Editors Note: This is a letter sent by the Pierce College president Kathleen Burke-Kelly in regards to sudden retirement of Dean Paul Whalen.
The purpose of this email is to announce the retirement of Dean Paul Whalen effective March 6, 2012. I received the news that Paul planned to retire on March 2 while attending the Achieving the Dream Conference in Dallas.
Paul has been with the District since the late 1960s when he was an instructor at City, Harbor, and Valley. In 1985 he came to Pierce College as an instructor and was moved into the position of Dean of Academic Affairs supervising the arts and language disciplines in 1989. Over the years, as an instructor and as a dean, he was fully committed to the faculty and students of Pierce College.
Although he will be missed, he has earned the opportunity to enjoy more time with his two granddaughters and to do more gardening.
Since Paul’s decision to retire and the date of his departure were so sudden, the college community did not have the time needed to plan and host a proper congratulations and best wishes party. The Academic Affairs office will be working with Paul to organize an event recognizing his long service to the College. A date has not been established at this time, but one will be set as soon as possible and we will be sending an invitation to the event. Please join me in wishing Paul all the best in his retirement.
kathleen