President Raymond Bowen

Description

President Raymond Bowen was president of the college from 1989 to 1999. He talks about his earlier career at the start of the college as Associate Dean and developing the curriculum. Also covers Middle College High School and going to Baltimore to start another Cooperative Education program.

Timestamp summary of interview:
(00.00) Introduction and talks about career before coming to LaGuardia Community College
(2:17) First heard of Community College Number 9 and came in as an Associate Dean
(4:59) Talks about planning the curriculum starting from scratch and going to Brooks, the restaurant by Court Square, to sit down and talk about how they wanted to plan out the curriculum. Also goes over the grant for the helicopter ride at the first orientation.
(5:47) Describes the conditions of the M-Building before the college was opened and the work done to get the college ready to receive students.
(7:24) Talks about the atmosphere of the early years of the college, especially the close relation between faculty and students
(9:02) Gets George Hamada to come to the college to set up the Science Department. Also asks Ralph Garrett to join the college and set up the Extended Day Division
(10:02) Talks about creating the Mortuary Science program and discusses the Nursing program.
(12:42) Sets up a program in the Sony Building and describes “collaboratives” which involved professors team teaching different courses.
(15:32) Talks about Division Chairs stopping the cluster teaching.
(18:27) Goes into faculty initial concerns over Middle College students using the college’s space. Also describes bringing the Middle College model to Memphis, Tennessee with Janet Lieberman and Cecilia Cullen, and similar faculty concerns they faced there.
(19:45) Leaves LaGCC, and helps set up the Cooperative Education Program in Baltimore, Maryland.
(20:36) Covers the LUCED Program [?] and money brought to the college for economic development.
(21:38) Describes the diversity and changes in the student body.
(23:40) Talks about the Pluralism Taskforce and incorporating pluralism into the curriculum.
(25:40) Mentions that 80 percent of graduates go on to get their Bachelor’s degree. Finishes with summary remarks on the interview and his outlook on the future of the college.