She’s a credit to education

The Coast Community College District trustees took a step in the

right direction last month in appointing former Costa Mesa Mayor Mary

Hornbuckle to fill the vacancy left by late board member Paul Berger.

A 40-year-resident of Costa Mesa, Hornbuckle brings to the job

decades of service to education and to the community. She was a

member of the City Council for 12 years and was mayor for two. And

she was elected to the Orange Coast College Alumni Hall of Fame in

2001.

Hornbuckle describes herself as “a believer in life-long

learning.” That philosophy is clearly evidenced by her commitment to

education for the youngest learners -- she’s been director of St.

Mark Community Preschool since 1988 -- as well as college students.

In fact, it’s possible some of Hornbuckle’s former preschoolers are

now OCC students, or soon will be.

Hornbuckle’s appointment to the board is provisional until the

next regular election in November 2006. For however long she serves,

the college district is fortunate to have her.