Hall of Fame Inductees Honored At Columbia College

New Hall of Fame members were honored last night at a Columbia College dinner.

Three posthumous awards were presented, along with three living inductees into the Columbia College Hall of Fame.

Ron Roberson was last night´s Alumnus of the Year. He said he was pleased to receive the award from his alma mater.

“It´s an incredible honor for me. I attended Columbia College back in the late 70´s and early 80´s, and I never had any idea anything like this would happen. It´s a big deal to me.”

Retired faculty member Peter Sullivan was also honored. He started the first co-ed college team and was heavily involved in sports at Columbia.

And Dr. Patte Coombes-Baldwin, a physician who delivered over 4000 babies during her career, said her award meant a lot to her.

“It´s a wonderful honor. Of course, you have to be happy about it, that people admire you and maybe some of your work is doing some good somewhere.”

She even surprised the dinner guests by expressing her gratitude through a song on the piano.

Posthumous awards were given to Pat Pantaleoni, former administrative assistant to the president, Norine Holmes, a 24-year employee of Columbia College in various positions, and Joseph Mitchell, who had served on the Yosemite Community College Board of Trustees and the Columbia College Foundation Board of Directors.