Sadness and Pleasure

One of the great builders in Orange County's and the status history will move to the sidelines this coming Friday.

There will be sighs of sadness on the occasion of Dr. Basil H. Peterson's retirement from the presidency of Orange Coast College. But there will be pleasure, too–at the knowledge of what he has wrought for the education of our youth, and in the fact that he will now be able to husband his health.

A physical handicap struck this one-time University of California basketball star in the prime of life. He had learned great self discipline, however. This helped make him an outstanding scholar and a fine athlete. And so he never allowed his physical ordeal to interfere in any way with the achievement of his goal–to make OCC a model of what a junior college can and should be.

Perhaps Dr. Peterson best defined the challenge and the task when he addressed the California Junior College Association in October, 1962 on the importance of higher education. He said:

Fortunately for OCC, and the junior college development in general, the man known so affectionately as "Mr. Junior College" will not be giving up his "religion." He will be available for advice and counsel based on his experience in building OCC from nothing to its present eminence over a span of 16 years.

At the same time, the "heat" will be off. He will be heeding medical advice that his health will improve only if he is relieved of the pressures and tensions of a chief college administrator.

We join the OCC faculty, his contemporary educators nationally, Orange Coast residents and the thousands of alumni in thanking him for a true work of art and a landmark in the educational world.

"Mr. Junior College" to Retire in January

Sixteen years ago last August, a tall serious man labored at a borrowed desk in a small office at Harbor High School.

Out at the Santa Ana Army Air Base stood rows of empty barracks needing paint. Santa Ana College District was protesting their proximity.

The state refused owners' right of entry because the barracks were substandard to the earthquake code.

These were the unlikely beginnings of Orange Coast College.

But its president and district superintendent, Dr. Basil Peterson, labored on at his borrowed desk with perseverance and ingenuity and by September of the following year, the college opened its doors to 515 students.

In another year, a building plan was accepted by the public and approved by the state.

This year (1963-64) the college served 13,250 students in its day and night classes. The land, 245 acres purchased for $800, is worth $9 million.

OCC's broad instructional program draws almost half of its students from outside the district. Outside tuitions pay the way for more building and have kept the district out of debt.

Remarkable in a junior college is the number of students who come not only from other districts, but other counties, states and foreign countries.

Dr. Peterson, who has served so well as administrator, might have been a physicist had he taken another fork in the road.

He was born in Huntsville, Utah. His father, also an educator, accepted a professorship at the University of California at Berkeley when Basil was 14.

Basil graduated from UC with honors, a Phi Beta Kappa key and degrees in physics and mathematics. He remained at UC a year assisting the late E. L. Lawrence, builder of the cyclotron.

Then he chose the other fork in the road that led to marriage, a family and a teaching-coaching job at Bakersfield High School and Junior College. For $2,200 a year he taught math and physics and coached football and basketball.

He moved onward and upward to UC's Davis campus, earning his master's and doctorate along the way, and was director of Glendale College when the OC district called him.
During the war he went back to the UC lab with Dr. Lawrence and worked on procurements for atom bomb research.

The UC campus, when it locates here, will admit students in the top 12 per cent brackets (scholastically). Orange Coast College closes its door to no one.

Dr. Peterson sees both as rightful functions. "UC can supply the design engineers, we'll supply the technicians," he says. "To half our students we give practical education. To the other half preparation for upper division and graduate study. This is how we can best serve society."

Dr. Pete Honored As 'Man of Year'

Dr. Basil H. Peterson became Newport Harbor Chamber of Corm merce "1963 Man of the Year" Wednesday night, adding yet another community tribute for the retiring president of Orange Coast College.

Peterson drew a standing ovation when the well-kept secret selection was announced before nearly 300 civic leaders and guests during the Chamber's annual installation dinner at the Balboa Bay Club.
The chamber honor caps a long series of accolades for the man who has served as chief administrator for the coastal junior college district for the past 16/2 years.

He started a campus on Feb. 1, 1948 with 243 acres of a deserted army air base with 68 old military buildings for classrooms. Today, Peterson is credited with developing that site into one of the finest junior college plants in the world.

With typical Peterson aplomb, the OCC president strode to the speakers stand and quipped, "This process of getting retired has really become quite a procedure."

