Commuter

Issue date: 3/15/04 Section: News

From the early days of Northampton Community College, when the school was no more than a couple of trailers in the field, Earl Page has been reporting to work.

At 61, the Forks Township resident is in his 32nd year at the College. He's known for his love of music, bib overalls, knitted woolen cap and a colorful style of teaching history and sociology in the classroom

The professor's office is informal, with photos of musicians tacked and taped to the walls of the disheveled work space.

Page says that he enjoys the real country music of yesteryear, "not the boys in the big hats that we see on television today."

He's also a fan of big band music, jazz and plays the drums.

After graduating from the honors program at the University of Maryland, Page arrived at the NCC campus ready for action.

"My first impression of the college after being getting settled was, oh my God, what have I done?'" he says.

Page and another comrade who teaches math, Professor Jain-Cocks, pondered whether they should take on an Arnolds bread truck route for extra income. They gave up the idea and continued to teach.

Regardless of his dress, political views or the design of his syllabus, "all of the past administrations and the current one have never let me down. They're very supportive," Page said.

"I have found the staffers and even the highest up administrators to be down to earth, approachable people."

The College has always been supportive, he says, noting that it kept him on the payroll and busy even when it had to cancel some of his courses in 1974 to meet budget.

"It is this type of understanding that I am very grateful for," Page says.

He has seen many changes during his tenure at NCC.

"The growth of this school has been just incredible," he says. "I had no intention of staying at this little community college for more than a year."

That he stayed at the College is a testament to his love of the atmosphere, his job and his students.

"Some of the students that come to Northampton arrive with a chip on their shoulder, feeling that they are attending merely a community college," he says.

"They need to realize what a great opportunity this college offers. Many a successful career has started at NCC. The teachers here are some of the finest anywhere."

NCC President Art Scott says he appreciates Page's many years of service.

"The alumni always [cite] Page as the teacher they learned the most from while attending NCC," Scott says.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools