Orange Coast College

Out-Of-Class Learning

by MARIE V. HOWES,
Student Dean, Orange Coast College since 1948.

IN HIS WELCOME to the members of the first student body in the Fall of 1948, Dr. Basil Peterson said, "Paralleling our program of class instruction, we hope to build a vigorous and successful program of student activities. It is the duty of each student to help in establishing those activities which are of the greatest value and interest to all. Those who fail to participate in student activities will be missing an important part of a college education."

And so this chapter records an Orange Coast College adventure in the cooperation of students, faculty, office staff, custodial staff, and administration; an adventure encouraged by Dr. Peterson's belief in the worth of the out-of-class program and the confidence of the Board of Trustees.

Again and again our experience has confirmed philosophical guidelines laid down for us by Dr. Peterson: "A college devoted to democratic ideas cannot shirk its responsibility in guiding students to learn how to think, to feel, and to act as democratic citizens."

"The business of education in a democracy is to enable people to learn how to live in a democracy and in turn how to make a democracy a fit place in which to live."

"So much of real life situations are involved in student activities that a program in which the students are actively involved with faculty guidance cannot be neglected."

So interested was Dr. Peterson in getting the student government and activity program off with the opening week of the college, that in the spring prior to the fall of 1948 opening he contacted the high school principals in the district and the junior college deans, whose students living in our district were to come to Orange Coast as sophomores. With their cooperation a group of young people was selected to plan activities for the fall.

A temporary student council was set up at a first meeting held on Memorial Day, 1948. Dr. Peterson was joined by Mrs. Marie Howes, who came down from UCLA where she was employed, and Mr. Fred Huber, who was employed at Glendale College. Both had just received their Orange Coast College contracts for the following year, to begin in September, to serve as Deans of Women and Men respectively. Several meetings followed that summer. Franklin Hruza, temporary ASB president, and his council, aided by these advisors, planned assemblies, rallies, publicity, social activities. By September 13, opening day, the Handbook was completed and a temporary constitution had been drawn up. Soon after, an all-school B-B-Q was held at Orange Park, in which the custodial and office staffs, the administrators and faculty and Board Members participated. A reception and dance for students was given by the faculty in the Gymnasium, once the Cadet Club of the Army Air Base. Handsome fireplaces, an encircling balcony and wall murals lent distinction to a place that was to see many beautiful dances.

On November 5, Bill Turner, one of the many veterans, married and living on campus in the converted barracks, became not only the father of the first child born in the campus apartments, but also the first duly elected student body president of 515 students. Of these, 155 were women, 360 men; 138 of these men were veterans. The first year, starting without traditions, without patterns of conduct, without sophomores to pass the torch to freshmen, without cohesiveness or inherited loyalties, was an enthusiastic year of trial and error, of finding a "college" way, a pattern, a spirit, a loyalty. Exciting, challenging, discouraging at times, it called for every ounce of energy, imagination and strategy on the part of those who worked in activities. The many veterans on campus, tired of authority, eager to be authoritarian or highly resistant to rules, dominated the scene, leaving freshmen trying to find their identity, not knowing how college was to differ from high school.

Some, in their efforts, went overboard with enthusiasm, unguided or misguided. It took some time before splendid group attitudes affected standards of behavior. It was some time before one could say, "We just don't do this at Orange Coast" or, "At Orange Coast we take pride in having no incidents of drinking or misbehavior at a dance." We had to fight sometimes to resist corroding influences, to resist taking rigid stands about behaviors and attitudes. Many a story could be told of the influence of such people as Vernon Patterson, who, having taught at Huntington Beach High School, knew the students from that area, and in his kindly persuasive way, changed juvenile behavior into adult responsible behavior. The Barnacle, the student newspaper under his direction, ably set the tone which assisted in bringing about college attitudes and college loyalty, a pattern of thinking and action. The yearbook, I he Log, with his influence, was a splendid record of what was good.

Mr. Fred Huber was tireless in his energetic efforts to set a tone and to establish policies and a philosophy in the entire program which would be compatible with the objectives of a junior college, not a copy of a four year college, nor of a high school. He was here, there and everywhere, advising, encouraging. There were the "shoppers" from the other colleges, the "playboys," the students majoring in beach life, the social set who wanted fraternities, the veterans who wanted license. Fred, called "Fearless Fred," dealt with them all!

