year Apple started sellingcomputers, 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, WaterColor, Painting and Bowling. He served as department chair and learnedabout wood carving and art therapy during two sabbatical leaves. He alsoconnected classes with the community, invit-ing guest artists and performers to the col-lege, taking on public mural projects,and conducting residencies at localschools.

Kogel retired in 2012 and continues tobe an active member of the collegecommunity as an instructor. This year,the college recognizes him as facultyemeritus in honor of his lifetime com-mitment to the profession.

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

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

“It’s interesting to figure out how to access people and theircreativity,” he said. “I’m more interested in the process than

the product. I haven’t had that much experience hereworking with art students who are already veryskilled, but this is what I know how to do — teach thebeginners, the people who aren’t going to go on totake another course. The art therapy helped me real-ize I couldn’t use the model we used in art school, andI stayed because I wanted to learn how to be better atdoing this.”

Kogel also continues to create and show his own workat venues in Arizona and across the U.S. His extensiveresume includes solo and group exhibitions at theDavis Dominguez Gallery and Pima Community Col-lege in Tucson, the Mesa Museum of Art, the RobertHughes Gallery in San Antonio, and the Hansen Galleryin New York City — all within the last three years. Hehas permanent collections in Tucson at the Tucson Mu-

seum of Art, Streich Lang Law Associates, UnionGallery and the University of Arizona, as well as inLubbock, Texas, at the Museum of Texas Tech Uni-versity.

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Cochise College annually recognizes employees with the National Insti-tute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and AchievedClassified 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 winnerwith attendance at the annual NISOD conference in Texas. This year's recipi-ent is biology instructor Christi Charters, who has been a full-time biologyinstructor since 2005. Charters earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from California State University and a doctoral degree from CapellaUniversity. She has been a member of the college’s Employee Senate and theEmployee Relations Committee, she assists with the Science Club, and shestarted the science summer camps. In addition, she has been a mentor forthe USA Funds Mentoring Program, a work study advisor, and an Honors Pro-gram mentor.

The ACE award recognizes members of the Cochise College Classified Asso-ciation, which holds fundraisers and food drives in support of the collegeand its students. All active participants in the association’s fundraising efforts,the 2014 winners are:

• Diana Acosta, an accounting technician who serves as an administratorwith 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.

EMPLOYEE AWARDS ANNOUNCED

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

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

Steele Foundation grants helped initiate the popular student laptop check-out program, update Instructional Media Services technology that makescommunication and class attendance accessible, completely furnished aclassroom and meeting space, re-carpeted floors, and bought new sets oftables and chairs for the commons area, study rooms, meeting rooms andclassrooms.

“We’ve been able to use it for things we wouldn’t ordinarily buy,” said formerlibrary Director Pat Hotchkiss, who retired in 2014. “I’ve always considered it areal boon to the college, the Sierra Vista Campus, the library and the students.We’ve tried to focus the moneyon students: computers for stu-dents, furniture for students. It’salways been something veryimportant to us.”

Horace Steele, an Arizona nativeborn in 1896, served in the U.S.Army during World War I, worked as a special agent with the FBI, founded theTexas Independent Oil Company and later owned truck line Valley Copper-state. He and his wife, Ethel, formed The Steele Foundation in 1980, and since1987, the foundation has awarded nearly $100 million in grants to organiza-tions in Arizona.

Following Steele’s death in 1985, Dan Cracchiolo was appointed the founda-tion’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-

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

Vision, teamworkset foundation forcollege accessA gift of 40 acres of Sierra Vista land is one thatkeeps on giving, some four decades after it allbegan.

Cochise College transformed that 1974 contribu-tion from local businessman Andrea Cracchiolointo the Sierra Vista Campus, which today housesnine classroom buildings, a student union, andvarious administrative facilities and serves thou-sands of students from the region per semester.The library is named for Cracchiolo, and the cam-pus owes its presence to his forward thinking anda family connection with businessman Horace W.Steele.

Andrea’s son Dan served as Steele’s attorney andfriend and advised him in establishing The SteeleFoundation, and Dr. Andrea Cracchiolo III serveson the foundation’s board. The Steele Foundation,whose mission focuses on developing the well-

“Making money is not themain goal in any business.

