Feather River College stadium to receive name change
By Debra Moore
The Feather River College stadium will now be known as the Dr. Joseph Brennan Stadium, in recognition of one of its former presidents.
Former faculty members Donald Fregulia and Pete Bartels submitted the request and the FRC Board of Trustees unanimously approved it during the board’s Dec. 10 meeting.
In the request letter, Fregulia wrote in part: “Dr. Joseph Brennan began his long and distinguished career as Dean of Student Services. In that role he was focused on establishing a college in Plumas County. His leadership, energy, administrative talent and his respect and admiration of students established the College as a viable and productive academic institution and an economic force in Plumas County.”
According to an excerpt from a March of 1969 issue of the Feather River Bulletin: Joseph W. Brennan, 40, has been appointed Dean of Students at Feather River College, announced by Dr. Dale Wren, Feather River president. He is presently employed at Palomar College in San Marcos where he served as an instructor, coach and supervisor since 1958.
Fregulia’s letter went on to note that he also served as Dean of Instruction and as President (from 1981 to 1989), and was instrumental in regard to the de-annexation from the Peralta Community College District.
The trustees needed little convincing. Trustee Bill Elliott recalled spending time at the college and would always see Brennan there. “He must have started work when the sun came up until late in the evening … his dedication to the college was outstanding,” he said.
Trustee Guy McNett read a letter written by an individual supporting the name change who described Brennan as someone with “relentless drive and determination,” and that never in her opinion had an “employee worked so tirelessly for the college.”
Current FRC president Kevin Trutna said that the request met all of the criteria for naming a building or facility and that Brennan’s wife, Linda, was very appreciative of the gesture.
According to policy, in renaming a facility, the request is brought to the college president and then discussed with the president’s cabinet, which includes the three vice presidents, both union presidents and the presidents of the academic and classified senates.
“In the president’s cabinet we had a long discussion about whether the stadium or the library should be named for him,” Trutna said during an interview following the meeting. But the request had been for the stadium and it was known that during his time on campus, Brennan used to attend as many athletic events as he could.
“We also thought the stadium would have a greater tie-in with the community than the library would,” Trutna added.
Fregulia suggested that a dedication ceremony to be held in the spring or early fall of 2021 would be appropriate.
