HCC celebrates 60 years in the education business

August 18, 2006|by ERIN JULIUS

HAGERSTOWN - Hagerstown Community College marks its 60th anniversary this academic year.

The school, formerly known as Hagerstown Junior College, was founded Sept. 10, 1946, becoming the first rural community college in Maryland.

In 1998, the college was renamed Hagerstown Community College to better reflect the mission of the college, said Beth Stull, director of public information for HCC.

Celebratory kickoff events for HCC's diamond anniversary are scheduled for Friday, Sept. 8, through Sunday, Sept. 10.

A public announcement of a scholarship and capital campaign also will occur that weekend, said Lieba Cohen, HCC's director of institutional advancement.

HCC hopes to raise $5 million over the course of the anniversary year, Cohen said.

The Alumni Association Golf Tournament will be Sept. 8 at Fountain Head Country Club. A 5K run and one-mile walk will be Sept. 9, and the HCC Alumni Ball will be that night.

A reunion of the first 15 graduating classes is scheduled for Sept. 10, and the U.S. Army Field Band will perform that afternoon at the HCC Alumni Amphitheater.

The college's first 25 graduates received their degrees June 1, 1948. HCC now boasts about 5,000 for-credit students and 9,000 noncredit students, according to HCC's Web site.

HCC awards three types of degrees - associate of arts, associate of science and associate of applied science.

In 2005, HCC was the fastest growing community college in Maryland, according to the Web site. The school has had a 30 percent increase in the number of for-credit students over the last four years, Stull said.

Nursing is the most popular career-oriented program of study, Stull said.

HCC moved to its current location on Robinwood Drive in 1967, and now has a 316-acre campus.

HCC is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

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