Rallying 'round to insure that the activity program would be one that students would lead with honor were such indefatigable people as Mrs. Martha Buss, college nurse, who year in and year out continued to encourage and influence. She and her family missed few events, made a lasting impression on the program and the students. Mr. Charles Lewis, Mrs. Dorothy Dallas, Miss Beth Cosner, Dr. Giles Brown, Mr. Elmo Shaver, Mr. Miles Eaton, Miss Louise Dowlen, Mr. Don Bridgman, Mr. Ray Rosso, Mr. Wendell Pickens and Mr. John Owens were among the invaluable supporters.

And always, Dr. Peterson, in his calm way and carefully worded remarks, with his unusual sense of diplomacy, settled issues with convincing arguments and basic philosophy. Slowly but surely the goals were clarified, the framework set; a college pattern developed.

It was proved through those first years that purposeful and responsible behavior, attitudes and appreciations as well as skills can be learned in the activity program. And how were they learned? Students learned to cooperate by cooperation; to plan by planning; to evaluate by evaluating. They practiced the art of leading without dominating; of criticizing constructively; of differing peaceably. They worked to bring about equality of opportunity; to have allegiance to freedom of belief, speech, assembly and press; to use freedom intelligently; to recognize and immunize against propaganda; to make considered choices; to aim for the social acceptance of all, the respect for the dignity of each individual. Dedicated to right learning, the college could and can support only those activities which result in desired learning. Good environment leads to desirable learning; bad environment results in undesirable Earnings.

The requisite condition for learning to behave intelligently is freedom to engage responsibly in purposeful activity. This could not mean license. Guidance was and is sometimes necessary. But, as Dr. Peterson has stated many times, "Students should be given some freedom to make mistakes." And thus it was and is that the Student Council, the InterClub Council, the College Recreation Association, the Sophomore Class, the Freshman Class, the Associated Men Students, the Associated Women Students, the Arts and Assemblies Committee, the Pep Commission (which became Rally Commission in 1963), and all clubs have been given opportunity to plan and to execute plans under the guidance of faculty members.

Mistakes were made just as they are made by adults, but through mistakes things were learned. There was the time Council purchased a parrot as a mascot, only to learn that no one accepted the responsibility of feeding it or cleaning its cage! There was the year when the Activity Handbook staff had cut off ears and parts of heads of all the photos, and had not capitalized letters anywhere. Well, they learned from insulted instructors and students. Pirate Day, an all-day event to which faculty and students came dressed as pirates to engage in recreational competitions and serve at booths sponsored by clubs, followed by the Shipwreck Ball in the evening, was highly successful for years. But when it changed from "freedom with responsibility" to "license" for some, it had to be abandoned. The annual Carnival, late day and evening, replaces the Pirate Day. The need of controls had to be recognized. Card playing in the Student Center was no longer allowed by Council when it became evident that it brought about gambling and other problems. Guides for conduct and dress came about when Council recognized the mistake of too much freedom of choice, too little regard for others.

We like to remember the contribution by faculty and staff members to the close, friendly faculty-student relationship which developed. The closeness of those first years was one which the pioneer students will not forget. We will always see Johnny Owens swaggering across stage as Captain Kidd; Vernon Patterson sitting under the trees with a group of students; Bunster Creely of the Bookstore chatting about this and that, inculcating a love of learning and culture; William Payne, always creative, with his 1912 Cadillac, or building the beautiful Viennese Ballroom for the first Beaux Arts Ball. Every Pirate Day saw Charles Lewis, Mary McChesney, Dottie Dallas, Martha Buss, dressed as pirates. Who can forget Miles Eaton, Fred Huber and Robert Carlson astride the donkeys at the Donkey Basketball Game; Beth Cosner and Giles Brown, Luke Scott, the Busses, the Haleys, the Petersons, the Harpers, at all the masquerades. All the faculty turned out for games; many played in the college band, including Don Bridgman, Charles Lewis, Bill Kimes, Bill Payne, Eustace Rojas. Mr. Kimes supervised with gusto the never-to-be-forgotten barbecues. His cooperation in every phase of the extra-curricular life has continued to this day. He and Fran Albers, head of the maintenance staff, and Jim Brown, Albers' assistant, entered into the spirit of every event, not only with permissions but with hard work and cooperation. Who will forget the barbecue pits in which oak logs burning for 48 hours barbecued the beef, carefully prepared by the enthusiastic Mrs. Yvette Coltrin, cafeteria manager. The custodial and cafeteria staffs have enthusiastically served the barbecues all these years.

