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| For Immediate Release | Contact: Frances Squire |
| May 22, 2009 | Phone: (559) 934-2134 |
95-year-old Vince Motte, visited with West Hills Community College District Foundation Interium Executive Director Richard Post prior to the start of graduation ceremonies.
West Hills College Coalinga confers honorary degree on “Mr. Coalinga”
Graduation ceremonies at West Hills College Coalinga Friday (May 22nd) were highlighted with the conferring of an honorary degree on 95-year-old Vince Motte and the granting of 343 degrees and certificates to the traditional college graduates.
Born in Coalinga on Aug. 6, 1913, Mr. Motte is widely referred to as “Mr. Coalinga” for his support of the community. His gifts have ranged from contributions to help fund a delivery truck for the hospital, the community’s clock tower downtown, a fountain across from the high school, a regional sports park and more recently a weather station at the college farm.
Mr. Motte is a member of one of the four founding families in Coalinga. His father helped start Coalinga College in 1932. For many years his family operated a grocery store in downtown Coalinga and a visit with him can include a history lesson on the community. He speaks of the oil boom that fueled Coalinga’s growth, the development of agriculture in the region and the 1983 earthquake that leveled much of downtown and ended his family’s grocery business. The delivery truck that Mr. Motte and his father used to deliver groceries to the oil camps now resides in the Baker Museum.
In introducing Mr. Motte who climbed onto the stage unassisted, Dr. Willard Lewallen, president of West Hills College Coalinga, said, “We are proud to honor Mr. Motte for his contributions to the college and the community. His approach to life and work sends a message that principles, values, and contributions are important. His life and work affirm and dignify the college’s own mission, achievements and priorities. Mr. Motte has achieved distinction through outstanding leadership in community service and support of education.”
Also honored during the ceremony was West Hills College Coalinga Alumnus of the Year Daniel Errotabere. A leader on San Joaquin Valley agriculture issues, he currently serves as president of the Fresno County Farm Bureau and vice-chairman of the board of directors for Westlands Water District. He is a past chair of the Westlands’ board and the California Cotton Growers Association.
Mr. Errotabere currently serves on the board of the Family Farm Alliance, Fresno County Planning Commission, Fresno State Agricultural Foundation, the Ag One Foundation and California Cotton Growers Association. He previously served on the board of the San Luis Delta-Mendota Water Authority.
A third-generation diversified farmer in the Riverdale and west side areas, Mr. Errotabere is a general partner with his mother and two brothers, producing Pima cotton, wheat, cantaloupes, market and seed lettuce, cannery tomatoes, processing garlic and onions, pistachio and almonds.
He graduated from Riverdale High School in 1973, West Hills College Coalinga in 1975 and he holds a bachelor of science degree in agribusiness from California State University, Fresno. He is a graduate of California Agricultural Leadership, Class XXI, a two-year fellowship program.
Mr. Errotabere and his wife, Susan, have two children—Ryan and Marisa. Susan is the daughter of long-time WHCC instructor and Coach Dick Womack.
Michael Voss, valedictorian of the class, gave the graduate address during the ceremonies and Dr. Marlon Hall, an alumnus of the college and a former faculty member who now is associate dean at West Hills College Lemoore, gave the commencement address.
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West Hills Community College District serves the west side of the San Joaquin Valley and is part of the California Community College System. Its two colleges, West Hills College Coalinga, which includes North District Center, Firebaugh, and West Hills College Lemoore, serve more than 7,000 students on campus and online each semester.