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THE FLAGSHIP How It All Began
A man with a vision: B.F. McFall forges a future home for Phoenix College An abandoned sheet metal shop seemed an unlikely place for anything great to begin. Yet, an idea, once launched by dedicated leaders can forge a link to the future as easily as metal, once welded and shaped, can create the foundation of a great skyscraper. For B.F. McFall, in 1910, president of the Phoenix Union High School (PUHS) Board of Education, an abandoned sheet metal shop belonging to the District became a place to gather like-minded educators to explore the concept of forming a college in Phoenix. Weston W. Carpenter, at the time a science teacher, and Daniel F. Jantzen, Principal of PUHS, joined forces with McFall, spending many hours planning for local courses to fit into the curriculum of the University of Arizona (U of A). They corresponded with U of A authorities, visited them in person, and in 1921 secured the promise that two years of post-secondary work would admit the students to junior standing at the university. On September 13, 1920, Phoenix Junior College (PJC) officially opened its doors with 18 aspiring students, soon to become hundreds. Classes for PJC were first held in three small cottages on the south side of Taylor Street near 6th Street, a part of the PUHS campus. With the end of WWI in 1918, veterans, eager to attain degrees of higher learning, flooded high schools,
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seeking the 13th and 14th year model of education. U of A and the Tempe Normal School, now Arizona State University (ASU), which specialized in teacher training, were, in many cases, not affordable and too far away for students in Phoenix. PJC became the perfect fit for continuing higher education in Phoenix. PJC was free to all PUHS graduates and some Federal Indian School graduates as well. There was no tuition for Phoenix College/Maricopa County day students until 1979-80. Carpenter was identified as the founder of PJC and served as its first dean succeeded by John Laird, a much loved history teacher, also affectionately known as “Daddy.” Although Phoenix Union High School District (PUHSD) was segregated, establishing George Washington Carver High School on September 13, 1926 to accommodate black students, PJC pledged a non-segregation policy and offered an open invitation to all students, including community members seeking to advance academic learning and gain expertise in areas of special interest. A multicultural and diverse student population became one of the hallmarks of PJC’s growing popularity.
Phoenix Junior College first building at Phoenix Union High School District campus
1920s
W.W. Carpenter was appointed the first Dean of Phoenix Junior College. By May 26, 1922, PJC had produced its first graduating class, which included four young men and notably for the times, one young woman, Lillian Osborn.
On May 26, 1922, PJC celebrated its first graduating class: four young men, and remarkable for the times, one young woman. At the next commencement, twelve men and seven women graduated and overall attendance at the college numbered in the 80s. By 1925, PJC had outgrown its original site on the grounds of PUHS at Taylor and 6th Street, and a tract of four and a half acres across the street known as Cottonwood Court was purchased. Classes moved to this new location and remained there until the end of the decade. The property included the distinctive Anderson House, which was quite pretentious compared to the wooden cottages students had been using as classrooms. The PUHS stadium nearby, which eventually became known as Montgomery Stadium in honor of Emery W. Montgomery, Superintendent of PUHSD and first president of PJC, was used for science, physical education classes, and athletic events with a seating capacity of 23,000. In 1927, PJC began night school, opening opportunities for many enthusiastic working students who quickly filled up the classrooms. Before moving from Cottonwood Court, enrollment reached 422 students and PJC was admitted to full membership in the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Notably, PJC was the second Arizona college to achieve this distinction.
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Daniel F. Jantzen PUHSD Principal
W.W. Carpenter Chemistry Teacher & First Dean of Phoenix Junior College First Graduating Class of PJC (5 students – one not pictured)
1920s
“The faculty of J.C. is one of the most efficient to be found anywhere. Each teacher has had a lot of experience in the subject that he or she teaches. All of the J.C. “Bears” are exceptionally proud of their teachers, and it is with a feeling of sorrow that many of them say good-bye.” —Phoenician, 1922-23 Junior colleges were legalized by the state of Arizona in 1927, but it took several more years for them to completely separate from high schools. Today, Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) has ten distinct colleges and is one of the largest Districts of its kind in the nation. Proudly, Phoenix College was the first, the flagship, at the helm of this astounding journey. McFall and his fellow educators inspired a vision that will last for generations to come, as Phoenix College forges on in the new millennium, offering students opportunities for careers, transfer of credits to universities, as well as cutting-edge academic innovations that will equip them to succeed in today’s highly competitive marketplace. And to think it all started in a humble sheet metal shop!
B.F. McFall PUHSD Board of Education 1922 PJC Faculty
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“They took all the upstairs bedrooms of the house and turned them into classrooms. The rear porch was glassed and served as a study room. It was furnished with three tables and 12 chairs ... and a glass-door kitchen cupboard that housed the library’s initial 250 books.”
—Miriam Scott Rhorer, 1929
First Official Phoenix College Campus – Cottonwood Court In 1926, Phoenix Junior College (PJC) progressed to its first official site - a former mansion named Anderson House on Cottonwood Court across the street from Phoenix Union High School.
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Cottonwood Court Life 1. PJC Cottonwood Court 2. Los Ositos Club (Spanish) 3. Student Body 4. Les Ours Club (French)
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5. Rifle Club 6. Student Government 7. Letterman’s Club 8. Home Economics Club
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Phoenix Junior College Deans 1920–1932
Weston Carpenter
E.W. Montgomery
John “Daddy” Laird
Henry Cross
Dean of the College, 1920 –1924
First PJC leader and Superintendent of
Dean of the College, 1924–1926
Dean of the College, 1927–1932
PUHSD, 1925–1953
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“The pages of this book are records, tracks in the sands of time, of the students, their activities, joys, and frivolities, which go to complete the spirit of the Junior College.” — Foreword in 1926 Bear Tracks yearbook
Bear Tracks Editorial Staff
Bear Tracks For the first six years, the Phoenix Junior College annual was included in the “Phoenician,” the Phoenix Union High School District’s yearbook. In 1926, Phoenix Junior College published its first yearbook, entitled Bear Tracks. Though a name beloved by many, it was the product of a misunderstanding. In the name contest for the annual, Bert Morse suggested “Bear Facts.” This name was submitted to Mr. Cook by the Secretary in pen and ink. He read it as “Bear Tracks,” which was later voted to be the name of the yearbook by the students. Phoenician Cover (1922)
Bear Tracks Cover (1926)
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“Junior College, Junior College, The hills send back the cry, We’ve got to do or die For Junior College, Junior College, We’ll win this game, or know the reason why.” [The same tune was whistled and then the verse was sung and is followed by the three short, powerful RAHS!!!] —Students’ Blue Book, 1928-29
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1920s
“It is considered one of the greatest honors to be able to wear a letter from P.J.C. as it stands for a lot of hard work, and, all of the wearers think for a very wonderful school.” — Phoenician, 1922–23
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In golden Arizona Will Junior College stand, As staunchly as the mountains Of that enchanted land! In wondrous Arizona Are peaks that gleam with light, And seem to beckon to us To conquer every height! In lovely Arizona Are skies of ardent blue, That smile o’er golden poppies Our colors bright and true! In fairest Arizona The cactus greets the rose, And though we bow to beauty, We’re armed to meet our foes!
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In the fields of sport and knowledge We have laurels we must guard; Stay right in there, Junior College, Hit that line and hit it hard! —Alma Mater written by J. Sumpter Shaw, Students’ Blue Book, 1928-29 THE FLAGSHIP