In spite of our growth to more than 5,000 we can still say with pride that each new instructor has caught a spirit of friendliness with students and, in turn has been a part of the friendliness at Coast. The activity program has been enriched by every faculty member who takes time to know his students, to listen, and to counsel as well as to teach. Perhaps the example which Dr. Peterson set and from which he never wavered, was more of an inspiration than any of us realized. Wherever you saw him on campus you saw him stop to talk to students. His door was open to all, and students knew it. He and his enthusiastic, loyal wife rarely missed an event. Students noted this with pride and affection.

The new teachers who came in the second year were as enthusiastic as the first year people. There was Miss Beverly Campbell, who sparked W.A.A.; Miss Mary McChesney, who gave the scholar-ship program through sponsorship of Alpha Gamma Sigma, the prestige it needed; Bill Whitney, who gave new appreciations in art. And then there was Eustace Rojas, whose dance band made danceable music on all Southern California campuses, first with Dixieland Band, then with The Riffs.

From the beginning Orange Coast has attempted, through its activities program, to meet the needs of all students–their interests, their abilities. All students were to feel a part, an important part of Orange Coast College, to feel they were accepted, not rejected or ignored. There was to be no selection in any group on the basis of economic or social status. So it was and is. Snobbery is unpopular, snooty discrimination is taboo.

Is entrance to activities made difficult because of cost? No. Orange Coast is the only junior college in the state to offer so much for so little money. Students may purchase a $15.00 Student Body Book, which covers admission to football and basketball games, two barbecues and western dances, tour post-game dances, several pre-game feeds, a fall play, a musical, the four or more events in the Artists Lecture Series, the Spring Carnival, three full evening dances, the six movies, the six playnights, the school yearbook, and the creative arts magazine. Reduced rates are also provided for events at snow resorts, and for the Eastern Conference Dance. But what of the student who doesn't have the $15.00? The book may be earned through services on the campus. And there are many activities free to all–the assemblies, rallies, art exhibits, forums, department presentations. Individual events cost little to the non-card holder, ranging from 25¢ playnights to $1.50 evening artists series. The weekly newspaper is free, the creative arts magazine is 50¢.

Orange Coast College has always believed in creating more opportunities for co-educational experiences. Physical education classes of the two sexes are most popular. So are the social events, the clubs which are "co-ed." Honors Night honors men and women together. Post-game dances and full evening dances, three or four a year, are the only strictly "date" affairs. But to encourage mingling without the formality of dating (often too expensive for the average students) the college has several "pre-game feeds," several movie nights and playnights. The barbecues at Irvine Park, spring and fall, are among the most popular attractions, drawing in early years 300 to 500 and in recent years 600 to 900 students. Here the College Recreation Association sponsors baseball games between faculty and students, with Dr. Peterson, a biased umpire, prompting gleeful "boos" from the students Boating, volleyball, racing, bicycling, hiking are all a part of the fun before barbecue time. And then the square dance follows, participated in by 250 or more dancers, and watched by as many more. Favorite "callers" for all these years have been Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Webster, contagiously enthusiastic, exuberant people who are extremely popular. So much in demand are they in the southland that Orange Coast College books them a year in advance.

The playnights, drawing a fun loving, sports-minded crowd, are also traditional. The Gymnasiums is an active place, with students playing ping pong, volleyball, cage ball, checkers, chess, dancing, swimming or merely "spectating." The pre-game feeds, such as spaghetti suppers, were begun in 1960 and have proved most popular. Arriving early, the students eat–then quickly walk over to the Stadium filling the rooters section, "ready and rarin' to roar." Perhaps this spirit has contributed to Orange Coast's having won the Eastern Conference Sportsmanship Trophy three times in five years.

Movie Nights, started in 1962, are here to stay. Their popularity was immediate. The foreign language club, The Polyglots, and the Drama Club put on a movie each semester, under the auspices of the Social Events Committee, who put on two more.

The administration has believed in flexibility, not a rigid tradition of certain events. This is evidenced in its willingness to change the kinds of activities or to add to the events already scheduled. Who was to know in the spring of 1961 that the Twist would be "in" in the fall and that students should be allowed to have a fling at this, or that the Hootenanny (1961) and folk singing would be taking over the nation as the year progressed? The Masquerade Dance, most popular for years, gave way when finding a costume no longer seemed worth the trouble. Orientation events for Freshmen have varied from breakfasts to brunches, cokes and ice cream bars, but always with an assembly or two. Styles in events also changed. Remember the Bunny Hops, the April Showers Benefit, the Luau, the Spring Sing, Slave Day, the Dawn Yawn Breakfasts? Efforts at events for married couples were made again and again but never were successful. Babysitting problems seemed to plague this group. The veterans had excellent family parties in the early years when many of the veterans and their families lived on the campus.

