A PUBLICATION OF THECOCHISE COLLEGE FOUNDATION

SPRING 2016

On the BallPage 4

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BOARD PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The “Accolade” magazine shines a light on special andnewsworthy activities at Cochise College. Now reachingmore than 14,000 stakeholders twice a year, it is theCochise College Foundation’s most informative com-munications tool, and one we continue to believe is important.

Among the wonderful college news in this issue you’ll seean article about three additions to the foundation boardof directors. New board members are an investment in thefuture, not just for the foundation but also for the students and communities the college serves. Several of us have served more years than we can count. Like allhealthy organizations, the Cochise College Foundation

needs new energy, ideas and connections in order to continue to grow andchange.

Although several of us have been inducted into the Cochise College Hall ofFame, foundation board service is not about prestige and recognition. Mem-bers of the foundation board volunteer because they have the capacity to makea difference and believe in the promise of education. Without it, most of uswouldn’t be where we are today, and we want others to have similar opportu-nities. The individual benefits from education, of course, but society benefitsas well.

I’d like to thank all of the members of the foundation board and also take thistime to welcome our newest members Sheila, David and Mark. We all look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Mark Battaglia, JDBoard PresidentCochise College Foundation

Cover:Laura Hughes, center, is more than a basketball coachto freshmen JuWanna Milton, left, of Mesa, Ariz., andJordyn Penniman, of Moreno Valley, Calif. She’s alsotheir biology instructor and mentor.

FROM THE COCHISE COLLEGE PRESIDENT

As another academic year closes, Cochise College is proud toobserve and recognize the achievements of its students. Werecently hosted our 51st commencement and a ceremony forstudent nurses; some of our most accomplished studentsplayed a role in those ceremonies.

Lesser known but equally inspiring are those who enroll inAdult Education. The college held a GED Recognition Ceremony the week of graduation for students who earned acredential that has become more rigorous in recent years. Icommend these students for having the courage to take thisstep toward success and an enhanced quality of life.

Teaching basic English to people who speak other languagesalso falls to the Adult Education program. This year, a groupof these students achieved something they never imagined. With the guidance oftheir teacher, Robert Johnson, they published a book. “Our Stories: The DreamMakers” - available through Amazon - is a revealing look at the realities that drivesome people to immigrate to the United States, as well as the challenges they facewhen they arrive.

Luis Perez earned an advanced degree in engineering in his native Puerto Rico butcame to America with a family member seeking a more secure future. Ana MiladiSalazar had a successful career in Guatemala but came to the U.S. in search of personal peace and the opportunity to pursue her professional aspirations. ShafiFaizi tells of the dangers of attending school in Afghanistan, about working securitynear the U.S. Embassy, and of acquiring special immigration status as protectionfrom the Taliban.

As Cochise College looks toward its future, these students’ stories remind us that thehuman spirit is alive and well, and that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.

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

Board OfficersMark Battaglia, J.D., PresidentGail Zamar, Vice PresidentGene Manring, SecretaryKaren L. Justice, Treasurer

Board MembersYolanda AndersonChuck ChambersSheila DeVoe HeidmanJean GiuffridaJan GuyDan Rehurek, Ph.D.David SmithBob StrainRuben Teran, J.D.Dr. Mark von Destinon

Board Member EmeritusShirley GregoryLinda Staneart

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

Honorary MembersMarsha ArzbergerGeorge Bugen

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 BerumenAmanda HeltDenise HoyosKeith 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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ON THE BALLCochise women's basketball's player-centered

coaching philosophy pays dividends for studentsin the classroom and on the court.

When the women’s basketball team arrives on the Douglas Campus at the beginning ofeach academic year, coaches Laura Hughes and Daviyonne Weathersby introduce the“Values and Virtues of a Cochise College Basketball Player.” There is a hand-out. Of the10 items listed, only one - fundamentals and conditioning equal victory - is physicalin nature. The other nine are respect and appreciation, positive mental attitude, besteffort, commitment, communication, loyalty, tough responses, accountability andbelieve and be confident/learn.

That says a lot about the philosophy of the Cochise College women’s basketballprogram. Hughes and Weathersby spend their time helping players transitioningfrom high school to university, and from teen to adulthood, become mature, pro-ductive, successful people. Their No. 1 inspiration is graduating players and mov-ing them to the next level.

