Cochise Newsroom

We recently celebrated Homecoming Week as part of our 60th anniversary. Homecoming was a time of appreciation and connections, highlighted by signature events like the Pit Fire Pottery Festival and the Cochise College Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. While the pit fire draws attention to the arts, the hall of fame ceremony shines a spotlight on individuals whose dedication has left a lasting impression on our county and our college.

The Hall of Fame honors alumni, community leaders/volunteers, and former employees who have positively advanced the college’s legacy. This year, three inductees were nominated through heartfelt letters of recommendation.

Mark Dannels (’85), Cochise County Sheriff – As a four-term county sheriff, Mark has been instrumental in the re-establishment of the Southeast Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy. Through his leadership, this partnership continues to prepare the next generation of law enforcement professionals.

Michael J. Ortega (’81), former Cochise County Manager and city manager for Douglas and Tucson – Mike is known for his engineering skills, along with his broad governmental experience and strong leadership skills. A foundation board member noted he played a key role in creating the reliable waste management system the county has today.

David Velasco former audio/visual technician- David embraced the latest technologies as they became available. Faculty spoke of David’s expertise, dedication, and reliability to seamlessly integrate audio/visual materials into the classroom. He served as a vital link in the college’s journey to transition to the instructional technology we have today.

As many readers know, in March, I announced my plans to retire. These celebrations resonated with me as I reflect on my journey as president. There are countless reasons why I love working for this college – its mission, the faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve stand out. I am grateful for the support of our community over the last fifteen years. Together, we have built partnerships that have been instrumental in providing our students with innovative learning environments and modern facilities with the goal of making higher education accessible and affordable to you and your families.

As we look ahead, I want to share with you initiatives within the First Responders Academy that will soon come to fruition. Most notably, we will open two new buildings on the Sierra Vista Campus. On Monday, December 16, at 3 p.m., we will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Firearms Training Complex. Likewise, as students and staff return from winter break, we are planning a public celebration to open Bugen Hall, a new student housing facility on the Sierra Vista Campus. Look for more information on these exciting events and a soon to be announced showcase of the state-of-the-art simulation capabilities at the Downtown Center.

We look forward to celebrating these advancements and the pursuit of future opportunities. The college remains committed to honoring its past while exploring new approaches to meet the evolving needs of our communities.

It is truly a time of gratitude and thanksgiving!

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.