He added modestly, "I really doubt I am worthy of this honor but I am very glad to receive it."

"To build a new school, you must have a favorable climate. We shall be forever grateful for the opportunity you have given us with your help and understanding."

In introducing Dr. Peterson as winner of the "Man of the Year" award, Chamber past president and director O. W. "Dick" Richard acknowledged, "God, in his infinite wisdom, has always provided the right kind of leadership, in the right community, at the right time."

Keeping Christmas

Very soon, we shall once again celebrate Christmas. People everywhere, even those who do not recognize the beautiful religious significance of the occasion, will unite joyously in giving gifts and in extending good will to all mankind.

The extravagance and mirth of the entire holiday season is usually tempered by a wholesome current of "brotherly love." If this spirit of Christmas were generally manifested throughout the year in all lands, mankind would be transformed. There would be no wars nor internal strife. The world would be at peace, and men would respect, rather than condemn, one another.

As this Christmas approaches, we look back on a period of uncertainty regarding the ability of the nations of the world to maintain peace. For this reason, our observance of the season commemorating "On earth peace, good will toward men," should have a deeper and more realistic meaning.

The greatest challenge and responsibility of mankind today is that of directing affairs so as to preserve peace. Henry Van Dyke once said, "It is a good thing to observe Christmas Day, but there is a better thing, and this is keeping Christmas." If Christmas could be projected throughout the year so that the true spirit of the occasion would guide the thoughts and actions of men, peace would be lasting. This should be our objective this Yuletide.

Building

The worth of a building is usually measured by its appearance, by whether or not it provides facilities that are needed, and by how well it is constructed. A building which is in need of repairs, which fails to care for the needs of the people that use it, and which is built out of poor materials or on a flimsy foundation is of little value.

Acquiring a thorough education is similar to building a good house. All of the experiences of living contribute to the building of a man or a woman. Your worth as an individual is measured by your appearance, your ability to live effectively, and your soundness of character. That person is truly educated who is well-groomed and neat in appearance; who possesses the habits, the skill and the knowledge to make a satisfactory livelihood; and who in the final analysis has the basic qualities of character–the ideals and appreciations which are essential to effective living in a community, a state, a nation and a world.

As we face a new semester, let us renew our efforts to secure the best– to make the most of our educational opportunities both in and outside the classroom. Let us build firm, durable and sturdy structures.

Perseverance

One of the alarming and disappointing happenings in collegiate institutions is the failure of some students to complete their education. After spending considerable time and money, some students suddenly decide they are tired of attending classes and they quit.

Orange Coast College is not immune to the disease of quitting. Reports have been received that several students are dropping from college. The reasons given include: need of money, an opportunity to get a good job, tired of study, failing in classes, and just afflicted with spring fever. Whatever the reason, in most instances the decision to quit is a mistake.

If college is worth starting, it is worth finishing. The full value of collegiate training can only be realized if it is completed. The college trained man or woman has an asset which can never be taken away It is a preparation for living and for making a living.

In the final analysis, men are measured by their accomplishments. Those who learn to persevere, who finish a job once started have accomplished something of significance. Any student contemplating quitting college would do well to give very careful consideration to the matter and to seek the advice of his teachers, counselor and dean.

Signs of Maturity

The process of getting an education is in reality a process of acquiring maturity. As a matter of fact, students may in a sense measure the effectiveness and progress of their education in terms of the degree to which they are maturing.

What are some of the signs of maturity? The student who has accomplished or is accomplishing the following achievements shows signs of maturity:

Has decided on a life's work.

Has carefully planned his college experiences so as to qualify himself for doing life's work.

Accepts the responsibilities of a student, such as–goes to classes regularly, budgets time carefully, takes maximum advantage of opportunities, studies consistently.

Exhibits conduct of which he, his family and Coast College can be proud.

Tries to understand his fellow men and their weaknesses, rather than to condemn them.

Demonstrates concern and willingness to work for the good of all.

Exhibits an appreciation for and demonstrates a willingness to work.

You and Others

Have you ever considered the number of times that your happiness and your place in the world have involved the estimate that others place upon you? You are liked or disliked, employed or passed by, raised in salary or not promoted, sought in marriage or not, and selected as a business partner or not in terms of the appraisal of others.

