Saturday an era will end when Dr. Benjamin Duran officially retires as president of Merced College.</p><p>Ben Duran has been an educator for 40 years, worked as an administrator for Merced College for 20 years and served as its president for 13 years. His impact on the Los Banos Campus, as well as the college as a whole, has been extraordinary.</p><p>The Merced College graduate has many noteworthy accomplishments as college president. He was its leader, for example, when two bonds were passed, one in Los Banos and one in Merced, that enabled the college to build facilities to accommodate rapid enrollment growth.</p><p>Ben has helped bring continuity and stability as president, at a time when the typical California community college president lasts less than four years. His 13-year presidency is the second-longest in Merced College's history.</p><p>Working closely with the board of trustees, he has kept the college fiscally solvent and strong, even with declining state funding. He has also kept the college educationally sound, hiring highly competent and caring faculty and managers who provide students exceptional learning opportunities.</p><p>He has empathy for students of all backgrounds, developing a close rapport with them. He has been active in the community, representing the college at many events. And he has been involved in many statewide organizations, making sure the voice of Merced County and Merced College is heard.</p><p>Although Ben's official retirement is Saturday, he will continue on an interim basis until a new president is selected this spring or summer. </p><p>I've known Ben since his days as school superintendent in Le Grand. I have seen him demonstrate his exceptional abilities as an educational leader and his empathy and advocacy for Los Banos.</p><p>As most people who live on the west side of Merced County know, it's unusual for a person living on the county's east side to be an advocate for westsiders. But Eastside Ben has been a good friend to the Westside. And, largely because of his advocacy, the Westside now has a permanent campus in Los Banos.</p><p>When Ben became president in 1998, the college had been exploring for several years ways in which a permanent campus could be built in Los Banos. Finding property for the campus, especially donated land, was a priority.</p><p>By 1998, the college had looked at several sites and talked with several different land owners, but never did all the pieces fall into place. After Ben became president, he started to have conversations with Larry Anderson, who was developing residential and commercial areas west of Los Banos, along Pacheco Boulevard.</p><p>Thanks to Ben's persistence and Larry's interest in building a stronger community, land was donated for a college site of 120 acres. That donation became an important factor when Ben and the college board put Measure J on the ballot in Los Banos. Voters overwhelming passed the bond measure.</p><p>Ben also asked campus dean Dr. Anne Newins to work with her faculty and staff to help architects design a facility that would meet the needs of Los Banos Campus students, faculty, classified staff and the community. The result is a marvelous campus that has seen enrollment double since it opened in the fall of 2007.</p><p>Ben's involvement in Los Banos reflects his ability to listen and get everyone involved. He believes in creating win-win solutions. He is willing to take the lead in getting things done, but is also willing to step back and rely on the judgments of others.</p><p>Ben takes his job seriously, but not himself. With his laughter and warm sense of humor, he has been able to diffuse tension and make people comfortable.</p><p>He also is a person of integrity, an educator interested in doing not just what is expedient but what is right. </p><p>Merced College, including the Los Banos Campus, has been lucky to have Ben Duran as its leader for so long. I'm sure that I speak for many residents in wishing Ben well in his retirement and in thanking him for his years of effective service to the people within the Merced Community College District.</p><p>Comments on the writings of John Spevak, a 2011 California Newspaper Publishers Association's columnist award recipient, are encouraged and can be sent via email to john.spevak@gmail.com.