Association of Retired Personnel

A Message to the OCCARP Membership

OCCARP is an organization devoted to advancing the interest of all OCC retires, both long-standing and of more recent vintage.

This year Oakland Community College celebrates a particularly memorable milestone – the 60th anniversary of OCC’s opening semester.

Happily, some of the retired faculty and staff who were part of the College in the first years are still with us.  But no matter when you joined the College, all of us have dedicated a significant portion of our lives to the college.   Even though our period of service is completed, the OCC retiree’s organization is an excellent way to maintain ties with old friends and the college.

The monthly newsletter informs you of OCCARP activities, obituaries, and developments throughout the college community.

For those who remain in the area, OCCARP continues to maintain a schedule of enjoyable group activities.  This year we are planning a tour of Stahl’s Automobile Collection, Meadowbrook Theatre, the annual picnic in June, and the Holiday Luncheon in December.

As an Association, we continue to support students, and in December, $1,500 was donated to the scholarship fund.  Since 1994 OCCARP has donated over $26,000, sponsoring 52 students, including Andrea Pokorny (nursing) and Jaylene Escobar (business) each receiving $500 this past fall.

We are pleased to announce that Margaret Carroll and James Boussum have joined the OCCARP Board, replacing Billl Stuart and Diane Fisher who decided not to run.   Jerry Kelly and Diane Fisher have both volunteered to serve as alternates.

 I am passing on this advice I received eighteen years ago, when I retired, from Jim Hansen, a retired counselor from Highland Lakes.   His advice was, “every night is Friday night, every morning is Saturday morning, and the 25th of the month is Christmas (pension arrives)”.   Enjoy retirement, you have earned it.

On behalf of my fellow Board members, I wish all OCC members and their families health and happiness for the coming year.

Bob Zemke
OCCARP Board Chair