The Gentrain Society is a volunteer auxiliary of Monterey Peninsula College

Peter Purdue, President

The end is near! August 31 signals the end of the current Board. The new Board will take office September 1. So, this is my final musing. Many thanks to all Board members for their many contributions over the last year. I think our biggest success was getting our budget under control. But, we were able to provide the new Board with enough issues to keep the Board busy for the next year.

Nancy Johnson, Incoming President

Thanks for all your work, Peter. As for me, I feel as if I’m beginning all over again. This is my second term as Gentrain Society President. The first was long ago – 2001 to 2002 – but my involvement stretches back much further. My experience with  Gentrain began in the mid-1980s, after my husband, son, and I took our first trip to Europe. Being exposed to so much exciting history firsthand made me realize just how much I didn’t know. 

When I heard about the Gentrain Program, I thought it might be exactly what I needed to help me fill in the blanks. I tentatively registered for Unit 8 – just to try it out. Intrigued but not quite certain, I added Units 9, 10, and 11 all at once. By the time I was ready to enroll in Unit 12, I was hooked – and the rest is “history.” 

Eventually, I began taking semester-length courses offered by Gentrain instructors,  especially Grant Voth, who preceded Alan as Coordinator and literature instructor. It was Grant who encouraged me to pursue graduate school. After completing my M.A. in English Literature, I returned to teach  Short Courses on Gentrain-related themes, lead a number of domestic and foreign travel-study tours, and serve as Coordinator of a Gentrain spin-off first envisioned by Tom Logan, called WorldTrain. 

I’m proud to say the  Johnsons are a Gentrain family. When our son Matt reached college age, he completed the Program. In recent years, my husband Bob has happily retired and is now enjoying Gentrain himself. I’m deeply grateful for all this wonderful program has offered us, and I look forward to a productive year serving you as your President once again.