Long-time Hollister resident Tom Breen has ambitious plans for
expanding Gavilan College’s presence in San Benito County. And, as
the newly-elected president of the college’s board of trustees,
he’s now in the position to put those plans into action.
Hollister – Long-time Hollister resident Tom Breen has ambitious plans for expanding Gavilan College’s presence in San Benito County. And, as the newly-elected president of the college’s board of trustees, he’s now in the position to put those plans into action.
Gavilan’s facility in Hollister, the Briggs Building, is becoming too small and can’t compete with the local demand for new and different types of classes, Breen said. In an effort to improve their course offerings, Gavilan College is currently working with Cal State Monterey Bay to increase class selection for locals who want to learn but don’t necessarily want to drive long distances for it.
“We want people to think Gavilan is a good place to go,” said the 69-year-old, retired Superior Court Judge who grew up in Hollister and still lives here.
Breen was born in San Francisco and has had an illustrious career. After attending Hollister schools, he went to Santa Clara University and joined the Army after graduation. He served for two years before returning to the area to go to law school, earn his degree and become a lawyer. In 1975, he went to Washington D.C. to work in the U.S. House of Representatives and five years later was appointed as a judge to the San Benito County Superior Court.
While working in Hollister, Breen began taking classes at Gavilan College. He took art, Spanish and astronomy courses and loved his teachers, he said. But he also noticed the campus was in a bad shape. Weeds were growing high and trash littered the sidewalks. The sight provoked Breen into action.
“I decided that instead of whining about it, I’d run for a place on the board and do something about it,” he said.
He ran for a seat in 2000 and won. Now, in addition to working to expand class selection at the Hollister extension, Breen wants to tackle maintenance problems at the campus like the ones that spurred him into action in the first place.
Even though Breen’s involvement in local education did not happen until later in life, he is viewed as someone who has the right kind of background to improve the college, said Jan Bernstein Chargin, spokeswoman for Gavilan College. Breen was elected Tuesday by the college board and will serve until 2008. As president, he will preside over board meetings and call special and emergency meetings when needed.
“He brings legal expertise and a deep love for the community and a commitment to making the college the best it can be,” she said.
Three of the board’s seats are always reserved for Hollister residents. This will be Breen’s second term on the college board. He was a clerk during his first term that began in 2000.
Joining Breen as board directors are Deb Smith of Gilroy, who will serve as board vice president and Mark Dover of Gilroy, who will serve as board clerk. The officers’ terms are for one year and are elected annually among board members.
Smith said one of the board’s main goals for this year is to continue expanding and improving Gavilan’s campuses using $108 million in bond money from Measure E, approved by voters in March. Part of the money is promised toward a university center, which will offer on-site programs for specific bachelors’ degrees.
Staff writer Katie Neikerk contributed to this report.
Karina Ioffee covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at (831)637-5566 ext. 335 or [email protected]
