Back in 1933, classes at Southern Colorado Junior College cost $12 and the graduating class in 1935 consisted of 17 proud students.
Founding father Frank S Hoag Jr. saw a need in the community for an affordable but high quality educational institution, and that’s exactly what he worked in the community to achieve.
82 years later, what is now Pueblo Community College is still an affordable but high quality educational institution–so much so that PCC was recently ranked 4th in the nation (among 2 and 4 year colleges) as a good place to achieve long term career goals and overall success.
Community members, sponsors, staff, students and supporters gathered on a brisk Wednesday afternoon for the unveiling of the Frank S Hoag Jr commemorative statue on the PCC campus. As President Patty Erjavec stated, it will be a symbol for the dedication and perseverance of students and the commitment to fulfill PCC’s decades-long mission to provide the best quality education possible.
The statue project is a collaboration of the efforts of the Robert Hoag Rawlings Foundation (Bob Rawlings, who was on hand), the LeVert W Hoag Foundation (Bob Wertz, Dave Shaw and Jim Munch), the PCC Foundation (Joe Welte) and sculptor Sutton Betti.
For more information about Pueblo Community College programs, log on to www.pueblocc.edu.
Students from the PCC Fire Science program helped greet guests
Board member Wynona Sullivan greets Don Gale
PCC Foundation Executive Director Martha Simmons with Steven Trujillo, new CEO of the Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce
PCC Foundation Board Treasurer Tammy Fesmire chats with John Cordova
Steve Trujillo, left, Jim Stuart and Jim Munch of the LeVert Hoag Foundation
Wynona Sullivan greets Robert Rawlings
Robert Rawlings, Wynona Sullivan and Ashley Valdez
Sandy Stein, left, Jack and Donna Ward
Board President Joe Welte, left, and Jim Stuart
Ashley Valdez, left, Glenn Ballantyne, Jane Rawlings and Jim Munch
Steve Henson and Wynona Sullivan
Pueblo Chieftain’s new General Manager Brad Slater and his wife Jennifer
Bob and Judy Wertz with Robert Rawlings, center,–all three instrumental in bringing the Hoag statue project to fruition
Don Gale, left, Sandy Stein, Dr. Patty Erjavec, PCC President
Joe Welte chats with Jane Rawlings
Sandy Stein, left, Senator Leroy Garcia, Don Gale and Donna Ward
Robert Rawlings, left, is greeted by Senator Leroy Garcia
From the Pueblo Chieftain: Judy Hildner, left, Steve Henson, Brad Slater, Jane Rawlings and Bob Rawlings, center
Hal Deselms, left, chats with Steve Henson
Ralph and Jan Williams (PCC Foundation board member)
Mr. Pride Panther
Dr. Patty Erjavec, left, chats with guests Jan Williams, Wynona Sullivan and Jennifer Slater
Martha Simmons talks with Bob Rawlings
Dennis Trujillo Johnson, Director of Student and Judicial Affairs, with Don Gale
Chief Academic Officer Dr. Sunny Schmitt and Mike Maffucci, Director of Student Life
John Cordova chats with Dr. Patty Erjavec
Martha Simmons on balloon duty
Michael Engle, faculty co-chair, Social Sciences dept., greets everyone as Pride Panther, Austin Beebe (Assn. of Student Government VP) and Andrew Foster (president of ASG) look on
The crowd listening to the history of the college
Inscription on the Frank S Hoag Jr. statue
Jane Rawlings talks about how the statue project came to be
Jane Rawlings , Pueblo Chieftain Assistant Publisher
Jane Rawlings, Chieftain Asst. Publisher, and Bob Rawlings, Publisher
Dr. Patty Erjavec says a few words to attendees
Dr. Patty Erjavec talks about what the statue will be a symbol for on the PCC campus
Frank S Hoag Jr, founding father of Pueblo Community College
Founders:
Frank S Hoag Jr.
Executive Director:
PCC Foundation: Martha Simmons
President/CEO:
Dr. Patty Erjavec
Staff:
Martha Simmons, Executive Director; Bianca Flores, Administrative Support & Scholarship Coordinator; Jennifer Bauer, Finance Manager; Heather Stevens, Administrative & Special Project Support
Introductions:
Mike Engle
Speaker:
Jane Rawlings, Bob Rawlings, Dr. Patty Erjavec
Attendance:
200
Attire:
Warm coats/business attire
Board of Directors:
Joe Welte, president; Mickey Moore, vice president; Pamela Patterson, secretary; Tammy Fesmire, treasurer; Sharon Swerdfeger, past president; members: Carla Barela, Ross Barnhart, Barbara Duff, Patty Erjavec, Barbara Fortino, Lori Lovato, Charnell Mayer, Scott Moore, Marty Poole, Walter Schepp, Mary Jane Voelker, Jan Williams, Paul Willumstad