College’s Founders Reunited at Event

The times they have a-changed.

But on Friday they rolled the clock back at Moorpark College when 37 of the 47 college founders came together and reminisced at a reunion recalling the year--1967--when the school opened with 1,250 students.

The event, organized by the college’s first president, 82-year-old John J. Collins, was a time to share stories and talk about old times, said Al Nordquist, one of two founding administrators who is still with the college.

“It was enjoyable and nostalgic, but it also had some benefit in renewing our vision of the college,” he said. “I think of passing the baton some time and it helps us refocus on how and why we started the college.”

Jeanne Bailey, a spokeswoman for the college, said the reunion was sad at times and there were wet eyes when founders spoke. “There was a recognition that they might never meet again,” she said.

Many of the founders are now in their 80s, she said.

The day started at 9:30 a.m. with a reception and the presentation of a commemorative brass plaque. The group then toured the campus and had lunch before digging through archives and old newspaper articles in the afternoon.

Participants came from all over the western United States, Bailey said.