50 Years in the Making: Inspired Education

LBCC was established in December 1966 by a voter-approved referendum. The first classes were held in September 1967. Students could earn an associate degree or a certificate in bookkeeping, clerical-secretarial, nurse’s aide-orderlies and welding. Classes were held in 30 leased or borrowed facilities around Linn and Benton counties, and students “hit the road” to get from class to class. They came to call themselves “Roadrunners,” which ultimately became the college mascot.

Through the years, LBCC has benefited from the generous support of voters and donors. That support helped build LBCC’s 104-acre Albany campus - dedicated in 1974, and the Benton Center in Corvallis, and the Lebanon and Sweet Home Centers.

That support also helped build a state-of-the-art Healthcare Occupations Center in Lebanon. Completed in August of this year, the center brings LBCC’s 10 health care programs into one learning space. The Advanced Transportation Technology Center and Heavy Equipment Diesel Center recently opened in Lebanon as well, providing high-tech training for today’s automotive and diesel repair technicians.

LBCC continues to provide access to quality education for the region. Students are learning the skills they need to make our communities better places to live and work.

Over the coming months, LBCC will continue to tell its story as viewed through the eyes of faculty, staff and students and cumulating with the 50th Commencement Ceremony in June 2018. Next story will be in the Nov. 29 issue.