UTICA – This month marks the start of Mohawk Valley Community College’s 75th year, which aims to transform lives through learning.
The MVCC opened in October 1946 as the New York State Institute of Applied Arts & Sciences in Utica, one of five post-secondary institutions established to train and educate returning World War II veterans. While located in the Country Day School on Genesee Street in New Hartford (the current site of the Wedgewood Apartments), the Institute had its first day of classes on October 15, 1946, with 11 faculty members and 53 students – all enrolled in retail business management.
Since its inception, MVCC officials claim that the college has built and tailored its programs to meet the needs of industries in the region, helping to develop the regional workforce and enabling students to have a significant and immediate impact. over the Mohawk Valley. As the regional industry continued to evolve, so did the college’s educational programs, necessitating new facilities for an increasing number of students and ultimately a name change to Mohawk Valley. Community College in 1963.
The Utica campus on Sherman Drive opened in 1960 and the current Rome campus opened in 1974 in part of the old Oneida County Hospital on Floyd Avenue.
Both campuses, officials said, have seen tremendous growth, including major renovations and new facilities to provide state-of-the-art learning spaces for a wide range of programs ranging from fine arts and l hospitality to healthcare, business and STEM.
MVCC has evolved into New York State’s premier community college, the largest college between Syracuse and Albany, and the region’s leading provider of college education and non-credit training. Throughout its 75th year, the MVCC will celebrate its growth and impact and recognize the service and contributions of its alumni, faculty and staff, with exciting events and activities.
“The pandemic has not limited our creativity in celebrating 75 years of MVCC serving residents and employers in the area to help foster community, growth and prosperity in Oneida County,” said the president from MVCC, Dr. Randall J. VanWagoner.
The college is 75e birthday plans include:
MVCC time capsule: Set up by the MVCC Institutional Advancement Office, the time capsule will be on display at MVCC’s Utica campus until it opens in October 2046 for the College’s 100th anniversary;
Dedication of the commemorative plaque: A commemorative plaque will be placed in the main quadrangle of the MVCC’s Utica campus;
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: This year, seven new members were inducted into the MVCC Hall of Fame in a ceremony Thursday, bringing the total number of inductees to 75;
75 interviews: VanWagoner recorded 75 interviews with MVCC employees and retirees sharing their perspectives on the history and role of the College in the community;
75th Anniversary Webpage: A new page on the college’s website – https://www2.mvcc.edu/75/ – will highlight 75 years of MVCC’s growth and impact while celebrating 75 years of student achievement. It will include an illustrated timeline of College history, alumni profiles and the 75 interviews mentioned above;
Student selfie contest: MVCC students are invited to take selfies with the 75th anniversary logo. Those who text photos to 315-847-3866 will be entered into a raffle for a MVCC anniversary-themed gift basket, and the photos will be posted online;
Alumni essay competition: The community is invited to express how MVCC has impacted or influenced their lives by sharing memories, images, media and memories. Memories collected can be added to the college’s historical archive and used for videos, on the website or on social media. Those who share their MVCC story by completing this form, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mvccstory, will be entered to win an MVCC Anniversary themed gift basket;
Commemorative items for the 75th anniversary: The clothing and related items have been designed to include the 75th anniversary logo and will be available for purchase and pickup at MVCC’s College Store. To place an order, visit https://75thanniversaryshop.ccbrands.com/;
Fundraiser: The MVCC Foundation hopes to raise $ 75,000 through a series of 75th anniversary-themed fundraising initiatives.
To learn more about MVCC and its programs, visit the college’s website at www.mvcc.edu.