People appraise your worth in terms of what you are. You are measured by your inherent gifts, the degree to which you have cultivated these gifts, and the extent to which you have cultivated your strong points and minimized your weaknesses. You live not in an isolated family or neighborhood circle, but in a world of people. Your happiness depends upon the cultivation and development of those habits and qualities that help you to get on with others.

Why Education

Some students attend college in order to secure the training required to get a "good job" and to earn a satisfactory livelihood. Others come to college to learn to "live fully and intelligently."

Important as these objectives are, there is a purpose of education which is far more significant. The aim of youth should be to acquire an education which will enable them to give service to the world. Such a goal is worth working for–it is the only guidepost which will lead to true and permanent progress.

What is happening in the world today is difficult to change immediately. However, what happens ten or twenty years from now we can direct. The people of today are determining the destinies of tomorrow. There is no greater power in the world today than education.

A Great Man

On one occasion a professor made a visit to a good friend of his in the country. On Sunday the professor accompanied his friend to church.

The professor was known throughout the land for his beautiful voice, clear diction and the impressive manner in which he could read poetry. So, after the sermon had been delivered by the good pastor who had watched over his parish for many years, the friend asked if his guest, the professor, could read the Twenty-Third Psalm for the congregation.

The audience was visibly moved by the masterful presentation made by the professor. When finished, an elderly member of the congregation rose and asked the pastor if he would repeat the same Psalm. The good clergyman reluctantly, and with great modesty, in his homely and unaffected way repeated the Psalm, and at the end there was not a dry eye in the audience.

Upon the way home, the professor and his friend observed in unison that although the congregation was moved by the professor, it was the pastor who had brought tears to the eyes of all. The professor then with discerning penetration and with great humility said, "I know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd."

The professor and the pastor were both men of learning–one a scholar of the highest order, the other could be described best as one who loved his fellow men. A truly great man is one who strives in life and living to combine both of these qualities.

Plan Ahead

The best way to make the most of life is to take a long look ahead. This is particularly challenging to students as the end of another school year approaches. There is need for planning. Each one must determine the place which more schooling, military service, working at a job, and marriage will have in the future pattern of living.

The immediate situation may seem confused and unpromising. That means all the more opportunity for intelligent planning; for establishing foundations based on worth and value; for patient building; and for courageous pioneering.

Be not afraid to act, for your future will be largely what you make it. Begin where you are and build your design for living.

Let no one tell you that life is too uncertain to plan. Many great accomplishments and victories of the human race have been won inspite of the cry that they could not be done. You can plan and lose and plan again, each time rising higher and approaching more closely your goals of life.

Broadened Horizons

Too often we fail to see the forest because of the trees. We become so engrossed in the routine tasks of everyday life we fail to keep an eye on the horizon. We fail to think in terms of the major goals in life.

Quite often students get completely engrossed in algebra, or chemistry, or history, or electronics, or machine shop, or athletics, or social events or some other college activity. They become buried to the extent that time and attention is centered upon learning facts, and acquiring skills primarily in one narrow field of life. Little thought or attention is given to the values which may be realized by looking for new and broader horizons.

Students have different goals in life–different horizons to walk toward. This is as it should be. However, there are certain basic guideposts to follow in traveling the paths of education which, if followed, will lead to a broader outlook on life and will better prepare for complete and effective living. May I suggest a few guideposts?

1. Gaining competence to earn a satisfactory living.

2. Getting ready to be married, to raise a family and to shoulder the responsibilities of being a parent.

3. Learning responsibilities required of a successful member of a working group.

4. Acquiring the knowledge, habits and attitudes necessary for good citizenship.

5. Learning to put the common good above selfish interests.

6. Gaining competence in use of the basic tools of living–reading, writing, speaking, and fundamental mathematics.

The extent to which each student follows these guideposts will to a degree constitute a measure of the value of his college education.

