The News Site of Fresno City College

The Rampage Online

The News Site of Fresno City College

The Rampage Online

The News Site of Fresno City College

The Rampage Online

    Centennial Celebrations Begin

    Fresno City College is turning 100, and the college is planning huge celebrations to mark its centennial.

    According to the College’s Public Information office, the first scheduled celebration is the Centennial Ball on Dec. 31, 2009 at the Valdez Hall of the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center.

    Events will continue throughout the year to highlight FCC’s programs, alumni, and employees. These include the centennial history night, Cen-tree walk, centennial convocation, Progressive library tour, FCC’s spring formal and culminating in a formal academic convocation on Sept. 10, 2010.

    In 1910 when Fresno City College started, the old Fresno Traction Company had just added two new trolley lines in Downtown Fresno. J.C. Forkner was just beginning to plant the first trees in Fig Garden, Theodore Kearney had just escorted Lilly Langtree to her performance at the city’s old Barton Opera House.

    In that year, Fresno City College, California’s first Community college, was established. The college’s history actually began in 1907 when C.L. McLane recognized the need for a college institution for San Joaquin Valley students.

    FCC, then known as Fresno Junior college, started with 20 students and three instructors. In 1958, its name was changed from Fresno Junior College to Fresno City College. In 1963, FCC became part of the State Community College District.

         Thousands of local people have worked through the years to make FCC a successful and strong educational institution. Likewise, the college has launched the careers of a lot of individuals such as Clyde McCully, president of FCC from 1967-’86. McCully wasn’t able to get into Fresno State and started his academic career at FCC. “Fresno City College” saved my academic Career,” McCully said. McCully isn’t the only one in that situation, Kopi Sotiropulos, a TV broadcaster, attended the college for two-and-a-half years. “I couldn’t get into State. I needed a jumpstart,” Sotiropulos said.

    To kick off the centennial celebrations, Dr. Cythia Azari announced the first 10 of 100 centennial honorees. The list includes Mr. Larry Fortune, Dr. Odell Johnson, Mr. Don Larson, Dr. Clyde McCully, Dr. Pete Mehas, Ms. Sarah Reyes, Mr. Kopi Sotiropulos, Mr. Garry Soto, Mr. Franz Weinstein, and Mr. Charles “Tom” Wright. Other honorees will be announced throughout the year until all 100 stars for 100 years have been selected, said Azari. 

    “I never expected something like this,” said Sotiropulos. Don Larson, another honoree said, “My wife always said I didn’t go to work; I just went to play.” Larson was Sotiropulos’ instructor when Sotiropulos attended FCC.

         As of the spring 2009 semester, Fresno City College had 24,587 enrolled students. This fall, the college is said to be at 105% of its capacity.

    Tickets to the Centennial Ball. the first of the 100-anniversary celebration on Dec. 31, are available and cost $100 each. the ball will be held at the Valdez Hall Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center.

              FCC students can participate in several ways, starting with attending the centennial ball. The money raised from the ball will be used to fund other events throughout 2010.

          The California Community College system has now grown to 109 campuses, enrolling approximately 1.5 million students. Fresno City College has been built upon rich history and gone on to pioneer many new developments in community college education. Over the years FCC has provided good quality education, “And that will never change,” said Cris Monahan-Bremer, Director of Marketing and Communications at the college.

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