John Bancroft joined San Bernardino Valley College in 1969 as Director of Counseling. "I wanted to be around students again," he said. "I interviewed for the position, was selected, and I went there as the director. I really loved it there."

Over time, his role grew to Dean of Student Services, overseeing programs such as counseling, health services, EOPS, and adult reentry. He saw the transformative power of education, especially for older students returning to school. "So many adults came back and discovered they were a lot smarter than they had ever given themselves credit for," Bancroft said.

Much of his career coincided with President Art Jensen's tenure. "We were really good friends," he said, recalling a trip to China in 1984 with the Jensens and his wife Elaine.

Bancroft's commitment to education was shaped by his personal experiences. During World War II, he spent four months in a prisoner-of-war camp. "We just starved all the time. I weighed 120 pounds. My normal weight was 165," he remembered.

The hardship inspired his lifelong dedication to peace work. "I became a pacifist and worked with peace groups. That's what led to our peace justice scholarship."

He also reflected on his marriage to Elaine, his wife of more than 60 years. "We both enjoyed our lives together. It got better all the time because we both liked each other, loved each other, and we worked at it."

Now, as SBVC celebrates its 100th anniversary, Bancroft looks at how the college has evolved. "The campus looks different, but Valley continues to serve the population it was created to serve. It does that as well as ever."

Dr. John Bancroft and his wife, Elaine

Recent photo of John Bancroft with Foundation members