GCCCD Grapevine GCCCD Grapevine
Volume 8, Number 1 April, 1998
Contents:
Eyes of Texas Now Upon Him
All the Live-long Day
Dr. Richard Sanchez is alive and well in Texas. He became a Texan in early
March when he stepped into the presidency of Navarro College in Corsicana, after resigning
as president of Grossmont College in mid-February.
His resignation came as a surprise to many, on and off the Grossmont campus, partly because his status had been vindicated only a few months earlier, when district board members reversed their earlier action to terminate his contract. But Dr. Sanchez had qualms about what might happen when his contract was up, feeling that the trustees might not renew it. Trustees Rick Alexander and Ron Kraft both indicated they had doubts about a future for Sanchez at Grossmont. Sanchez said he didn't want to be in the position of wondering, so he decided to quit and seek another job.
He contacted a consultant and learned of the presidential opening at Navarro, a school of 11,000 students in Corsicana, about 50 miles south of Dallas. He told the Grapevine that he was one of five finalists for the job, and he was chosen after a long interview with faculty members and administrators, an open forum with 60 members of the Corsicana public, who also queried his wife, and a four-hour session with the seven members of the district board.
Navarro has about 4,500 students seeking credits, Sanchez said; the remainder of the 11,000 are taking non-credit courses. At the moment, the college plans to put science, arts and technology students into one big building on the campus in an effort to better integrate the disciplines. Navarro's district has a population of 260,000 residents, and the school is much more a live-in institution than Grossmont, having 14 dormitories on the campus. It feeds Texas A&M, Baylor and Oklahoma Universities.
Soon after he was given the Navarro job, Dr. Sanchez and his wife picked out a house on
two-plus acres, 12 minutes from the college, so the chore of buying was completed before
he returned for his final days at Grossmont, and the couple were in their new home before
he started work March 2.
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Reminder:
Banquet to HonorRetirees on May 8
You should have received a flyer last month announcing the district's banquet to honor the latest retirees (1997 and 1998). It will be held at the Bali Hai restaurant, cocktails at 6 PM, dinner at 7 PM, on Friday, May 8.
All retirees are invited, but tickets must be purchased ahead of time (they will not be available at the door). The cost is $15 if you purchase them by April 15, afterwards $18.95 until May 1 deadline. Honorees (see list below) are free, but will need to purchase tickets for any guests they might bring. If you have any questions, call Lori Carver at (619) 644-7710.
The thirty-nine retirees being honored at this banquet are: Robert Akers, Jeanne
Atherton, Chris Bona, Ann Burgess, Gloria Claesson, Jacqualine Couch, Frank DeGraff, JoAnn
Dutton, Roberta Eddins, Brenda Elliott, William Givens, Wayne Harmon, Sid Herzig, James
Hinkley, Judith Hodgson, Robert Holden, Jeanne Hyde, Julie Kuhl, Joan Lieblein, Catherine
Magee, Joan Mayuiers, Delos McCoole, Clark Mires, John Morley, Gene Murray, Curtis
Nichols, Joanne Prescott, Keith Richardson, Glenda Richter, Paul Rodriguez, Felix Rogers,
Clarence Scott, Don Shannon, Jean Sprunt, Charlie Thompson, Eleanor Tucker, Marlen
Valderhaug, Mary Wilson and Elaine Wolfe. Put on your favorite
Aloha shirt or Mu Mu and join the festivities!!
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Editor's Notes
by
Pat Higgins
The first thing to say is that the Grapevine now has co-editors. I failed in my quest for
an editor to replace me this year, but Tom Scanlan took pity, and offered to take half the
job for the April, July and November issues of the Grapevine. I quickly accepted the
offer, and as I write this we haven't had a single difference of opinion about what we'll
do with this issue. Of course we haven't made many decisions, so there's still time.
I think the arrangement is a half-step in the right direction. My diminishing spirit of public service will probably have vanished by the end of November. Knowing Tom to be a pretty selfless fellow, I think the odds are even that his selflessness will prompt him to return to his former post as sole editor. He may want to express his thoughts on the situation when he fills this column in our July issue.
In addition to our stellar regulars, Sirkka Huovila and John Dixon, we're indebted this
issue to Leon Hoffman. Leon took the pictures at the going-away party for Dr. Richard
Sanchez. John Dixon had already been assigned to videotape the party, so he couldn't shoot
pictures for us. Leon, consented to help, as he always does when asked. So, we have
pictures, and you have our thanks, Leon.
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Biblio-files
by
Tom Scanlan
Beginning with this column, there'll be a rating scale of sorts. Ratings of books are
always going to be subjective but I've found that such a scale has been a useful guide to
me (most of the time, anyway) when it comes to movies. I'm not really sure it will work
with books because they allow so much more individual imagination than any film, but it's
worth a trial.
* poor --Don't read it! Why did I waste my time?
** fair-- So-so; read it only if you really like the
author.
*** good-- Worthwhile, average; read it if you have
time.
