Highland Community College - A Legacy of Endurance and Perseverance
The roots of Highland Community College stretch back further than any other institution of higher learning in Kansas. Founded in 1857 as the Highland Presbyterian Academy by a group of missionaries led by the Reverend Samuel M. Irvin, the school was originally established as a mission to the local Native Americans on the Kansas plains. The following year, Irvin Hall, the first college building in Kansas, was opened for classes.
Soon thereafter, in addition to its elementary and secondary curriculums, the academy instituted a full regimen of college courses for young men and women throughout the region under the name Highland University. This wide range of educational offerings made Highland the first school of its kind in the state.
Nevertheless, over the next decade, a lack of finances, skilled instructors, and requisite enrollment levels soon forced Highland to scale back its operations. The school offered college preparatory classes until 1870, when the curriculum was again expanded to include courses on the college level. Between 1870 and 1910, the school suffered another gradual drain in resources, causing the institution to rename itself Highland College due to inadequate enrollments levels.
After the Presbyterian Church withdrew its support from the college in 1913 as a result of financial burdens, the school soon found that it would be unable to function as a fully operational four-year institution. Highland's troubles with lack of funding and short-term leadership continued through 1920, when John L. Howe was elected President. In 1921, due to persistent periods of low enrollment and funding dilemmas, Highland changed its status to become a private junior college.
Under the Lowe administration, the college changed its name again in 1929 to Northeast Kansas Junior College. This redubbing represented an effort by school officials to attract more funding and enrollments from the surrounding regions. President Lowe brought a strong determination to keeping the college open in the midst of continued financial crises and waning support from the Presbyterian Synod. In perhaps his biggest victory, Lowe arranged for the school's initial accreditation from the Kansas State Board of Education in 1924. However, over the following two decades, the college continued to provide quality education to its student, but struggled on a yearly basis to survive its financial troubles.
Finally, by 1959, the local school districts were incapable of providing any further finances to support the college. However, the residents of Doniphan County banded together to save the school, instituting a tax on the local mill that would help fund the college's continued existence. In honor of this initiative, the school was renamed Doniphan County Junior College.
In 1960, following the election of Dr. Jack Flint to the role of President, the institution began to offer a classes at the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth. This move was the first in a continued series of outreach programs implemented by the school, programs that today have resulted in six regional education centers and 36 regional classroom locations, serving more than 2,200 students. With the school on slightly more solid ground, enrollments continued to rise, more than doubling between 1955 and 1964.
In 1965, the Kansas state legislature restructured the operation of state community colleges. As a result, it was determined that the Board of Trustees of every state community colleges would be elected from within the county where the college was located. In addition to the mill tax, this change paved the way for increased funding from state programs. To reflect this adjustment, the college was renamed Highland Community Junior College.
Several construction projects were instituted over the following years, including a new library and student union in 1966. But true stability for the college arrived under the tenure of President Jack Nutt. In addition to initiating a set of rigid guidelines for financial spending, Dr. Nutt was also able to achieve correspondence status in 1973 and full accreditation for Highland in April 1977.
The last alteration to Highland's name came in 1980, when the state legislature decided to omit the word "junior" from all nineteen of the state's community colleges. During the presidency of Dr. Larry Devane (1985-1989), Highland continued to expand its regional programs and add to its financial security, changes which included the construction of a new math and science building in 1981.
At present, Highland Community College offers more than 25 academic programs and over 60 different types of degrees. It has also reduced its credit-hour tuition for students residing within a 150-mile range of the college. The college also recently completed the construction of a new 41,000 square foot wellness center, providing students with recreation space and indoor sports facilities. In addition, the school's online education program, started in 2003, offers a vast selection of courses to those students working toward a degree from off-campus locations.
Moreover, the college will commemorate its sesquicentennial anniversary in February 2008 with a series of celebratory events. In order to learn more about High Community College, please visit our campus or our Web site (www.highlandcc.edu). Highland's staff would be happy to provide you with more information and welcome you to the college family!