It’s really about giving backto the community.”

Story and photos by Liz Manring.

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dents began arriving. The Steele Foundation pro-vided $50,000 for all of the furniture for the publicmeeting space now named the Horace SteeleConference Room.

“Our family wanted to continue contributingsomething to the building that was named afterour father and keep that name alive,” said Dr. An-drea Cracchiolo III. “This maintains our roots a lit-tle bit.”

The Sierra Vista Campus library was originallyhoused in a portable building before moving tothe rear of the current Administration Building.The first Andrea Cracchiolo Library opened in1985 in the building that is now the Fitness Center.Today’s library overlooks a campus green that isalso anchored by the Learning Commons, ScienceBuilding and Student Union.

Prior to making the gift that ultimately made col-lege more accessible to regional residents, AndreaCracchiolo, an Italian immigrant, opened severalbusinesses, including the Bella Vista Motel,Cochise Enterprises, and Bella Vista Ranches, a lim-ited partnership that included Bella Vista WaterCompany and about 6,000 acres, some of whichwas developed, and part of which remains an ac-tive cattle ranch.

“He was a hoot and just loved to talk,” saidHotchkiss, who started her career at Cochise as apart-time librarian in 1975 and recalls the dedica-tion ceremony for the facility. “He certainly valuededucation.”

The Cracchiolo boys went on to successful careers.Dr. Cracchiolo is an orthopedic surgeon affiliatedwith the University of California, Los Angeles. Priorto his passing, Joe ran the businesses and, alongwith his wife Pat, was an active citizen and philan-thropist before turning the job over to Sierra Vistaresident Judy Gignac, who became general man-ager for Bella Vista Ranches and general man-ager/VP for the water company in the late 1980s.Dan is principal partner with Burch & Cracchiololaw firm.

According to Jack Zeigler’s “A Brave New World,”written to commemorate the college’s 40th an-niversary, Joe remembers his father asserting,“Making money is not the main goal in any busi-ness. It’s really about giving back to the commu-nity,” a philosophy that has had a lasting impactfor Cochise College, its students and CochiseCounty.

The Andrea Cracchiolo Libraryanchors the west end of what isnow the campus green.

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The Financial Aid Office, aided by a grant from USA Funds,has implemented a number of financial literacy programsthat have helped to better focus students on completingtheir goals and also significantly reduced the loan defaultrate.

At 9 percent, Cochise College’s default rate, once at 29 per-cent, is now the lowest of any community college in Arizona.It dropped in three years thanks to a college-wide effort tosteer the culture from one of unlimited exploration towardone of completion, an initiative that also reflects the direc-tion of the federal Pell Grant program.

The federal government now limits the number of yearsover the course of a student’s lifetime to six full-time years ofPell funding, forcing students to focus or face the possibilityof running out of assistance. At Cochise, students who areclose to 150 percent of the limit are placed on a restrictedenrollment basis, meaning they need to discuss completionstrategies and specific courses with an advisor in order to re-ceive aid.

The USA Funds grant supports a two-tier mentoring pro-gram in which 39 financial aid students have been pairedwith faculty/staff and a peer, who discuss financial literacychallenges and solutions with them. USA Funds also pro-vides online life skills lessons for students and a system bywhich the college can notify students who have left of theirlenders and payment information.

In addition, the college contracts with Wright InternationalStudent Service to educate students about how to havetheir loans deferred or begin repaying them. Financial AidDirector Karen Emmer has spoken extensively with facultyand administrators and given numerous workshops thathave helped students and employees alike understand theconsequences of loan default and how to avoid it.

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

Local hospital affiliates distributing funds from the recentlydissolved Sierra Vista Regional Health Center Foundation es-tablished The Legacy Foundation Endowment for NursingScholarships with a $500,000 contribution. The gift recog-nizes the value and quality of the Cochise College NursingProgram while also establishing a relationship with leader-ship of a new hospital that is under construction in SierraVista.

