SJRCC PRESS RELEASE February 2008 Looking Back, Moving Forward Celebrating 50 Years of Education and Enrichment! Palatka Campus kicks off 50th Anniversary Celebration Students, faculty and staff gathered February 25 at the Palatka Campus to kick off the College's 50th Anniversary Celebration. The celebration welcomed retired faculty and included a birthday tribute performed by FloArts students and a speech from SJRCC President Robert L. McLendon, Ph.D., Florida's longest tenured community college president. "We have a lot to celebrate. We have a lot to be thankful for," McLendon said during his speech that emphasized the College's history, its growth and its commitment to excellence. "We're as good as it gets," McLendon said. "There's not a school in the state that is as well taken care of, ... is as comprehensive, is as financially secure as St. Johns River Community College," he said. "We know what to do. We know how to do it." McLendon announced that celebrations were being held simultaneously on the Orange Park and St. Augustine campuses. Approximately 150 faculty, students and staff attended the Palatka Campus event held 50 years to the date that the College was opened for organizational purposes. McLendon acknowledged the nine retired faculty members who attended the event that kicked off the College's 50th anniversary. "Let me tell you how good it makes me feel to look out and see former professors and administrators sitting here who have been a joy in my life and who come back because they love St. Johns River Community College," McLendon said. "Their love and loyalty for this institution is just vivid, and we know they are there for us 24 hours a day." Rex Holloway, C.L. Overturf Jr., Elizabeth Gibson, Joe Trauerman, Jerry and Dr. Judith Rothschild, Allen Caillouet, Bill Pace and Cliff McGriff were among the retired faculty who joined students for a morning of birthday cake and catching up. Gibson, a retired science professor, blew out the candles on the cake. SJRCC softball player Whitney Holland, 18, said she was glad to be a part of the celebration kick off. "It was great. The students got to see people from the past and present representing the school," Holland said. "I thought it was great that the retired faculty could show up and see how much the College has grown." Student and Palatka resident Wylie Bergbower, 20, was also impressed with the retired faculty's attendance. "It's great to see how the older generation comes out and shows their support," Bergbower said. "It's inspiring to students and lets them know that the College is there for them so students can achieve their goals." Returning student Katherine O'Loughlin, 47, who first attended SJRCC in 1979, said she remembers the four original buildings President McLendon spoke of. "It was really interesting to hear some of the history," O'Loughlin said. "Some of it I knew, some I didn't." O'Loughlin returned to the College in 2005 to finish her A.A. degree, and other than structural changes, she said she didn't think anything else had changed. "Other than it feels more professional and more at home. There's more of an easy-going atmosphere," she said. "I love this College. It's so cool to be all around the younger students. They are curious and helpful." PHOTO CAPTIONS: Top photo: President McLendon speaks to the Palatka Campus audience. Center photo: Retired faculty from left - C.L. Overturf, Elizabeth Gibson, Dr. Judith Rothschild, Allen Caillouet, Jerry Rothschild, Joe Trauerman, Rex Holloway, Cliff McGriff and Bill Pace. Bottom photo: Retired science professor Elizabeth Gibson blows out the candles. Return to SJRCC's 50th Anniversary page. Return to SJRCC home page.