The women's social program, developed by the Associated Women Students, has been varied; yet the popularity of some events has made them traditional. Record crowds have always come to the Mother-Daughter Dinner; the Father-Daughter Dinner; the famous Fall Hobo Party for women only (when fellows dressed as women, sneak in) and the Girl-Ask-Boy Dance each spring. Also popular is the Kid-Sister-Brother Make-Your-Own-Sundae party. At one time the women students found style shows popular, then cosmetic assemblies or hair styling demonstrations. The women usher at events, assist in hostessing, carry on with a diversified group of service projects in the community. Each semester a representative group attends the A.W.S. Conference at one of the Southern California junior college campuses.

The Associated Men Students have at various times sponsored awards banquets, Father-Son Banquets, Smokers, Pancake Breakfasts. They also assist in ushering and hosting, having conferences of A.M.S. groups in Southern California.

The Women's Athletic Association has been responsible for a wide and varied program of recreation, sports, competition, intramural and extramural, knitting closely the group of women with these interests and needs. They match skills well with the W.A.A. groups of other colleges in basketball, swimming, volleyball, baseball and tennis. They also contribute to other programs on the campus, joining ICC in its projects.

The Men's Intramural Program is an outgrowth of the physical education classes, having competitions in touch football, volleyball, softball, handball, basketball, track and wrestling tournaments.

The College Recreation Association triggered a long list of recreational activities, varying from the competitive to the informal. This group sponsors the playnights, the recreation at the barbecues, and noon dances. Swimming intramural tennis, archery, golf tournaments, square dancing and bowling leagues have all been popular. Some clubs which were purely recreational were transferred to the CRA. Among these I call to mind particularly the Rifle Club which has been active under the able leadership of Mr. Wesley Mole since the beginning.

Another permeating influence is the philosophy that every scheduled event or sanctioned organization is important. No sport is minor; all sports are considered major sports. No curriculum is of greater importance than another, be it vocational or academic. Clubs of small numbers are just as important as the clubs which are larger. Each club is given the same amount of money to work with. However, through excellent leadership, splendid faculty sponsorship and group enthusiasms many activities achieve more distinction than others and many clubs become more respected than others.

Dr. Peterson believed that a well conceived program should use all institutional resources. Hence facilities and properties have always been made available, be it the Gymnasium, the Student Center or an old truck. The Board of Trustees, approving of this policy, took pleasure in seeing daily use of areas for recreational purposes, athletic reasons, or cultural development. The Gymnasium has made possible a wholesome outlet of energies and recreational needs, through programs of intramurals and playnights, the activities of the College Recreation Association, the dances. The use of the Home Economics Living Center, a beautiful place, was never denied to any group nor was the use of any area in the Student Center.

This Student Center, dedicated in 1953, provided not only a place to meet and to eat, but also a spirit and atmosphere, a cohesiveness to the college group. Here in a central hub of social life students meet old friends, make new friends, relax, eat, study. Over a cup of coffee students hash out their lessons, visit or plan. Each day sees use of the Student Center by four or more groups, especially in the Student Council Chambers or in the workroom. The privilege of using the Cafeteria is free. A student who carries his lunch is as welcome as the student who buys his. All except one of the large social dances are held in the Center as are club and other organization dinners, thus cutting costs of all events. Square dances have been held in the Student Center but are now held in the Dance Room of the Basil H.Peterson Gymnasium.

The college also built the Snack Bar, an outdoor area, and installed food concessions on campus, establishing several eating and social areas open to all. The privilege of the use of the Forum for movies, six a year, was granted. The administration has shown again and again its belief in the backing of the program. Besides the facilities mentioned before, it has set aside certain periods for assemblies featuring speakers or entertainment. Each year faculty members indicating a preference, are assigned club sponsorships; other faculty members are assigned to assist at supervision of social events. The administration provides fifty percent of the financial support of the Artists Series, open to students as well as to the public. It has provided for student representation on the Administration Council, with the president and vice president of the student body as members.

Students are expected to learn and to practice social niceties and amenities, to mingle with students of the opposite sex in socially accepted ways. The Social Events Committee gives a set of notebook index sheets to each student at registration time. Printed on these indexes is a calendar of events for the entire college year. On several other pages the students find a guide to proper behavior at functions, helpful suggestions on introductions, appearance, behavior on campus and on dates. The Handbook, also given at registration, contains a clothing guide and guide to student maturity, set up by faculty and students. By example, faculty and student leaders set the pattern for niceties at all social functions where expectation of good behavior is evidenced. The student police cadets function, not as people who look for misbehavior, but as deterrents to misbehavior. Faculty members, assigned by the administration, form a Social Events Supervision Committee acting as hosts, not chaperones. In all these years the number of "incidents" at dances can be counted on one hand. Students take pride in the college atmosphere, different from the atmosphere of public dances.

