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College Center’s Cline: ‘Time to move on’
The Advocate
After 24 and a half years of dedication to the college, working with the students and being a big part of college life, bookkeeper and office assistant in the College Center Paula Cline is heading into retirement.
Cline, who started her work at Mt. Hood Community College in 1984, has had a handful of jobs — cashier, bookkeeping, accounts payable and purchasing). Fourteen of those years were as a part-timer and 10 and a half years as a full-time employee.
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Cline described her run at MHCC as a life-changing experience and a piece of her life that she won’t soon forget.
“It’s been probably one of the best chapters in my life,” said Cline.
“I’ve loved working at MHCC. It’s one of the highlights in my life.”
Cline started her career at Lane Community College in Eugene from 1968 to 1970 and took some time off after marrying husband Mike and giving birth to her two kids: son Ken, 36, and daughter Karissa, 31.
After 11 years, Cline decided to come back and get her associate’s degree in general studies at MHCC in the spring of 1982.
“I’ve always loved community colleges,” said Cline. “I went to MHCC and got my degree and then applied here in 1984 and got a job. I got on and just stayed here ever since.”
Cline said the decision to retire has been difficult, one that she has played over and over in her head, but ultimately she feels this is the best time to call it quits.
“When you love a job so much, it’s difficult to give that job up,” said Cline. “I hope the person that fills my spot has as much devotion and dedication as I had for the students and the job.”
Asked who will take her place next year, she said, “It’s all up in the air at this point. I just hope they get somebody with the same love for the students and school.”
Cline didn’t realize the effect of her retirement and the responses she’s been given on her plans to move on to what she calls a “new chapter in my life.”
“I’ve had so much support (in the decision of retiring),” said Cline. “I have literally shocked people on my decision. It’s a great feeling knowing how much people really care.”
Cline still plans on always having a relationship with the school and the members that make up the community.
“I’m going to miss everybody,” she said. “I’ve gained so many relationships over the years. I’m planning on staying in touch with everybody. There comes a time in your life when you have to move on. I’m ready for it.”
Cline is already planning summer and future trips with her husband, including lots of boat rides in their 32-foot Bayliner on the Columbia River this summer.
“We’ve worked our whole lives for this,” said Cline. “We are planning some trips including a cruise next year in Hawaii for two weeks. We are also planning on spending some time in a villa in Italy sometime in the next couple of years with some friends.”
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