SLCC’s 75th anniversary has been a time to reflect on the institution’s history and its evolution. Founded in 1948, SLCC has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a vocational school to a leading institution of higher education in the state of Utah.
THEN: A Modest Beginning
SLCC’s journey began as the Salt Lake Area Vocational School. It started with just 246 students, 23 faculty and 16 courses of study including welding, auto mechanics and nursing. The first campus was the former Troy Laundry building, with makeshift classrooms. Despite challenges, SLCC quickly gained a reputation for its practical education, preparing students for indemand careers in essential local industries.
NOW: A Comprehensive Institution
SLCC is a premier community college with over 45,000 students enrolled annually. It offers eight areas of study including associate degrees, certificates and workforce training in an extensive range of disciplines. SLCC operates nine campuses throughout Salt Lake County, providing education and training to traditional and non-traditional students from diverse backgrounds.
THEN: A Focus on Access and Opportunity
In its early years, the College focused on vocational training to help veterans transition to civilian life. In the following decades, SLCC played a vital role in serving the growing population of Salt Lake County, including minority and underserved communities.
NOW: Affordability and Accessibility
Today, SLCC supports students who cannot afford college through a wide range of programs, including SLCC Promise. The College continues to provide convenient access to education for students from all walks of life. SLCC’s tuition is among the lowest in the state, with 80% of students graduating with little to no student debt.
THEN: Preparing a Legacy of Success
Millions of SLCC graduates have achieved their career goals and made positive changes in their communities. These early success stories paved the way for SLCC’s legacy, and many graduates working in industries like manufacturing, construction and transportation have played an integral part in growing Utah’s economy.
NOW: A Bright Future
As SLCC looks to its next 75 years, the College remains committed to continuing its legacy of success. SLCC is constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of students and the community by embracing innovative technologies and expanding programs and services.
SLCC’s 75th anniversary is a significant milestone. Through this timeline, look back with us as we honor our past while also looking forward to building an exciting new future.
1944
G.I. Bill enacted by Congress to help veterans of World War II cover tuition and expenses for college or trade schools.
1948
On September 14, 1948 Salt Lake Area Vocational School opens its doors. School motto was “Learn to Earn –Learn to Live.”
Founding President: Howard Gundersen1948-49
1949
First Practical Nursing Class Commencement.
Longest sitting SLCC president: Jay L. Nelson1949-1978
1954
First Project House constructed.
1959
Initial land purchased for Redwood Campus after appropriating $200,000 for the 72 acres.
School is renamed the Salt Lake Trade Technical Institute.
1962
“Tech Topics,” the school newspaper, first published.
1963
Out with the Old…The College dedicated the site of the Taylorsville Redwood Campus. The ceremony included students pulling down an old, dilapidated barn on the property, making way for the new campus.
1967
…In with the NewPresident Jay Nelson oversaw Operation Big Move: the relocation of the school’s administrative offices plus eight departments from its downtown location into the new building at Taylorsville. The move coincided with another change, from the name Salt Lake Trade Technical Institute to the new Utah Technical College at Salt Lake.
Construction of Jay L. Administration building is completed.
1968
First Associate Degrees Awarded: Applied Science
1969
Utah Technical College at Salt Lake is granted full accreditation by the Northwest Association of Colleges and Universities. Thereafter, Higher Education Act makes the College part of the State System of Higher Education.
1972
Construction begins on the College Center at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus.
1973
Work begins on the Construction Trades Building, and first phase of the College Center was completed in December.
1978
Dale S. Cowgill replaces President Nelson.1978-1980
1980
Whirlyball, an intramural sport once played at SLCC.Whirlyball combines elements of basketball, lacrosse and bumper cars, with the players riding Whirlybugs, small electric vehicles similar to bumper cars.
James Schnirel is named interim president.
1981
Orville Carnahan takes over as president.1981-1990
1984
Student athletes play basketball on an intramural, co-ed wheelchair team known as The Wheeling Utes.
1985
SLCC joined the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and has since competed in men’s teams in baseball, basketball, soccer and cross country, and women’s teams in basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer and cross country.
1987
Governor Norm Bangerter signs bill to create Salt Lake Community College.
1989
SLCC’s Norma Carr becomes first woman athletics director in the state of Utah.
1990
The Grand Theatre at the South City Campus debuts with Director Pat Davis –Camelot was the first performance.
1991
Frank W. Budd is named president.1991-2000
1992
The College holds its first Convocation Ceremony.
Disability Resource Center opens at Redwood Campus.
1994
The Emma Lou Thayne Center opens under the Alumni Association. In 1995, it separated from the Alumni Association and adopted the name Thayne Community Service Center.Since then, the Thayne Center for Service & Learning and SLCC’s Student Life & Leadership organization have combined resources, unifying under the name the Thayne Center.
1995
Airport Center opens
1998
The College breaks ground on the Larry H. Miller Entrepreneurship Training Center and also on the Jordan Campus.
The College celebrates its 50th anniversary with a party and parade.
2000
Cate Field Baseball Diamond groundbreaking at Jordan Campus.
H. Lynn Cundiff is named next president.2000-2003
2001
The student newspaper renamed its publication to its current name, The Globe.
2005
Cynthia Bioteau, PhD becomes the first woman president of the College.2005-2013
2008
The Community Garden opens at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus on Earth Day.
2013
Deneece G. Huftalin, PhD, current presidentDeneece G. Huftalin named the eighth president of Salt Lake Community College has served students, faculty and staff for the past three decades. Prior to her role as president, she served as the interim president, vice president of student services, dean of students, and director of academic and career advising.
2016
The College debuts the SLCC Promise program, offering tuition assistance to qualifying students.
2019
Gender and Sexuality Student Resource Center opens.
Dream Center opens to support undocumented students.
2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, classes shift from in-person to almost entirely online.
Dual language classes in both English and Spanish offered for the first time.
2022
The College receives record-breaking donation from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation and renames its Business School the Gail Miller School of Business.
The College achieves emerging Hispanic Serving Institution status.
The School of Applied Technology becomes Salt Lake Technical College in response to changes made by the Utah System of Higher Education.
2023
Herriman Campus opens its doors to students.
The College celebrates 75 years of supporting Utah's economy and helping students from all backgrounds achieve their dreams.
Visit our interactive timeline for more on the history and evolution of the College, from its beginnings as Salt Lake Area Vocational School through today. The Timeline also includes resources from SLCC's Digital Archives such as articles, photographs, videos and audio recordings. bit.ly/SLCCtime
