Prof inspires and retires

Speech professor Gregg Florence will be retiring after teaching at LBCC for 34 years. While cleaning out his balloon- filled office in the speech and communications faculty trailer, Florence said, "I've loved my time here. My heart is tied to this college and always will be."

Florence is married to LBCC?counselor Jeri Florence.

A retirement party was organized in honor of Florence. Among people present were returning students of Florence. Florence said he was proud of the students who have pursued speech as a career.

Xochi Sandoval, a student in Florence's Elements of Argument and Debate class, said, "this was my first speech class and it has been quite a memorable experience."

Sandoval said Florence's teaching style was helpful because he would include personal anecdotes that contributed to the course material.

While waiting to take the final for Florence's class, Daisy Garcia said she initially felt uncomfortable about speaking in public but, "Professor Florence makes you feel comfortable while in his class."

Also waiting to take his final, Fernando Pinto said, "Professor Florence wouldn't put anybody down and would let you learn from your mistakes."

When thinking about what he would be leaving behind, Florence said, "I am not going to miss grading term papers and homework."

Without his teaching responsibilities holding him back, Florence plans on pursuing his backpacking hobby to get out of the city.

Although Florence will be finishing his career at LBCC as a speech professor, he started as the director of forensics, where he stayed until the mid 1980s. Florence eventually became the forensics department chair until he became a speech professor.

In high school, Florence fell in love with public speaking and debate. "That's where my heart was and is," Florence said.

Florence said he has considered returning to LBCC on a volunteer basis hoping to participate in activities such as raising funds for scholarships.