The concrete has been poured for the Norm Hoffman Memorial which is slated for completion March 16.
A ceremony that day will highlight the contributions that the late Bakersfield College professor had on the college, its students and the community. Coinciding with the memorial’s finish, the Bakersfield City Council is expected to proclaim that date as Norm Hoffman Day, according to Ron Jones, a friend of Hoffman.
The memorial coming to fruition has been a reward for Jones, a fellow BC professor. Jones has worked alongside Hoffman’s children, Grant and Kirsten, to push the project and help find contributions.
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“We really wanted it done in time for the one-year anniversary,” Jones said. “It’s pretty cool. It’s going to be really nice and a beautiful accent to that part of the campus.”
Hoffman was killed while riding his bike along Fairfax Road in northeast Bakersfield on March 14, 2001. Hoffman was hit from behind by a 17-year-old who swerved onto the shoulder after losing control of his vehicle.
Jones immediately felt that a memorial needed to be built to honor the health professor who also was a noted cyclist, winning numerous awards and accolades. College officials are happy to have a monument to a professor who gave more than 30 years of service to the campus.
“BC is all for it,” said Juan Gutierrez, BC’s public information specialist. “Norm touched a lot of people and the support that the memorial has received showcases that.”
Several delays pushed back the initial construction of the monument. After a proposal was drafted in November, the committee in charge of naming special projects passed it on to President Dr. Sandra Serrano’s cabinet, where it was approved.
“A recommendation is made to Foundation (on naming areas on campus), who in turn makes a recommendation to a committee that is in charge of naming areas,” Gutierrez said. “It then goes to the president’s cabinet, where it’s discussed and approved.”
Groundbreaking for the memorial, located directly northwest of the new 50-meter pool, was Feb. 23. And although considerable time lapsed between the initial idea and the beginning of construction, everyone is excited about the new addition.
“Within 48 hours of the final approval we accelerated hard,” Jones said. “We hope to have it done before the ceremony, but things have been moving very fast. I’m very pleased.”
The memorial will feature two bike racks, a place to lock up students’ bicycles. Surrounded by large boulders, it also will include a bench and a plaque inscribed with a biography of Hoffman.
Jones said that Hoffman represented the best of the community and his death was a tremendous loss.
Jones as well as several others in the community including local restaurant owner Joe Coughlin have worked toward honoring Hoffman.
Other proclamations in the works, according to Jones, include a resolution by the county Board of Supervisors and a possible resolution from Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Bakersfield, to honor Hoffman.
Since Hoffman’s death, Jones and former BC professor John Lotze organized the South Valley Bicycle Coalition, a group working to improve bicycle safety. The proclamation from the city will be presented to the group during the ceremony.