MOSES LAKE - Longtime Big Bend Community College president Bill Bonaudi will be the guest of honor at an open house celebrating his retirement Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Masto Conference Center, 7662 Chanute Street NW.

Since Bonaudi is beginning a permanent vacation, attendees have been asked to wear their favorite Hawaiian shirts to the party.

Bonaudi will end a 47-year career in education when he retires June 30. He spent 17 years as president at Big Bend.

Bonaudi's wife Karen left her job with the Washington Potato Commission to start her own consulting business. The couple plans to travel but will still live in Moses Lake.

Bonaudi's entire career has been spent as a teacher or administrator in community colleges; he was an instructor in microbiology, anatomy and physiology.

He expressed gratitude to the residents of the college's service area for their support, and to the Big Bend Community College Foundation, which provides scholarships for students.

Dr. Terry Leas has been hired to replace Bonaudi and will start in August.