It’s plainly evident that the Pueblo Community College has the formula for success. For 82 years, the college, through various iterations and mascots, has consistently turned out talented and respected graduates.
The Pueblo Community College Foundation hosted a weekend of Homecoming activities for former SCJC (Southern Colorado Junior College), PC (Pueblo College), PJC (Pueblo Junior College), SCSC (Southern Colorado State College) and USC (University of Southern Colorado) students who attended college classes on the Orman Avenue campus. A weekend of festivities was planned to reunite alumni from those institutions.
“We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to present a variety of special activities for those alumni who have a tie to this wonderful campus which has been serving the needs of those seeking out higher education for the past 82 years,” explained PCC Foundation Executive Director Martha Simmons.
The weekend of activities featured an alumni dinner & nostalgic bonfire on Friday, October 9 and an alumni breakfast and PCC campus tours on Saturday, October 10.
Don Gale, class of 1949, gave a $5,000 donation and talked to the crowd about his fond memories of meeting his wife there when she was 19 years old. They were married for 64 years.
The reception abounded with other stories of athletic feats, friendships and camaraderie and people hugged and smiled upon seeing acquaintances from long ago.
For more information on the PCC Foundation events and programs, log on to www.puebloccfoundation.org.
Volunteers Jared Denney and Jorge Chimal help to greet guests
Volunteers at the check-in tablle
Henry Lefebre, left, Molly and Rudolph Martinez
Cathy Shea and Robert Franz
Ray Headley, Rich Glach, Janet and Don Bailey Chuck McGee
Ron Winters (’67) and Ralph Gonzales (’71). Ron lettered in football, tennis and basketball; Ralph lettered in track.
Old yearbooks available for perusal
Robert and Karen Van Duyn
PCC President Dr. Patty Erjavec, Ray Erjavec, Dr. Sunny Schmitt (Chief Academic Officer), Martha Simmons (Foundation Executive Director), Chuck Williams and Fred Johnson
Henry Romero, left, with old friend Lewis DeAngelo (’53)
Al Duran, left, with Dr. Robert and Debbie Knudson
Comedian Garrett Waller and his wife Keri
Karisha Barela, left, Paula Jiminez, Susan Barela
Henry and Sue Romero
Dr. Patty Erjavec greets guests
Mary Ellen and Jim Blasing– his dad Spank Blasing was a track coach
Theresa Martinez and Matthew Blasing
Bob Ross, left, Pete Pullara, Lynne Ross
Candace Elgart and her brother-in-law, Mickey Moore (he’s on the board)
The late ’60s/early ’70s track team
Nancy and Ed Sanchez
Frank and Gwen Grant came in from South Carolina
Don Gale, left, chats with Robert Van Duyn
Lynn Simmons, left, talks with Karen Van Duyn
Ralph Gonzales, left, and Tim Simmons
Pat McGraw, left, Ralph Gonzales, Tim Simmons
Ron Winters, left, catches up with Pat McGraw
Lynn and Tim Simmons
Christine McGrath, left, and Nicole Ayers
Christine McGrath, Nicole Ayers and Jeanne Gardner, librarian for 31 years
Don Gale talks to Martha Simmons
Jan and Ralph Williams (he was a football lineman and she’s on the board)
Coach Don Stutters, left, Pete Pullara, “Mad Dog”
Toni Trujillo, left, David Siguenza, Brad Paglione, Barb Simms, Denise Spaccamonti, Adam Padilla
Dennis and Shirley Carey, left, Tonya Nelson, Matt Simper, Dr. Sunny Schmitt
Table centerpieces
Mia and Andrew Sanchez with their son Lucas, left, Karen Gonzales and her son Sonny Gonzales
Ron Winters takes a special photo
Some of the military alums
Mary and Tom Chavez
Janet and Don Bailey, left, with Becky and Kirk Brynjulson
Pete Pullara talks on video about his memories
The robots from the new “STEM” program–“Patty” and “Ray”
Al Lamphere, left, and Rich Lamphere
Sarah Lott, left, Barb Simms, David Siguenza, Toni Trujillo
Ralph Gonzales was a great emcee
Billy Fuerstenberger was a track star back in the day. Most recently, he served on the Honor Guard for the Pope’s visit
Dr. Robert Knudson (’59) plays the bagpipe
Robots “Patty” and “Ray” from the new STEM program
The Pueblo Ritual Veterans Team posts the colors. The team provides funeral services to vets in Southern Colorado.
