The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees, which oversees College of the Canyons, named Bruce Fortine as board president, filled its other board officer positions, and set its 2016 meeting schedule during its annual organizational meeting held Wednesday night.

Fortine is a founding board member, having been elected to the college district board when it was founded in 1967. He stepped off the board in 1973 when he accepted a staff position at the college. When his career carried him away from Santa Clarita, and then back again, Fortine was re-elected to the board in 1991, and has served continuously since then. Altogether, he has 35 years of service to the district.

“It’s an honor to be chosen unanimously by my fellow board members to serve as board president for 2016, and I am proud to be part of this college’s incredible development for much of my career,” Fortine said. “Driven by innovation, and defined by excellence, College of the Canyons has grown to become one of the most highly regarded community colleges anywhere.”

“I appreciate Bruce’s leadership, and the consistent, dedicated service he provides as a member of the board of trustees,” COC Chancellor Dr. Dianne Van Hook said. “He is a tireless supporter of the college who is always looking to expand our partnerships and possibilities in the community.”

The board members also filled their other officer positions Wednesday. They voted unanimously to select Steve Zimmer as vice president, and Michael Berger as clerk, for the coming year.

The board set its meeting dates for 2016, as follows:

January 20 – Business Meeting

February 10 – Business Meeting

February 24 – Business Meeting

March 9 – Business Meeting (held at Canyon Country Campus)

March 23 – Joint Meeting with Associated Student Government (ASG)

April 13 – Business Meeting

April 27 – Potential Joint Meeting with another community organization, pending availability

May 11 – Business Meeting

May 25 – Joint Meeting with COC Foundation Board of Directors

June 8 – Business Meeting

June 22 – Business Meeting and Tentative Budget Workshop

July 13 – Business Meeting

August 10 – Business Meeting

August 24 – Potential Joint Meeting with another community organization, pending availability

September 14 – Business Meeting and Adopted Budget Workshop

September 28 – Potential Joint Meeting with another community organization, pending availability

October 12 – Business Meeting

October 26 – Joint Meeting with ASG Officers (held at the Canyon Country Campus)

November 9 – Business Meeting

December 7 – Organizational and Business Meeting

The board meets at the Valencia Campus in Hasley Hall, Room 137, unless otherwise noted. Open session meetings typically begin at 5 p.m. Agendas are available online at http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/coc/Board.nsf