COLLEGE HONORS FACULTY IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL (AND THE ICE CREAM).

Byline: LISA M. SODDERS Staff Writer

VALLEY GLEN -- When Richard Kazie started teaching political science at Los Angeles Valley College, the McCarthy hearings were in full swing and Ronald Reagan was an actor hosting the ``General Electric Theater'' on TV.

That was 1954. Today, the 82-year-old Kazie, who retired from teaching high school in 1984, is back at Valley.

Things have changed on campus. The nearly all-white campus of the '50s has melted into a kaleidoscope of faces from a multitude of racial and ethnic backgrounds. And students aren't so politically astute in this age of reality television and video games.

``Young people are not hot on political science,'' Kazie said. ``A lot of them have the idea that `my one vote won't count' and `no matter who we elect, we're going to get some politicians who are out for themselves and not for the people.'''

But rather than settle at home and enjoy retirement, Kazie is driven to change their minds and show them political science matters.

``I enjoy doing it; I like to educate young people about how government works,'' he said.

The college honored Kazie and several other long-term professors Thursday for their service to Valley. Fittingly, the kudos came at an ice cream social, popular social events in the days where some of the faculty members were just starting out. Among the honorees were three 40-year teachers -- Alan Levine, psychology; John Maddox, history; and John P. Zounes, English; as well as other faculty who have worked for the college for 10 to 35 years.

``We are very proud of the faculty that we have who are so dedicated to teaching,'' said college President Tyree Wieder. ``It keeps them young, it keeps them refreshed, and they get a contemporary view of the world from the students in their class.''

Maddox, 66, of Granada Hills, said he enjoys teaching American history to students who are recent immigrants.

``I feel like I'm doing a service to the community by continuing to teach,'' he said shyly. ``I'm helping them to become better citizens -- I encourage them to vote, I give them credit if they work at the polls.''

Pat Allen, 75, already retired but teaches two sociology classes at Valley, where she's worked for 40 years. < She said she cherishes the announcements from former students who are married, earning doctorates or hitting other milestones.

``You could be an engineer and build a building, but we're building human beings,'' Allen said. ``I couldn't have spent a better 40 years.''

Other faculty and staff honored with ``Above & Beyond'' Awards were: Cherrie Goldstein, Syed Hussain, Aki Javadi, David Quinteros, Rodney Smith, Jim Taylor, Joanne Waddell, Yasmin Delahoussaye, Al Amaray, Rhonda Eisner, Florentinio Manzano, Hae Sun Pope, Doris Richardson and Tom Lopez.

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(1 -- 2) Above, Los Angeles Valley College political science professor Richard Kazie is served a sundae at a good old-fashioned ice cream social thrown to honor the college's long-term professors. At right, history professor John Maddox -- one of the 40-year honorees -- celebrates by digging in.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer