La Mesan Among Pioneer Grossmont College Staffers to Be Honored

Cornelius “Van” Vanderpoll is a little hard of hearing, he’ll admit. But his memory is strong, and he has a soft spot for his former employer—Grossmont College. The La Mesan will be back with his buds Monday, Aug. 15, when he helps celebrate the college’s 50th anniversary.

To mark Grossmont’s founding in 1961, eight of the school’s original faculty members will be honored on campus―including Vanderpoll, who began as the school’s registrar before becoming a counselor. He retired in 1990.

According to district spokesman Rick Griffin, others pioneer faculty members attending will include first hire Tom Hepp, second hire Larry Coons, plus Don Anderson, Bob Holden, Millie McAuley, Ray Ressler and Trudy Bratten.

Griffin says more than 300 faculty members have been asked to wear tie-dyed T-shirts evoking that era for potential prize opportunities.

Categories include “Most Colorful,” “Most Outrageous,” “Most Faded,” “Most Attractive with Accessories (such as peace beads, acid-washed jeans or flowers in your hair)” and “Best Demonstration of Grossmont School Spirit.”

President Sunny Cooke will award gift certificates to local retailers for the winners.

They’ll also showcase Grossmont College: Celebrating 50 Years, a 96-page commemorative book. And the price?  Well, $19.61.

 “That’s [the] year the school opened, so that’s how we priced the book,” Griffin said.

Grossmont College began classes on Sept. 11, 1961—at Monte Vista High School. The campus would come several years later. The college’s 50th anniversary celebration will continue throughout the 2011-12 academic year.

The opening event will take place at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 15 in the college’s main gymnasium. For more information, call 619-867-8020.