The majority of social events are put on by the Social Events Committee, underwritten by student funds. However, the Christmas Dance is held through the cooperation of Inter-Club Council and the Spring Prom, the loveliest event of the year, is presented through cooperation with the Freshman Class.

Why, some ask, do we have so many activities? We do not expect all students to attend all functions. The variety is offered as is a variety of foods at a buffet table, for selection. But it is hoped that a student will sample more than one kind of food, and thus achieve a balanced diet.

The activity program would be meager indeed without the contribution of those activities which are an outgrowth of classes, enriching experience and adding variety. The Fine Arts Division, first under Kenneth Boettcher and then under James Fitzgerald since 1956, has from the beginning contributed wonderfully to the activities program, as an outgrowth of classes. Walter Prill, followed by Bob Kest, produced delightful plays in the Chapel. Ken Boettcher made splendid showings with his Acapella Choir and band. He, by the way, wrote our school song, the "Alma Mater."

Then, in 1955, with the opening of the Neutra-designed auditorium, came Luke Scott and Jim Fitzgerald with superb productions and large casts. They were responsible for all productions from 1955 through 1959. Mr. Scott was joined by John Ford in the fall of 1959, and they continued to draw sell-out crowds for the plays and musical productions, on which they worked with Paul Cox, Walt Gleckler and John Williamson who had become members of the music department faculty. Throughout the years we saw such productions as: 1955-56–Morton of the Movies, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Springtime on Broadway, The Madwoman of Chaillot; Summer, 1956–South Pacific; 1956-57 –King Lear, The Vision of St. Stephen, Plain and Fancy, First Lady; Summer, 1957 – Kismet; 1957-58 – Peer Gynt, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Finian's Rainbow, The Drunkard, Time Limit; Summer, 1958–Oklahoma; 1958-59–MacBeth, Call Me Madam, A Clearing in the Woods, See How They Run; Summer, l959–Guys and Dolls; 1959-60–Hamlet, Where's Charley?, Ring Round the Moon; Summer, 1960–The King and 1; 1960-61 –- Cyrano de Bergerac, Damn Yankees, The Time of Your Life; Summer, 1961– Li'l Abner; 1961-62–A Midsummer Night's Dream, Flower Drum Song, 4 in a Row; Summer, 1962–Kiss Me, Kate; 1962-63–The Andersonville Trial, Peter Pan, The Matchmaker; Summer, 1963– Music Man; 1963-64–Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Lark. Some four thousand students participated in these productions which were viewed by a total audience of over 125,000.

The journalism classes are responsible for the student newspaper, The Barnacle, begun in 1948. Behind every issue of a college newspaper are many hours of discussing story ideas, tracking down news sources, typing and re-typing stories and making and remaking pages. What college journalists contribute to a college community can never be entirely measured by the hours they put in on the job.

Many editors and many unsung reporters and photographers have nurtured The Barnacle since 1948. Behind every staff is that tight-rope expert–the advisor. Where advising stops and censorship begins is the constant problem. Getting out a paper without instruction would be bewildering to the students, yet the paper should be their thoughts, their work and their spirit. The names of the editors and advisors who have guided The Barnacle through its first 16 years may be found listed in the Appendix.

Two other published organs, The Crest and The Log, emanate from classes in English, Photography, Yearbook Production, Photojournalism, and Commercial Photography.

The Log, published every year since the school started and given to each student with a student body book, was not for many years an outgrowth of classes as it now is. Beginning this current year (196364) two issues, one in the Fall and one in the Spring, are being published in soft cover, magazine style. Coverage will be broader, costs cut. The names of editors and advisors for this publication are contained in the Appendix.

To broaden the scope of the student publication offerings, there had long been a desire for a literary arts magazine, sponsored by the student body. Over a period of years this possibility was explored by more than one faculty committee. In the 1960-61 year such a publication was launched, under the title CREST, in keeping with the nautical tradition of the school. Carefully reviewed, the contributions are guided by principles of artistic excellence and good taste which show respect for the American principles of human dignity, freedom and individuality. Contributors are asked to avoid the sadistic, morbid, pornographic, suggestive, and to seek that which is imaginative, original, sincere. Advisors who have helped to open sensibilities as well as intellectual perceptions through this publication, and editors of Crest are mentioned in the Appendix.