Freedom To Think

Some 350 years prior to the birth of Christ an eminent philosopher named Aristotle lived in Athens. He was one of the great thinkers of history. Through abstract thinking he propounded theoretical explanations of many of the scientific phenomena of nature. His philosophy was based on theoretical reasoning rather than on experimental evidence. As a result one of the great errors which he taught was that the speed with which objects fall to earth under the pull of gravity increases proportionately to the weight of the body. Aristotle's influence was so great that mankind accepted this false conclusion for centuries.

At the beginning of the seventeenth century, Galileo, the Italian scientist, through independent thought and experiment, challenged some of the theories of Aristotle. Even when he demonstrated from the leaning tower of Piza that a small stone and a large stone fell with the same speed, men would not believe him because he contradicted the great Aristotle. Twice governmental authorities under the threat of death made him renounce his views. Sir Isaac Newton followed in the footsteps of Galileo and finally convinced the world of Aristotle's error.
Through the history of civilization we find that the great advances of men are due to the independent thinking of individuals. The right of men to think, to speak, to investigate and to challenge are essential to progress and are fundamental to our democratic way of life.

Freedom to think, however, does not give one the right to violate laws or to destroy the government which safeguards our independence. For one to be a loyal American and to acknowledge his allegiance in no way prohibits freedom in thinking.

Honors and Awards

In our colleges today a great many honors and awards are presented to students. Athletes receive monograms and jackets, student body officers get pins, scholars earn membership in an honor society, certificates of merit are numerous, diplomas are granted at graduation, scholarships are awarded to the deserving and much publicity is printed regarding all such honors.

Those who are the recipients of awards realize much satisfaction and are the cause for pride in parents and relatives. Perhaps some who are not honored doubt that those who are the recipients actually merit such distinction.

Although honors are symbols of achievement and in most instances are well earned, in an absolute sense there is no hallmark of character and no unquestioned label of sterling. The real measure of a man is demonstrated by his good works during a lifetime. Most honors and awards are flattering and helpful at the time. However, no one should rest on passing laurels but should strive to continuously medit the praise, gratitude and confidence of his fellow men.

American Ideals

What are the ideals of America? What are the ideals which we as a people cherish and which made America a great place to live?

They are the development of the individual for his own and the common good, the development of the individual through liberty, and the attain ment of the common good through democracy and justice.

In America we consider each individual man to be of worth. We believe that it is important for each one of us to have the opportunity  to make the most of our innate capacities–to develop and to magnify our strengths. This means that education is within the grasp of each  of us, by which we may benefit personally and be qualified to con tribute more constructively to the good and the welfare of others.

We are dedicated to the development of man through liberty. Each of us is a free man. We may choose and decide what we will do, and what we would be. It is the liberty which is basic to the American way of life and the free enterprise system. 

Democracy and justice are indispensable in the American way of life. In America we seek the progress of all through all. In our country each individual is guaranteed the opportunity to live within a frame work of "due process of law." 

Our American ideals and myths are of little consequence unless we earnestly strive to achieve them and to preserve them. As Americans we cherish life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, democracy, justice, and the freedom and dignity of the individual. However, the strength of our democracy will depend upon the strengths and weaknesses of the individuals which comprise it. 

Leading and Following 

In our civilization we participate either as leaders or as followers. In order to effectively play either role we need experience and education. 

Most of us spend the major portion of our time as followers. We are following some leader, some habit, some ideal, some practice or idea. The extent to which we scrutinize, examine and evaluate our followership activities is a measure of the adequacy of our education.  

The need for leaders and sound leadership has always existed. No democracy can long endure without someone to guide the destiny of the masses. Without leaders, industry would stagnate, law would be meaningless, the church would become commonplace and government could not exist. Leadership or chaos are the alternatives. Leadership does not develop automatically. It must be awakened anew with each generation if the human race is to progress. Education plays an im portant part in cultivating leaders. 

Each student in pursuing an education should build a framework of guideposts for living. A framework so solid and fundamental that followership and leadership activities will be constructive and in harmony with the best standards of our civilization. Each student needs to cultivate the fine art of knowing who and what to follow, and when and how to exhibit dynamic leadership.

A Disciplined Mind

The mind like the body, grows in accordance with the food received. Rich experiences build a solid foundation for mental growth. Although we should never close the doors to new experiences, we need to select what comes into our minds with discrimination.