Father Ben Bacino gives the invocation
Martha Simmons and Patty Erjavec compare notes
Martha Simmons catches up with Mary Ellen and Jim Blasing
Foundation Executive Director Martha Simmons welcomes the alums
Tony Hegler, Chuck Williams, Fred Johnson were football stars back in the day.
Dr. Patty Erjavec thanks everyone for attending
Dr Patty Erjavec and some of her staff: Martha Simmons, Jon Brude, Dr. Sunny Schmitt, Linda Tremblay, Tonya Nelson and Mary Chavez
Martha Simmons and Dr. Patty Erjavec receive a $5,000 donation from Don Gale (’49)
Garrett Waller presents his comedy routine
Mickey Moore and Candace Elgart laugh at some of Garrett Waller’s jokes
There was a bonfire after the dinner, even with s’mores
Alums line up for s’mores
Martha Simmons, left, Dr Patty Erjavec and Lynn Simmons at the breakfast
Shannon Elliott, left, LaToya Payton, Alicia Trujillo and Jennifer Bauer helped to check in guests
Connie Suarez and Vera Conard-Garrett
Ralph Gonzales, left, Theresa and Ken Jones, Marilyn Antenucci, Bill and Linda Scott–the guys ran track back in the ’60s
Eva Tapia, Director of the Simulation Center, with Nancy Hunt and Eva’s brother, Abel Tapia
Don and Janet Bailey
Denise Spaccamonti, Coordinator of Early College, left, with Mary Chavez, Dean of Health Professions & Public Safety
Billy Fuerstenberger, left, and Tony Hegler head the breakfast buffet line
Dr. Sunny Schmitt and Linda Tremblay
Michael Salamena, left, Beverly and Ed Mendicello, Rich Salamena
Dr. Robert and Debbie Knudson
Rich Lamphere and Al Lamphere
Alums enjoy breakfast
Jane Adams, left, and Zita Broyles
Dr. Robert Knudson chats with Chuck Williams
Jon Brude, Chief Business Officer
Marv and Sandy Stein
Don Gale (’49)
PCC staff members enjoy breakfast
Tour guides Vickii Dolan, left, Christy Shearer, Katie Holcomb, Hannah Hart, Mary Z Lee
Catering Coordinator Marvin Hays
Gwen and Frank Grant
Ralph Gonzales continued his emcee duties
Frank Grant reminisces about being All American with Ralph Gonzales
Foundation Executive Director: Martha Simmons; Administrative Support & Scholarship Coordinator: Bianca Flores; Finance Manager: Jennifer Bauer; Administrative Support: Heather Stevens
Sponsors:
Pueblo Community College Foundation, Pueblo Community College Alumni Association, Walter's Beer, ReMax of Pueblo--Dennis Carey
Ticket Prices:
$30 dinner and bonfire; $15 breakfast and tour
Board of Directors:
Carla Barela, Ross Barnhart, Barbara Duff, Patty Erjavec, Tammy Fesmire, Barbara Fortino, Barbara Leonard, Lori Lovato, Charnell Mayer, Mickey Moore, Scott Moore, Pamela Patterson, Marty Poole, Walter Schepp, Wynona Sullivan, Sharon Swerdfeger, Theodore Trani, Mary Jane Voelker, Joseph Welte, Janice Williams, Paul Willumstad, Karl Wurzbach