The endowment, announced in January, is expected to gen-erate about $25,000 annually in scholarships for students ac-cepted into the Nursing Program. Some 85 percent of thenurses in Cochise County graduated from Cochise College,and the college anticipates even greater opportunities in thearea of healthcare with the development of a new hospitalfacility in Sierra Vista. The board of the non-profit affiliatedwith the new hospital - The Legacy Foundation - opted tohonor the wishes of the previous non-profit.

“We are extremely proud and so, so thankful of this recogni-tion by those in our community of the quality of nursing ed-ucation here at Cochise College,” said Denise Hoyos,executive director of the Cochise College Foundation. “Thegift validates the work of the entire team here at the collegeand is particularly fitting as we move into our 50th year ofserving Cochise County.”

Representatives of the Legacy Foundation, Sierra Vista Regional HealthCenter Foundation, and Cochise College Foundation celebrate the cre-ation of an endowment for nursing scholarships.

Healthcare nonprofits announce scholarship endowment

Grant helps renew focuson completion

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Scholarships to help fire science studentsMore than $7,000 in scholarship funds are anticipated to be available for fire science students beginningin 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 life-long passion. He established the scholarship fund with a $150,000 bequest that will generate scholar-ships in perpetuity. Born in 1940, Black served the U.S. Army as a Hawk Missile Battery Technician. Helater 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 pho-tographer. His home was a virtual museum of fire memorabilia, most of which has been donated to theTexas Fire Museum.

Scholarship recognizes role modelLondon 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 CollegeFoundation 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 carrierand supervisor, a committed U.S. Army soldier in World War II, and a respectful Mississippi educator. Dur-ing 31 years as an educator in Hinds County and Jackson Public Schools, he served as a teacher andprincipal of the V.L. Ruben Junior High School in Bolton, Miss. In that position, he was a role model for histhree children and countless students.

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

New funds

Family honors late administrator with giftChildren of the late Col. Roy Kane, who played a key role in establishing theSierra Vista Campus following a career in the military, have honored hislegacy by establishing the Business & Technology Department Fund. Thegoal of the contribution, matched by a giving program at Kane’s son Robert’semployer Northrop Grumman, is to help the Building Construction Technol-ogy program purchase classroom supplies and equipment. Kane joined thecollege as coordinator of cooperative education in 1971 and left in the early1980s, referring to his time at Cochise as among the most meaningful of hisworking life. He passed away in May 2013.

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

Dorothy and Roy Kane, attendingthe 25th anniversary of the Sierra

Vista Campus in 2003.

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

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

Solar panels power campus lightsAgriculture and rodeo students are now able tomanage their animals after dark thanks to a con-tribution of solar panels from Northrop Grumman.The panels have been installed in a remote area ofthe Douglas Campus that houses practice and ed-ucational space along with accommodations forlivestock. The contribution allowed the college toinstall lighting that makes it easier for studentsand staff to take care of stock after hours. In addi-tion, the corporation has provided $12,000 infunding to support scholarships and other needsof the Aviation Program.

Grant helps inspireyoung scientistsAn education performance group sponsored byCochise College K-12 Outreach and APS Founda-tion inspired students from 35 classrooms in ninerural Cochise County schools to get excited aboutscience last fall.

Nearly 750 students and 35 teachers took part infun science experiments offered by The ScienceAlliance at their schools. Demonstrations focusedon chemistry and chemical reactions, and stu-dents saw the impact of dry ice on balloons, madetheir own superballs, and observed color changesand reactions when different substances com-bined.

The pilot program, dubbed ASPIRE (Arizona STEMPathways in a Rural Environment), served to excitestudents about science through hands-on pro-grams and workshops. It builds on the college’sinitiative to build pathways to science, technology,engineering and math education that recognizethat the factors leading to a student’s decision topursue careers in science and technology are notconfined to their college years.

Our MissionCochise College pro-vides accessible edu-cational opportunitiesthat are responsive toa diverse populationand lead to construc-tive citizenship, mean-ingful careers andlifelong learning.

The Cochise CollegeFoundation promotes

student successthrough scholarships,facilities development,and program support.