So far, so good. In Hughes’ first four seasons as head coach, 18 sophomores, or 90percent of graduating players, went to a university. They’ve landed at places likethe University of Texas El Paso, Idaho State University, the University of New Hamp-

shire, and the University of Hawaii Hilo. Another fivesophomores graduated this spring.

“Our proudest momentsare when players goon to the nextlevel,” Hughessaid.

In Hughes’ fiveyears with theprogram, the “all-

about-the-player”approach has resulted

in a 104-48 record in oneof the most competitive

community college conferencesin the country. The 2013 team recorded

a school record 26 wins and finished runner-up in the region. Hughes also landed her 100th win

last year - her fifth - about a season and a half faster than theonly other Cochise women’s basketball coach who has reached that mile-

stone. Teams have appeared on the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) ac-ademic achievement list every year Hughes has coached, and the 2016 team earned the pro-gram’s highest ever grade point average of 3.4 in fall 2015.

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“That’s a reflection of the players we’ve had and that they’vebought into what we’re trying to do,” Hughes said.

What she and Coach Weathersby are tryingto do is build a culture around positive atti-tude and hard work. Recent achievementsare evidence of the importance the pro-gram places on mentality, which Weath-ersby identifies as the most important partof playing college basketball and overcom-ing bigger, stronger or faster players, or lifein general. Team members are required tofocus on school first, because without that,they can’t be student-athletes, and the op-portunities for women who have not pur-sued an education are minimal. Coachesmake themselves and their shared officeavailable for counselingsessions on all mannerof off-court issues, serv-ing as life coaches, nutri-tionists, advisors, andpsychologists. And theteam volunteers, visitingelementary school stu-dents and working with theBisbee 1000 Stair Climb andthe Bisbee Boys and GirlsClub.

“This isn’t just about basket-ball, because that’s going toend one day,” Weathersby said.“It’s about helping them grow aspeople. Sometimes, our interven-tion or theirs can be life chang-ing.”

Hughes and Weathersby bothplayed Division I basketball, atSanta Clara University and Califor-nia State University at Fullerton, re-spectively. Hughes also was anassistant coach at Arizona StateUniversity. Memories of the start ofher undergraduate playing careerat San Diego’s Mira Costa Collegeare what drew her to communitycollege coaching. The success ofCochise College’s other athletic pro-grams was an indicator of the sup-port the program had, and she found her Division Iexperience helpful in recruiting players who had thatas their goal.

“Coach Laura” recruited Sierra Vista player Arianna Andersonfrom nearby Buena High School. Anderson started every gameas a walk-on and freshman. She earned a full scholarship to

play at Cochise her second year. She appre-ciated coaches’ priorities related to aca-demic achievement, commitment andteamwork and pointed out that minimaldistractions make it easy to focus at Cochise.Next fall, she’ll play and study sociology on apartial scholarship to Thomas University inThomasville, Ga.

“I just worked hard at practice and in everygame,” Anderson said. “Being committed ishuge. Everybody has a common goal.”

While the program looks regionally, it’s at-tracted players from New Jersey, Hawaii, NewZealand and France. The focus is on motivatedstudents who want to play but need a couplemore years of academic support or skill devel-opment. Hughes points to the disciplined and

structured days - class, studyhall, lifting, practice - as well asa quiet environment that isconducive to studying andmeeting the requirementsnecessary for the next level ofeducation.

“You have to work to fail herebecause there’s so much sup-port,” Hughes said. “We’re very,very hands on, and we workhard to have the students rec-ognize that we’re working forthem.”

Cochise is currently positionedas an emerging program in theconference. While Hughes

would like to win a confer-ence championship and goto a national tournament,student success remains hertop priority.

“We’ve done well so far, andthere’s room to achieve more,”Hughes said. “I really believe ifyou have a positive attitude andwork hard you’re going to accom-plish great things.”

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Cochise College welcomed three new, but not unfamiliar, faces to theHall of Fame during its second induction ceremony May 7.

About 80 people turned out to celebrate the contributions of Mark Battaglia,long-time foundation board member; the late Raymond Eugene Levra, artfaculty; and Dr. Mary Lee Shelden, retired English faculty. Inductees werenominated last fall through letters of recommendation that explained theways in which each individual holds a deep connection to Cochise College orhas made a substantial contribution to the college through personal time, ef-fort and interest.