Books, companions, radio, movies and TV play an important part in building our minds. Books bring mental food; companions help shape our destiny; radio and TV open the door to the mind to explore the universe; movies help to create the heroes of the mind.

There is much food for thought in today's world. It is a challenge and a responsibility to select the food carefully. As the new year progresses we need to exhibit careful discrimination in choosing our companions, books, movies, TV programs and radio programs. Through careful planning and wise use of time, much that is worthy may be accomplished and a well balanced mind may be developed.

A good baseball player learns to keep his eye on the ball. He develops a power of concentration. The mind is similar. Difficult problems become simple when one keeps his mind upon them, continually analyzing the difficulty until a solution appears. Each time you assert mastery over your mind, it becomes easier to control. A disciplined mind is one of the most precious things one can acquire.

In pursuing an education we should seek to develop the power of selfcontrol. Each of us has a moral obligation to exhibit intelligent behavior. Through exercise the mind grows strong. Through selfdiscipline we become a force for good, for beauty and for love of our fellow men.

Industry

"You were made to be industrious," so said Horace Mann in his letter to young Americans written on July 27, 1846. 

Horace Mann should be placed high on the list of great Americans. He was the champion of free public education. It was largely due to his efforts that free public education was established and today is part of the heritage of our youth. 

Mr. Mann in his letter said, "You should work. All your bones and muscles were made for work, just as much as the wheels of a clock or a watch were made to go round; and if you do not work in some way, you are as worthless as a clock made not to go." 

These words are quoted because they have significance for young people pursuing an education. Each student will profit from his college experiences in terms of the effort he puts forth. With hard work and careful application your college education will pay dividends in quali fying you to live and to earn a living. 

One of the criticisms employers in business and industry today make of employees is that too many-are chiefly concerned with how much they can earn with a minimum of work. Such criticism is an indictment on the standards and values of people. 
We need to re-examine our attitudes in terms of what is important. In the Good Book it says, "Give and ye shall receive." It also says, "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." It is a fundamental truth that one can't get something for nothing. Real achievement and growth come from hard work and not from loafing. As Horace Mann said, "You were made to be industrious."

Brotherhood 

In the fourth chapter of Genesis of the Good Book, the story is told of two brothers. One was grateful for his blessings and generous in his acknowledgements. The other was ungrateful and stingy. The latter permitted jealousy to gain control of him and he slew his brother. When questioned as to the whereabouts of his slain brother he replied, "I know not; am I my brother's keeper?" 

The world is still asking this same question–Am I my brother's keeper? Although some may disagree, it seems that our answer must  be in the affirmative. We must be concerned regarding the welfare of  our fellow-men. 

Our world has shrunk to such an extent because of rapid means of communication and travel, that what happens to men in one part of the world has an effect upon those living on the other side of the ! globe. We can no longer be unconcerned with the misfortunes of fellow men anywhere. 

Acceptance of the idea of Brotherhood does not mean we should shoulder the responsibilities of others. Neither does it mean we should provide them a livelihood without effort and initiative on their part. Brotherhood means giving to others the rights and respect we want for ourselves. 

During Brotherhood Week each of us has the occasion to rededicate ourselves to the basic ideals of respect for individuals and for peoples.

Inheritance

Once upon a time a father of three sons died. A]l his life he had worked hard, fortune had smiled upon him, and as a result his worldly possessions were many. Not only did he work for himself but he helped others and did much to make his community better. Upon his death each son became heir to vast wealth.

The oldest son was an easy going person, lacking the energy and foresight of his father. He accepted his portion of the inheritance and began to spend it as his fancy dictated. In the end his wealth dwindled and he had nothing.

The second son had a deep reverence for his father. He felt that his father was much wiser than he was and so he continued to do everything in exactly the same manner as had his father. He was unwilling to make any changes to meet the changed world in which he lived. As a result he, too, like his carefree brother, lost his inheritance.

The youngest son was different from his brothers. He studied his inheritance and the world in which he lived. He prepared himself to use that which he had inherited in the most constructive fashion. He worked hard and made the most of every opportunity. As a result his inheritance multiplied many fold.

The great challenge of life is to obtain the kind of an education which prepares one to make the most of what he is and what he has The manner in which one spends his inheritance will measure his success.