Ways to Give Donor contributionshelp provide thou-sands of dollars in

scholarships and pro-gram support each

year. You can help sup-port these and othercollege activities in a

variety of ways.

• Establish an Annualor Endowed Fund• Planned Gifts

• Personal Property• Real Estate

• Cash and Pledges• Matching Gifts

Check our website togive online, or contactus at (520) 417-4735to determine an

appropriate use foryour gift.

Look for more newsreflecting Cochise College’s strategic priorities in futurepublications:

• Competitive advantages• Excellence

• Everything speaks• Completion

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NEWS OF ALUMNI &FRIENDS

William Alsobrook (’12)earned a degree in intelli-gence operations andworked in that field. Today,he is the owner and chiefexecutive officer of Galve-ston Private Soccer Cluband W&B Photography andDesign.

Last fall, the University ofArizona honoredYolandaAnderson, who joined theboard of the Cochise Col-lege Foundation severalyears after her 2003 retire-ment as dean of theCochise College ExtendedCampus, as an Alumna of

the Year. Anderson earnedUA degrees in 1969 and1973 and, following a ca-reer as a teacher and ad-ministrator, takes an activerole in numerous commu-nity service activities andcontinues to serve on boththe Cochise College Foun-dation and Cochise Educa-tion Foundation boards ofdirectors and as a mentorfor student teachers at theUniversity of Arizona South.

Javier “Shorty” Fimbres(’77) retired after 32 yearswith the City of Douglasand 22 years in the U.S. AirForce. Today, he is directorof the Douglas Area FoodBank.

Lifelong FriendsCurrent and former Cochise College employees gathered at the Tucson home of Dr. Mark von Desti-non to help celebrate his wedding vows. Von Destinon is a recently retired Social & Behavioral Sciencesfaculty member whose father worked at the college in its early years and who also held a variety ofother positions. Pictured in the back row (left to right) are Byron Berry, Stella Martin (‘83), Larry McAl-ister, 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 pic-tured were former employees Ron Slominski, Robbie Robison, Cynthia Robison, Al Coons (’67), VincePachuilo, Shirley Doughty, and Mary Lee Shelden, and current employees David Gage and Ken andChristi Charters.

Jared Grissom (’13) earnedan Associate of Applied Sci-ence Degree in IntelligenceOperations and is pursuinga bachelor’s degree in his-tory at the University ofMaryland, University Col-lege.

The Northern WyomingCommunity College Districtrecently hired Cochise Col-lege alumnus and Dean ofMath, Science and HealthSciences Dr. Richard“Bubba” Hall (‘89) as vicepresident for academic af-fairs. After graduating fromCochise, where he was abaseball standout, Hallplayed one year of baseballat the University of South-ern Mississippi and spent

Jeffrey Ingerson (’12)earned a degree in admin-istration of justice, is an ani-mal control officer with theCity of Sierra Vista, and ispursuing a bachelor’s de-gree in computer informa-tion systems at PotomacUniversity.

Markus Jennings (’91)played baseball at CochiseCollege and is assistant ath-letic director and directorof athletic advancementand major gifts with KentState University.

Former humanities facultyAllan Meyer recently pub-lished his second book, “ADog’s Choice,” in which a

another three at OklahomaCity University, where heplayed, coached andearned a bachelor’s degreein mathematics. He joinedCochise in 1993 as a mathinstructor and baseballcoach, earning a Master ofSecondary Education fromNorthern Arizona Univer-sity and a doctoral degreefrom Capella University, andbecoming dean in 2010.

talking dog, an aging cynic,and a 4-year-old girl arepart of a loveable disorderthat once flourished in thefictional town of HeartsLanding, Ariz.

