Stark State College 50th Anniversary Commemorative Publication

For half a century, Stark State College has offered our community a curriculum tailored to its educational and workforce needs.

The College’s enrollment and facility growth over the past five decades reflects its effectiveness in meeting constantly changing job training and retraining requirements and in preparing students to continue their education. Not only is our Jackson Township campus growing by leaps and bounds, so is our off-campus presence, bringing today’s Stark State student population to more than 15,000.

It’s little wonder that Stark State is one of the largest colleges in the area and, according to the U.S. Department of Education, one of the fastest growing colleges in the nation.

Most importantly, the College’s past, present and future expansion plans show just how committed the school is to the communities it serves.

“An anniversary is symbolic, but there is a very real feeling to it,” said Dr. John O’Donnell, Stark State president. “It makes you reflect on where the college has been, and it keeps you intent on maintaining the legacy of the college — to make sure we are responding to this community.”

It’s a commitment that’s been a College priority since the first student enrolled.

With more than 230 associate degrees, options, one-year and career enhancement certificates in business and entrepreneurial studies, education, engineering technologies, health sciences, human and social services, information technologies, liberal arts, and math and sciences, Stark State is undeniably an educational force. While maintaining its roots of exemplary post-secondary technical education, the College also is an affordable way to get started on a four-year degree.

Here’s to Stark State’s continued stellar success in its next 50 years.

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1960

From the first Commencement Program 1963 An auspicious era dawns as the first graduates of the Canton Area Technical School go out to represent our community. The need in research, industry and business, which they set out to fill, has been properly described as urgent. The thoughtful, informed and technically capable requirements which they set out to meet will not be easy; but likewise their preparation was not easy.

The School from which they are graduating is equipped with the finest and latest in technical equipment and measuring devices.

Its faculty is a careful coordination of capable and professional educators and experienced men from the top of engineering and research.

We are confident these men have what it takes. They have found that learning is a continuous process. This is the nature of technical progress. They will maintain the high level which they have established despite the normal difficulties. (It is the) hope that future graduating classes of CATS will maintain the precedents which have now been established.

George Weiler, Supervisor of Technical Education George Swindell, Director of Technical Education Canton Area Technical School, 1963

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Though the birth certificate read “Canton Area Technical School,” even in its infancy the College fulfilled the same needs as its current incarnation – a public postsecondary institution charging low tuition and fulfilling a local demand for highly skilled workers.

A dedicated and foresighted band of community leaders from education, business and government labored to bring the only degree-granting collegiate institution in the city into being, one of just five schools of its kind in the state.

The first 46 students arrived September 7, 1961, taking over the machine and welding labs on the fourth floor of Timken Vocational High School after its students left for the day.

Operated by the Canton City Schools, the institution opened its doors under a simple credo: Education Never Ends.

Twenty-six men made up the School’s first graduating class in 1963.

A 1964 state survey revealed “an excellent program of instruction being conducted under almost impossible space limitations. The enthusiasm of the staff, administration and students, however, continues to be maintained at a high level.”

In 1965 CATS’ Board of Trustees included Samuel Krugliak, chairman; Thomas Knapp, vice president; Dr. Robert Immel, secretary; Clarence Vogel and H. Gordon Robertson. Establishing business partnerships from the outset, the first industry advisory committee included Kenneth Barnes and Michael Manning, Timken; Clayton Horn, The Repository; Norris Smith, Diebold, Inc.; James Jones, Ohio Power Co.; Robert Shanaberry, Republic Steel Corp.; and Dale Turske, Hoover Co. As part of the Stark County Technical Institute District, by 1966 the school, patterned after the Erie County Technical Institute in Buffalo, had evolved to become the chartered Stark County Technical Institute. Its two-year, full-time college-level curriculum in mechanical and electrical disciplines was tailored to meet community needs with the input of an advisory board representing industry, labor and education and approved by the Ohio Department of Education and the state’s Board of Regents.

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MAY 1960 The Canton Area Technical School is established SEPTEMBER 1960 1963 First graduating class of 26 men

The school opens its doors to students on the fourth floor of Timken Vocational High School, offering electrical and mechanical engineering —— George Weiler and George Swindell serve as supervisor and director of technical education, respectively.

1965 First board of trustees is chaired by Samuel Krugliak with members Thomas Knapp, Dr. Robert Immel, Clarence Vogel and Gordon Robertson.

