Catalog_2017_2018_3-7

8 Introduction 2017-2018 Catalog Reedley College’s History Reedley College was established in May 1926, as Reedley Junior College. Institutional doors were opened in September 1926 with a total of 30 students and six course offerings. In 1936 a separate building on the Reedley High School campus was built to house the junior college administration and provide additional classrooms. On July 1, 1946, the college recognized its role as a total community college. By the late 1940s the governing board decided the time was right for the college to develop a separate campus and a separate identity. Thus, the board began negotiations to purchase the current campus site at Reed and Manning Avenues, once part of the historic Thomas Law Reed Ranch. In September 1956, the college moved to its present site, where it has continued to grow and expand. In 1963 the college became a member of the State Center Community College District combining the resources of two of the oldest community colleges in the state. In subsequent years, Reedley College’s influence expanded into several other communities including Dinuba, Easton, Fowler, Kingsburg, Parlier, Sanger and Selma. In 1980, the name was officially changed to Kings River Community College to better reflect the communities it served. The area served by the college continued to grow northward into the rural communities in the greater Fresno area. Serving communities as far-reaching as Clovis, Kerman, Madera, and Oakhurst, Kings River Community College developed three North Centers. In accordance with the surrounding communities’ wishes, the name Reedley College was restored in July, 1998. In its 88 years, Reedley College has developed into an essential component of higher education in the central San Joaquin Valley, offering over 67 areas of study taught by approximately 178 full-time faculty and 400 part-time faculty. Since fall 2000, the combined sites under the Reedley College umbrella have provided services to over 102,000 individuals, amounting to an average of over 11,000 students per semester. The presidents, in order of tenure are: Edward W. Hauck (1926-1930) J.T. MacRuer (1930-1933) J.O. McLaughlin (1933-1950) Leo Wolfson (1950-1956) Gus Reimer (1956-1957) Stephen E. Epler (1957-1960) Clifford M. Boyer (1960-1976) Ray A. Cattani (1976-1981) Lincoln H. Hall (1981-1983) Richard J. Giese (Acting President 1983-1984) Abel B. Sykes, Jr. (1984-1989) Richard J. Giese (1989-1997) Thomas A. Crow (1997-2003) Tony Cantú (Interim President 2003-2004) Barbara A. Hioco (2004-2011) Mitjl Carvalho Capet (2011-2012) Michael White (Interim President 2012-2013) Sandra Caldwell (2013-present) Reedley College provides comprehensive curriculum offerings, lifelong learning opportunities, counseling, and educational services. The campus serves approximately 5,500 students each semester and offers instructional opportunities that range from traditional classrooms and science laboratories to state- of-the-art occupational training facilities in day, evening, early morning, Online and interactive distance education formats. The college’s location near mountains and farmland permits the natural surroundings to become part of the learning environment. Forestry students manage an 800-acre forest at Sequoia Lake, near Kings Canyon National Park, one hour from Reedley. Agriculture students gain experience on the campus’ 300-acre farm, the largest on-campus community college farm in the state. In addition, Reedley College is one of only ten community colleges in California to provide on- campus housing. The Reedley campus offers over 1,500 class sections each year in 67 areas of study and gives students a choice of transfer, Associate Degree, Associate Degrees for Transfer, Certificates of Achievement, and Certificates. The campus offers occupational programs in accounting, agriculture, animal science, automotive technology, aviation maintenance technology, business, child development, computer digital imaging, criminology, dental assisting, environmental horticulture, flight science, forest/park technology, health care interpreting, information systems, manufacturing technology, mechanized agriculture, medical administrative assistant, nursing assistant training, office technology, plant science, and welding technology. Reedley Middle College High School Established in 2012, the Reedley Middle College High School is a partnership between Reedley College and Kings Canyon Unified School District. It is located on the Reedley College campus and offers students the opportunity to earn college credit while completing their high school diploma. The program focuses on business with an agriculture and technology emphasis and is open to all students in the Kings Canyon Unified School District.