By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.
It goes without saying that 2016 has been a memorable year. For the second consecutive cycle, Cochise earned the maximum 10 years of accreditation. The college awarded more than 1,800 degrees and certificates and opened the new Downtown Center. It became an American Welding Society accredited testing facility, renewed its nursing accreditation, and was highlighted numerous times by various entities as a top community college in the U.S.
Donors seeking to help promote student success also made an impact.
Henry Bollweg III, a former Bisbee educator, and Margaret Sessford, a retired civil servant, each left property that the Cochise College Foundation sold to establish scholarships. Hudbay Minerals, APS, Raytheon and A’viands, the college’s food service provider, established new scholarships this year. The college awarded new scholarships provided by the Mexican consulate in Douglas and matched by a state-side donor to students of Mexican descent attending Cochise College. County residents Hal Thomas, Rodney Long and Dr. Karen Nicodemus, Cochise College president emeritus, remembered loved ones recently lost by establishing or redefining charitable donations. Contributions by The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona and the Wick Family Foundation helped local non-profit leaders attend the Center for Lifelong Learning’s Non-Profit Management Certificate Program. Copper Queen Community Hospital, Lawley Automotive Group, Fairfield Inn & Suites – Sierra Vista, Cafe Roka, The Mall at Sierra Vista, American Southwest Credit Union, Kief-Joshua Vineyards, and retired college president Dr. Dan Rehurek provided in-kind gifts for classroom use or in support of fundraising efforts.
The college inducted its second Hall of Fame class: Mark Battaglia, Cochise College Foundation; the late Ray Levra, long-time art faculty; and Dr. Mary Lee Shelden, retired English faculty and an initiator of many things still in place at the college today. It also lost several individuals with prominent or lengthy connections to the institution. They include Jack Corkery, the first dean of students; Jerry Harwood, widow of the college’s second president; Pat (Pallister) O’Brien, former dean of students who helped bring important lecturers and performers to the college in the 1960s; Sammie Paschal, former director of housing and Eldershostel; George Nicodemus, former women’s basketball coach; Don Johnson, one of the original English faculty members; Ann Kull, former registrar and director of financial aid; Loren Cooper, former motor transport faculty; and Lt. Col. George Hooper, long-time foundation board member.
Cochise College also dealt with challenging issues in 2016, from relocating entire departments to preparing for new labor requirements. Now we have entered budget planning season.
As I reflect on the achievements, supporters, losses and challenges of 2016, I’m heartened to discover that around every turn – new year, new semester, commencement – is a new opportunity to re-visit, re-evaluate and move forward!
With that, I wish all of you a wonderful and restful holiday season.
J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.