In Celebration of
Vince Aleccia
On His Retirement
Please Join Us for a virtual gathering on June 10 (register below)
Raise a toast to Vince!
Please join Vince Aleccia and his family for a virtual celebration to mark his retirement from full-time teaching after 45 years.
Vince ends his career as an emeritus full professor of education at Eastern Washington University, but he traces his path as a teacher, mentor and colleague from Canyon High School in Anaheim, Calif., to Yreka High School in Yreka, Calif., to North Medford High School in Medford, Ore. — with a detour in Chelmsford, England, along the way.
Starting in 1976, Vince spent three decades as a secondary English, journalism and social studies teacher at high schools in California and Oregon, before earning a doctorate in education from George Fox University in 2007 and embarking on a new path in higher education at EWU.
During his secondary career, he sought out new experiences in the U.S. and abroad. He was selected as a Fulbright Exchange Teacher and taught for a year in the United Kingdom. He was recognized as a National Board Certified Teacher in language arts and later served as curriculum director in the Medford, Ore., School District. He taught English and writing classes at Southern Oregon State College. Throughout his tenure, he served as an inspiration for students and a mentor for new instructors.
Vince arrived at EWU in 2006 as an assistant professor of education. During his time at the university, he taught 21 different courses and assumed several roles, including graduate director, director of the off-campus MEd. Program and supervisor of student teachers. He expanded the department’s College Instruction program and served on numerous faculty evaluation and hiring committees.
He was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor in 2012, having published articles in several academic journals and making numerous presentations at conferences. In 2010, he was recognized with the EWU Outstanding Faculty Award in Teaching.
Promoted to full professor in 2017, Vince has continued his research on the historical aspects of education, especially higher education, as well as educational sociology and the philosophy of education.
Share this page:
Virtual Retirement Party
Thursday, June 10
5:30 PM PDT
Information on how to join Vince’s party is below.
Before the day of the party
1. Please register to attend the party by clicking the button below.
2. If you do not already have Zoom, please download the application below.
On the day of the party
Please refer to your registration email for instructions on joining the ceremony. Feel free to email support@lightenarrangements.com if you need help.
Submit Your Video Tribute
Please help us celebrate and honor Vince by recording a video tribute for him! You can record your video tribute by visiting https://www.tribute.co/vince-aleccia/. A video montage of the tributes will be played during Vince’s Retirement Party.
Guestbook
Please share a story or leave a message for Vince.
Congratulations on your retirement, Vince. I’m very happy for you, and I hope that you’ll find the next phase of this journey called life to be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding. I’ll looking forward to joining you for the June 10 celebration in your honor. Until then, best wishes.
I hope you enjoy your very well deserved retirement.
You truly helped me survive High School. I always felt that your classroom was a safe haven, a place where I was allowed to be myself.
I am sure that I am not the only student who felt this way. I am but one of hundreds. I’m also sure that I was the only student in your Journalism class to actually read David Copperfield.
Congratulations, Vince! I hope you enjoy your retirement!
I enjoyed seeing all you have accomplished since North Medford High School. You and NMHS hold many fond memories. I wish you all the best!
Vince. Thank you for the help and support you gave me in 1997/8 when I came over on a Fulbright exchange to North Medford from a part of England nowhere near Chelmsford. John and I especially valued your friendship as someone who knew what it was like to teach in another country. We have fond memories of having Thanksgiving dinner with your family. You and JoNel would be made most welcome if you ever get to Dorset. Your President will be about 200 miles away in the less pretty county of Cornwall on your retirement day. Enjoy your retirement.
Vince, congratulations! It’s such a pity for me, as I’ve had only a little over than a quarter of f2f experience with you although I came to EWU over one and a half years ago. Yeah, the pandemic is to blame! But the ‘brisk’ impression you left upon me is still so fresh – humorous, insightful, and decisive – so that the committee meetings with you attending were always fruitful. I have limited vocabulary, but ‘brisk’ is indeed the word I thought of when I thought of you. Is that also often a word people use to describe a beer brand they like? Cold, but refreshing, and people do love? I guess I’ll remember you whenever I have a beer in hand. Enjoy life!
BTW, I learned that you won best teaching awards twice at EWU. I wish you could share your experiences someday in near future!
Will never forget how you helped me with my UCLA application essay. Always loved your English classes and Ironically, I too ended up teaching but could weather the storm as many years as you have. You loved what you did and it always showed. Congratulations and here’s to a very happy retirement.