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Menu.From The Communicator, September/October 1985.
This year CCAC [Community College of Allegheny
County] celebrates its 20th anniversary.
When the College first opened its doors in 1966, a total of 1,516
students were enrolled. Today, more than 90,000 students are enrolled in
thousands of credit and non-credit classes.
During these past 20 years, CCAC has grown to become the largest
community college in Pennsylvania and among the largest in the United
States. And last year, CCAC generated more than 20,000 full-time
equivalent students, ranking it as one of the top three colleges in the
state along with the University of
Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania State University.
But just how did community colleges and CCAC begin in Pennsylvania?
It all started 22 years ago when former Gov. William W. Scranton signed
the Community College Act, thus creating a new type of college system in
Pennsylvania.
Since 1963 the 14 community colleges in the state have attempted to
fulfill their mandated mission of providing low cost, open-door education
while remaining responsive to trends and the needs of local communities.
The community colleges have grown from a dream to a $180 million dollar
industry that provides jobs for nearly 11,000 individuals.
An economic study released by CCAC this year indicates that for every
dollar invested in CCAC by Allegheny County taxpayers, $3.74 was directly
returned to the local economy and $7.78 was indirectly spent in the
county. And 3,942 local jobs have been created as a result of
college-related expenditures.
CCAC began with a meeting.
In September, 1963, the Allegheny County Board of School Directors met,
and upon the recommendation of County Superintendent of Schools Dr. A. W.
Beattie, a proposal was made for a study of a community college in
Allegheny County.
The need for a community college here was brought about by the continually
increasing number of high school graduates wanting to attend college.
In February, 1964, material was gathered, and acting on a resolution
adopted by the Annual Convention of Allegheny County School Directors,
the President of the County School Board appointed a study committee to
review the data and materials.
After studying this information, the committee met with the subcommittee
for community colleges of the State Council of Higher Education in March,
1964. This committee recommended the County Board convene a special
convention of the County School Directors.
At this convention in June, 1964, the proposed plan for CCAC was
discussed. After the presentation by Dr. James S. Snoke, Assistant
Superintendent of Allegheny County Schools, this special convention
unanimously voted to have the County School Board ask the Allegheny
County Commissioners to become the local sponsor of CCAC in accordance
with the provisions of the Community College Act.
In August, 1964, the Board presented criteria to the County Commissioners
(Dr. William D. McClelland, John E. McGrady and Blair E. Gunther) as to
why they should become the local sponsor of CCAC. After studying the
information, the commissioners unanimously decided on December 1, 1964,
to become the local sponsor.
A request for county voters to approve the indebtedness of the county for
$11.1 million was placed on the ballot in May, 1965. This People's Bond
Issue was approved, and on November 10, 1965, the state Board of
Education approved the application of the commissioners to establish CCAC.
Immediately the commissioners sought community leaders to serve as
trustees. On December 8, 1965, 15 trustees were sworn in. They were:
Dr. Beattie, Dr. Irving H. Bartlett, Daniel Marguriet, William E. Howard,
George N. Scheid, Hiram Milton, Mary T. Denman, Thomas L. Fagan, Herman
Fineberg, Dr. M. R. Hadley, Dr. Blair Kolasa, Dr. S. P. Marland, Jr.,
the Rev. John B. McDowell, the Rev. James J. Robinson and Louis F.
Sattele.
On April 5, 1966, Kermit C. Morrissey was elected the first president of
CCAC. Morrissey had been Dean of Students at Brandeis University and
Chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Regional Community Colleges.
Meanwhile, Plant and Site Committee proposed the
Western
Theological
Seminary buildings on Ridge Avenue on Pittsburgh's North Side for the
site of one campus (Allegheny). The Board agreed and forwarded a request
to the commissioners to purchase this property and the surrounding
property referred to as "Monument Hill."
Boyce Campus also was opened in 1966. Originally known as the East
Campus, it is located in Monroeville. The first facilities were
temporary, utilizing Gateway Senior High School, Forbes Trail Technical
School and the Monroeville Public Library. Because they were using public
facilities the campus only offered courses that began after 4 p.m. each
day.
Occasionally Boyce is referred to as the "Instant Campus" because of the
rapid construction of the new campus in 1969 near Boyce Park. With this
new campus, the College was able to offer traditional daytime classes. A
major building program to enlarge the facility began in 1971 and was
completed in 1973.
South Campus was opened in 1967 in temporary facilities at West Mifflin
South High School and Lebanon Presbyterian Church. Additional facilities
were acquired in McKeesport. Like Boyce Campus, classes at South began
after 4 p.m.
During the College-wide building program initiated in 1971, South Campus
was relocated to a 200-acre site off of Route 885 in West Mifflin.
In 1972 Center-North began operations out of a trailer on the grounds of
North Hills Passavant Hospital. Center-North grew rapidly and is
presently housed in facilities in the Pines Plaza Shopping Center on
Perry Highway, Northway Mall on McKnight Road and at a variety of
locations in the North Hills area.
The story of CCAC has been one of growth and change. Adaptability is the nature of the College and the tenet basic to CCAC's commitment to the community. The College has changed and adapted to new demands and circumstances of the community. And CCAC accommodates changing labor and social trends through programs that meet the needs of various individuals.
When CCAC opened its doors in 1966 at Allegheny and Boyce campuses, it
awarded two associate degrees and offered fewer than 20 programs.
Today, CCAC offers three types of degrees: Associate in Arts, Associate
in Science and Associate in Applied Science, as well as certificate and
diploma programs for students who wish to acquire career or vocational
training in one year or less. The College now offers more than 190 credit
programs designed to prepare students for transfer to a four-year college
or immediate employment in the community.