Ron Magden

In this interview Mr. Magden takes us through his history with Tacoma Community College. He begins with his education, explores the evolution of the schools mission, the community college system, the school’s history with the school district, and his personal history as President of the Faculty. Other topics which he briefly discusses are the TCC library, longshoremen, hiring faculty, 1960s civil unrest, the 1973 staff strike, and both military and penitentiary programs.

I. The glorious Age of Community Colleges pp. 2-3

II. The School’s Mission pp. 3

III. A School for the Disabled pp. 3-5

IV. The Birth of the Community College System pp. 5-6

V. The Evolution of TCC’s Mission pp. 6-7

VI. Mr. Magden’s History as a Historian pp. 8-10

VII. TCC Detaches From School District pp.10-12

VIII. First Class/First Day pp. 12-13

IX. President of the Faculty and Problems Faced pp. 13-15

X. TCC’s Library pp. 15-17

XI. TCC Under WA State Control pp. 17-18

XII. Longshoremen and Tacoma’s Unions pp. 18-19

XIII. Hiring Faculty and Frank Garrett pp. 20-21

XIV. 1960s Unrest/Riot pp. 21-24

XV. Staff Strike 1973 pp. 24-27

XVI. McNeal Island Penitentiary Educational Program pp. 37-31

XVII. Military Program pp. 29-31

Interview with Ronald Magden Part 2

In the second half of the interview Mr. Magden continues his narrative with further information about his retirement, continuing to teach at Bangar, and the people he felt kept TCC going through the years. He also discusses his views on subjects such as classroom size, changes to the Social Science department at TCC, the students he taught over his career, and where he thinks TCC should go.

XVIII. Retirement and Continued Teachings pp. 1-3

XIX. Classroom Size pp. 2

XX. The Movers of TCC over 50 years pp. 3

XXI. Social Science Department Changes pp. 4-5

XXII. Where TCC Should Go pp. 5

XXIII. Kosia and Elks Club Story pp. 5