50 years of LBCC

JUNE 17, 2018

MIDVALLEY MEDIA

LBCC 50TH ANNIVERSARY

50 years of excellence in education Linn-Benton Community College is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with inspiring stories that reflect on its past and look to the future

and refreshments. You can even sign our giant birthday card!

Festivities start at 3 p.m., with time capsule reveal starting at 4 p.m. Not only will we get to see what was buried 25 years ago, we’ll dedicate a new time capsule to be opened on LBCC’s 75th anniversary in 2043.

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stablished in December 1966 by a voter-approved referendum, LBCC held its first classes in September 1967.

Back then, students could earn an associate degree or certificate in bookkeeping, clerical-secretarial, nurse’s aide-orderlies and welding.

Classes were held in a variety of leased or borrowed facilities around Linn and Benton counties, and students had to “hit the road” to get from class to class. They came to be called “Roadrunners,” and that’s how the college mascot was born.

Looking back to those humble beginnings, LBCC has benefitted from the support of voters and donors through the years, support which helped build the 104-acre Albany campus dedicated in 1974, and satellite centers in Corvallis, Lebanon and Sweet Home.

The new state-of-the-art Healthcare Occupations Center in Lebanon was completed in August of this year, bringing all of LBCC’s health

As printed on April 18, 2018.

Photo Left: LBCC grounds manager George Van Keulen is pictured here as he helps bury the original time capsule back in 1993.

care programs into one learning space. In addition, the Advanced Transportation Technology Center and Heavy Equipment Diesel Center recently opened in Lebanon, and provide training for today’s hightech automotive and diesel repair technicians.

LBCC continues the good work of providing a quality education for its students, giving them the skills they need to help make our communities better places to live and work. In June 2018, LBCC will hold its 50th Commencement Ceremony. Over the coming months, the college will continue to tell its story of where they have been and where they hope to go, with a view through the eyes of faculty, staff and students.

Time Capsule

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ur 50th anniversary provides a great opportunity for us to connect to our past while envisioning our future. One great way to make those connections is by burying a time capsule filled with memorabilia.

In 1993, LBCC staff decided to bury one with our 50th anniversary celebration in mind! On Wednesday, May 16, plan to join us for a nostalgic special event as we dig up that time capsule buried 25 years ago.

Join LBCC President Dr. Greg Hamann and special guests in the courtyard in front of White Oak Hall for music, historical displays, cupcakes

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Photo Right: Former LBCC President Jon Carnahan speaks to the crowd during the first LB time capsule dedication in 1993.

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JUNE 17, 2018

MIDVALLEY MEDIA

LBCC 50TH ANNIVERSARY

LBCC Foundation relies on donors

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inn-Benton Community College’s Foundation was established in 1972, just five years after the college began, and has provided resources to support student success and program excellence ever since.

LBCC health care programs continue to grow

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ealth care training has been a part of LBCC since the college started classes in 1967. There were 2,800 students enrolled that year, with 37 students eventually graduating as nurse’s aides and orderlies, the only medical program offered at the college at the time.

In the 2016-17 school year, more than 19,000 students were enrolled at LBCC, with over 200 earning degrees and certificates in the medical field. From that one program in 1967 to 11 medical programs today, LBCC continues to meet the needs of our communities

as graduates go to work in local medical offices, dental offices, hospitals and clinics.

Training takes place at LBCC’s newest facility - a 42,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Healthcare Occupations Center in Lebanon, made possible in part by a voterapproved bond passed in 2014.

Programs include diagnostic imaging, nursing, nursing assistant, medical assistant, coding and reimbursement specialist, dental assistant, polysomnographic technician, phlebotomy, pharmacy technician, occupational therapy

Last year, the LBCC Foundation granted more than $360,000 in student scholarships and more than $1 million in program support, thanks to the generosity of our donors.

So many in our communities have either attended LBCC, have friends and family who have attended or know of businesses that hire LBCC graduates.

assistant and surgical technician.

Students are trained using the most up-to-date technology.

The center’s location on the Samaritan Health campus, adjacent to COMP-NW Medical School and just down the road from the new Veteran’s Home in Lebanon, provides students with opportunities for real-world training and collaboration.

To learn more about LBCC health care programs and other programs offered, visit online at www.linnbenton.edu/programs.

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As LBCC approaches its 50th Commencement in June, it’s likely that some of the first LBCC graduates will be attending their child’s – or perhaps even their grandchild’s – graduation from LBCC. You can help inspire the next generation of LBCC graduates. Your gift to the LBCC Foundation makes all the difference in the lives of students and the communities we serve.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, gifts to the Foundation qualify as charitable contributions for federal estate and gift tax purposes.

Donate today – it’s easy! Go to the secure LBCC Foundation giving page at www.linnbenton.edu/give. Or contact the LBCC Foundation directly at 541-917-4209.

