Lee Bedell

English Dept., 1969-2006

As one would expect, a place can change a lot in 40 years. For Lee BeDell those changes at Cuesta include the number of students – from a few hundred to more than eleven thousand – to the classrooms – from holding classes in WWII barrack to modern classrooms on several campuses in the San Luis Obispo County.

Through the years, Bedell has taught almost every class offering in the English department as well as Speech 1A, in addition to serving as department chair, teaching in London on a Fullbright Exchange, and spending time in Denmark, England and Hawaii.

Echoing the sentiments of other retirees, Bedell says the students have always kept him energetic and enthused. Simply stated, Bedell says “I have graded thousands of papers. It’s time to cut back.”

Paul Bauer

Geology Dept., 1971-2006

While determining the number of minutes that Paul Bauer has spent teaching would be a complex math problem, it’s fairly easy to determine how much he has absolutely loved his 35 years of teaching at Cuesta College. Not only has Bauer enjoyed every minute of every class he’s ever taught, he also feels blessed to have been able to teach a subject he loves at a tremendous school in a wonderful setting.

Bauer became known to many students for his generosity – giving of his time, his knowledge and, in some cases, even his home. Bauer often invited students who couldn’t get home for the holidays due to the distance or work schedules to his home to share Thanksgiving dinner as part of the family.

And, just like they’re family, Bauer has kept track of his geology students that went on as geology majors at a university or have become geologists. Of those more than 200 students, many of them are still in the Central Coast. Others have migrated all over the U.S., including Texas, Colorado, and within California.

True to his love of geology, Bauer plans to develop a family retreat on property he owns in Washington, which has a view of his favorite peak, Mount Rainier

Victoria Bursey

English Dept., 1986-2006

“A fulfillment of a dream” is how Victoria Bursey describes her teaching career. Bursey is retiring this month after nearly 20 years of teaching English at Cuesta College, a career that motivated and influenced countless students.

Bursey was hired as a part-time English instructor at Cuesta in 1986, becoming full-time in 1989. According to Bursey, her career goals came into focus when she was in college, during a freshmen English class. “I saw that professor and realized the potential impact she could have on these students. I immediately knew what I wanted to do,” Bursey said. “Cuesta gave me the opportunity to fulfill that.”

Bursey has many memories that she will treasure forever. “I loved walking across campus on a Sunday afternoon, when nobody was here, and realizing what a beautiful place this is,” she said. “I will miss the students and many of the life-long friends I have made at Cuesta.”A Morro Bay resident, Bursey earned her master’s degree in English from Cal Poly and her bachelor’s degree in English from CSU Northridge.

Bob Marshall

Math Dept., 1977-2006

From basic Arithmetic classes to courses teaching complex Multivariable Calculus, Bob Marshall has always enjoyed helping Cuesta students be successful in class as well as their future endeavors. And in his 38 years of teaching, he’s been able to be a part of a lot of students.

Marshall who taught at both the Main Campus as well as the North Campus wrote a Pre-Calculus textbook in 1991 and spent time teaching in classrooms at Righetti High School, Allan Hancock College, and Cal Poly.

As his teaching career ends, Marshall plans to center his traveling plans on his two favorite activities: golf and photography.

Dr. Mary Parker

Director of Nursing and Allied Health

“Not work 15 hours a day!” is Dr. Mary Parker’s response when asked what she’s be doing after July 1st, when she officially retires as Director of Nursing and Allied Health. Parker has been the backbone of Cuesta’s nursing program for 34 years through which she has always enjoyed the dynamic and positive environment of the division as well the faculty, staff and students in the program.

Parker’s tremendous knowledge of Cuesta’s nursing division may even make it onto the page since she is considering writing a history of the program. “I am the only one that has been with the program since the early ‘70s,” she explains. Parker doesn’t dwell on the past though and is looking forward to gardening, teaching part-time, spending time with family and possibly taking on consulting projects. “I will take time to relax, but I still plan on keeping connected to the community.”

While the leadership of Nursing and Allied Health will change, Parker insists that the cornerstone of the program – quality patient care – will not. She believes that nurses have a moral and social responsibility to be patient advocates, and as students leave Cuesta and begin their healthcare careers, they take that special understanding with them. “Nursing is 100% about the patient,” she concludes. While many will miss Parker, it’s clear that her ideals will continue spreading throughout the healthcare industry.

Richard Johnson

English Dept., 1983-2006

After more than 20 years in Cuesta’s English department, Richard Johnson is retiring with no shortage of plans for what he’ll be doing in his spare time. His short list includes returning to school, learning a new language or instrument, tutoring grandsons and partnering with his wife, Prisila, to complete some home improvement projects.

Through the years of teaching a variety of classes in the department, Johnson especially enjoyed teaching the Short Story class. He explains, “Somehow the students in that class were often the most enthusiastic readers.” Johnson notes while it’s difficult to generalize about Cuesta students, he’ll miss their unchanging patience and good humor.

Pete Pedersen

Biology, Department Chair (1971-2006)

Since 1971 when he joined the Cuesta teaching faculty, Pete Pedersen has appreciated the broad freedom of creativity he’s be allowed in developing courses and programs for the college. Throughout Pedersen’s tenure, he’s been instrumental in developing quite a few innovative programs – the Facilitator Assisted Learning program, the Audio-Tutorial Laboratory, biology courses and improving the anatomy lab.

Pedersen hasn’t necessarily seen a change in the students in the classroom, but has noticed the changes in the technology available to instructors. These days, students use CDs and computer files rather than cassette tapes, making labs easier to operate and maintain.

Division Assistant, Cathie Babb, who has worked with Pedersen for nearly eight years, describes him as one of the most cheerful, helpful and generous people she knows. She adds “His passion for teaching and the topic of Biology is contagious.” Pedersen’s passion shines through, too, when he talks about Cuesta. “It been a great ride and I’ll miss it,” he says.

As he thinks about traveling and relaxing, he remarks that his wife’s to-do list has grown quite long. He plans to tackle the list, ride his new road bike, and spend time with his daughters who live nearby.

Leon Carver

08/1986 to 06/2006

Leon has helped virtually thousands of students during his 20 years of service to the District. Whether it has been in the open lab troubleshooting the computers and tutoring students, or helping out in the bookstore during “Rush,” Leon was always there when needed.

He has served as one of the District's Instructional Assistants in the High Tech Center since it opened in 2001. Leon also served as the Cuesta College United Employees' president from 1990 to 2001.