1966 Charter is issued for Stark County Technical Institute —— Fred A. Yenny is named the School’s first full-time supervisor

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By the end of the decade, space needs were topping the school’s agenda. Two bond issues for financing failed by small margins. A steering committee formed to plan for a new building and secured the endorsement of then-State Representative Ralph Regula to help lobby for financial support.

Canton attorney Samuel Krugliak and newspaperman Clayton Horn joined Congressman Regula in spearheading the project. Thanks to the efforts of these men as well as the Board of Trustees, the Ohio Board of Regents, local groups and citizens along with support from then-Governor James Rhodes, in 1969 the Ohio General Assembly appropriated $3.1 million for a new building on a 200-acre site shared with Kent State University’s Stark campus in Jackson Township. Meanwhile, in 1970 classes were moved from Timken High School to the Lind Building across the street, a facility donated by the Timken Foundation allowing for the addition of four classes.

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President 1970-1983 Fred A. Yenny, Stark State College’s first president, passed away in 1992, following nine years of retirement. He is remembered by his children – Thomas F. Yenny, Theodore J. Yenny and Carol R. (Yenny) Lenartowicz – in this essay they wrote about their father:

Fred Yenny brought three influences in his life to Stark Technical College: faith, family and the guiding principles of the Boy Scouts of America. As a small-town native and the owner of a small business, Fred placed a high value on personal relationships. He conveyed to his family that duty to God was his highest priority, followed closely by family. Stark Technical College, he felt, was part of his family and he was dedicated to giving his best to everyone in his family.

Fred was born in Strasburg, Ohio, the only son of Achilles and Alma Yenny. He attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland where he earned bachelor and master’s degrees in electrical engineering. During World War II, he served as a lieutenant aboard the USS Philadelphia. After the war, Fred married Dorothy J. Bichsel, from New Philadelphia, and they raised three children: Tom, Ted and Carol.

Settling back in Strasburg after WWII, Fred purchased and operated a General Electric franchise from 1952 until he became the founding president of Stark Technical College. As the sole proprietor of a business, he learned both the value of a dollar as well as how to control expenses. In the early years of Stark Technical College, these skills proved invaluable as Fred and other executive leaders in the Canton area sought funding to start the College. Fred’s business skills, business contacts, and relationships formed through the Boy Scout program allowed the College to quickly acquire funding and build the campus at its present location.

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Fred was always the ultimate teacher, a skill he learned as a youth leader in the Boy Scout program. The first Eagle Scout in Strasburg, he attended our nation’s first National Jamboree in 1936. More than a cliché, the words that begin the Scout oath – “On my honor, I will do my best …” – became the marching orders for his daily life, and he expected the same from both his family and the staff at Stark Technical College. Fred also set a very high bar for both ethical and moral behavior and he led by example in his daily life.

As the children of Fred and Dorothy Yenny, we are most grateful for the foundation laid by past leaders of Stark Technical College and for the continued dedication of current leaders at the Stark State campus. We are confident that our father would be delighted at the growth of the College and in its renewed presence in downtown Canton where it all began. Dad always wanted to give back to the community.

We are proud to be living witnesses to his success – many lives have been profoundly impacted through affordable and accessible education.

To us, Dad’s legacy is not the brick and mortar of the campus, but rather the spirit of learning and style of leadership he exemplified and hoped to inspire in others.

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1970

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As a new decade began, Fred Yenny was named the school’s first President and the Board of Trustees approved a lease for land at the northwest corner of the 200-acre Jackson Township campus shared with Kent State University’s Stark campus.

Construction of a new facility began July 7, 1971.

The school opened its doors for fall quarter classes on September 27, 1972, in a new 60,500-square-foot building.

In 1970 the school was known as Stark State Technical Institute.

The curriculum began expanding with the addition of new programs in drafting/design, executive secretarial, accounting and retail mid-management along with metallurgical and industrial programs. Students were awarded associate degrees and at least half the institute’s credits were guaranteed transferable into a baccalaureate program.

A student council was formed and the student chapter of the American Society for Quality Control orchestrated assemblies, programs and field trips. Intramural competition was underway from 1970-73 in bowling and golf; the Spartan basketball team made its debut in 1974, complete with cheerleaders and homecoming royalty. The first computer was unveiled on campus in the early 70s.

