GCC teachers witness changing times, trends
By Justin ShepardOnline Editor, The VOICE
Among the crowds of students and faculty at Glendale Community College (GCC) stands a select few. They're a small number of GCC's pioneers, who have witnessed the school evolve from a small community to one of Arizona's most recognized educational institutions over 40 years later.
In 1965, GCC began as two temporary centers called the Maryland branch and the Camelback branch.
On Sept. 16, 1966, GCC's main campus opened up, soon becoming a prominent feature in the City of Glendale. Philip Smelser was an instructor at Central High School.
At the time, the young and developing Maricopa County Community College District was recruiting teachers out of the high schools. Smelser was one of the teachers who would leave the high school to instruct courses at GCC. He would begin his journey at GCC by teaching at the Maryland branch.
Currently, he teaches world religions at the main campus.
Discussing some of the biggest differences between the school today compared to the school in its early age, Smelser points out, "They offer programs for all different kinds of people now, and they didn't use to. Now, they have fire science, police science, auto shop, and all kinds of things for people to learn skills that might get them through the world."
He also recognizes the increase in minorities at GCC, which he thinks is great.
"I think the events that have taken place over the years with Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez and their attempts to include minority groups into the process, have given them hope that if they finish school, they'll get a better job, just like everyone else does. I don't think before that time, they felt it would do them any good and they thought it may be a waste of time to spend all that time and effort on something that wouldn't get them into the community. Now, they're getting into the community."
Dr. Charles Vawter is another one of the few remaining original faculty members. He began at the Camelback branch. Over the years he has taught business and accounting courses. Vawter has witnessed GCC expand as there are more programs, administration, faculty, students, and maintenance staff walking the campus now days.
He enjoys the students at GCC and credits them for teaching him many things.
"While I'm their trying to teach them things, they're their teaching me things. I think as a result, I have become a better teacher because of the things I learned from young people."
Dr. Vawter not only enjoys the faculty and students at GCC, but also the atmosphere on campus and the feeling it brings. "I think you can see that when you walk around this campus and people speak to you. Now go down the streets of Glendale or Phoenix and nobody is going to say anything to you. Here, people will, because they're growing and they are learning something. They are happy and want to express it by saying to another human being 'good morning'."
Dr. Vawter says it best when he stated, "When you retire you're going to do what you want to do and I'm doing what I want to do. So, maybe I'm retired. And I'm getting paid for it."
A handful of part-time original faculty members still exist as well.
Please send comments to jshepard@gccvoice.com
