Phil Escareno left his hometown of Wichita in 1975 to attend Garden City Community College where he continued both his education and athletic career.
“I was offered a scholarship on the wrestling team and was fortunate to get a work-study position with the football team as a manager and trainer,” he said. “I was the first in my family to attend college.”
Escareno graduated from GCCC in 1977 with an Associate in Science in General Studies. During his time at GCCC, Escareno found a strong sense of community.
“The kindness and caring people of southwest Kansas were very welcoming to me and made my transition to a smaller community very seamless and enjoyable,” he said.
After graduation, Escareno chose to remain in the Garden City area, where he built a career with Black Hills Energy that spanned more than 40 years.
Beginning in an entry-level role, he advanced over time to a supervisor and manager position before retiring. He credits his education at GCCC as a key factor in that progression.
“I believe that the associate degree I obtained at GCCC gave me a better opportunity for the position and helped me advance later in my career,” he said.
Reflecting on his experience, Escareno expressed deep gratitude for the opportunities he received.
“GCCC granted me a scholarship and gave me an opportunity to obtain a quality education,” he said. “I ended up staying another 50 years in an outstanding community because of that.”
Escareno’s journey from first-generation college student to longtime professional underscores the lasting impact of accessible, community-focused education and the role GCCC plays in shaping lives and strengthening the region.
Garden City Community College is proud to have played a part in Phil Escareno’s path. Make a difference for future Busters by starting your own Endowed Scholarship through the GCCC Endowment Association.
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