College has grown with Costa Mesa

Jim Carnett and Vicki Zimmerman

Orange Coast College officially became a viable institution on Jan.

27, 1947, when local voters approved a ballot measure establishing

the Orange Coast Junior College District. The first classes were

offered on Monday, Sept. 13, 1948.

A total of 533 students were attracted to the college that first

semester.

Thirty-three faculty members taught classes. The new college was

on a 243-acre parcel of land carved from a deactivated World War II

military installation, Santa Ana Army Air Base. The base had served

as a pre-flight training facility for Army Air Corps cadets.

In the ensuing 55 years, OCC has grown from a collection of wooden

barracks buildings to a leader among America’s 1,200 community

colleges. More than a million students have enrolled in credit

classes over the past half century.

From classes to cultural events, Orange Coast College provides

many opportunities for enrichment to the community. Local residents

can enjoy: the college’s summer swim program; the annual Small

Business Conference and Expo; performing arts; men’s and women’s

intercollegiate athletic programs; art exhibitions and lectures by

nationally-known speakers.

World class facilities include OCC’s new Arts Center, a

state-of-the-art Technology Center, the village-themed Children’s

Center, Student Center, a renovated Robert B. Moore Theatre, the

college’s 14,000-square-foot Computing Center and the Orange Coast

College’s School of Sailing and Seamanship.

Providing a diversity of offerings, which showcase quality

programs and outstanding faculty and staff, Orange Coast College is

dedicated to the citizens of Costa Mesa and beyond and honored to

serve the community’s needs for lifelong enrichment opportunities.

* Jim Carnett is the director of community relations at OCC and

Vicki Zimmerman is the school’s public information specialist.