Battaglia’s contributions center around his legal work in obtaining gifts forscholarships, as well as his service as foundation board treasurer. Assets andscholarships increased significantly when he held that office. Scholarship en-dowments with which he was involved now award enough to cover full-timetuition for 46 students annually. In addition, every student receiving a schol-arship from an endowment fund is impacted by the growth in foundation as-sets during the time Battaglia served as treasurer.

Friends of Levra focused on his welcoming presence as one of the college’sfirst art faculty members, as well as his leadership in reaching out to art stu-dents of all ages and interests. Levra retired in 1989 but continued to visitcampus until just prior to his death. Friends are working to grow the Ray-mond E. Levra Art Scholarship into an endowment that will provide awards inperpetuity.

Guests supporting Shelden, described as a “tough, gutsy” teacher, acknowl-edged the lengths she went to in order to help students be successful. Thecurrent rodeo, tutoring, Student Government Association, and Phi ThetaKappa honor society programs owe part of their ongoing presence on cam-pus to Shelden’s involvement. Rodeo Coach Rick Smith presented her with abuckle won by the undefeated 2016 women’s rodeo team. The Mary LeeShelden Scholarship provides assistance to first-generation Cochise Collegestudents.

Last year, the college inducted 19 in the first Hall of Fame class that honoredthe 50th anniversary. There are now 22 members.

Information about Hall of Fame criteria and nomination is available atwww.cochise.edu/alumni.

Three inducted into collegeHall of Fame

Top to bottom and left toright: Dr. J.D. Rottweiler,Cochise College president,Mark Battaglia, and donorErnie Graves; Greg Figueroa('79) and faculty emeritus Dr.Joe Gilliland with a Ray Levrapainting; retired and emeritifaculty Arlo Janssen, Dr. JohnDoty, Dr. Mary Lee Sheldenand Dr. Joe Gilliland.

COCHISE

COLLEGE

HALL OF

FAME

Honor your memories and thelegacy of thosewho make a difference atCochise Collegeand beyond.

Categories:●

Student/Alumni●

Team/Group ofStudents

●Faculty/Staff

●CommunityLeader

Nomination deadline:

May 30, 2017

www.cochise.edu/alumni

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A shift in electronics training is giving Cochise College achance to experiment with a teaching model that enhancesstudent confidence while also providing them with the skillsthey’ll need in the workforce.

The college for many years offered an avionics program thattraditionally focused on electronics for the aviation industryand more recently included instruction related to unmannedaerial vehicles. Staffing changes initiated an exploration ofother opportunities, and in 2014-2015, the college re-focusedthe program on electronics.

In addition, a $10,000 grant from USA Funds allowed the col-lege to embed relevant math instruction directly into electron-ics classes. The college used the grant to pay a math tutor topresent relevant math concepts in the electronics class on aregular basis. Those concepts correlated directly to the elec-tronics instruction taking place at the same time.

The pilot effort allowed the college to modify the number ofcredits and the time necessary to earn a credential while alsoclosing the gap between math instruction and elec-tronics instruction.

“This model really helped these students dig intotheir subject,” says Bruce Richardson, dean of Busi-ness and Technology. “It saves them time and moneyand allows them to focus directly on the work theywant to pursue.”

Faculty report a difference in the types of questions asked bystudents. Christopher Ritter, who led the pilot cohort andjoined the college in 2010 as an avionics instructor, said thatstudents didn’t ask questions about math, whereas previously,he observed them struggling to learn math and electronicsconcepts at the same time.

“Preliminary indications are that the revised curriculum en-hanced retention and benefited students greatly,” Ritter said.“Math just wasn’t an obstacle.”

One student who participated in that program now works atthe Sierra Vista branch of Northrop Grumman, and two othersended up at JT3, a Las Vegas company that provides engineer-ing and technical support to four of the western test ranges forthe U.S. Air Force and Navy under the Joint Range TechnicalServices Contract.

In light of a strategic initiative focused on completion, as well asa substantial portion of students who need developmentalcourses in order to complete programs under a more tradi-tional model, the college is considering other ways to embedrelevant math and reading directly into training programs, saysDr. Verlyn Fick, vice president for instruction/provost, who ap-plied for the USA Funds grant while he was at a conference.

“We are interested in providing an educational experience thatgets students where they want to go in a timely manner and ata reasonable cost,” Fick said. “Education is changing, and findingnew ways to help students overcome obstacles while also com-pleting a useful credential of which they can be proud is part ofthe equation.”

