Peter's retirement party

.....Ageless Peter Morrison is undoubtedly the single most important person in the development of Irvine Valley College. Peter was there from the beginning, thirty years ago, and, with striking intelligence, boundless energy, and unfailing kindness, he, more than anyone else, guided and inspired the development of this very special place (still!) that is IVC.
.....Peter’s role in the evolution of the district—e.g., concerning the faculty contract and collegial consultation—is also impressive. Ask old-timers. (Somehow, Peter himself seems not to have aged.)
.....A great many people, comprising several generations and representing every corner and level of our district and beyond, came together on this night to express their love and appreciation. It was surely one of the great occasions in the history of IVC and the SOCCCD. (The party was hosted by Julie, Keith, and Amy.)

Dan can be devilish.

The party was a reunion of sorts. (Linda and Rebecca.)

Julie provided great food, including a seriously fancy log of cheese—I've already forgotten the name, but I recognized it as one of Wallace and Gromit's favorites. Linda gave me the stink eye when I accidentally knocked it over. She appreciates good cheese.

Frank, who was a kind of master of ceremonies, told some great "Peter" stories.

Former IVC VPI (and founding faculty) Terry Burgess told some very funny stories, including one about Peter's first "Van Morrison," a VW bus.

Wendy has always looked up to Peter.

At one point, Dale Larsen—who was acting President of IVC when I arrived in 1932 (er, 1986)—took umbrage at something Cal said, whereupon he barked, "I choose you off." Gary then muttered, "I've got your back." Luckily, someone stomped on a Whoopee cushion and the tension quickly dissipated.

You know how sentimental Wendy can get. At one point, she read the IVC Academic Senate's resolution in honor of Peter, a task which, owing to the document's wealth of WHEREASes, took about a half hour.

Two of Peter's many close friends. Peter's got about a thousand of 'em. (Well, these two are special.)




Peter won some valuable cash prizes. Did you know that he once worked as a lumberjack in the Yukon? Well, no, I just made that up. But I wouldn't be surprised.

Peter told some stories, including how he got the job at IVC, which is amazing. We especially liked his tale of the stolen Selectric typwriter. At the end of it (set circa '79), Peter calls the Saddleback police, asking, "So, did you find out who took the typewriter from my van?"

"Yeah," said the cops. "We did." (Well, it was plainly one of the college's Selectrics, and there it was, sitting on the ratty, duct-taped seat of Der Deathtrap, aka Van Morrison #1, a VW bus whose doors were secured with coat hangers and whose owner looked like some kinda Hippie.)

Jeff and Pam renewed their friendship.

Limber Lou provided the six-year-old perspective. He ran wild; Keith tried to capture him. No luck.

Kay presented Peter with a marvelous "memory book." Among its highlights: pictures of a hirsute and shoeless Peter in 1982, from an early IVC journal.

—Plus lots of memories written by numerous scribbler friends.


Jesus made a cameo appearance.



That's former trustee Harriett Walther hiding behind a post. She looked great.

Jeanne explained how Peter expanded her vocabulary, especially with regard to adjectives for administrators. The word "egregious" proved to be very useful.

That's Jeff, sneakin' up on my Heineken.

End of the evening: writing off-color remarks in Peter's memory book, which sports comment pages in the back. Somebody decided to antique the edges of these pages with a fine red wine.