Welcome to BearLink, the official home page of the Phoenix College Alumni Association (PCAA) and its affiliated groups the Half-Century Club and all Alumni Chapters and Groups.

The ongoing success of the association is attributed to the dedication and support of our alumni volunteers.  Whether it is mentoring students, fundraising for scholarships, or championing major initiatives of the college, alumni remain engaged by contributing their time, talents, and treasures.

We have designed this site to provide an overview of the association's programs and activities and introduce you to some of the individuals who work behind the scenes to advance the mission of the PCAA. Your comments, suggestions, and feedback are important to us and we invite you to contact our office by telephone at (602) 285-7337 or email at alumni@pcmail.maricopa.edu anytime.          

 

Phoenix College Alumni History Makers: 
Scholarship Dinner & Auction

Tenth Annual Hall of Fame

During the late 1990’s, the Phoenix College Alumni Association (PCAA) sought to formally recognize alumni and employees who have achieved excellence in their career and/or made significant contributions of service to the community or Phoenix College.  This led to the creation in 1999 of “Phoenix College Alumni History Makers:  Scholarship Dinner & Auction.”  In the past decade, close to 100 individuals have been inducted into the hall of fame.  This year, the event will mark its 10^th anniversary when alumni and community members gather in November to honor the 2008 honorees.  This is the signature event of the PCAA and proceeds benefit the PCAA Scholarship Project, which helps financially deserving students attend Phoenix College.  We are proud to announce this year’s honorees:

Sam Jaimes ’51:  Led an award-winning career in animation which spanned fifty years.  Mr. Jaimes worked with Walt Disney Studios, Hanna-Barbera, and Charles Schulz.  He directed “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “Snoopy, Come Home.”

Jerry Eaton ’60:  Writer, newspaper journalist, editor and educator.  Mr. Eaton has authored numerous books about Arizona and many magazine articles, and has received many awards for his writing and photography.

Peterson Zah '60:  Former president of the Navaho Nation, Mr. Zah is considered one of the 100 most important Native Americans in the last century and a key leader in Native American government and education.

Mayor Phil Gordon ’70:  Attorney, business owner, and educator.  Mayor Gordon has served on the Phoenix City Council and has been Mayor of Phoenix since 1997.  For the past twenty years, he has been a leader in the movement to preserve and redevelop central Phoenix.

Vera Stiesmeyer ’73:  Ms. Stiesmeyer has served the association in various capacities, including the Scholarship Committee, Writing the PCAA Constitution & Bylaws, Mentoring, Fundraising, and is Past President of the Theta Chi Delta Alumnae Sorority.

Hon. Rebecca White Birch ’74:  Vice Chief Justice of the Arizona State Supreme Court, educator, author, and attorney.  Upon her appointment in 2002, The Honorable Birch was only the third woman to be appointed to the court.

Ben Miranda ’77:  Ben Miranda has built a strong reputation as an attorney who has served underrepresented populations for years.  A state Legislator since 2002, Mr. Miranda has spent significant time on immigration legal issues and on the boards of various community service organizations.

Sheila Contreras ‘81:  Sheila Contreras spent over thirty years on staff at Phoenix College.  Mrs. Contreras began as a department secretary in the 1960’s and worked her way up to department manager until her retirement in the 1990’s.  She earned a solid reputation for being a hard-working, dedicated professional.

Lisa Coleman Jenkins ‘86:  Lisa Coleman has been a dedicated staff member at Phoenix College for more than thirty years, working as Lead in the Admission & Records Office.  She is respected by her peers and expresses boundless energy and enthusiasm in support of students.

Ken Mattern ’98:  Mr. Mattern is Past President of the PCAA.  He has been instrumental in supporting the college in scholarship fundraising, student recruitment, community outreach, mentoring, the Phoenix College ACE Program, and the Ron Wolfley Celebrity Golf Tournament to benefit PC Football.

John D. Calhoun, Physics Faculty (1946-1986):  John D. (J.D.) Calhoun, taught Physics at Phoenix College his entire teaching career – forty years.  A student-centered instructor, Mr. Calhoun is described as a “living testament to a Phoenix College era that has long past – that of the greatest generation.”

Dr. Virginia Ramos Foster, Foreign Language Faculty (1966-2006):   Dr. Foster has been an icon among Phoenix College faculty for forty years.  As chair of the Foreign Language Department for twenty of these years, Dr. Foster has had a significant impact on instruction and learning for countless students.

Exemplary Partnership Award:

D.L Withers Construction

D.L. Withers Foundation

O'Neil Printing

Valle Luna Restaurant

Event date:  Thursday, November 6, 2008

Schedule:  6 p.m. - Social Hour/Silent Auction  *  7 p.m. - Dinner  *  7:45 p.m.:  Program

Location:    Hilton Garden Inn - 4000 N. Central (Central & Clarendon), Phoenix, AZ

 

S O L D

VIP seating for ten at the event

Individual tickets:  $50

Call ext. 57667 for tickets and sponsor information or email frank.luna@pcmail.maricopa.edu.