In addition, the college recognizes a shortage of biomedicalequipment repair technicians and training programs and ismaking plans to add that as a component of the electronics

program. The reorganized electronics pro-gram is now enrolling students for the fall

2016 semester that begins in August.

Students succeed in electronics pilotprogram

Faculty Christopher Ritter, above,worked with a math tutor to

introduce relevant math concepts directly into

electronics classes.

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By Amanda Helt

Long-time Douglas resident and business owner LouieGarcia (‘90, ‘13, ‘14) earned an associate of applied sciencedegree from Cochise College in 1990 but returned to thecollege to pursue a career in medicine.

It was after his little sister, Maribel Yearra, was diagnosed withleukemia that Garcia’s passion for medicine grew, and he de-cided on a pathway for his future.

“We took care of [Maribel] at the hospital and supported herbecause she couldn’t really support herself during this time,”Garcia said. “I waited until my family was settled comfortablyand my sister had fully recovered, then I enrolled at CochiseCollege.”

During his first semester at Cochise College, Garcia managedhis family-owned construction company. Despite the fact thatGarcia already had a promising career, he slowly devoted moretime to his education, working toward associate’s degrees inbiology and chemistry.

“It was a challenge for me, being a student and having to workand run my company,” Garcia explained. “Mid-way in, I stoppedworking full-time and cut it to like half-time, and by the end, Ihad to cut it down to like 10 hours a week.”

While continuing his employment with his family’s small busi-ness, Garcia took an active leadership role in Phi Theta Kappa(PTK) honor society, and community service activities, includ-ing Earth Day celebrations on the Douglas campus. His servicesto Cochise receivedattention andeventually, his hardwork paid off.

Garcia’s Earth Dayproject earned theDouglas CampusService LearningHonors Award. Hewas nominated asPhi Theta KappaArizona RegionVice President ofCommunication,for which he wonthe Coordinator’sAward, and he was a part of the PTK officer team that won thePhi Theta Kappa Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Award.

Upon successful completion of two associate's degrees, hegraduated with honors in 2014 and earned a full scholarship asa member of the All-Arizona Academic Team, which helped se-cure his seat at the University of Arizona.

More than two years later, Garcia has completed his under-graduate work at the university, where he earned bachelor ofscience degrees in molecular and cellular biology and physiol-ogy. He also pursued a biochemistry minor and maintained a3.5 grade point average.

Garcia says that earning multiple degrees in the sciences wasnot easy and required a lot of hard work and dedication.

Business ownertransitions fromconstruction tomedicine

continued on next page

“Cochise College was thefoundation formy pathway tomedicalschool.”

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NEW GIFTS SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESSTen students of Mexican descent received $1,000 scholarships co-funded bythe Mexican Consulate in Douglas and the Paul Dwyer Memorial Trust, whichhas funded a similar scholarship at Cochise College for many years. The IMEBecas program, sponsored by the Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores and theInstituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior, seeks to assist Mexican studentspursuing higher education in the United States. Students attending CochiseCollege in Santa Cruz County also are assisted through a contribution fromthe Mexican Consulate in Nogales.

•

Hudbay Minerals Inc. is expanding a practice implemented by its predecessorand this year will award five $1,000 Rosemont Project scholarships to Cochiseor Santa Cruz county high school graduating seniors who are first-generationcollege students. The scholarship will assist students enrolling in programsrelated to the mining industry, including agriculture, automotive technology,biology, chemistry, drafting, electronics, geology, physics, and welding.

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During its annual awards luncheon, the Sierra Vista Woman’s Club provided a$2,000 contribution in support of computers for the Cochise College Down-town Center. The center, housed in the former Sierra Vista Regional HealthCenter hospital facility, opens in August. It will include all of the college’shealthcare training programs, the culinary arts program, several communityoutreach and service programs. Several computer labs also are part of theplans.

New fundscontinued from previous page

“Fortunately, I have learned so much with all ofthese courses, and someday I will also be able toapply this knowledge,” he stated. “Cochise Collegewas the foundation for my pathway to medicalschool. I would have never made it to medicalschool without going there. They have been sogreat. It really gave me the study skills that helpedme succeed at the next level and because of allthe scholarships, I don’t have to work full time atthe construction company to cover tuition.”

Garcia was recently accepted into the Universityof Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Pre-Med-ical Admissions Pathway program, an intensive 12-month Master of Science program in Cellular andMolecular Medicine – Medical Track program. Hebegan the program in May. Upon successful com-pletion, he’ll continue his education in medicalschool beginning in fall 2017.

