History ties BC3's past, present
In its 40 years, Butler County Community College has marked many achievements. Here are some important and noteworthy events and people in the college's history.
New library In May 1966, Marie Crape was named consultant librarian to establish BC3's library. When the college opened in September, 3,000 books had been received and nearly 1,000 were cataloged. The books were transferred from their collection location in the Diamond Building in Butler to the campus bookstore during the beginning of the first semester.
Alma materIn July 1966, the college's alma mater was written in the Diamond Street Building only months before the first classes met. The words were written by Rae McGrath and the music composed by LaMonte Crape.
The Red BookBC3's alumni may remember the famous "Red Book" used to register students starting the first semester in the fall of 1966.The book was a red notebook with graph paper listing course sections and the number of open seats for each section. As each student registered, a hash mark recorded their place. When all seats were filled, the section was closed. The first student to register was Earl George McDonald in August 1966.
The Brown house On June 28, 1966, the college bought Orville and Gertrude Baker's 28-acre property for the college. The former Baker residence was the first office of President James Lawson,
First campus cafeteria The first cafeteria was originally in the maintenance building and was run by Lloyd and Helen Thompson, a husband- and-wife team. A blind man and his German shepherd seeing-eye dog ran the register.
Student newspaperIn February 1967, the Student Senate organized and published the first student newspaper, "The Pioneer." The name was changed in 1989 to "The Cube."
Park managementEstablished in 1967, the Park and Recreation Management program is the only two-year associate degree program of its kind in the state.NJCAA Cross Country The National Junior College Athletic Association Cross Country Championship was held on BC3's campus in November 1969. With about 150 runners from all over the country, Butler County had 12 inches of snow, howling winds and temperatures in the teens. The race continued despite the weather and Lane Community College of Oregon was the champion.The observatoryIn early 1970, amateur astronomer Tom Barnes donated money for a telescope for the college. An observatory kit was constructed by the maintenance department.Astronomy courses and groups such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts took advantage of the observatory for years, along with celebrations called "star parties." However, due to new construction and additional lighting on campus, the telescope now needs adjusted to working condition.
<b>First nursing program</b>The first Licensed Practical Nursing program began in September 1971. Students who completed the beginning level participated in the capping ceremony in December 1971. The first graduation and pinning was in August 1972.<b>Student theatrics </b>The first student play, "Send Me No Flowers," was performed on the stage in the Convocation Center on Feb. 2, 1973.<b>Transfer agreements</b>In March of 1974, the first of many transfer agreements was established with Clarion University. Since that time, BC3 has established formal agreements with numerous colleges and universities. These agreements assure students certain considerations when transferring into the junior class if an associate degree is earned. Most recently, BC3 has partnered with Franklin University Community College Alliance Program (Columbus, Ohio).<b>Bicentennial flagpole</b>In 1975, a bicentennial flagpole surrounded by rocks from each of the 13 original colonies was erected near the Field House. The bicentennial flagpole wasn't used until July 4, 1996, in a ceremony overseen by Margo Pitts.<b>Student radioIn 1972 and 73, BC3's first student radio station opened, called "WEED."<b>Children's Creative Learning Center </b>The Parent Opportunity Program Center opened in August 1973 and provided baby-sitting services for parents who attended classes. Charles Spence, dean of students, hired Mary Ann Burtner as the first coordinator. Burtner, along with her work study students, took care of the 26 children who enrolled the first year. The center became a licensed preschool in August 2001 and a licensed kindergarten in August 2003 by the state Department of Education.<b>John Stuper </b>John Stuper started at BC3 in 1975 and excelled at both basketball and baseball. He made BC3 history, becoming the only student to be named All-Conference in two sports in the same year. He was drafted into Major League Baseball and pitched for the victorious St. Louis Cardinals in the 1982 World Series.