For Immediate Release: December 7, 2006
 
Media Contact: Kristen Habbestad, Public Affairs; (562) 860-2451, ext. 2287
 
NORWALK, Calif. - December 7, 2006 – The Cerritos College Board of Trustees held its annual re-organizational meeting on Wednesday evening, December 6, electing new officers for the coming year. The board elected Tom Jackson, immediate past vice president and member since 2003, as president; Bob Arthur, past board president and member since 1995, as vice president; and Bob Epple, a board member who first served on the board in the mid-1980s, was appointed to the board in 2004 and elected again in 2005, as secretary.

 

The board presented outgoing Board President John Moore, a trustee since 1988, with an honorary plaque for his year of dedication and service to the board.

 

"John, we appreciate the fine example you’ve set through your presidency on this board for the past 12 months," said Jackson as he presented Moore with the plaque.

 

"We are extremely grateful for your diplomacy in guiding us through decisions and activities during the year, and we thank for your loyalty and dependability in representing the board not only at our meetings but also at community events."

 

Board President Jackson, of Norwalk, is a Cerritos College retiree, having served as a full-time faculty member in the college’s Business Education Division beginning in 1980 and until his retirement in 2002. He has also served as a board member for the Cerritos College Foundation since 2004. Jackson earned an associate’s degree in business and engineering from Long Beach City College before earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Long Beach. He went on to earn a second bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern California. He also holds a certificate in food-marketing management from USC. Prior to his academic pursuits, Jackson served in the United States Coast Guard.

 

Board Vice President Arthur, also of Norwalk, is a Cerritos College alumnus and longtime community member. In addition to his role on the college's board, Arthur has served as a board member for the Cerritos College Foundation since April 1996. Arthur also served as mayor and councilmember for the city of Norwalk (1990-1994), as board member for the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission (1991- 1993) and as a board member for the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (1993-1997).

 

Board Secretary Epple, of Bellflower, is an attorney at law with a private practice in Bellflower. A 1973 graduate of Cerritos College, Epple later attended California State University at Dominquez Hills and received his juris doctorate degree from the American College of Law. A strong advocate for community colleges, Epple was first elected to the Cerritos College Board of Trustees in 1981 and served until 1988 when he was elected to the California State Assembly, where he served until December 1994. Epple remained involved with the college through his service on the board for the Cerritos College Foundation, a position he has held since February 1995. He was appointed by the board in 2004 to finish the term of his late wife Cheryl A. Epple before being re-elected in 2005.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at http://www.cerritos.edu/.