After graduating fromCochise College,Dr. DavidMosow (’66) went on toNorthern Arizona Univer-sity to earn a Bachelor ofScience in Mathematics. Hereturned to Cochise Collegefor two years as assistant di-rector of the UpwardBound program. He re-turned to NAU and earneda Master of Arts in Counsel-ing and doctorate in schoolleadership, spent several

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years in secondary schoolsand higher education, andlater started a softwarecompany in Mobile, Ala., todevelop and market K-12student records manage-ment systems. The com-pany sold in 2002, andMosow partially retired andfunded the Mosow FamilyFoundation which, amongother things, funds scholar-ship opportunities atCochise College andNorthern Arizona Univer-sity. Also upon retirement,he earned a Master’s inBusiness Administrationfrom Auburn University.Mosow is also a licensedpilot and aircraft mechanic.He serves on the NorthernArizona University Founda-tion and the MissionaryTech Team boards of direc-tors. Additionally, he con-sults with small businessstart-up companies andworks on airplanes.

Jose Portugal, Jr. (’99)earned a degree in liberalarts and is a senior systemsengineer with NCI Informa-tion Systems.

Bob Strainwas honored inJanuary as the GreaterSierra Vista Veteran of theYear. Strain retired from theAir Force and went on toserve as a city councilmanand mayor, as well as withmany organizations whichnot only help veterans butthose in the communitywho have never served. Hejoined the Cochise CollegeFoundation board in 2011.

Cochise College English fac-ulty Jay Treiber, who holdsa Master of Fine Arts andjoined the college full timein 1994, recently partici-pated as a guest author atthe Cochise CommunityCreative Writing Celebra-tion. Torrey House Presspublished Treiber’s “SpiritWalk,” about a college pro-fessor who journeys to theborderland scene of his

adolescent lapse in judg-ment, enduring yet anothercrucible in order to right hislife.

Vant W. Vickers, III (’93),who earned a degree in avi-ation maintenance technol-ogy, pursued a career onthe technical side of theprinting industry and is atechnical support engineerand group leader forPresstek, Inc.

CleveVoiers (’68)played ten-nis atCochise Col-lege and isnow a busi-ness ownerin Deming,N.M.

BarbaraWiles (’74),known to hercollege friendsas Bobbie Hei-den Hood, fol-lowed hersister into the

Cochise College NursingProgram and is now a regis-tered nurse and nurse prac-titioner at CardiovascularAssociates of Mesa in Ari-zona.

Share your news and updates atwww.cochise.edu/alumni oremail alumni@cochise.edu.

Being among the firstCochise College graduateswas a big deal, according toMaretta Ramirez (’65), whosegraduating class of threeabove celebrated at theGadsden Hotel that year. Amarried mother who’dworked as an accountingtechnician, Ramirez came toCochise after some time atSan Francisco Bay-area Dia-blo Valley College. Sheearned an associate of artsand went on to pursue bach-elor’s and master’s degreesat Arizona State University.She worked as a special edu-cation teacher in the Scotts-dale schools until herretirement. AlfredoNecoechea (’65), right, grewup in Douglas and enlisted inthe U.S. Army in 1960. Hetransferred to Cochise fromEastern Arizona College afterthe 1963-64 school year. Hemarried Rose Morgan ofMiami, Ariz., and raised twosons, each of whom earnedfootball scholarships and at-tended universities in Califor-nia, where Necoechea is nowretired.

15

Well, it’s our birthday too, yeah!

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

Anyone reviewing the college’s history in detail would be pressed to overlookthe fanfare with which local residents greeted the institution. Some offeredto drive others to the polls in order to support the vote that ultimately solidi-fied the college’s existence. Students lined up to register for classes and se-cure a spot in the dorms. Local businesses extensively advertised theircongratulations and best wishes in commemorative newspaper publica-tions.

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

The shows, planned in conjunction with a private event for the college’s earli-est founders and two public ceremonies, anchor a golden-anniversary calen-dar that is still forming. The college Center for Lifelong Learning plansanniversary-themed Brown Bag Lunches. The college foundation will recog-nize students selected to be part of the 50th Anniversary Scholars Program.Other activities are in the works, with the primary goal being to attract peo-ple to campus.

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

They Say It’s YourBirthday!

NON PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

P A I DTUCSON, AZ

PERMIT NO. 3341

4190 W Highway 80Douglas AZ 85607-6190

Students board the Cochise College bus, bound forparts unknown. If you know these students orwhere they’re headed, we’d love to know! Email usat alumni@cochise.edu.