The Music Department, besides producing the numerous performances mentioned, puts on concerts, festivals, makes many civic and club appearances. The Band has for the second year traveled upstate to present concerts.

The Dance Band, "The Rifts," has been in constant demand for appearances throughout the Southland.

The Art Department, in spite of poor facilities in those first years, became noted for the ceramics and teaching of William Payne. William Whitney inspired many of the finest art exhibits, art demonstrations and sales. The department has been responsible for posters and program covers for plays and musicals. Trips to art galleries, student art exhibits and community artist exhibits have been sponsored by the department. Such noted persons as Rex Brandt, Priscilla Frazier, Dolores Yonkers, Peterpaul Ott, Joan Irving Brandt and George James have exhibited in our gallery.

The art department has put on puppet shows at Fairview Hospital and at elementary schools. There have been sales of pottery and paintings, and they have set up artist corners on Carnival Day.

The speech classes have many activities which are an outgrowth of class assignment. Primarily the activity is one of participation in inter collegiate speech tournaments, including debate, oral interpretation, original oratory, impromptu speaking and extemporaneous speaking.

The assemblies have seen nationally known people, such as Dr. Ralph Eckhart, author of marriage books; Dr. Bernard Hyink of the University of Southern California; Dana and George Lamb, the travelers; Art Tatum; The Samoans; Bud Skiles; The Kingston Trio; Dr. Frank Baxter. Among the films and slide presentations were those of our traveling faculty members, Mr. Lloyd Mason Smith and Dr. Giles Brown. Other divisions of instruction within the college have found ways of translating learning from the classrooms to activities outside the classroom, enriching the activity program as well as the experiences of students. The foreign language classes, through Polyglots, sponsor foreign language films, speakers on foreign travel and education, trips, and a foreign language scholarship. Construction technology students turn their learning experience to practical projects such as the building of model homes, the Faculty House, the Redwood Cottage and campus dwellings for staff required to live on campus. Police Science students police student activities and work with the local police authorities in the coverage of other campus events.

Students in business education cooperate in local business and professional conferences, serve as secretaries at conferences and for faculty members. Student projects on the school farm keep the agriculture students busy. They also judge contests at agriculture events and sponsor a High School Field Day on the campus. This department also sponsors public speaking and parliamentary procedure contests for Orange County schools. One of their most unique and interesting projects is the elementary school tours through the college farm. Last year 2,000 first and second graders saw the animals and the acreage. Pictorial evidence attests to the excitement these little folks experience as they cuddle a baby chick or pet a calf or lamb, or view with awe and at a discreet distance the huge pedigreed bulls.

A ham radio station is maintained by the Electronics Department which has built the equipment, developed excellent log books with records of contacts from exotic spots all over the world. The station is now known as the S. T. McNeal memorial station in honor of the instructor who started it, and bears the official call letters W6LDJ, under which Sam operated while he was living. The petroleum technology students develop kits for geology instructors of elementary age children and host groups of children through their interesting lab and instructional area. The dental assisting students cast models of teeth for the enlightenment of the elementary school children.

Students in the social science division have an opportunity to participate in the activities of the International Relations Club, the Model United Nations, World Affairs Day and student forums. In addition, both the Young Democrats and Young Republicans provide opportunity for practical experience in local, state and national politics.

The OCC High School Invitational Mathematics Meet was the outgrowth of discussion in a sophomore calculus class centering around the need to recognize achievement and to stimulate interest in mathematics among high school seniors. Those students most interested were members of the Engineers Club (there was no Math Club at that time) and members of that club together with the mathematics staff have since sponsored the event that now has the top four mathematics students from each of 24 Orange County high schools participating in this meet for prizes and recognition. Business and industrial firms in the area have been quick to see the value of this activity and contribute generously toward the underwriting of the expenses and prizes for this annual event.

Clubs on the Orange Coast College campus were created to give students opportunities to join others with common interests. The interest might be in a recreation, a vocation, a hobby, sports or in religion. Clubs at Orange Coast College are not closed to anyone. Even a grade point average is not expected (except in the honor societies). No sororities or fraternities are recognized. Respect for others and a sensitivity to the needs and rights of others is the philosophy which has banned closed groups of all kinds. Orange Coast College prides itself on its democracy in thought and action. Cliques and snobbery are at a minimum on the campus. Social life has been wholesome, a place where students have every opportunity to gain and retain self confidence, to sense social acceptance. The clubs have achieved a vitality which has been shown through membership and activity. To provide opportunities for men and women to meet and to work and play together, most of the clubs are co-ed groups.

