VC bids adieu to 13 faculty and staff

Retiring doesn’t necessarily mean leaving VC completely, however

By Valeria Martinez and Celeste Berrington

VCNC reporters

Thirteen faculty and staff members are finishing up their last semester as full-time employees at Ventura College.

Retirees include Eleanor Austin, Karen de la Pena, Erlinda Ispahani, Jeri Lupton, Janet Leifur, Angie Marquez, Bob Renger, Harmony Rodriguez, John Palafox, Patricia Rush, Carol B. Smith, Sharon Stout and Mary Louise Verbeck.

Retirees were honored Wednesday, April 30, at a Retirement Luncheon, where awards were also given for five to 35 years of service.

Among the retirees is Bob Renger, who is stepping down as the dean of Math and Science to remain at Ventura College as a part-time professor. He explained that the Ventura County Community College District has changed its policies, no longer allowing administrators to teach.

“I chose to be able to teach part-time as more important than being a full-time administrator,” Renger said, adding that the choice was easy.

“I feel passion about teaching and my students. … How many places can you work with people to help them learn something that you find fascinating? That intrigued you when you were a student and actually get paid for it? It doesn’t get much better than that.”