**** very good-- Read it; you'll really like it.
***** outstanding --A must read; turn off the TV and
get started now!
As a change of pace, this review begins with a couple of non-fiction books by a very popular author and TV personality, Depak Chopra. Following that is my review of a best seller which is still on the New York Times' top ten list in nonfiction.
Ageless Body, Timeless Mind; Depak Chopra (Harmony Books, 1993) ***
I'm a longtime skeptic when it comes to self-help books and most of the New Age writings,
but I'd read some interesting things about Depak Chopra and since the Sixties I've always
had at least a passing interest in Asian philosophy and religion. And with my background
in physics and astronomy, the sub-title, 'The Quantum Alternative to Growing Old' was
intriguing (as well as the fact that I'm not getting any younger).
Although it's a mixture of medical science (Chopra is a licensed medical doctor), physical science (only a smattering) and Eastern medical and meditation practices, I found the book informative, up-to-date, and a worthwhile read. Within the book there are summaries of numerous medical studies, usually followed by Chopra's connecting them to his own beliefs and those of Eastern medicine. This is sometimes followed by a questionnaire or a list of recommended activities for the reader.
The philosophical concept of timeless existence and methods to at least slow down the aging process are two primary themes throughout this book. His outlook on aging is quite positive compared to the Western norm, and may change your own attitude about "getting old."I can't say that I buy into some of his suggestions, particularly from Eastern medicine, but I came away from this book feeling that I had learned something, and with a somewhat different outlook on existence and on aging, and with a resolve to at least be more open-minded about alternative medical and health practices.
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Depak Chopra (New World Library,
1994) ***
Depak Chopra is a prolific and popular writer, and if you've wondered why and thought
maybe you should read one of his works, this is not a bad place to start. This is a small
book but is includes some very powerful suggestions on how to improve the spiritual if not
the material quality of your life.
It's an interesting merge of Eastern religion and philosophy with Western spirituality but should appeal to anyone interested in examining their own life, however briefly.Chopra writes that if we will just learn to live in harmony with natural law (which he defines his own way), then a sense of well-being, good health, fulfilling relationships, energy and enthusiasm for life, and material abundance will spring forth easily and effortlessly.
I've never been overly concerned with achieving material 'abundance' but the other goals are all important and certainly worthwhile. More important, these writings may put you a little more at ease with yourself and the way things are and help you lead a more relaxed existence. Although purportedly directed toward increasing your wealth, the real value of this book is that it just might help you become a nicer person (which may or may not be connected with material success). On that basis alone, I would recommend this book to almost anyone.
Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt (Scribner, 1996) ****
This is Frank McCourt's first book, a memoir of his first nineteen years, which won a
Pulitzer Prize and several other literary awards. It was a difficult book for me to review
because I had very mixed feelings about it by the time I finished reading it.
I was impressed immediately with his writing style, which puts the reader totally into young Frank's head--but I was ready to put the book down after reading over and over and over just how miserable his childhood was. Still, it merits four (of five) stars primarily on the basis of his writing, which succeeds marvelously in transporting the reader to the time and place and circumstances of Frank's youth.
Frank was born in depression era Brooklyn, the offspring of a chance encounter between two poor Irish immigrants who had each recently arrived in New York. His father, reluctantly forced into marrying his pregnant bride, has a major drinking problem and that pretty much seals his family's fate insofar as any financial support is concerned. Unable to hold a job, he takes his family back to Ireland, jumping from the proverbial frying pan into the fire.
What follows is the detailed experience of a boy's growing up poor, Irish and Catholic under circumstances that would seem hopeless to all but a child. Young Frank manages to make friends, finish school, look after his siblings, and find odd jobs, all the while scavenging for firewood and scrounging for food. Later he learns about the not always admirable ways of the Catholic church toward his people, discovers literature, deals with puberty (again, over and over and over) and experiences several short-lived love affairs.
Parts of the book are quite depressing but there's enough humor (often rather dark) throughout the story to rescue the reader when needed. It's a book I wanted to read and I'm glad that I did, but I'm not sure I'd read it again soonžand I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. If you are interested in writing, are male, of Irish extraction, and had a Catholic upbringing (or have a spouse or close friend who fits that pattern), it is a book you definitely should read. Otherwise, I'm not so sure.
But if you do read it, put on a nice CD of Altan or some similar Irish musical
groupžand make sure there's a Guiness in the fridge
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The first Tuesday of the month continues to be the social focus of Grossmont-Cuyamaca retirees, who gather for coffee each month at Coco's Restaurant, Navajo and Fanita, around 9 a.m. The gatherings, suggested last year by Lee Roper, have been held for seven consecutive months. April will be eight and there's no sign of them fading away.
Attendance has varied from about two dozen to about a dozen. There's been no dearth of
animated conversation, as former colleagues have shared reports of present activities with
recollections of what used to be. April 7 is the date for the next gathering. If
you're a Grossmont or Cuyamaca retiree, it's for you--so be on hand--you'll enjoy the
time.