LBCC 50TH ANNIVERSARY

MIDVALLEY MEDIA

Honoring Bob Ross “It doesn’t feel like 50 years of teaching. It sneaks up on you because you’re having a great time,” said Ross.

“I can’t imagine a better life.

Ross remembers LBCC’s early days and compares them to being a pioneer arriving in a new, uncultivated land. “There was so much excitement and creativity at that time. We were asking, ‘What are the students asking for? What do they need?’ We were listening. It was fun to hear the feedback.”

As

LBCC’s first full-time employee and faculty member hired in June 1968, biology instructor Bob Ross shares a significant milestone with LBCC. One might even say the two grew up together.

Over the next five decades, Ross taught courses in biology, botany, natural history, foods and nutrition, zoology, vegetable garden ecology, reproductive strategies, Oregon ecology and photography.

Ross’s philosophy was, and still is,

JUNE 17, 2018

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Excerpt of Becky Howell’s full story on Bob Ross in the Commuter all about teaching students how to be curious, to observe and to make connections in their learning. Ross and his students have explored and studied plants and animals in Oregon’s wetlands, coasts, forests, streams, mountains and fields. One class watched elk swimming in the ocean. Another hiked with Ross and other instructors into the crater of Mt. St. Helens.

Although he officially retired in 1998, Ross continued to teach fulltime for a few years after, donating his salary to the Peace and Justice Institute. He now teaches parttime, and still believes his best work is helping students grow at LBCC. “College is about folks who blossom into the futures they envision for

themselves. My greatest honor comes from LBCC, that allows me to continue to share the wonders of life with students so that they can be more successful people,” said Ross.

50 years of commencement

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inn-Benton Community College held its first graduation ceremony 50 years ago, on June 12, 1969 at 8:30 p.m. at the United First Methodist Church in Albany.

Thirty-seven students graduated with degrees and certificates in nurse’s aides and orderlies, bookkeeping, secretarial, and welding – the only programs offered at the time.

This year, LBCC will hold its 50th commencement ceremony.

On Monday, June 18 at 7 p.m. at the Linn County Fair and Expo Center, 833 students will graduate, earning 1,002 career technical degrees, certificates and transfer degrees from more than 60 programs of study.

LBCC graduates become an integral part of our community – serving as

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nurses, nursing assistants, dental assistants, x-ray technicians, pharmacy technicians, occupational therapy assistants and veterinary assistants, culinary chefs, educators, automotive repair technicians, welders, engineers, computer scientists, NASA space explorers, machinists, horticulturists, agriculturists, business managers, accountants and more. Skills they have mastered at LBCC from dedicated instructors and staff.

What was true in 1967 still holds true today: LBCC started as, and will continue to be, a place where everyone can “engage in an education that enables all of us to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from the cultural richness and economic vitality of our communities.”

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JUNE 17, 2018

MIDVALLEY MEDIA

Sweeping the Barn – LBCC Founder Russell Tripp

LBCC 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Degree Partnership Program Celebrates 20 Years

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weeping out an old barn in 1967 so students could attend class there was not in his job description as a college board member. But sweep he did.

Some 50 years later, LBCC Founding Board Member Russell Tripp would find himself celebrating the college’s 50th Anniversary, held September 29, 2017 – just not in a barn.

LBCC President Greg Hamann and OSU President Edward Ray reaffirm their commitment to the DPP program at a signing held May 4.

Through the years, Tripp has seen the college transform from those early days in ’67, holding classes in barns and basements and serving 2,400 students, to a 104-acre Albany campus, centers in Corvallis, Lebanon, and Sweet Home, and serving more than 19,000 students and community members today.

Advocating to bring a community college to Linn County, Tripp was elected in 1967 to serve on LBCC’s first board of education.

That first board had a lot of work ahead of them to get the newlyformed college up and running, including appointing the first college president, Dr. Eldon Schafer, who put out a lofty goal to have the first classes start in September of that year.

“It was the busiest time of my life,” said Tripp in an interview with LBCC’s student newspaper.

“It’s very encouraging to see all that has taken place, not only in Albany, but Lebanon, Corvallis, and Sweet Home. It’s more development than we ever thought would take place, we knew it would be a great thing for this community.”

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rom the beginning, Linn-Benton Community College and Oregon State University’s ground-breaking Degree Partnership Program had a key idea in mind: foster student success and help them complete their educational goals.

This year marks the 20th Anniversary of that historic partnership. LBCC President Greg Hamann and OSU President Edward Ray marked the occasion by reaffirming the institution’s commitment to DPP at a signing ceremony held May 4.

The board would spend those early years forming the basis for LBCC’s policies and philosophies which would carry the college forward.

