Hutchinson Community College is a two-year community college located in Hutchinson, Kansas, United States.
History
In the spring of 1928, Hutchinson voters approved the establishment of a two-year co-educational college to be known as the Hutchinson Junior College. The college held its first classes that fall. Enrollment was 187 students â€" 172 freshmen, 15 sophomores. Classes were held on the second and third floors of a newly constructed addition to Hutchinson High School at Seventh and Walnut.
In February 1938, the Board of Education acquired land on Plum Street and built Lockman Hall. Since then, a technical education building, athletic field, stadium, tennis courts, maintenance and warehouse buildings, a student union with two additions, two residence halls, a library, science building, fine arts building and an athletic complex have been added to the campus. The college also utilizes the Hutchinson Sports Arena, providing maintenance of the building in exchange for its use.
On July 1, 1965, the college's name was changed to Hutchinson Community Junior College and governance was transferred to an elected board of trustees.
In 1966, the John F. Kennedy Library and Kopke Science Hall were completed.
In fall 1967, Elland Hall and Kent Hall, residence halls for men and women were opened.
In April 1970, the college acquired 425 acres of land and buildings from the Hutchinson Air National Guard. They are used primarily for agricultural, emergency medical science, fire science, building construction and technical education courses. This location is called South Campus.
A wing was added to Lockman Hall in 1975. The college acquired Davis Hall (Ninth and Walnut) from Hutchinson Hospital Corporation in 1980. It is used for allied health curricula, Radio Kansas (public radio station), The Volunteer Center, Kansas Small Mine Safety and Occupational Safety. The name was changed again in 1980 to Hutchinson Community College.
Stringer Fine Arts Center was opened in January 1989.
On July 1, 1993, Hutch CC merged with the local vocational school and was renamed Hutchinson Community College and Area Vocational School.
Another major addition to the Parker Student Union was completed in 1996.
In 1999, the college built the Shears Technology Center, which houses vocational programs and technical labs.
On April 27, 2003, after major renovation, the library was renamed the Rimmer Learning Resource Center.
In the fall of 2006, a renovated Gowans Stadium was reopened for use. The stadium plays host to a variety of high school, college, regional and national events. In 2008, the Reno County Industrial Center was renovated and expanded. The new facility was reopened in the fall and renamed the Ade-Wifco RCIC. The college continued to renovate and expand with the completion of a major renovation and construction project on the decades-old Science Hall. The facility was revamped into a modern scientific facility and was renamed the Richard E. Smith Science Center. The new facility was dedicated in the fall of 2010.
The Hutchinson Sports Arena is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation to complete by summer 2017.
The college has two off-campus sites: McPherson and Newton. A licensed practical nursing program is offered by Hutch CC at McPherson Memorial Hospital. The Newton site is housed in the Axtell Educational Center.
Academic programs
Students can choose from more than 70 different academic programs leading to Associates in Arts and Associates in Science degrees. Hutchinson Community College has transfer and articulation agreements with every Kansas Regents university and college, as well as a variety of institutions across the country.
Technical programs
With over 50 technical programs offered, Hutch CC prepares graduates to enter the workforce having been trained on the latest methods and equipment available. Programs are advised by industry leaders, ensuring students are provided hands-on experience and are workforce-ready.
Athletics
In popular culture
- Mysterious Skin (2004 film), directed by Gregg Araki and based on a 1996 Scott Heim book of the same name. Hutchinson Community College is where Brian Lackey and Eric Preston attend college. In the book, only Brian Lackey attends the college.
Notable alumni
- Kadeem Allen, professional basketball player
- Andy Dirks, former professional baseball outfielder.
- Markus Golden, professional football linebacker.
- Shaun Hill, professional football quarterback.
- Darius Johnson-Odom, professional basketball player.
- Andre Morris, former sprint runner.
- Cordarrelle Patterson, professional football wide receiver and kickoff returner.
- Mathew Pitsch (Class of 1983), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Mike Zagurski, professional baseball pitcher.
See also
- Hutchinson Sports Arena
- Cosmosphere space museum
References
External links
- Official website
- Campus maps and directions