Pasadena City College dedicates building to former president Jack Scott

Jack Scott on Thursday morning, Oct. 12, got a hero’s welcome at Pasadena City College, and even then, the humility and vigor of the now 90-year-old leader was on full display.

Even as the school christened one of its landmark buildings in his name in a ceremony that drew local family, friends, leaders, residents and students, he thought of his parents and his late wife of 66 years, Lacreta: She was “the one who was most influential in my life,” said Scott, still energetic, still smiling, still sharing firm handshakes.

“My parents did not suggest to me that they wanted me to make a lot of money or to achieve fame,” he explained on Thursday. “They simply suggested to me that I ought to be a servant. And so I tried to fulfill that in my life.”

Scott, PCC’s former president who rose through elected office to become state senator for the region and chancellor for the state’s community college system, was honored in front of a crowd at the college’s Mirror Pools.

Building “C”, as it has been known, is now named after him.

“I am glad to have had the opportunity for service, and I’m particularly pleased to be here at Pasadena City College,” he told the crowd.

The crowd reciprocated, mindful of Scott’s long history of service to the school, education and the state.

Kristine Kwong, president of the PCC Board of Trustees, told the audience that Scott “worked hard to diversify our faculty” and that “he set the standard that the vice presidents that reported to him were free to disagree with him and to engage in intellectual discourse for the singular purpose of creating a strong educational pathway and a strong Pasadena City College.”

After receiving his master’s degree in divinity and a doctorate in American history, Scott — a Texas native — took a teaching job at Pepperdine University. He went on to hold the titles of dean of instruction at Orange Coast College and president of Cypress College before serving as president of PCC from 1987 until 1995.

Scott said he chose to serve community colleges because they are “the most egalitarian, the most democratic of all of our institutions in higher education.”

During his presidency at PCC, Scott was known for being approachable, principled and effective.

Preston Howard, a former PCC student and PCC Foundation board member, remembered Scott as “intelligent, engaging, down-to-earth, approachable and collegial.”

During his time as president, PCC built four new buildings.

Nearly 30 years ago to the day, a similar dedication took place in front of the PCC Mirror Pools to dedicate the school’s newly built library to Walter T. Shatford II, a PCC trustee.

Then President Scott was forced to be absent from the celebration of the building he had helped erect. Earlier that week, his son Adam died when a friend’s shotgun discharged at a party. Adam was 27 years old.

Scott poured his energy into service in the wake of the tragedy. Working with the Coalition For A Nonviolent City, Scott pushed for stricter gun control in Pasadena. He co-authored a number of columns calling for the city to take a “broad, deep and wise effort against violence.”

It would propel him to state office.

In 1996, Scott won a seat in the state Assembly. He served in that seat for four years, until running for state Senate in 2000, where he served until 2008, the end of his term limit. That year, he became the chancellor for California’s community college system.

That legacy in the state was on the minds of many who came to watch the building dedicated for him on Thursday.

“Jack was one of the most energetic champions for higher education in the state Legislature,” PCC’s Interim Superintendent Dr. José Gómez, told the audience.

Among other efforts, Scott helped pass a bill to reduce the number of votes needed for educational bonds from two-thirds to only 55% of the vote, making it easier for colleges across the state to access much-needed funding.

Standing on the steps of the building that now carries his name in massive letters, Scott flashed his smile to friends and family.

In his easy Texan twang Scott said, “now let me tell you one more story.”