College Honors Its Founding President
The man once known in the nation’s academic circles as Mr. Junior College will be honored with a memorial scholarship.
Orange Coast College faculty plan to fund an award in honor of founding president Basil H. Peterson, who served from 1947 to 1964. Known for his pro-community college stance, he died in 1982.
The college is in the midst of celebrating its 50th anniversary and the campus community wanted to honor the first president. The goal is to fund a $50,000 endowment for the Peterson scholarship, said Jeffrey M. Dimsdale, dean of student services.
Dimsdale said he hopes to award three $1,000 scholarships--created by account interest--every year.
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