<b>Tuesday college </b>In the fall of 1977, Rae McGrath and LaMonte Crape initiated a general studies program that allowed students to attend college one day a week and earn up to six credits a semester. The program was designed especially for women, resulting in the first class of 21 females and a male.<b>Skyline Athletic Conference </b>On Feb. 8, 1979, BC3's men's basketball team won its first Skyline Athletic Conference title and defeated the Community College of Allegheny County, 67-65, at the Field House.<b>Women's volleyball championships </b>In 1981 and 1982, under the direction of Coach Marjorie Kirk, the women's volleyball team won back-to-back state volleyball championships.<b>Music & Arts Festival</b>The annual Butler County Music & Arts Festival was held on BC3's main campus for the first time on July 21 and 22, 1984. The festival now includes art exhibits, an outdoor arts and crafts fair, music in various locations, children's activities, food vendors and performances at the Succop Theater.<b>Cranberry Center</b>On March 8, 1985, BC3 meet with the Cranberry Township Supervisors to discuss the establishment of a branch campus in the township. Initial classes were in Haine Elementary School and moved to the first permanent classroom space on Aug. 5, 1987. In 1990, the Cranberry campus moved to the present building on Executive Drive and was officially named the Cranberry Community College Center.<b>Darren Callihan</b>During the 1988-89 basketball season, 6-foot freshman guard Darren Callihan averaged 16 points per game. The Karns City High School graduate was nicknamed the "Chicora Bomber" after breaking several records on the evening of Feb. 6, 1989. Callihan scored 54 points as BC3 defeated Penn State Shenango, 141-88, at BC3's Field House.
<b>Hal Koenemund </b>The annual Tip-off Tournament, hosted by BC3, began on Nov. 22, 1993, at the Field House. The Pioneers 6-foot-3 sophomore guard, Hal Koenemund, scored 55 points as BC3 defeated Niagara Community College, 107-90. The Pioneers went on to win the tournament and Koenemund, a Blackhawk High School graduate, was named MVP.<b>Navy training</b>In 1994, shortly after Desert Storm, Donald Drum trained seven men from the Kuwaiti Air Force in an accelerated version of the Metrology Associate Degree Program. This training was part of an effort by the United States Navy to upgrade their skills and technology. They graduated in a special ceremony on Nov. 30, 1995.<b>Summer Concert Series</b>When BC3 was first established, some senior citizens objected to their tax dollars being used to fund the college. Their opinions expressed that there would be no benefit for older residents. In an effort to resolve their concerns, Margo Pitts began the Sunday Night Summer Concert Series. The series would be free to the community and persuade seniors to take advantage of the campus facilities and enjoy the cultural benefits provided by the college. The Summer Concert Series continues today in the Succop Theater.<b>Matt Heighes </b>At the National Junior College Athletic Association Golf Tournament in June of 1996, BC3 golfer Matt Heighes shot a 72-hole total of 302 to finish in sixth place. His placement in the tournament earned him honors as a second-team All-American.<b>Science, Technology and Cultural Center</b>In August of 2000, BC3 broke ground for the new Science, Technology and Cultural Center. Funding for the project was provided by the BC3 Education Foundation and the state.The three-story, 69,000- square-foot, $13.5 million facility is home to all science and technology programs and is now the largest building on BC3's main campus.The facility includes the 446-seat Succop Theater, the Mary Hulton Phillips Art Gallery, a boardroom, conference rooms, 15 state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and faculty offices. The grand opening was held prior to the fall semester in August 2002.<b>Public safety training center </b>In 2002, a new Public Safety Training Center was built on the main campus.It includes training areas for vehicle and ice rescue, confined space, drafting, fall protection, fire extinguishing and propane and natural gas situations. Fire training consists of a burn building and training tower with two fire engines. Agreements were made with Mine Safety Appliances Co. to supply the latest breathing devices.The official hose cutting ceremony for the facility was on June 7, 2002, and the first State Certified Training Program was completed in the spring of 2004.