By the summer of 1975, the school had officially become Stark Technical College. The first President’s Advisory Committee was formed and the College became affiliated with the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The College received full accreditation from the North Central Association on March 31, 1976, earning the designation in just four years, three years less than normally required. Kicking off the School’s history of offering accredited programs, five engineering technology programs received initial accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology in 1977, and health technology programs earned accreditation in 1978.

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1970 1972 First classes are held on the shared campus

1974 Spartan basketball team is organized; computers make their debut

State Senator Ralph Regula (elected Congressman ’73), attorney Sam Krugliak and newspaperman Clayton Horn advocate for the College; the Ohio legislature approves $3.1 million to build the newly named Stark State Technical Institute on the campus shared with Kent State University Stark regional campus —— Fred A. Yenny is named president; he later earns the moniker “Mr. Stark Tech” —— College offers first business technology course 1975

1976 North Central Association awards the College full accreditation 1978 A 240-seat auditorium is constructed 1979

Name officially changes from Stark State Technical Institute to Stark Technical College —— President’s Advisory Board is established —— Stark Technical College and Kent State Stark construct joint $3 million Learning Resource Center

College goes “online” establishing remote terminals connected to a central computer

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Joint construction of the $3 million Learning Resource Center, a library shared by Stark Technical College and Kent State University Stark Regional Campus wrapped up in 1975.

That same year, with an enrollment of 710, the College already was growing and in 1976 a $2.5 million “Phase II Technical Building� addition on the southwest corner was approved to add labs, classrooms and offices for secretarial science, computer programming, engineering modeling and fire science technologies. The 38,000-squarefoot project was completed in the fall of 1978 and another $2.25 million was appropriated for a health technology building, which opened in September 1980.

In 1978 a formal co-op program began, placing 98 students with 55 employers.

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Ohio State Representative 1965-1966 Ohio State Senator 1967-1972 U.S. Congressman 1973-2009

Congressman Ralph Regula marked many high points during his long and distinguished public service career, but the formation and growth of Stark State College was, he said, “absolutely one of the big success stories.”

Congressman Regula, instrumental in the birth of the College, still recalls those early days when he learned about the potential of technical education. Although county commissioners, backed by local business and industry leaders, undertook a study examining the need for such a school and implemented Congressman Regula’s suggestion to create a technical institute district, funding was elusive – the issue was twice defeated at the ballot box.

Congressman Regula, then a member of the state legislature, remembers receiving a call from then-governor James Rhodes requesting his sponsorship for a highway bond issue. “I told him I’d be happy to do that,” Congressman Regula said, “except that I also wanted $3 million for a technical institute in Stark County. He said, ‘That’s a deal.’” The amendment was handwritten on the newly passed bill. “That,” Congressman Regula said, “was the beginning of Stark State.”

Congressman Regula saw technical education as a good fit for the community’s needs. “I saw this kind of education would be very useful in Stark County,” he said. “What appealed to me was this nuts-and-bolts-type operation designed to give people new skills and upgrade the skills of those already in the work force. Also, it was close to home and low-cost for people of all ages who wanted to improve their educational opportunities and skills.”

Obviously, Congressman Regula said, the proponents’ vision was accurate. “Look at the growth of the place – that’s the best testament to the wisdom of what we did,” he said. “There isn’t anything like it around. It’s a role model for other areas.”

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The College’s leadership – presidents, boards, trustees – has been instrumental in Stark State’s success, Congressman Regula said. “The College has had very visionary people in charge. Each one has done a good job of gearing the curriculum to the needs of the students and the job opportunities in the community.” Congressman Regula also touted Stark State’s placement rate of graduates as a mark of its success in meeting the goal of equipping students with employable skills.

Congressman Regula has kept tabs on the College over the years and believes Stark State continues to do things right, such as broadening the curriculum and continuing to tailor it to the community’s needs – “which has meant students have success in finding jobs” – along with continuing a focus on public-private partnerships.

“They’ve been very aware of what the business community needs in the way of skills, which is why Stark State has been so successful,” he said.

The College’s “practical kind of education,” he said, means it will continue to grow. It is, for instance, “the perfect institution” to meet the workforce training needs recently expressed by The Timken Co. to Businessweek. “Today’s business world requires more sophisticated skills,” Congressman Regula pointed out, “and the curriculum will evolve as it has in the past. Stark State will continue to be responsive to the job market, responding to the changing needs of business and industry, attracting business to Stark County.”

