Dear Peralta Community,
The family of our former colleague, Dr. Donald Hongisto, has kindly invited the Peralta Community to his upcoming celebration of life.
Don Hongisto, former President of Feather River College, College of Alameda, and Merrit College, passed away at the end of October 2025. A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 4 p.m. at the Student Lounge (Building R) of Merritt College, 12500 Campus Drive in Oakland. Friends, former students, and Peralta staff are encouraged to attend and share their stories.
Remembering Donald Hongisto, president of Merritt College and other Peralta campuses
In addition to leading Merritt, Feather River, and College of Alameda, Don taught English, worked on political campaigns and helped answer advice letters sent to "Dear Abby" at the SF Chronicle.
In addition to the information provided by the family – as noted by Chancellor Gilkerson in her December 9, 2026 report to the Board of Trustees – Don, his wife Norma, and their family have been incredibly generous supporters of the Peralta Colleges Foundation with endowed scholarships for leadership and for artists. In her report, she noted, "He was someone who stepped up wherever he was needed. He believed strongly in the power of education, especially the humanities, and was passionate about leadership... My sympathies go out to Dr. Hongisto's family."