The first of its kind in the state, the innovative partnership started in 1998 as the LBCC/OSU Dual Admissions and Enrollment Agreement. It was implemented in fall term of that year for undergraduates in agricultural science, business and engineering, and soon expanded to include all majors.

In 1979, after 12 years of service, Tripp retired from the college board. That same year he was honored with LBCC’s Distinguished Service Award and an Honorary Associate Degree for his contributions.

In 2004, Tripp and his wife, Duffy, help fund a renovation of the college theater. Upgrades included state-of-the-art lighting and sound system, and new carpet, paint, curtains and reupholstered seats.

In recognition of their contribution,

DPP became a model program for community colleges and universities throughout Oregon. To date, approximately 19,000 students have benefitted from the partnership.

the theater was renamed to the Russell Tripp Performance Center.

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Through a single application process, DPP students have access to resources at both colleges. They can combine credits for financial aid purposes, and transfer credits seamlessly to OSU to earn their four-year degree.

Find out more at www.linnbenton.edu/dpp.

LBCC 50TH ANNIVERSARY

MIDVALLEY MEDIA

JUNE 17, 2018

LBCC: 50 years of skills and training

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rive down any main road today, you likely will see signs posted for job openings. On the surface, it may look good for workers. But those openings often reflect a gap between the skills that businesses need to fill positions and the skills that applicants have.

For 50 years, Linn-Benton Community College has stepped up to provide skills training, from our first programs in welding and nurse’s aide and orderlies, to more than 30 career and technical programs today.

Partnerships play an important role. Pipeline to Jobs is one such partnership, connecting high school students to programs that lead to good, local jobs. LBCC’s newest program, Non-Destructive Test and Evaluation (NDT) is a direct result of that partnership.

The NDT program provides training in the high-tech field of non-destructive testing, or finding potential flaws in parts without destroying them. People with these skills are much sought-after by local industry.

Partnerships also played a part in building LBCC’s Advanced Transportation Technology and Heavy Equipment Diesel training centers, the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest to train technicians on compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas, propane and electric fuel vehicles.

Over the next few months, LBCC will finish work to expand

capacity for its welding, machine tool and mechatronics industrial maintenance programs, creating additional opportunity for learning to those we serve. Find out more at linnbenton.edu/programs.

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MIDVALLEY MEDIA

JUNE 17, 2018

LBCC 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Honoring Joseph Novak

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hrough the years, LBCC has been fortunate to have had many dedicated people who gave their time and energy to help make it the great institution it is today.

One of those people was Joseph Novak. When Joseph retired from the LBCC Board of Education after serving 25 years, he said, “I think LBCC is the finest community college in this state. Education is the greatest tool you can have in terms of economic development.”

As one of the longest-serving college board members, serving from 1981 and 2006, Joseph gave not only of his time but also his

unending passion. His recent passing in January reminds us of his many contributions to LBCC. Joseph served three terms as the college board chair and four terms as vice chair. He worked with four of six LBCC presidents, helping to hire three. For more than 30 years, Joseph consistently advocated to legislators for more state funding for community colleges.

In 2007, LBCC honored Joseph with a Distinguished Service Award.

That same year, LBCC student leaders also honored Joseph with an honorary membership

History of the LBCC Lebanon Center For some, the Stoltz Hill location was a bit off the beaten path, and in 1986, the Lebanon community and the Chamber of Commerce requested the center to move downtown. The former J.C. Penney building on 550 Main Street was donated to house the center, and the Stoltz Hill site was put up for sale.

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riginally housed in three modular units outside Lebanon Union High School, the LBCC Lebanon Center has served East Linn county since 1972, providing space to hold community education classes.

In 1981, the center relocated to a 19-acre site at 2600 Stoltz Hill Road, which encompassed seven acres of donated land and 12 acres of adjacent land purchased by the college.

The new location offered three times the space as the Stoltz Hill facility. In 1988, the college received a state economic development grant to remodel the building, which was completed in 1990.

into Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society of Two-Year Colleges.

Joseph’s dedication to LBCC, to students and to his community touched many lives and many hearts.

LBCC will continue to do great things because of people like him.

LBCC’s fifth President Dr. Rita Cavin and Joseph Novak at his retirement from the college Board of Education in January 2007. Novak helped hire Dr. Cavin, who served as LBCC’s first female president.

In 2000, the passage of a $19.1 million bond allowed the college to begin construction of a 44,000-squarefoot center. LBCC partnered with local workforce agencies to create a one-stop center, the East Linn Workforce Development Center, to provide community members access to a variety of public services and education in one location.

Construction also included an additional 2,500-square-foot annex with meeting rooms, a kitchen,

As the community grew and the college expanded class offerings in Lebanon and East Linn County, the need for more space became apparent. A 1994 purchase/donation agreement with James River Corporation gave LBCC ownership of approximately six acres of the historic Elkins Mill site at 44 Industrial Way.

