Foothill president to retire Foothill president to retire (January 27, 2006)

After 12 years, Fong to leave community college post

By Molly Tanenbaum

In 1970, Bernadine Chuck Fong thought she would spend her entire career teaching psychology and child development at Foothill College. Little did she know that she would spend the nearly 30 years that followed as an administrator at the community college -- first as dean, then vice-president and finally president.

Last week, Fong announced her retirement after serving 12 years as president. During that period, she oversaw $248 million in new construction at the campus under Measure E, hired 80 percent of Foothill's current faculty, and helped develop an innovative system of online learning -- an area in which Foothill is a leader.

"President Fong's accomplishments for Foothill College are truly remarkable," said Martha Kanter, chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College district. "Her focus on students has always been central to everything she has done. We will deeply miss her educational leadership and will look forward to her continuing involvement with the college."

But Fong said that out of all her accomplishments as president, she is most proud of her efforts to create a "cooperative and collaborative culture" at the community college.

"It has served Foothill extremely well, as we have been able to not only sustain any budget cuts due to shortfalls from the state, but we were able to avoid layoffs, and have people share in the responsibility for addressing problems," Fong said in an e-mail.

A Palo Alto native, Fong holds bachelors and masters degrees and a Ph.D. from Stanford. She said it was her dream job to teach at Foothill because of its "reputation for innovation," and she began teaching there in 1970 as a full-time psychology professor.

She first became involved as an administrator in 1977 when she applied for a dean position -- not to get the job, she said, but for the practice the interview process would provide. Nonetheless, she was offered the position as dean of the Palo Alto center, and hasn't returned to full-time teaching since, though she has continued to teach part-time.

Before she retires at the end of the school year, Fong has a long "to do" list to keep herself busy, including initiating a campus-wide wireless project, working on the new bond to complete Measure E construction, and several other projects.

"I have told the dean and vice-presidents that, if they thought I was pushy before, they haven't seen anything yet," she joked.

Fong is not yet sure of her retirement plans.

"I definitely want to remain active, either in an educational or corporate setting," she said. "I am leaving my options open."

E-mail Molly Tanenbaum at mtanenbaum@mv-voice.com

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