Ingram-Thurston: Merced College at 50 years — the best is yet to come
Fifty years of memories filled the air on Nov. 5 as the Merced College Los Banos Campus acknowledged its half a century mark with a celebratory luncheon.
Under a large tent filled with enthusiastic guests, amid cheerfully laid tables, the scene was well set for the program of proclamations, remarks and special recognition.
I had the privilege to sit between John and Sandy Spevak. As I sat and looked around the tent I could hear the whispers. They came at me in waves from over the decades.
I heard whispers of hope, worry, anticipation, doubt, encouragement, advice, tutoring, guidance, uplifting, teaching, helping, striving, growing, and of the communal sigh; “I did it, They did it, We did it! We really did it!”
Learning, that process of growing in our mind, of expanding our understanding of the world around us, and gift, the sacred trust of sharing and passing along skill and knowledge, these things are alive and well in this place.
That our Los Banos extension has now become a 50-year-old active seat of education is something we should all be proud of. After the moving “Presentation of Colors” by the Los Banos VFW Post 2487 and American Legion Post 166, the program was skillfully hosted by Chris Vitelli. Ed. D, Superintendent/President of Merced College.
Proclamations were presented honoring the 50th birthday by dignitaries or their representatives.
Remarks were shared by Eugene Vierra, former Merced College Trustee for Area 5 and one of the founding trustees. Vierra spoke of how the college has thrived and helped to fill the desire of our community:“This is like a homecoming for me. If I can do it, anyone can.”
Joe Gutierrez, Merced College Trustee, Clerk Area 5, also spoke with enthusiasm and pride saying, “ We have only just begun. Better things are to come, Come dream with me.”
The special presentation of the “Legacy in Leadership Award” was well received when John Spevak’s name was announced. Vitelli described Spevak: “He has been a teacher, Dean, an Advocate for MCLB for so long he has blue and gold in his veins. You are our city’s scholar!”
In a conversation with Legacy in Leadership winner, John Spevak, I asked about how it felt to be called a “Legacy.” Spevak responded that “If a person hangs around long enough, he creates a legacy, often unintentionally. It is humbling to feel the affection I received from those at the gathering. I was close to tears. It was joyous.”
Asked about his standout memories, Spevak says: “The golden years ( maybe the Wonder Years) in the rented facility on 821 L Street. It was small , but powerful, where the feeling of family started. The first day inside the facility on Mercey Springs , the fall of 82’.
Then the day after the 2002 Bond Election when I read that 66% of the voters had approved the Bond! The grand opening of our permanent campus in the Fall of 2007 was a dream come true! I think of all the wonderful people of the Los Banos campus community, not only just the obvious, deans and full time faculty, but all the classified staff at the counters, behind the scenes, all who make the campus hum over the years, and all the adjunct faculty, many of whom who have taught for years, including Miquel Castro and Shiena Polehn, both who have taught over the course of three decades, and who were at the luncheon and should have been acknowledged. And a special thank you to the two wonderful women who have stood by me over the years, Susan Spevak and Sandy Spevak. Without their support I could have done nothing.”
Veterans Day
It was on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 1918 that the majority of the hostilities of World War I finally came to an end with the armistice in Germany.
A sigh of relief was held around the world. President Woodrow Wilson declared Nov. 11 “Armistice Day” in 1919, stating, “ To us in America the reflection of Armistice day (changed to Veterans Day in 1954) will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory. Both because of the things from which it has freed us and because of the opportunities it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the council of nations.”
Veterans Day is a day when we all should stop and remember our country’s men and women who have given so much over the history of our country. They all deserve our honor and respect.
While there will be no Veterans Day Parade this year, Mike Hughes promises it will be back next year. There will be an Open House on November 20 from 10 until 2 at the Veterans Memorial Hall located at 615 E Street. All are invited.
Honoring our heroes
Our Ladies Auxiliary of Unit 116 invites us to help honor our veterans buried at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery with the purchase of wreaths as part of the Wreaths Across America project. The wreaths will be placed at the cemetery on Saturday, December 18th. The wreaths require a $15 donation. Contact any Auxiliary 166 member or call Sally Hughes at 826-2353
Alzheimer’s group
Alzheimer’s crashed into my life four decades ago I knew nothing about the disease. Although awareness has grown over the years, there is a great need for more education and especially support for those touched by the disease. Our local Alzheimer Support group continues to meet the third Wednesday of each month at Country Waffles at 11:00. This November 17th they will host Special Guest speaker Susana Rondririquez, MA Regional Director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada. All are welcome.
Share you holiday spirit
The Los Banos Police Department once more will be holding their Annual Food Drive to help those in need in our community. This marks the 8th year of their program of collecting non- perishable food items. You can drop off your donation at the lobby of our Police Department or at Mechanics Bank located at 6011 I Street until December 7th