Dr. J. Calvin Holsinger received his degrees in history from Pitt and Temple universities. In 1961, after teaching high school and at the State University in Bloomsburg, PA, Dr. Holsinger came to Southern California College (SCC) to serve on the administration of the university and was a history department faculty member, serving the university for about a decade.
On the athletics front, Dr. Holsinger was responsible for beginning a new era, as he was part of a team that selected and promoted use of Vanguards mascot. As Dean of Students at the time, he promoted the use of the college mascot "Vanguards" because he believed that "vanguard" symbolized the university's longtime status of leadership in education both for the Fellowship and for the community in which the college was located, as SCC was the first four-year college in Orange County. The Athletic Department would use the Vanguards and Lady Vanguards through the 1998-1999 season. It is because of his promotion of the Vanguard name that the entire University would adopted the "Vanguard" named and officially become Vanguard University on July 1, 1999. With the nickname now belonging to the school, the Athletic Department would adopted the Lion as its mascot, which began in the fall of 1999 and remains to this day.
Prof. Holsinger says that one of the proudest moments in his professional career was to be a part of the Administration Team that achieved full accreditation for Vanguard University (SCC) in 1968 -- the first Assemblies of God college to do so. Students in the 1960's remember being provided food both in the home of Dean and Mrs. Holsinger for Afternoon Tea, or in class or other events. Often students and faculty were served "historical" foods.. Out of that experience, Dr. and Mrs. Holsinger wrote a book together: "An Historian's Cookbook : Foods for Friends and Scholars" Mrs. Adena Holsinger dedicated herself to activities which helped the wives of married students adjust to college life.
His other accomplishments include: Vanguard University (SCC) Alumni Association Career Achievement Award (1997), National Phi Delta Kappa Distinguished Educator Award (1979), Founding Member of Delta Kappa, a national collegiate honor society for outstanding service to campus and community, part of administration team to receive full accreditation for Vanguard University (SCC) in 1968, and developement of the Vanguard University motto of Truth, Virtue, Service.