“If all goes well, I will graduate with my MD degreewith the Class of 2021,” Garcia said. “…I once againhave a renewed sense of energy – almost like I amstarting all over again. Perhaps it’s because I havefinally reached my destination. Finally, the longand tedious medical school application process isbehind me. Now it’s time to begin the next part ofthat journey.”

The nurse in this photo, which appeared in theFall 2015 Accolade, was mis-identified as HazelShown. Contact alumni@cochise.edu if you canidentify the nurse..

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1960sClarke and Laura Ammer-man, who attend the col-lege in 1968 and 1969, arenow retired.

1970sShirley M. (James) Jones(‘73) graduated from thenursing program and re-tired as a school nurse fromBisbee Unified School Dis-trict.

Cinderella Smith (‘76)learned she was able toachieve a degree at CochiseCollege. After leaving withan associate of arts, shetackled an associate’s inbusiness administration atVictor Valley College (Cali-fornia) and raised two col-lege graduates. She is acareer resource specialistfor Goodwill AJCC.

Joel Jay Borowiec (‘78), anattorney who attendedNorthern Arizona Univer-sity, the University of Ari-zona, Hamline UniversitySchool of Law, and Boston

University School of Law,recalls his fondest educa-tional experiences werewith the caring, quality fac-ulty members at CochiseCollege. He practices withBoroweic and Boroweic, PC.

1980sElsa (Ramirez) Duarte (‘82)is a sales director with MaryKay.

Dr. Ibrahim Naim (‘82)serves as interim director ofGlobal Education Servicesat Glendale CommunityCollege. He earned a bache-lor’s in ecology and evolu-tionary biology, a master’sin Near Eastern studies, anda doctoral degree in NearEastern studies with aminor in cultural anthropol-ogy at the University of Ari-zona.

Brian Colwill (‘85), whoearned an associate of artsin physical education, is apersonal fitnesstrainer/manager at TucsonRacquet & Fitness Club.

Martin Robitaille, whoplayed baseball in the mid-1980s, is a medical salesrepresentative with AlconCanada.

Richard Acevedo, who at-tended Cochise Collegefrom 1983 to 1985, is an ar-mored carrier with GardaCash Logistics.

Jack Allen (‘88) studiedphilosophy at Cochise afterleaving an active militarypost. He resumed work withArmy Civil Service and latertook a job with the U.S.Army in Japan.

ing Program director at theUniversity of South Car-olina. After Cochise, Torres-McGehee finished herathletics eligibility at South-ern Utah University, whereshe earned a bachelor’s inbiology. Wayland BaptistUniversity hired her as acertified athletic trainer,and she was an adjunct fac-ulty member at Texas TechUniversity for three yearsprior to pursuing her doc-torate at the University ofAlabama. Her research fo-cuses on the health andwell-being of collegiate fe-male student athletes.

Rebecca (Rooney) John-son (‘97) earned a bache-lor’s in elementaryeducation from the Univer-sity of South Florida andnow teaches in the SierraVista Unified School Dis-trict.

Prior to retiring from theU.S. Marine Corps, MarkBrosnan (‘99) earned ageneral studies degree thatallowed him to becomecertified as a Junior ROTCinstructor. His first positionwas with a vocational and

1990sCarol S. Allen (‘92) workedas a licensed practical nursein various nursing homesand later became a Califor-nia Home Health licensedvocational nurse.

Fidel Montoya, who at-tended Cochise in 1995,manages a Starbucks inNew Mexico.

The electronic provingground (EPV) in Sierra Vistais managed by KimberlyFriend (‘94), who firstearned an electronics tech-nology degree before alsopursuing an avionics tech-nology degree and certifi-cates in buildingmaintenance and teleser-vices. She repaired naviga-tion instruments for SpiritAviation at the Tucson In-ternational Airport beforetaking a position takingcare of medical equipmentmaintenance and repair atSoutheast Arizona MedicalCenter. Friend moved to aDepartment of Defense po-sition in facility mainte-nance and management atthe Raymond W. Bliss ArmyHealth Center on FortHuachuca before joiningthe EPV.

Janice Torres (‘94) holds amaster’s in nursing andhealthcare administrationand is a case manager withNorthern Cochise Commu-nity Hospital.

