Greg Hart estimates that he affected the lives of some 200,000 adult-education students in his 30-year career, which began in the classroom.
The dean of Pima Community College Adult Education is retiring Oct. 26, and on Sunday a celebration at El Casino Ballroom will honor his accomplishments.
The event also will be a scholarship fundraiser for the Hart Endowment Fund for adult-education students going on to college.
"Adult education isn't just about reading and writing, it is about becoming a part of the community," said Hart, 57, during an interview last week.
Scores of students learned that from him. Two of those students, Romelia Dicochea and Gerie Espinoza, worked with Hart to secure funding for literacy programs and construction of El Pueblo Liberty Adult Learning Center at 101 W. Irvington Road.
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Dicochea enrolled in a literacy program in 1989 and several years later obtained her General Education Development diploma. She was hired at El Pueblo Liberty center 14 years ago.
A single mother, Dicochea raised four children and taught them that education is important to build a better life and find opportunities for success.
She said two of her children live in Sacramento, Calif., where a daughter works as a computer technician for a school district and a son is an artist. Another daughter is attending the University of Phoenix and wants to be a probation officer. Another son is a craftsman for a local concrete company and is enrolled in welding courses at PCC.
As for Espinoza, she obtained her GED in 1994 and now she and her son are attending the University of Louisville in Kentucky. She is a communications major and he is studying anthropology.
She said two daughters live in Tucson and one is majoring in nursing at the UA. The other is taking business-administration classes at PCC.
"Undoubtedly the most extraordinary characteristic of Greg Hart's leadership is his ability to inspire others to believe in themselves," Cynthia Meier, division dean for PCC Adult Education, said in an e-mail interview.
Among Hart's accomplishments are:
● Helping in 1995 to pass the state Family Literacy law. It established about $1 million in state revenue per year for literacy programs.
● Working to stop the Legislature from cutting off funds for adult education in 2003-2004.
● After becoming director of adult education in the county with a staff of 45 in 1982, guiding its growth to a staff of 180 with 60 volunteers. The program merged with PCC's in July 2000.
"Adult-education students today face the same obstacles they always have faced," said Hart. "They work long hours, have family obligations, and transportation and economic challenges. They try to fit in their education when they can. I am inspired by their strength and commitment."
South Side
ADULT EDUCATION
What: A fundraiser for scholarships and a retirement celebration for Greg Hart, dean of Pima Community College Adult Education.
When: Oct. 21 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: El Casino Ballroom, 437 E. 26th St.
Donation: PCC Foundation for the Hart Endowment Fund, a scholarship for immigrants, children of immigrants and American Indians. Hart asks that contributions be made in memory of Daniel Preston, a Tohono O'odham spiritual leader who died in 2005; and Luis Romero, a native of Sonora who worked as a vaquero in Arivaca and died in 1982. Hart said Preston and Romero embodied Tucson history and "the joyful spirit of learning and perseverance that pervade adult education."
Information: 206-6500