He’s sure, too, the College will continue to be a first choice in education for area students. “People see Stark State College,” he said, “as a window to the world of success.”

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1980

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By 1980 the College was an established educational institution of excellence, earning ongoing accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Stark State started the decade with 1,478 male students and 1,210 female students.

Fred Yenny, who first served as the school’s supervisor and later president, retired from the College’s top spot in 1983. During his 13-year presidential tenure Stark Tech grew from 90 to more than 3,000 students and technologies increased from two to 21. For his years of service and role in the College’s growth, Mr. Yenny earned the moniker “Mr. Stark Tech.”

Succeeding Yenny, Dr. John McGrath came aboard as the College’s second president at a time when Stark County’s unemployment rate hit 17.7%, the College’s enrollment was climbing and a new $4.8 million student services and classroom center and a new firefighter training center were underway along with $1 million in renovations.

The College went “online” as early as 1980, establishing remote terminals connected to a central computer. When IBM introduced the first personal computer in 1983, Stark State saw an opportunity for introducing PCs to students and administration.

An engineering technology building was added to campus and the automotive technology lab opened in 1986.

As steel plants shuttered, the College became a major player in the community, helping people get new jobs as employers let it be known they wanted technical graduates who could communicate. Stark Technical College became a higher education experience for those who never thought they’d go on, a “bridge” from high school to employment as well as a foundation for a four-year degree program, Dr. McGrath said.

“We are able to expand the educational opportunity for a student, where 15 years ago we never thought that would happen.”

Responding to business needs, Stark Technical College also focused on contract training and outreach programs and forged successful public-private partnerships with companies such as Diebold. By the end of the decade, the College took part in the post-secondary education option and implemented the transfer module, allowing students maximum educational flexibility and paving the way to four-year degrees.

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1980 1983 John J. McGrath, EdD, is named College’s second president following the retirement of Fred Yenny

Gap from high school to employment is bridged by technical graduates who demonstrate communication skills —— Successful public-private partnerships are forged with companies such as The Timken Company and Diebold, Inc.

An ever-changing technological world spurs expansion; a $2.2 million health technology building is added —— Students and administration begin using personal computers

—— Contract training and community outreach are initiated —— Post-secondary education is introduced, allowing high school students to earn college credit —— The Ohio Transfer Module allows students to earn transferable college credits and paves the way to a four-year degree

1986 A new engineering technology building and the automotive technology lab open

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1990

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Stark State’s growth continued through the 90s under the continued leadership of Dr. John McGrath.

A three-story Student Services Center was added to the campus in 1991, significantly expanding facilities to support student admission and retention, as well as housing College administration, the bookstore and a cafeteria. The Fire Science Tower, the first phase of the fire science complex, opened for training.

Enrollment topped 5,000 by 1996 when the college was renamed Stark State College of Technology.

The College’s “Solar Clipper” solar car participated in the prestigious national Sunrayce in ’90 and ’93 and receives an award of excellence from the SPI Composite Institute.

Maintaining its place at the forefront of technology in the mid-90s, Stark State unveiled its first home page on the World Wide Web. Another major turning point for the once all-male school came in 1996 when for the first time, female students outnumbered male students, by a significant margin.

In an innovative public/private partnership benefiting community economic development, Stark State built the Advanced Technology Center, a $6 million, 60,000-square-foot facility constructed in partnership with Diebold Inc. Half of the building is used for Diebold’s international training center, the other for continuing education classes and education and training services for business and industry.

By the end of the decade, Stark State and its neighbor Kent State Stark agreed to offer a joint associate of science degree. The College lived up to its motto, inspired by its founding and history: Keeping Pace with Progress.

Through the assistance from area dental societies, the Dental Hygiene Clinic was built in 1998, connecting the school to the community in myriad ways, including offering low-cost dental services. “We want that kind of partnership with the community,” Dr. McGrath said, “to make this a better place to live and raise our children.”

