- Date: Saturday, May 26, 2012
- Length of Ceremony: About 2 hours
- Time: Saturday, May 26 at 10 AM
- Location: Chabot College Grand Court
(If RAIN, Chabot College
Performing Arts Center)
- Student Information
Dr. Reed L. Buffington, Ph.D.
.png)
In
its first twenty years, Chabot College was led by Superintendent
Emeritus (Chancellor) Dr. Reed L. Buffington from
the College's founding until his recruitment in 1981.
Dr. Buffington earned A.B. and M.A. degrees in political
science from the University of Chicago, and a Doctorate
of Education from Stanford University.
Before becoming an administrator, Dr. Buffington taught Political
Science and Economics at Wright Junior College in Chicago. He moved
to California in 1950 to join the staff beginning Diablo Valley
College in Martinez. He was the Dean of Instruction at Diablo Valley
College until 1956 when he became the Assistant Superintendent of
the Contra Costa Junior College District.
He was hired as Superintendent/President of Chabot College by the
Board of Trustees of the South County Joint Junior College District
in July 1961. The Board's selection of Dr. Buffington was
undoubtedly influenced by his strong commitment to quality
education, his organizational and management skills, and his
willingness to open the college by September 11, 1961.
When asked by a newspaper reporter to name his chief objective for
the new college, Dr. Buffington replied, "Quality!...quality in
everything we do."
During his tenure at Chabot College, Superintendent/President
(Chancellor) Emeritus Buffington made innumerable contributions to
higher education in California and to local civic organizations. A
passage from the
book, Chabot College: The First Twenty Years, aptly
reflects Dr. Buffington's enduring legacy of excellence and service
to Chabot College and the community: "From the very beginning, this
has been Reed Buffington's college, dedicated in its every thought
and deed and act to the fulfillment of the educational and cultural
needs, hopes, and desires of the people of South County. To this
day, he remains an iconic figure."
Through Dr. Buffington's leadership, Chabot College was selected as
the nation's top community college in 1976 for its combination of
both academics and athletic programs.
The Chabot-Las Positas Community College District continues to
benefit from his legacy and from his eponymous awards for alumni,
students, and faculty. Upon his retirement, Dr. Buffington created
an endowment for this annual award for excellence in a teaching
career. The Buffington Award is considered the most prestigious
faculty honor in the district.
