Bedard Returns to Interim Presidency

Donald J. Bedard, who served as acting president of Cypress College 20 years ago, has returned to that job temporarily while officials search for a successor to Christine Johnson.

Bedard, 71, retired 10 years ago but remained active in campus affairs through the Cypress College Foundation. He was one of the first administrators at Cypress College, where he spent 22 years. In the 1977-78 academic year, he was acting president.

Bill Parmenter, recently retired dean of counseling and student development who joined Cypress College while Bedard was dean of students, praised his dedication to the campus.

“He practically lived there,” Parmenter said. “I’m really pleased that he was willing to take on” the interim job.

His role, Bedard said, will be to ensure a smooth transition to a permanent president. He also will try to expand the classes available to working students.

“Ninety percent of our students are working, and their jobs don’t give them flexibility,” Bedard said. “I strongly believe in more evening and weekend classes, and more afternoon classes, to use the campus more efficiently.”

Johnson, 52, resigned last month to be with her new husband in Maryland and pursue her writing career. Hired in 1995, she was the college’s first African American and first female president.