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gilaEastern Arizonagram College EAC Helping Hungry Students (See story on page 3) Also inside: 2 New Food Services ProgramProgram 4 Alumnus James TolkanTolkan 5 Donors 6-9 Alumnotes 10 Scholarships 11 WeddingWedding Bells and In Memoriam Fall 2020 13 gila gram Eastern Arizona College • Alumni Association Newsletter • Volume 38 Number 1 • Fall 2020 gila hank’s cafe FOOD PANTRY & scholarships U S D I N All-New Dining Experience at P I N M G A gila hank’s cafe C tudents and staff are enjoying a brand new food services program! EAC’s classic cafeteria area, Slocated in the Gherald L. Hoopes Jr. Activities Center, reopened its doors as Gila Hank’s Cafe this fall. The eatery features a traditional cafeteria-style food line, as well as a new cafe counter serving everything from sandwiches and salads to flatbreads and burgers. Gila Hank’s cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for students, faculty, staff, and the general public. K’S CAFE EAC’s new food services program is led by director John Nichols. GILA HAN what do you look forward to most? Hearing Vice President Welker talk about the future of Eastern with John Nichols Arizona College was invigorating. His passion and commitment & for improving the student food service experience was Q A contagious and very exciting. I walked away hoping that I where are you from? would have a chance to make his vision become a reality. It is I am originally from Nebraska, but have called Arizona home for an honor for my team and I to have the opportunity to build the the last 28 years. Arizona fits my lifestyle, as I enjoy running, first Eastern Arizona College Food Services Department. cycling, and just being outdoors. My amazing wife, Mary, was born and raised in Arizona. Many hardworking EAC employees helped rebuild the new Gila Hank’s Café. It was their hard work, time, and dedication that how have your experiences helped you helped make this exciting transformation possible. Their work lead eac’s new food services program? has not gone unnoticed or underappreciated. It is incredible I worked at Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center for the last 20 to see what can happen in a short period of time when we all years. My management and leadership skills were developed work together. in the restaurant industries, having worked with many amazing chefs, leaders, and management philosophies. My experience ranges from country clubs and spas to restaurant chains like Ruby Tuesday’s, Red Robin, and Tony Roma’s. Out of come on in these experiences, I found my passion for the education and we’re open to the public as well! development of people, while focusing on giving people the food and service experiences they deserve. -John EAC Food Services: (Front row, from left to right) - Megan Burge, Tamara Lueck, Christina Bejarano, Tara Lueck; (Back row, from left to right) - Gary Sorensen, Jordan Baleanu, John Nichols. Fall 2020 2 www.eac.edu/alumni FOOD PANTRY & scholarships THE MONSTER EXCHANGE food pantry AC has expanded its on-campus A NATIONAL NEED food pantry designed for helping EAC administrators decided to upgrade Ehungry students. Located on EAC’s the previous, smaller food pantry after middle campus in the former Student noticing a national trend of students Learning Center (which is now housed needing additional nourishment. in the library), the Monster Exchange is currently open multiple days per week About 45 percent of 86,000 college and offers students food, clothing, and students nationwide said they experience toiletry items. food insecurity, according to a 2019 survey by the Hope Center for College COMMUNITY SUPPORT Community and Justice at Temple The Monster Exchange opened its doors University in Philadelphia. Data from the in September and is already assisting National Postsecondary Student Aid Study more than twenty students per day. EAC found that 39 percent of undergraduates partnered with Basha’s and Safeway fell at or below 130 percent of the federal to keep the pantry stocked with baked poverty line in 2016. goods and produce. Thanks to Valley Furniture, the Monster Exchange has two “This is an important program considering refrigerators and a freezer, and gladly Graham County’s poverty rate among accepts cold items. young adults and the number of students “EAC is grateful for the attending EAC with financial need-based assistance,” said Wren. community’s support in Raban Lindsey, from St. Johns, is a our effort to change lives, freshman focusing on general studies “EAC truly believes that both in and out of the courses to transfer to a univeristy. focusing on the needs classroom,” While here, she is serving as an ASEAC of students outside the office assistant and volunteers for shifts classroom will help them said Patti Wren, EAC student administrator. at the Monster Exchange! “It’s gratifying to assist our students with