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1990 1991 The three-story Student Services Center opens, housing student service offices, administrative offices, the bookstore and a cafeteria

Stark State’s “Solar Clipper” solar car participates in the prestigious national Sunrayce in 1990 and 1993 and receives an award of excellence from the SPI Composite Institute

1992 The Fire Science Tower, the first phase of the fire science complex, opens

The College’s first home page on the World Wide Web is unveiled —— Students are able to earn a bachelor’s degree on Stark State’s campus through a partnership with Franklin University —— Stark State and Kent State University Stark offer a joint associate of science degree

1996 The College officially changes its name to Stark State College of Technology —— The Advanced Technology Center, a $6 million building constructed in partnership with Diebold, Inc., houses contract training and continuing education, along with Diebold’s international training center

1998 The Dental Hygiene Clinic opens, providing student training and low cost dental services to the community

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President 1983-2004

When Dr. John McGrath arrived on the scene in at what was then Stark Technical College, the school may have been the area’s best-kept secret. Over the next 20 years, Dr. McGrath took the college from relative anonymity to prominence with legislators, state education officials, faculty and the community.

“People saw we had quality programs. Our graduates got good jobs and were good workers,” Dr. McGrath said. “That really sold the College.”

The College’s strong technical programs, put in place

by Fred Yenny, were thriving, but the school’s reputation hadn’t spread much outside the county, Dr. McGrath said. “When I invited legislators to come talk to us, they said, ‘OK, now where’s that school located?’”

So Dr. McGrath also focused on raising the level of “collegiality.” Highly regarded national businesses such as The Timken Co. and Sandia National Laboratories began seeking out Stark State graduates, “a mark of a quality engineering program,” Dr. McGrath said. The college also gained national visibility in solar car competition with the likes of MIT and other prestigious schools and was the focus of media attention when it established a cutting-edge fuel cell prototyping center in partnership with Rolls Royce.

Other public-private partnerships followed.

Stark State’s emphasis on occupational education has been unique in the area, Dr. McGrath said.

“We kept technology on the forefront,” he said, “and that distinguished us.”

When the College changed its name in 1996 from Stark Technical College to Stark State College of Technology, its reputation as a quality institution was further strengthened. “Strong faculty with experience in their field plus strong programs and a focus on students was a recipe

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for success,” Dr. McGrath said. He continued to focus on a “synergy of learning and development” which relied on partnerships with companies such as Diebold in bringing technology and business together on campus.

While technology was the College’s niche and key to continued growth, Dr. McGrath said, the addition of a liberal arts curriculum “made us a unique community college.” The evolution of the College’s reputation was part of a “perfect storm” that saw SSC graduates “taking courses, getting jobs, making good money,” Dr. McGrath said. “It all came together.”

Since his retirement, Dr. McGrath has kept abreast of changes in higher education and continues to serve on the Stark State Foundation Board.

He has seen, for instance, the advent of the University System of Ohio eradicate “artificial barriers,” allowing Stark State to become even more well known as a desirable, cost-effective place to go for initial credits that transfer easily to bachelors’ degree programs. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for students,” Dr. McGrath said.

The former president predicts Stark State’s next 50 years will be more good ones. After all, the College has a reputation for producing high quality graduates, he said, and an emphasis on student success has always been a hallmark of the College under any name. “Look what has been accomplished during the past 50 years,” he said, “and as the song says, “We’ve only just begun.”

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2000

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President Dr. John McGrath, lauded as a “participatory” leader, marked the College’s 40th anniversary by observing that “our mission has always been to prepare people for technologically sophisticated careers. As our history shows, we are continually developing new programs to meet the needs of the marketplace. That mission makes Stark State an important partner in the economic development of the region.”

At the turn of the century, the college continued its concentration on “changing lives, building futures” as it responded to the critical need for a technically proficient workforce by announcing the construction of the W.R. Timken Center for Information Technology. The $7 million project included a $1.6 million donation from the Timken Foundation, the Timken family and The Timken Company.

Stark State led the way in the rapidly growing realm of e-learning classes and was proactive in providing facilities for training in-demand health care workers with the new $1 million Ralph Regula Health and Wellness Clinic housing dental hygiene, massage therapy, and physical and occupational therapy.

While forging partnerships and transfer agreements with the University of Akron, Youngstown State and other area colleges and universities, Stark State began to experience double-digit enrollment increases, making it one of the fastest growing two-year, public colleges in the nation, according to the US Department of Education.

In an innovative public-private partnership initiated by the Stark Development Board, Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc. leased the newly built advanced prototyping center to develop commercial applications of fuel cells. This move formally established the Rolls Royce US headquarters and technology center on the campus of Stark State College and provided the College an opportunity to educate the next generation of fuel cell technology workers. During this decade, Ohio’s Third Frontier initiative funded more than $11 million in emerging technologies investments on the Stark State campus.

