PALOMAR AT A special supplement to The Telescope Friday, January 31, 1992
Starting from a high school, diversity is Palomar's hallmark Palomar's 45 years 1946
Palomar begins classes at Vista High School. Dr. Daniel McNaughton is the first college director.
1951
Palomar moves to its 1140 Mission Road location.
1958
The Dome is built.
1968
Snow falls on Palomar.
1969
The speech team wins national honors.
1970
The archery team takes the national title.
1979
The Palomar Theater opens.
1984
Palomar's three-story library opens. Community College is no longer free; a $5per unit fee is charged.
1991
1992
Palomar's football team defeats California's top team, Chabot College, 37-24 in the Elk's Bowl. Palomar would later claim the national title. Four student government officials, including the president, ousted amidst controversy.
BY MARK WIBERG If colleges, like people, had to go through a mid-life crisis, Palomar College would probably be in one. Fortunately, Palomar is. not in any aging crisis, and is spared the dozen of "over-the-hill" jokes. Palomar is turning 45 years old this school year, and is still growing, far from crossing any hill. Opening its doors in 1946, Palomar allowed for a valuable resource- education-to flourish, grow and be tapped into for the next half century. When Palomar opened, it began with about 200 students. This new college was to provide specific trade skills for jobs to be learned. Soon, Palomar became an institution in North County, allowing students an inexpensive alternative to four-year universities. Students could now obtain lower division credits at a much cheaper rate than local universities. With a faculty assembled from around the country, Palomar's early years were spent in temporary buildings, planted on the Vista Union High School property. And soon after, the college shared buildings at Vista's Community Center before moving to its permanent home in San Marcos in the fall of1950. From its San Marcos home, Palomar has hosted many well known lecturers and guests over the years. Experts in their field, like Agnes Demille, famous for her choreography in ballet and Broadway musicals, or J.S. Leakey, world-renowned anthropologist came to Palomar to talk with students.
Whether it was civil rights activist and comedian Dick Gregory or author Ray Bradbury, the diversity among Palomar's guest provided something for everyone. While Palomar continued to grow and enjoy well-know guests, its own programs created nationally recognized students. Coached by Ray Dahlin, Palomar's 1969 speech team became one of four champions in the Western States Invitational. Another national title was picked up by Palomar Archery team in 1970. Former student, Jon Stanley, became a member of the 1968 U.S. Olympic Volleyball team. These are just a few examples of the success Palomar programs have enjoyed over the years. Another star, Mother Nature, made herself known¡ a few times over Palomar's 45 years. Snow covered the campus for the first time on Dec. 14, 1967. Snowballs were the order of the day. Poorly thrown snowballs did break some windows and a snowman placed in the Student Union made for a 30 gallon mess. At the other end of the scale, a fire in Oct. 1979 burned 400 acres north of the campus, causing no injuries to students or buildings at Palomar. As Palomar's student body increased, the need for buildings increased. The trademark building of Palomar, the Dome (built in 1958), was the first structure of its kind to be used in the country. Later, Palomar's swimmingpool was completed in 1970, soon followed by the official opening of the Arboretum,
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a place allowing students to study rare plants and trees as well as a scenic route from the parking lot. The Palomar Theater provided a new place for drama students to act in 1979 and a year later, the mural behind the Dome was unveiled in May. During its 45 years, Palomar has enjoyed a rich history. From a peaceful demonstration against the Vietnam near the Student Union to a 1972 visit from Mount Everest climber, Tenzig Norgay, the college has continued to provide an education for the hundreds of thousands of students that have attended this school.
Inside Page2
Palomar, 7,500 years ago.
Page 3
A history of The Telescope
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Palomar's highest tenured professor
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Palomar's sports authority
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A look at the Boehme Gallery
Page 7
Palomar's top teams of alltime
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Sounds, Sights and Words