BCC Turns 40
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Reflections: Bob Purser
Bob Purser Bob Purser has been teaching at Bellevue Community College since the early days. In fact, he was the third teacher to be hired. While still finishing his Masters degree, Bob was contacted by Louis Kahn, then Dean of Instruction at BCC, about developing an art department. "Both of my parents were art teachers at the University of Florida," said Bob. "So I had some insight into the position which helped me at the interview." He was offered a full-time position. In the early years, Bob was a one-person art department, teaching everything except drawing. "I hadn't taught drawing before. I knew how to draw, but not how to teach it. I learned along the way, and had some helpful advice from my parents." "One thing I remember from those early years was skiing with Kae Hutchison and Pauline Christiansen before class," said Bob. "We'd often come to class in our ski clothes. At that time the three of us were teaching an interdisciplinary class that combined music, art, and literature." Bob was involved in the planning of the new school, and along with Kae Hutchison, Bud Carlson, and the architect who was designing the college. They traveled to the East Coast and toured art, music, and theatre facilities at various colleges and art institutes. Their thoughts and ideas were incorporated into the architect's plans for facilities at BCC. Bob has taught classes on design, visual communication, color, and textiles which he learned during travels in Peru. His favorite class is modern architecture, which combines planning, landscaping, and interior design. Although he retired this past year, Bob still teaches this class. During his career at Bellevue Community College, Bob has held many exhibits at the college gallery. One was a collection of Latin American folk art from local artists and friends. The other was a collection Southern folk art by black artists. Read more memories by Bob Purser: |
