May 6, 2008 — Wednesday, April 30 was officially the last day for one of the most resourceful people Lassen Community College has ever had. It was the last day of Administrative Secretary Mary Blevins, who has been employed at the college off and on since 1977.

“Lassen College has always been good to me,” Blevins said. “The thing I’m going to miss the most is the people I’ve worked with over the years. They’re like family.”

Blevins came to Lassen County in 1973. After getting acclimated to the community, she started working as a secretary for the college’s office of instruction. Aside from being a cornerstone of information for and about the college, Blevins has weathered numerous administration changes.

LCC president Doug Houston said Blevins has been a tremendous help ever since he took over the reigns of the college in August of 2007.

“As an incoming president, I could not have asked for a more outstanding executive assistant,” Houston said. “I can honestly say I’m not looking forward to the transition of replacing her. She has been a terrific instrument for the college, and we extend our deepest congratulations to her.”

Houston jokingly said the college was in a state of panic with the thought of moving forward without Blevins’ help.

A retirement reception was held for Blevins at the Cougar Lair cafeteria on the college campus at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28. While people drank punch and ate cake, Blevins gave warm hugs to many of her co-workers.

Houston said while April 30 was officially her last day, Blevins volunteered to stay on while the college searches for her replacement, internally and abroad. He said the fact Blevins is willing to stay on until they find her replacement is indicative of her great personality and love of the college.

As far as Blevins’ plans after retirement, she said she and her husband Doc, who serves on the college’s Board of Trustees, plan to stay in Lassen County.

“This is our home,” Blevins said. “I’m just looking forward to staying at home for a change and kicking back.”

Not content to sit at home all the time, she also said she planned on taking some art classes at the college during the next semester.

As for what Blevins sees for the college’s future, she said she believes the college is currently in very capable hands under Houston. She said while the next few years might be a struggle for the college, she believes it has the necessary staff in place to handle the job.

Many members of the administration, staff and faculty expressed their sorrow in Blevins retirement at the Tuesday, April 8 college board meeting. Many board members expressed congratulations and how much they were going to miss Blevins in some form or another. That is of course, until Blevins’ husband Doc got a chance to joke about his wife’s retirement.

“Trustee (Tom) Holybee expressed how much he was going to miss Mary,” Doc Blevins deadpanned. “There are some things that I will not miss: Kentucky Fried Chicken, pizza, McDonalds, the 5 a.m. computer clatter that runs throughout the house. As much as I love Lassen College, those are things that I will not miss.”