Patti Shock ’59

I was born in Oakland. I lived in Temescal, then Montclair. I went to Oakland Tech because I lived in the district. It was the 1950s, so it was like the TV show Happy Days. I remember eating lunch under the big tree on the front lawn, PE Class, Home Ec Class. I ran for office and worked on the yearbook and newspaper.

My most memorable teachers were Mr. Bosch and Crystal Murphy. One of my best friends was Elena Lim (now Elena Wong). After Tech I worked in my family restaurant until I was 30, when I moved to Mississippi to go to college. Tech taught me to be tough and take care of yourself.

I had a distinguished career teaching on the university level and received many awards, wrote books, traveled, spoke at conferences, and now in retirement I still teach online.
(http://www.linkedin.com/in/pattishock for more background.)

I don’t have any thoughts about Tech turning 100, since I just turned 72. But, yes, I am proud to be a Tech alum.

My advice for current Tech students: Education does not stop when you graduate. You must be involved in lifelong learning to be successful.