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Sanchez Griffin Gate Gathering: Friends' Fond Farewell
Dr. Sanchez accepts hatful of dollars from Alba Orr "gold
watch" from Dr.Millie McAuley
Anyone
you recognize?
What
can I say? It's been great!!
A gold griffin from ASGC rep, Michell Vicari
Why am I leaving this
wonderful place?!
Acting Chancellor Charleen McMahon
Retired Chancellor Dr.
Donald Walker
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Grounds
Supervisor Drafton Dunlap Taken
Drafton Dunlap, Grossmont grounds supervisor and a member of the college's
maintenance force for 28 years, died of heart failure February 9. He was 63. In addition
to two strokes, he suffered lung cancer, detected only three weeks before his death.
He is survived by his wife, Pretretia, a stepdaughter, Myeisha, and two sons, Terrell and Cedric. Drafton began work at Grossmont in May, 1968, and retired in March 1996.
Senior electronics technician John Aderholt was one of Drafton's colleagues who knew
him best and, for good reasons, appreciated him most. "I knew Drafton in 1975,"
Aderholt said. "In 1975, I was going through a divorce, and it was the lowest point
of my life. Drafton wasn't a learned man, but he invited me to work with him, and he
helped keep my mind and body off my trouble. He knew what I needed then, and was my best
friend, though it took me a decade to realize it. "He and I had one thing in common
to start. We were both small town boys. I came from a little town in Florida, and he came
from a little town in Arkansas. At his funeral, the minister said it right, "Drafton
was a big man, but a sweet man".
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A new directory of GCCCD retirees is in the final stages of production, and is expected to be ready for distribution by mid-June. Lori Carver, Risk Management assistant, who is in charge of the project, says the directory will include retirees listed in the current book, published in 1994, along with subsequent retirees who have indicated they want to be included in a new listing. They, as well as those who do not want to be included, have indicated their preferences by replying to a question from Lori at the time of retirement.
Those who may have changed their minds, either in favor or against inclusion in the new book, may get their wishes by calling Lori at 644-7710 and letting her know. She also may be reached via e-mail: Lori_Carver@gcccd .cc.ca.us
Those scheduled to retire in June also may express their wishes about inclusion by
calling Lori within the next couple of weeks. It's expected that the new listing will be
about the same size, or slightly larger than the current number of 138 names.
If you use the internet, you may want to send Lori your e-mail address for inclusion in
the directory.
Deadline for submissions is May 15. The new book will be mailed to all retirees whether
or not they are listed.
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Grapevine Returns to the
Internet
by Tom Scanlan
After a hiatus of over two years, the GCCCD Grapevine is once again available on
the internet at the Grossmont College website, under Publications. The URL at the time of
this writing is: http://www.gcccd.cc.ca.us/grossmont/Publications/Publications.html
You may find the old November 95 issue still languishing there, so be sure to select the
November 1997 issue, and with a bit of luck, this current issue may already be posted,
too.
The district hasn't had a designated website author since early 1996 so we were unable to format our more recent issues for uploading on the district server. I began to teach myself web authoring a few weeks ago and then practiced it by setting up a homepage at geocities, a free internet site which provides 3MB of storage (my homepage, which includes all book reviews from past issues is at http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Museum/2852).
With some help from Kats Gustafson at Grossmont's LRC (she was instrumental in setting up the library's CATL room, the Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning), I learned a few more essentials, including how to use Navigator Gold's web editor--which makes web authoring much easier than I had imagined. This enabled me to format the November 1997 Grapevine in HTML (so that it can be viewed by browsers) and Kats loaded it into the Grossmont server in March.
I hope to do this with each new issue, and retain the older issues in an onsite archive
for those who wish to consult back issues. In time, maybe the district will hire a full
time web author and we can load in all of our back issues from day one. So tell your
friends and relatives who like to surf the web that they can now read this magnificent
publication whenever they like. And for those of you who have been reluctant to write us a
letter or article, keep in mind that now your words will have an international audience!
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The Grapevine is a free newsletter for retirees of Cuyamaca and Grossmont Colleges
Co-editors:
Pat Higgins, Tom Scanlan
Desktop Production and Layout:
Sirkka Huovila
Photography:
John Dixon
Biblio-Files Column:
Tom Scanlan
The Grapevine is published in November, April and July. Deadline for
submission is the 10th of the month before publication. To submit news items, articles or
photographs of interest to GCCCD retirees, mail them to:
The Grapevine
Grossmont College
8800 Grossmont College Drive
El Cajon, CA 92020
GROSSMONT COLLEGE
8800 Grossmont College Drive
El Cajon, CA 92020-1799
Phone: (619) 465-1700
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS:
Richard Alexander
Dr. Timothy Caruthers
Rebecca Clark
Gary Kendrick
Ronald Kraft
STUDENT MEMBERS:
Michelle Vicari
David Parsons
web-authored March 27, 1998 by Tom Scanlan
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