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restrooms and reception area, along with the restoration of the historic Elkins Mill on site, which was built between 1871 and 1878.

On May 31, 2001, the new LBCC Lebanon Center and East Linn Workforce Development Center was dedicated. Today, approximately 1,700 students take at least one class at the Lebanon and Sweet Home Centers each year.

LBCC 50TH ANNIVERSARY

MIDVALLEY MEDIA

History of the LBCC Benton Center

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ince 1967, LBCC has served Benton County and the surrounding communities, starting with evening adult education classes held at Corvallis High School.

In 1971, LBCC opened the first headquarters for the Benton Center in a 10x35-foot trailer parked near CHS, offering around 80 evening classes in high school classrooms and elsewhere in Corvallis.

Adult education director Orville Zielaskowski was appointed as the first center director.

In September 1977, the Benton Center moved to its current location in the former Washington Elementary School on Polk Avenue in Corvallis. Math and business technology were the first core programs offered, along with ongoing adult basic education and parent education classes.

In addition to on-site classroom space, the new building offered space for a ceramics lab, and the school’s gym became home to the center’s fitness classes – ever popular with community members today.

In 1994, a successful bond measure provided funds for installation of an elevator and ramps to meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In November 2000, a $19.1 million bond measure passed which allowed the college to begin a $5 million renovation of the Benton Center.

Completed in 2004, the renovation included increased space for student services, as well as faculty offices, seven new classrooms and an improved entrance for the center.

Today, the Benton Center serves more than 5,000 students and community members each year.

In response to growth in LBCC’s partnership program with OSU, which allows students to attend LBCC and OSU at the same time, and increased demand for the health, personal enrichment and professional development classes at the center, expansion plans are underway which will provide an additional 20,000 square feet of classroom space and increased parking.

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History of the LBCC Sweet Home Center

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ince 1971, LBCC has offered community education classes in Sweet Home and surrounding areas. Originally named the Santiam Center, the center shared an office with the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce at 1240 10th Avenue. Mona Waibel served as director.

Approximately 275 students took classes that first year, which included high school equivalency classes, art, business education, welding and writing classes. Most classes were held in local churches during the day and at Sweet Home High School in the evening.

As demand for community education grew, LBCC and the Chamber continued their partnership by leasing a building at 1314 Long Street. The new space included a classroom, storage, restrooms and offices for LBCC and Chamber use.

An open house was held in 1975. In 1985, the college expanded its reach to include classes in Brownsville and Central Linn. Classes were held at the Brownsville Recreation Center, Brownsville Library and

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City Hall, and at Central Linn High School.

The Sweet Home Chamber moved to another location, and LBCC took over the lease on the building. The move provided an additional classroom for center use.

In 2003, demand again exceeded space and construction soon began on a new 5,000-square-foot East Linn Sweet Home Center, built adjacent to Sweet Home High School at 1661 Long Street. The $500,000 project was funded through a $19.1 million bond.

LBCC’s new Sweet Home Center was formally dedicated September 20, 2004.

The new center included office space, a GED classroom, a testing center, an art room, a computer lab and access to classrooms in Sweet Home High School.

Today, approximately 1,700 students take at least one class at the LBCC Sweet Home and Lebanon Centers each year.

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JUNE 17, 2018

MIDVALLEY MEDIA

LBCC 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Livestock Judging Team

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hroughout the college history, LBCC has supported the educational goals of our students by providing learning opportunities outside the classroom, including opportunities to engage in co-curricular programs and student clubs.

competed on the team as a student from 1979 to 1981, taking first at the 1980 North American International Livestock Exposition.

winning two contests in two different states on the same day, at the Big Fresno Fair, and the Colorado State Ram Classic.

Klampe starting coaching in 1988, and Agricultural Sciences faculty member Clay Weber joined as coach in 2001.

One of our earliest co-curricular programs is the LBCC Livestock Judging Team, which was established in 1974. Animal Science faculty member and team coach Rick Klampe

This past fall, the team had two historic wins: defeating two universities, Fresno State and Chico State, in the Western Fall Classic; and

As an integral part LBCC’s programs, the benefits of being part of a team extend beyond the competition.

Communication skills, critical thinking and teamwork are essential characteristics that students gain from participating in co-curriculars and clubs.

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Serving as an example, five past Livestock Judging team members have been named LBCC Distinguished Alumni: Kathrin Dunlap, 2009; Lisa Charpilloz Hanson, 2011; Loyal Burns, 2012; Mitch Coleman, 2013; and Brad Gohr, 2015.

Today, our students can choose from a variety of co-curricular programs and clubs, from livestock judging and equestrian teams to space exploration, ROV, music, horticulture, performing arts, welding and more.