[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 27, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S6297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                FRESNO CITY COLLEGE'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fresno City College, California's 
first community college and the second oldest in the Nation.
  Fresno City College was the brainchild of Charles L. McLane, the 
superintendent of Fresno Schools in the early 1900s. Mr. McLane was 
concerned that many students from the San Joaquin Valley could not 
afford to attend the nearest universities located outside the San 
Joaquin Valley. He envisioned a junior college in Fresno that would 
allow young students to receive an affordable and quality education 
through their first 2 years of college while still being able to reside 
at home.
  Mr. McLane worked diligently to recruit instructors and design the 
curriculum. He secured commitments from the University of California 
and Stanford University that students who completed their coursework in 
Fresno would be accepted to those schools to further their education.
  In September 1910, Fresno Junior College officially opened with 20 
students and 3 full-time faculty members. Students studied mathematics, 
English, Latin, history, and economics. In addition, the new campus 
provided vocational training in areas such as agriculture, commerce and 
the industries that many 4-year universities did not offer.
  In 1958, Fresno Junior College adopted its current name, Fresno City 
College. A year later, it permanently moved to its home for over the 
past 51 years on 1101 E. University Avenue in central Fresno.
  Today, Fresno City College has grown from a small campus of 20 
students and 3 faculty members to a dynamic community college whose 
average enrollment is approximately 25,000 students. It is a highly 
regarded community college that features award-winning programs in 
several disciplines, including nursing and vocational training.
  For the past century, Fresno City College has been a dependable and 
accessible institute of higher learning that has empowered generations 
of San Joaquin Valley residents, many of whom overcame challenging 
backgrounds, to realize their full potential in many different aspects 
of life.
  It is my pleasure to congratulate the administration, students, 
faculty, staff and proud alumni of Fresno City College on 100 years of 
educational leadership and excellence in the San Joaquin Valley. I send 
my best wishes for many more years of continued success.

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