In 2003, Dr. McGrath retired as Stark State College president and in January 2004, Dr. John O’Donnell was named the College’s third president. He began his tenure overseeing an enrollment of 5,600 students and 550 faculty members. Significant enrollment increases continued, with career success keeping pace as 90% of Stark State graduates were employed upon graduation.

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2001 The fire science complex continues to grow with the addition of the Fire Science Burn Building followed by the Fire Science Classroom Building, responding to statewide training needs 2005 The Fuel Cell Prototyping Center opens and is leased to Rolls Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US), creating a public-private partnership in emerging technology; other partnerships follow with Lockheed Martin, Defense Metals, Ariel Corporation, Technology Management Inc. and Kohler Coating —— Early College High School, dual enrollment and satellite centers expand Stark State’s outreach in the community; online classes and degrees lead to global outreach 2009 A $9 million Health Sciences Building opens to meet the demand for well-educated health care workers —— Plans gets underway for the new Business and Entrepreneurial Center and new North Academic Building ——

2003 The Regula Wellness and Therapy Center is dedicated in honor of one of Stark State’s founding fathers, Congressman Ralph Regula 2004 John O’Donnell, PhD, is named the College’s third president, following the retirement of John McGrath, EdD —— The W.R. Timken Center for Information Technology, a $7 million high-tech facility, is dedicated; houses information technologies and engineering technologies 2006 The Automotive Technology Center opens, forging public-private partnerships with Honda, Toyota and GM to meet the need for well-trained technicians —— The College receives approval to offer associate of arts and associate of science degrees, giving students additional transfer options to pursue four-year degrees

Enrollment reaches an all-time high of 14,800; the College offers more than 230 associate degrees, options, one-year and career enhancement certificates in business and entrepreneurial studies, education and human services, engineering technologies, health sciences, information technologies and liberal arts.

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By 2005, enrollment topped 7,000 students and more land was purchased for parking lots north of campus. An expansion of the automotive technology program was fueled by partnerships with Honda, Toyota and GM, and in 2006 a new Automotive Technology Center was unveiled on Whipple Avenue near the College. The College became a partner in the Canton City Schools’ Early College High School in which students can earn college credits and graduate from high school with an associate degree.

Mid-decade the College also expanded its high school dual enrollment program and reached out to area communities with its satellite centers in area communities. Stark State collaborated with Kent State in ensuring a seamless transition for SSC students to a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Stark State College was approved to offer online degrees and certificates, and the College broke ground for a $9 million Health Sciences Building, funded by federal, state and private money. Its 47,500 square feet included classrooms and labs for two associate degrees and five one-year certificates in health technology and biotech.

Nearly 40% of Stark State students are enrolled in health and pre-health programs.

The state of Ohio approved Stark State to offer associate of arts and associate of science degrees, expanding SSC’s reputation as a comprehensive college.

A classroom addition to the fuel cell center was among facility projects, along with plans for a new Business and Entrepreneurship wing and additional academic classrooms on the campus’ north end. In August 2009, the 10,000th student registered for fall semester and total fall enrollment topped 12,000.

By fall 2010, Stark State College had surpassed 14,000 students.

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President 2004-2011

Dr. John O’Donnell, who joined Stark State College as president in January 2004, describes himself as a community college professional whose own career was made possible through access to affordable education. He sees education – specifically community and technical colleges – as the way to advance students, businesses and communities.

That results-oriented philosophy has proven successful at Stark State. During Dr. O’Donnell’s tenure at the helm, the institution experienced significant growth, along with living up to its mission of access and student success. The College increased minority access, expanded community access through satellite campuses and online courses, and fostered corporate partnerships, advancing Stark County in economic development, workforce development, educational attainment and social equity. All that while expanding and adapting curriculum to meet employer needs, working closely with Ohio’s public four-year colleges and universities in providing a seamless transfer of credits and expanding and fine-tuning facilities to best accommodate students and staff.

Local leaders and media have described Dr. O’Donnell as “a dynamic example for the students and staff at Stark State College” and part of Stark State’s legacy of “good fortune in its choice of leaders.” Under his direction, the school’s enrollment nearly tripled, but that’s far from the extent of Stark State’s success story, the Canton Repository proclaimed in an editorial: “In recent years, it has become a successful partner with local school districts in early-college programs, and its fuel-cell program and partnerships with the private sector have made it a nationally recognized center for research and development.”