achieve inside the classroom basic necessities and in turn help them and eventually graduate.” succeed at EAC.” new scholarships Dr. Everett & Gwen Edington Scholarship This scholarship was established by Everett Edington who came to Gila Junior College in 1947 after graduating from Duncan High School. Mr. Edington hopes to help other students from Duncan get a good start to their higher education at Eastern Arizona College. Bruce & Roberta Bishop Scholarship Dr. & Mrs. Bruce and Roberta Bishop established this scholarship to benefit students in the Choral Music Department. Dr. Bishop served as a choral director at Eastern Arizona College for seventeen years and shared many wonderful memories with students during that time. Roberta also taught young students to find joy in learning for many years. Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center Scholarship CVRMC has been serving the Globe-Miami and surrounding areas for more than 100 years. It is committed to the residents of all the communities it serves and would like to resource local, exceptional talent to provide nursing care to patients. This scholarship provides the financial support to students who have a vested interest in the service area of CVRMC and would like their nursing career to be local. Fall 2020 3 gila gram alumnus james tolkan donors alumnuson theBIG SCREEN JAMES TOLKAN lumnus James Tolkan, Class of 1951, Tolkan met his wife, Parmelee Welles, on could be described as a “Renaissance Broadway. Parmlee was well-known as A Man” having a wide variety of skills and a costume painter for Broadway and film interests. productions. They will celebrate their 50th Anniversary next summer. Tolkan came to Eastern Arizona Junior College from Tucson’s Amphitheatre High School to FAMOUS ROLES play football alongside twelve other players Tolkan is most known for his roles in “Top Gun” from Amphi. Besides his coursework, he also “Back to the Future” (Principal Strickland), “Top participated in track, golf, private voice lessons, Gun” (Stinger), “Serpico” (Steiger) and “Dick painting, and wrote as an assistant sports editor Tracy” (Numbers). for the “Gila Monster” newspaper. PROUD ALUMNUS AFTER EAC Tolkan attended an EAC reunion for the Joe Tolkan joined the navy after attending EAC and Peggs-era football players and enjoyed the time then continued his education at the University of reliving memories and catching up with friends. Iowa, Coe College, and the Actors Studio. He has great memories of Eastern and the experience he shared starting out on his own. IN THE BIG APPLE Tolkan began his acting career in New York GREAT MEMORIES City with barely any money and not knowing When asked about what he enjoyed most “Back to the Future II” anyone. Eventually, he was able to gain small during his career, Tolkan readily pointed to the roles and was offered his theatre. He loved the opportunity to rehearse first salary of $35 per and experiment with characters to make them week in an off-Broadway deeper and more real. He commented that many play. He gradually gained of the movies he was involved in just jumped larger roles in Broadway right into filming. performances like “Golda,” “I am grateful I was able to make a living and “Wings,” retirement while doing something I enjoyed,” and said Tolkan. In retirement, he enjoys designing “Glengarry Glen and building his home and collecting art. Ross.” He began acting in “Back to the Future” movie roles and television programs as well. TOLKAN’S ADVICE FOR YOUNGER GENERATIONS: “Try to seek out the best of the world. A little of the best is better than a whole lot of lesser stuff.” “Back to the Future III” Fall 2020 4 www.eac.edu/alumni donors EAC Foundation Donors The individuals and organizations listed below are greatly appreciated for helping us continue making a difference in the lives of more than BIG SCREEN 100 students each year. The following donations were received between January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020. Thank You! Donors of $10,000 or More Mr. Ferrell Fish Mr. & Mrs. Brad & Amy Hemphill Anonymous Donation Mr. & Mrs. Phil & Sharon Foster Mr. & Mrs. Buddy & Glenda Jones Mr. & Mrs. Everett & Gwen Edington Mr. Adrian Gale Mr. & Mrs. Larry & Opal Judd Mrs. Nathalene Green Mr. & Mrs. Erik & Crystal Lehmann Donors of $5,000 or More Pres. & Mrs. Todd & Shalay Haynie Mr. & Mrs. Christopher & Heather Lentz Eastern Arizona Hispanic Heritage Mr. & Dr. Curtis & Janice Lawhorn Mr. & Mrs. Kris & Barbara Mahtthews Corp Mr. & Mrs. Phil & Kay Martin Mrs. Shauna Roberts Freeport McMoRan - Safford Mr. & Mrs. Gary & Billie McBride Mrs. Carmina Saccuci Mrs. Debra Hammer Dr. & Mrs. Phil & Paula McBride Mr. & Mrs. Tony & Debbie Selover Safford Lions Club Mrs. Carolyn McCormies Mrs. Kay Stacey Mr. & Mrs. Bill & Nancy Mitchell Mr. Darrell Thompson Donors of $1,000 or More Mrs. Betty Norton Mr.

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