Junior Colleges, WWII, Cathy Thomas & Fullerton

Doug McIntosh sent this photo of the students and instructors at Santa Ana Junior College Civilian Pilot Training program from the 1941 Del Ano yearbook. The caption reads, "During the 1939-1940 academic and summer courses, Santa Ana Junior College had the distinction of being the only one of 30 California junior colleges offering flight training to maintain a perfect survival record. Training was undertaken at the Eddie Martin Airport and the Anaheim city airport. Facilities for instruction included seven 45-horsepower Piper Cub Trainers for preliminary pilots and two new $5500 Timm Trainers for advanced students."
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Unfortunately for us local historians, the ever-helpful, friendly and enthusiastic Cathy Thomas retired from the Fullerton Public Library on Monday. She's been running the historical collection for quite a few years and she will be missed. Librarian Cheri Pape will be running the Launer Room from here on out and seems like an excellent choice to take the helm. May both Cathy and Cheri find great fulfillment in all that awaits each of them.
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Speaking of Fullerton, I visited Fullerton College for the first time today. What an amazing campus. The early historic buildings are beautifully complimented by newer structures that (in most cases) reflect the 1930s-style Spanish Revival theme. Even the floor numbers in parking structures are spelled out in colorful tiles. It is, as we Disneyland fans say, a fully themed environment. Makes me want to start college all over again.