PHOENIX — The Arizona Senate and House of Representatives honored Cochise College’s 50th anniversary with a concurrent resolution passed during Thursday’s legislative sessions.
Sierra Vista’s Student Government Association, led by adviser Andi De Bellis, and Cochise College’s president, J.D. Rottweiler, traveled to Phoenix to hear the reading of the resolution and meet with senate and house representatives.
The House chambers.
SGA president Blake Suarez, vice president Will Hill, treasurer Daniel Hampel, secretary David Mack and social events coordinator Nancy Fossgreen convened in the offices of House Speaker David Gowan and Rep. David Stevens, both from Sierra Vista, as well as the office of Sen. Gail Griffin, of Hereford, one of the bill’s sponsors. The group also toured the house and senate chambers.
“The best part was being there when they passed the resolution and getting recognized by name,” Fossgreen said. “We stood while they read aloud each of our names and majors, then they passed it unanimously.”
Hill said he enjoyed getting a first-hand look at the floor of the house and senate, where they sat in the chairs and hit the gavels of both the house speaker and the senate president.
Students meet with Sen. Gail Griffin.
“It was interesting to see first-hand how things happen,” Hill said. “In one committee meeting we went to, they were discussing millions of dollars — that’s their job. We also went through the doors that said ‘Authorized Personnel Only,’ which made us feel like celebrities.”
The resolution honors the vote to establish the college in 1961 and the opening of its doors in 1964, recognizing the institution as a “resources for local employers and a catalyst for economic mobility by awarding thousands of degrees and certificates to students in Cochise County and beyond and by helping individuals improve their skills or prepare for advanced degrees.”
For a half century, “through the unwavering commitment of its governing board, administration, faculty and staff, Cochise College has maintained the student-centered focus so often identified by alumni as the quality that most memorably defined their community college experience.”
After five decades of providing educational opportunities to residents of Cochise County and the surrounding area, “… the Members of the Legislature commend Cochise College for remaining both a top local employer and a center of knowledge and ideas where student success and completion are top priorities and proudly join in celebrating its fiftieth anniversary.”
