BC Professor Dr. John Gerhold Receives MACCC Honors Award
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Recently, Dr. John Gerhold, Professor of Music at Bakersfield College, received the Music Association of California Community Colleges (MACCC) Honors Award, recognizing his 26 years of leadership and service as a board member. The MACCC is an organization that focuses on advancing music education in California through professional development, conferences, and support for community college faculty.
Dr. Gerhold has been on staff at BC for 32 years, teaching Music Theory and musicianship, and has also spent several years as Faculty Chair in the Music Department. Dr. Gerhold was happy to receive the award and recognition. “The Honors Award is a special award. It is not one that is given every year,” he said. “I served on the board for many years, including two terms as Board president; so, in a way, it’s a lifetime achievement award.” He received the award at the MACCC’s annual Fall Conference which took place last month in Berkeley, CA.
After spending four decades in music education, Dr. John Gerhold is planning to retire after the Spring 2026 semester. The MACCC Honors Award is an appropriate bookend to his teaching career.
Dr. Gerhold first came to BC in the early 1990s, right around the time he was finishing his graduate degree. “The job opportunities for college-level teaching, at the time, were limited,” explains Gerhold, “and when I saw the job announcement, I felt like it was a good fit. When I interviewed, I felt I made a good connection with the people I talked to, and it just felt really good when the interview ended. It was my first full-time faculty position.”
When asked what his favorite part of teaching at BC is, he was quick to respond. “One of the things I really love about this college is that it is very community-oriented,” he said, “the faculty, staff, and students – we’re all this big family. I think that it’s special to Bakersfield College. The environment we have here and the way people care about one another – it is very special.” He has had several career highlights, including writing an original composition for the grand opening of the newly renovated Performing Arts Center in 2014, and singing the national anthem every year at the BC Commencement Ceremony since 1999. In addition to these accomplishments, some of his former students are now on the music staff at BC – a great testament to his teaching acumen and legacy.
When asked about what he will do after retirement, Dr. Gerhold shared a few of his plans. “It has been very difficult for me to give attention to my own creative work while being a full-time teacher,” he says, “so, I do want to get back to more composing and making those finished products available for performances and to the public.” He also mentioned that he will have one final performance to commemorate his retirement in April 2026. The recital will feature himself, guest musicians, and former and current staff and students performing several of his works.
Congratulations to Dr. John Gerhold for being honored by the MACCC for years of dedicated service and leadership with the organization, and for an incredible educational career at Bakersfield College. Good luck with your retirement and future endeavors. Thank you for investing in the future of countless music students at Bakersfield College!
