GCCC Alumni Spotlight: Ernie Garcia
[Garden City, KS] July 5, 2023 -- A convenient and affordable education was why Garden City native Ernest "Ernie" Garcia chose to attend Garden City Junior College (AKA Garden City Community College) in 1965. He shared, "It became apparent to me that I was going to need higher education to meet my personal and professional goals, and "GC Juco" gave me a great start to pursuing my goals and objectives."
Ernie continued his classes for a year, sharing that "GC Juco gave me a great start on learning beyond high school. The fact that I could go to college in my hometown at a reasonable price was a great motivator." He then joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966 and served 40 years as an enlisted officer, active and reserve service. In his decades as a Marine, Ernie served worldwide, including Vietnam, Central and South America, Haiti, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. As a result of his service, Ernie became a highly decorated combat veteran. Upon retirement in 2006, Ernie earned the highest rank of Gunnery Sergeant and Colonel as an enlisted member of the Marine Corps; these rare individuals are called officer "Mustangs."
Ernie eventually attended and graduated from the University of Kansas, where he earned a bachelor's degree in sociology (1974), a master's degree in political science (1976), and a master's degree in public administration (1978). He also had the distinction of working for U.S. Senator Bob Dole in Washington, D.C, and working at the White House for President Ronald Reagan as a special assistant. Ernie also served as an Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon and became the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms, which among other duties, included serving as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the United States Senate. Ernie eventually returned to Kansas to become the Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol. He is now retired and resides in Overland Park, Kansas.
When asked what advice he would give to GCCC students, Ernie shared, "GCCC is a great institution to begin your advanced learning. It provides a great value and quality education, allowing you to continue your higher education with a great advantage."
Garden City Community College is proud to have played a role in Ernie's success. Make a difference for future Busters by starting your own Endowed Scholarship through the GCCC President's Scholarship Initiative!
From HERE, you can go ANYWHERE.
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.