Another condition which was and is stressed is that a group to function well, can have neither a superimposed structure, nor a completely student controlled plan. With vision and guidance, advisors are instrumental in giving students encouragement, suggestions, and the wisdom of experience. The few rules have been those that have been necessary as a framework within which our students can operate. They learn that certain regulations must exist for the good of all, the protection of minorities, the preservation of respect for rights of others.

Club advisors, assigned by the administration as part of the total work load, have made the club program a strong one. Our good fortune has been to have the majority of advisors eager to help students find answers to social and personal needs through group experiences. The faculty have guided without dominating, aided the students to think for themselves, organizing, carrying through.

Any group of fifteen students may form a club if their purposes are within the function of the college, and acceptable, and if an advisor can be secured. Any group may retain membership which maintains an active program, and has evidence of progress.

Although many clubs have come and gone, they have made their contribution. We have had: the Ancient Auto Club, the Aviation Club, the Black Ensigns, the Camera Club, the Circle K, the Electronics Club, the Fencing Club, Flickers, the Hiking Club, the Hot Rod Club, the Ski Club, The Vets, W.U.S. (World University Service), and the Yacht Club.

Clubs now in existence include: the Art Club, the Engineers Club, Epsilon Delta (Dental Assistants), Future Business Leaders, the Home Economics Club, I.C.C. (InterClub Council), the International Relations Club (Model United Nations was an outgrowth of this), the Lettermen's Club (later became Block "OC"), the Life Science Club, the Math Club, the Vocational Nurses Club (this club has become an alumni group and is still going strong, giving a sizable scholarship each year), Phi Alpha Mu (Social Science I Honorary), Polyglots (foreign language club), Police Science, the Speech Club, W.A.A. (Women's Athletic Association), X-Ray Journal, California Young Farmers, Creative Writing, Student Nurses Association, the Drama Club.

Dr. Peterson believed also that religious groups and those with deep spiritual needs should have opportunity to be active on campus, provided they remained within the law requiring that they make no indoctrination effort. Our religious groups have always been strong, a fine influence for good among the lives of students. Out of these groups have come some of the best student leaders, the most profound discussions. The faculty serving in these groups are dedicated, have a desire to transmit values. The religious groups most active continuously over the years have been: Christian Science, College "Y" (with social and service interests, as well), Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, Lambda Delta Sigma (Later Day Saints), the Newman Club. The Methodist and Presbyterian student groups have at times been active also.

Again, because of Dr. Peterson's philosophy, groups with political interests, recognized by the Government, were allowed to be active, were given opportunities to present issues and to debate in assemblies, with the provision that when one group was given the privilege of appearance, the other was given the same right. The Young Republicans and the Young Democrats have functioned periodically, particularly at election times, when spirit ran high.

The Student Forums, started by members of the social science faculty, and the Faculty Forums, begun in 1959, have created a new enthusiasm for students.

Many clubs expanded their activities beyond that of weekly meetings to include field trips. As examples the Polyglots went to Mexico and Catalina Island; the Engineers to the All American Canal; Alpha Gamma Sigma to the Huntington Memorial Library and the Pasadena Playhouse; the Hiking Club to Mt. Whitney and Mt. Baldy (Yep, Mr. Kimes led them! ) . The A.W.S. went to the Ramona Pageant; Delta (student nurses) to Metropolitan Hospital and Carl Harvey School; Drama Club to Pasadena Playhouse; and numerous clubs have attended regional and state conferences and conventions. Each year the College "Y" participates in the after Christmas winter conference at Asilomar, and the Model U.N. group represents Orange Coast College at the western College Model U.N. Meeting. Most clubs give annual service to the college or to the community.

InterClub Council has been the coordinating group of all clubs. Composed of all presidents, it holds monthly dinner meetings to report on the progress and plans of individual groups, to coordinate all activities, to pass on requests for new clubs. InterClub also aids individual clubs with their problems. A Handbook for all presidents contains, besides the philosophy of the college and regulations of the Board of Trustees, helpful sheets on duties of officers, suggestions for conducting meetings, parliamentary procedure, resolving conflict, getting news to the Barnacle, instructions on business procedures, Charity Week, service hour reports and flag raising. Through the InterClub Council and the Social Events Committee, the Annual Christmas Dance and the Annual Carnival have become traditional climaxes of campus-wide club ventures.