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Dr. O’Donnell attributes much of the Colleges’ success to its “great” community of faculty and staff. “What the people have accomplished here at Stark State is phenomenal,” he said.

“Stark State has become a national leader.” A good working relationship with the governor, the chancellor and federal, state and local governmental leaders has encouraged the growth of community colleges statewide, he said, and Stark State prospered because of it.

As the College celebrates 50 years of “changing lives, building futures” and moves into a new era, it’s time,” Dr. O’Donnell said, to “sit with all the college’s community partners and first celebrate their joint accomplishments and then say, ‘Where next? And to what levels?’”

_____ He is an outstanding leader and his influence on the community has been just terrific. Whether the request was bigger programs, new programs or expansion of programs, his answer was always, “Yes!” He has had a big vision for not only the College, but for education in Stark County.

– Dr. Adrienne O’Neill President, Stark Education Partnership

_____ In his seven years as Stark State’s president, Dr. O’Donnell has guided the school to such an extraordinary level of achievement that the extraordinary has become normal. In that way, Stark State is like Akron-Canton Airport – an asset for Stark County that just keeps growing more valuable.

– Canton Repository

_____ He has led Stark State through a period of significant growth and change, while at the same time understanding what the needs of local businesses are. John understands that the work force is changing and the school has continued to change and evolve along with the community. People are right for certain jobs at the right time, and John O’Donnell was the right man at the right time.

– Ed Roth, President and CEO, Aultman Health Foundation, Chair, Stark Development Board

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50 years of

Facility growth

1980 Original portion of the Sciences wing (not shown) 1986 Original portion of Arts and Sciences Building and a portion of the Public Services Building (not shown) 1972 Business Building

2006 Fuel Cell Prototyping Center

2006 Arts and Sciences offices

1977 Atrium, auditorium and part of the Public Services Building

2005 Automotive Technology Center (Whipple Avenue)

2009 Health Sciences Building 2009 Fuel Cell Prototyping Center addition (not shown)

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2004 W.R. Timken Center for Information Technology

2010 Corporate Services and Continuing Education Center

changing lives

1990 Student Services Building and a portion of Public Services Building

1991 Fire Science Tower

1994 Advanced Technology Center 1998 Dental Clinic and classrooms

2003 Ralph Regula Wellness Center

2001 Fire Science classrooms

1999 Fire Science Burn Building

2001 Addition to Advanced Technology Center (not shown)

building futures

2010 - construction begins Business and Entrepreneurial Center

2010 - construction begins North Academic Building

2010 - plans underway Mega Street pedestrian bridge

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a tribute to our

Founding Fathers

Clayton G. Horn, Samuel Krugliak and Ralph Regula were the leading figures in the founding of Stark State College in 1960. The College originally was named Stark County Technical Institute and over the years, renamed Stark State Technical Institute and Stark Technical College. In 1996, the College was renamed Stark State College of Technology.

Clayton G. Horn

Clayton G. Horn, executive editor of the Brush-Moore Newspapers including The Repository, combined the power of the press, with a deep affection for Stark County, to champion many lasting benefits for our community, including Stark State College. Through Mr. Horn’s commitment to education, and his strong desire for an area technical college, he helped to shape the educational future of many generations by serving as a founder of Stark State College.

Samuel Krugliak

A founder of Stark State College and a well-respected attorney, Mr. Krugliak was a staunch supporter of education, using his influence to shape the lives of many. Serving 16 years as the first president of the Stark State College Board of Trustees, Mr. Krugliak helped guide the College in the development of technical programs to serve the region’s educational needs. The Krugliak Endowed Scholarship perpetuates his legacy and his commitment to education.

Ralph Regula

U.S. Representative Ralph Regula’s lifelong advocacy of education has led Stark State College to the forefront of technical colleges nationwide. Through his powerful leadership in Congress, Congressman Regula moved his beloved 16th District forward in the areas of education, workforce development and social welfare. Mr. Regula’s profound influence is evident throughout our campus.

We are proud to call Congressman Regula a founder of Stark State College.

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50th Anniversary Commemorative History Written and designed by The Office of Marketing and Communications Irene Lewis Motts, Director Beth Klein, Graphic Designer Lori Williams, Staff Writer Michael Ihrig, Communications/Web Specialist

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