BUTTE COLLEGE CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY

“PROUD HISTORY… PROMISING FUTURE!”
 

For the last 50 years, Butte College has been helping students achieve their educational goals. To commemorate the College’s 50th Anniversary, the college is celebrating with a variety of events through May 2018. A website of all 50th Anniversary activities can be found at 12vzn4hs.slntw.net/50.

Butte College’s history dates back to 1966 when voters of Butte County created a local community college district to serve the educational and vocational needs of its community. In 1967, Butte College began by offering law enforcement, fire science, and vocational nursing classes in various locations throughout Butte County. The college officially opened its doors to the community in 1968 at the old Durham High School site, with over 1,900 people enrolled at the new college. In 1974, the college moved from Durham to its present location near the geographic center of Butte County, and in 1975, Glenn County joined the District.

Each year the college awards 1,400 degrees, 500 career and technical certificates, and transfers 1,000 students to four-year universities. The College offers over 180 degree and certificate programs, from accounting to welding. Nearly 13,000 students attend each semester to meet their career and educational goals.

In its 50 years, Butte College has helped over 500,000 alumni achieve their goals including: Ken Grossman, owner of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Aaron Rodgers, NFL quarterback, Mary Mooney, co-owner of Mooney Farms, Kory Honea, Butte County Sheriff, Mary Jane Hurtado, owner of Maisie Jane’s California Sunshine Products, Arnoldo Avalos, entrepreneur, Nate Parks, co-owner of ProPacific Fresh, and John McAmis, J.E. McAmis.

Butte College plays a vital role in the health of the North State economy, with an annual operating budget of $158.6 million, and ranks as one of the top five employers in Butte and Glenn Counties with 2,069 employees.

Today, the main campus is a designated wildlife refuge on 928 acres, which makes it one of the largest community college campuses in California. The college provides bus transportation to its students, and operates one of the largest fleets for any community college in the state.

The future of Butte College, and the future for students, is bright. Thanks to voters in Butte and Glenn counties, Butte College will receive $190 million for upgrades, repairs, and new facilities over the next 15 years. The repairs allow the college to build for the future with the vision of providing the highest quality education for all students.