The Freshmen and Sophomore classes have had one or two social events each year. Tradition finally had the Freshmen presenting a Graduation Prom each spring, the Sophomores having a Sophomore luncheon.

The Alumni Association, although not a part of the student program, under the advisorship of a staff member maintains alumni interest in get-togethers at Alumni Homecoming, in a Spring Dinner and in promotion of a scholarship each year.

There is not enough space to tell all the services rendered by the many groups on campus to such institutions as Fairview Hospital, the Paularino School, the YMCA and YWCA groups in the area, the hospitals, nor to tell more about Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance to community families, radio repairs (by electronics students) for Orange County Hospital. Wonderful stories could be told of how the college community has responded to emergency needs of students or people in the community.

And this community-student service has been a two-way street. Citizens and business and industry of our district have been generous in their support of the individual student and the student program where need exists. The scholarship program is discussed in another chapter. Along with scholarships some organizations arid individuals have seen fit to establish loan funds for the use of students who need financial assistance to meet their obligations in procuring an education.

The first loan fund set up was the Hubbard C. Howe Memorial Fund, arranged by the Rotary Club of Newport Harbor, in memory of Mr. Howe, the first president of the College Board of Trustees, and long time member of Rotary. The Newport Harbor Assistance League set up a fund, as did the Westminster-Midway City Rotary, the Newport Balboa Rotary Club (Activity Loan Fund), O. W. Richard of Richard's Lido Market (Young Farmers Loan Fund), Vocational Nurses Alumni Association, Gause Covington Loan Fund and the Elsie Chambers Memorial Fund. The National Defense Student Loan Fund is now available under the National Defense Education Act.

As the years went on it became more and more apparent that we were not doing enough to recognize those students who had given most in service and leadership. True, Dr. Peterson sent letters to the families of those who had given, but something more seemed needed. The answer was Honors Night.

Honors Night, started in the spring of 1958, was established to honor those who gave service and/or leadership (with at least a 2.0 average, 12 units minimum). Parents are invited to this lovely dinner as are representatives from the organizations giving scholarships. Each year parchments, keys, plaques and scholarships are given in impressive candlelight ceremony. Division awards, by agriculture, natural science and mathematics, homemaking, drama, art, business, publications, industrial arts, are given. Those students who made scholastic averages of B plus and better are recognized. In 19()3 we honored 201 students and presented scholarships to 72 students. Among those who received the highest honor, the plaques, recognizing service and leadership, are the following:

1958	Dave Dawson, Dave Grant, Phillip Grigllon, Eugene Kregg, Jerry Sellers, Marshall Sullivan, William Vincent.
1959	Barbara Baker, David Buss, William Holdeln, Paul Jobin, Rosanne Rhodes, Jenean Romberg.
1960	Valerie Bernauer, Ronald Getty, Arlene Green, Janice Haynes, Lorraine Kemp, Roger Lake, Arthur Winters.
1961	Richard Buss, Judy Henry, Don Hicks, Tim Merwin, Johannah Oquist, Virginia Weir.
1962	Tom Bernauer, Ted Fogliani, Christine Heidbrink, Donald Scott Hewes, Judith Sewell, Lawrence Test.
1963	Sandra Anderson, Marshall Fant, Karen Foss, Kathleen Hood, Sue Porter, Abby Oquist, Mary Radditz, Tom Williamson.

With the strong backing of administration and the never ending encouragement of Dr. Peterson, the activities program has aided students in developing attitudes and skills, inner resources and appreciations, self realization, self confidence, self discipline and self direction. They have learned cooperation, a willingness to hear the other side, a respect for the dignity and worth of others, achieving satisfying human relationships. They have found new values, new aesthetic appreciations, developed spiritual growth, gained new cultural backgrounds. Many have developed qualities of good leadership which have carried over into responsible adult life in the community.

We thank you Dr. Peterson, for the privilege of having worked for you and with you–for the inspiration and backing which you gave our program. Without this an activity program, frowned upon by the pure academics who see no value in it, would probably have been a lost cause and students would have been the poorer for lack of it.

We hope that the human warmth you encouraged may be carried on from year to year, caught as a torch from one generation to the other. That warmth is the heart of our college. It is what has made our students say, "At Coast we were people, not numbers. Faculty members took an interest in us, were concerned about us, counseled us, conferred with us, and joined us in our activities."

To you, Dr. Peterson, with door always open and with time for students and faculty, we say, "Thank you. We will carry on, knowing you will always care that the climate stays warmly human."

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