In many cultures, those who retire from the “daily grind” are honored for making it to the next phase of life and the new social status of “elder.”  Becoming an elder is an achievement that everyone looks forward to!  Many cultures turn to their elders for guidance, wisdom, and knowledge.  Most cultures agree that elders have earned the right to relax and enjoy life.  While I realize that retirement is often an active and productive next phase, it is also a time to enjoy one’s accomplishments, slow down, and mentor the next generations.  In the spirit of honoring, celebrating, and learning from some of Gavilan’s elders before they get away, I chased down our five retirees (much to some of their chagrin): Ken Miller, Marietta Segal, Marlene Dwyer, Mark Friedman, and Jo Anne Howell.  After organizing our photo shoot, I asked if they would be willing to answer a few questions via email.  What follows are excerpts from our email exchanges. Some of the gang was too busy to get back to me, so you will have to catch up with them at one of their upcoming parties!

DK:  What was your original position at Gavilan?  What position did you end up in?

Ken Miller:  Sabbatical replacement in Economics in 1978, then one year as a CETA instructor in business/accounting, then full time tenure track in Econ/Business/Accounting/CSIS in January 1981.

Marietta Segal:  I was hired in May 1979, as Coordinator of Child Development programs.  It was a full time certificated administrative position.  I supervised the Child Development Center, chaired the Child Development instructional program, and taught child development college classes, including supervising student teachers.  In 1982, the college coordinator positions changed to faculty positions, and I continued the same job responsibilities, and also became the chair of the Social Science department.  In 1984, I became the first Grants Development Officer for the college, and successfully secured and supervised $5.4 million in grant funds in several disciplines, until 1991.  In 1991, I received my doctorate in Early Childhood Education, from the State University at Buffalo, and returned to full time teaching in Child Development.  I became the Lead Faculty in Child Development in 2001 and also became the department chair for Technical and Public Services Education.  In addition to these duties, I also wrote, implemented and supervised five grant programs in child development. 

Marlene Dwyer:  My original position at Gavilan was Biology/Chemistry Lab Technician.  I started in Fall of 1981 and finished in Spring of 1991.  In the late 1980’s, while working part time as the Lab Technician, I also took classes at Gavilan in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics.  Bob Balles, my Math 9 instructor, encouraged me to think about getting a degree in Mathematics.  I later enrolled in Calculus courses with Ken Wagman during his first year of teaching at Gavilan.  After leaving Gavilan to earn my Master’s degree at San Jose State, I returned to teach part time from 1996 to 1998.  I was hired full time in 1998 and that is where I’ve ended up!

DK: What are some of your fondest memories from your time at Gavilan?

Ken Miller: Meeting my wife; some great students; faculty lunches in the north lounge; working on the Mayock house; off campus parties at faculty houses; developing a close friendship with several faculty; the Board and faculty agreeing to IBB and negotiations after IBB; gossip; this beautiful campus, especially the spring wild flowers.  I will miss Gavilan a lot…it has a special place in my heart.

Marietta Segal: When I first came to Gavilan College, there was a strong sense of community between faculty, administration, and staff.  There were 3 day retreats that lead to close friendships and strong relationships.  This sense of community has continued for me, for over 29 years.  My fondest memories of Gavilan, come from my relationships with students, and the long friendships with child development faculty, CDC center staff and many child care community members. 

Marlene Dwyer: Lots of fond memories in the Bio/Chem lab.  Lots of fun people to work with – Mary McKenna, Don Santana, Jerry Flook, Carol Cooper, and others in the Life Science Building.  Halloween costumes, Friday coffee get-togethers, and Rambunctious relays.  As an instructor, I’ve enjoyed the Word Problem and Pizza nights we’ve done with our students.  As faculty, we were able to connect with our students outside of class and help them work together to tackle a challenging aspect of all our classes.

DK: What has changed since you arrived at Gavilan?  What has stayed the same?

Ken Miller:  It’s still beautiful.  More enrollment, more employees, a greater challenge finding a parking space; more students can mean fewer preps, fewer class cancellations; it’s lost some of the close cohesion between colleagues; it’s in much better financial shape which has helped to lower the tension between the Board and faculty; it’s still my home away from home.

Marietta Segal: The size of the college student population, the number of new faculty, staff and administrators, the 2 new off-campus sites, the new Child Development Center, the many faculty who have retired, etc.  The professionalism of the administration, faculty and staff continues to increase.  The physical environment has been greatly improved.  The swallows continue to come to their nests each spring, creating problems and concerns for many frustrated humans.

Marlene Dwyer: Many names and faces have changed over the years, but the close, comfortable atmosphere that I’ve enjoyed has remained.

DK: What are you planning to do next?

 Ken Miller: Travel Europe this summer, get my Aptos house ready for renting this fall, move back to North Carolina to live with my wife, remodel endlessly, and garden for the birds, butterflies, and native plants, tour the country, read read read, and indulge in life.

Marietta Segal: I hope that I will take time out to really relax and do nothing.  I have promised to teach part-time next year at Gavilan, and still look forward to doing that.  Over the years, I have had opportunities to write proposals, assist in planning, consulting, and counseling for various corporations, and will continue that work in the future.  I plan on publishing my communication model, and to continue the work I do in counseling using my model.  I will also try to complete and publish a children’s literature book that I have started.  And of course I will travel, have fun and enjoy my life! 

Marlene Dwyer: Enjoy a simple, but relaxed way of life with my husband.  More time to spend with family and friends, more long walks, more music and dancing, gardening, sewing, reading, cooking and eating!  We’ll do some traveling too, hopefully back to Sicily when the Dollar-to-Euro exchange rate improves.  I also plan to enjoy being a student again: Conversational Italian in the fall, Swimming, Yoga, maybe Astronomy, Geology, Economics…If and when I get bored, I’ll plan to teach part time.  (I still enjoy it very much!)

DK: Any words of wisdom or advice for those of us who are carrying on?

Ken Miller: We do make a difference in our students’ lives even when it’s not immediately evident.

Marietta Segal: Take time for your family, your friendships, your relationships, and yourself.  Do not neglect your health, exercise, quiet times, and your spiritual well being.  A sense of humor is essential.  Do not take yourself too seriously.  Do not take anything in your life for granted.  Appreciate all of life’s blessings.

Marlene Dwyer: Enjoy the time you have to share with your colleagues.  Help each other and learn from each other.  After so many years of working together, we really do become an extended family.

Mark Friedman: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail, especially when it is your money.  Anyone in their 40's needs to take a hard look at STRS and project where they are and what they will need when they retire. For example, STRS does negatively impact Social Security (by 2/3's in most cases).  Sick leave, age, years of service and salary all are critical factors.  Awareness may motivate you to consider some action(s) such as buying air time or out of state service credit which could make a huge difference in your benefits.  Taking action early will save you money and aggravation.

DK: Anything else you’d like to add?

Ken Miller: I will miss you all terribly.

Marietta Segal: It is exciting and rewarding to see so many of my students completing associate, bachelor and master level degrees, and assuming teaching and leadership positions in child development centers and schools throughout our communities.  I am retiring at a time when Gavilan’s Child Development and Educational Studies program is so very strong, and has such an excellent teaching faculty and prospects for present and future funding and potential growth.

Marlene Dwyer: I feel truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with so many different students and help them realize their life goals.

Happy Semester’s End!