Dozens of people came out to honor and say farewell to City College President Terry Burgess, who will be retiring at the end of June.
The party was held in the Corporate Education Center, located in the new MS building, on April 29.
“People all over campus should be given the chance to come and say thank you, and goodbye,” Constance Carroll, chancellor of the San Diego Community College District, said.
The event began with personal speeches by several of Burgess’ closest colleagues. Board President Rich Grosch spoke first, saying, “Though you are leaving, you won’t be forgotten. And we hope you won’t forget us.”
Carroll, who has worked with Burgess for more than 30 years, spoke next. “What has impressed me most is your intense, and I mean intense, love for this college,” Carroll said. “It’s going to be hard to see you leave, but I will hunt you down. I cannot imagine work without my closest colleague.”
Concluding the speeches, academic senate president Pete Haro stated, “I hate using the work retirement because I can’t see Terry sitting around painting or fishing. I see him applying his skills and knowledge everywhere he goes.”
The Radio and Television department then presented a video chronicling Burgess’ time at City and containing farewell messages from members of the City College community.
Burgess then spoke, saying, “There is no place better than City College. I’ve felt welcome since the day I arrived. I can say I’ve had a great day at City every day I’ve been here.”
Even though Burgess will be retiring, he won’t be leaving the school entirely. “I will be active in the Centennial, which is coming up within the next year. I’m also going to be active with City College Foundation. I will be around.”
Nursing professor Kris Hale, who was in attendance, said she could never miss a ceremony honoring Burgess. “When Terry hired me, he was so personable and he made the college appear to be the same way. It’s going to be hard to replace him. He’s been so fabulous.”