Toni Torres-McGehee (‘95),who played basketball atCochise under coachGeorge Nicodemus, is atenured associate professorand graduate Athletic Train-

NEWS OF ALUMNI & FRIENDStechnical high school inMassachusetts, a job he be-lieves he acquired becausehe also earned a weldingcertificate at Cochise Col-lege. Mark now teaches inCalifornia.

2000sMariana Riverawho at-tended in 2002-2003 is aBoeing 777-200 first officerwith Aeromexico.

Gerald W. Harmon (‘06) is aretired registered nursewho also worked as associ-ate faculty for Cochise Col-lege.

Lorenza (Rascon) Gonza-les (‘09) finished her degreeafter a 10-year absence. Anaccounts payable specialistwith the City of Douglas,she returned to school inorder to set an example forher daughter.

2010sFormerly a leader in theStudent Government Asso-ciation, David Cota (‘11) isnow a recruiter for WesternNew Mexico University.

Christopher King (‘14, ‘15,‘16) is a transportation offi-cial with G4S Secure Solu-tions.

Max Sobotka (‘15) studiedintelligence operations andcompleted an associate’sdegree online. He is now apolitical science student atthe University of Arizona.

Borowiec

Torres-McGehee

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Johnson

In MemoriamDon Johnson,who taughtEnglish from 1964 through1989, passed away January14, 2016.

Cochise College Founda-tion Board Member Emeri-tus Lt. Col. George T.Hooper passed away Janu-ary 30, 2016. Contributionsto the George and Bar-bara Hooper Scholarshipfor nursing students maybe made in his memory.

Ann Kull,who joined thecollege as registrar in 1974and became director of fi-nancial aid in 1977, passedaway March 20, 2016.

Loren Cooper,who taughtmotor transport until the2003-2004 school year,passed away April 1, 2016.

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

He values aCochise Collegeeducation.So he gives.

Bisbee native George Bugensaved for a lifetime and founda way to help Cochise College

students now and in the future.

Working with his attorney andthe Cochise College

Foundation, he set up a fundto help the college providestate-of-the-art education.

What do youvalue?

We can help you leave a legacythat supports student success.

Contact: Denise Hoyos520-417-4148 / 520-515-3690

hoyosd@cochise.eduwww.cochise.edu/give

THREE JOIN FOUNDATIONBOARD

The Cochise College Foundation board of direc-tors recently appointed new members represent-ing Bisbee, Sierra Vista and Tucson.

A Sierra Vista resident, SheilaDeVoe Heidman retired fromCochise College in 2014 after 17years. She served the college as di-rector of the Small Business Devel-opment Center; executive director

for Business and Workforce Development; anddean of Extended Learning. As the dean, she over-saw college centers in Willcox, Benson and SantaCruz County; Online/Virtual Campus; and the Cen-ter for Lifelong Learning, Small Business Develop-ment Center, Adult Education, K-12 outreach, andthe Prison Education Program. She owned DeVoeCollege of Beauty in Sierra Vista for more than 20years. In addition, she has served on various localboards and is secretary of the Sierra Vista Eco-nomic Development Foundation, where she previ-ously held all other executive board positions.

Long-time southern Arizona resi-dent David Smithmoved to Bisbeefollowing a career in law enforce-ment. He owns and manages an in-ternational fire and explosioninvestigation and consulting com-

pany, serving as an expert witness throughoutNorth America. He has served on several statecommissions and, since moving to Bisbee, hasserved on the City Police and Fire Advisory Com-mittee and Civil Service Commission, as well asRotary Club president. He also was elected to aterm on the city council.

Dr. Mark von Destinon’s historywith Cochise College dates to hischildhood, when his father was thedean of business services. Markserved as college registrar, dean ofstudents on the Sierra Vista Cam-

pus, and faculty in psychology and sociology. Heretired in 2011 and was named faculty emeritus in2013. Von Destinon has administrative and facultyexperience at both the community college anduniversity levels. His experience includes distancetraining program evaluation, and he is presidentof the board of the Tucson Preparatory School. Inaddition, he has more than 23 years experienceworking with the Pima County Attorney’s Officeperforming research and working on grants andpublications in the areas of child abuse, domesticviolence and victim’s services.

NON PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

P A I DTUCSON, AZ

PERMIT NO. 3341

4190 W Highway 80Douglas AZ 85607-6190

Cochise College wrestlers from 1968-69 neverappeared in the college yearbook as a team,but one of those pictured bears a strong re-semblance to the young actor Burt Reynolds.Help identify these students or recall thismoment by emailing alumni@cochise.edu.