Meet Bill Teske, Proud Gaucho Alumni

Thursday, January 23, 2025
GCC 60th Anniversary Logo

Among the many accomplishments, numerous adventures and extensive travels, Bill Teske counts his time at GCC as perhaps the most pivotal experiences in his life. One of the things that makes Bill’s time at GCC most notable is the fact that he was taking classes at the school even before there was a campus. Adding to that is the fact that he was in the second graduating class and the first one to hold their commencement ceremonies on the brand-new campus. 

For those who are not aware, in the first several years of GCC’s existence, classes were held at several annex locations while construction was underway at 6000 W. Olive. Bill remembers the miles and miles of farmland between I-17 and campus. “GCC was really out in the middle of nowhere back then, and there was so much parking available,” Bill stated when asked about the early days of GCC. He added, “When you signed up for junior college, you were told which school you would attend based on your address. So even though I lived close to old town Scottsdale, they assigned me to go to GCC.”  

Bill admits that his path to a college education had some interesting twists and turns after graduating from high school. “I was rejected by Valley National Bank due to poor test scores, and then I received notice from my local draft board. When I showed up for my pre-induction physical, I was told about college deferments.”  He tried unsuccessfully to get into ASU and then turned to the Maricopa County Junior College system. “They let me in but told me that I was on my own, that there wouldn’t be any special classes or help. But oddly enough, I thrived because of the small class sizes and personal attention, I was getting A’s and B’s. I had to work for my grades, the professors were demanding but were willing to help if you put in the effort.”

Bill’s hard work paid off! He received his associate’s degree after a couple of years, which led the way to ASU and later on to Ottawa University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. 

He credits GCC with his academic success and love of lifelong learning. “GCC fed my curiosity and allowed me to explore my options. Tuition was only $22 per semester, including activity fees. While at GCC, I learned to accept people for who they were.”

When recounting his days at GCC Bill made the following observations; all the male professors wore coats and ties, whereas the women wore dresses, the instructors were rigid and somewhat adversarial, trying to get the most out of us kids.”

Bill has remained a loyal Gaucho and has been very active in alumni projects and events. He states proudly that he would not have had the successful life he led if it hadn’t been for GCC. Thank you, Bill, for being a proud Gaucho.