(Photo courtesy of COCC )
A Toast to Higher Education
COCC (Central Oregon Community College) was founded back in 1949, with the first class commencing on September 20 of that year. The first students of the college attended classes at night at the old downtown Bend High School in subjects like business and accounting. These early scholars made a commitment to furthering their education before COCC even had a permanent home (or name) in Bend.
1954 marked the year the college was named Central Oregon College. The 10,000-square-mile College District was created in 1962, and the Bend Campus was opened on Awbrey Butte in 1964 thanks to a generous land gift. In 1967, the college was officially dubbed Central Oregon Community College. Redmond saw their first COCC campus in 1997, while campuses in Prineville and Madras followed in 2011.
This expansion correlates with COCC’s original mission to bring higher education opportunities to Central Oregon. Since 1949, tens of thousands of students have graduated from COCC, while many more have taken noncredit courses to try out something new, find community, or learn a new skill. From the Central Oregon Symphony and Cascade Culinary Institute to the Center for Business, Industry, and Professional Development, education at COCC is far reaching and valuable to the entire community.
Recently, COCC celebrated their 75th anniversary with a community event. The event featured historical photos and memorabilia, as well as showcases of some 20 college programs, such as nursing, aviation, dental assisting, social science, criminal justice and engineering, with some training technology and vehicles on display.
The speakers and presenters included M0sley W0tta, Oregon Poet Laureate Ellen Waterston and a proclamation from Bend City Councilor Steve Platt, with a performance from the Cascade Chorale singing group.
“We are here today at this significant milestone because the leaders and communities of Central Oregon prioritized higher education 75 years ago, with a focus on access and affordability, and we’re proud to have been a part of so many individual lives ever since,” said Dr. Laurie Chesley, president of the college. “This anniversary is really as much a celebration of Central Oregon as it is COCC.”
From Gilchrist to Bend to Warm Springs, COCC strives to meet the goals of those it serves. The College is committed to being responsive to Central Oregon’s needs by providing affordable, accessible education for all, and by offering new technologies, trainings and opportunities that contribute to the region’s well-being. It’s a mission shared and supported by area schools, employers, agencies, contributors and taxpayers, and wouldn’t be possible without those enduring partnerships.
The sentiment at COCC is one that is looking forward to the next 75 years, serving the community.
