BC3 celebrates anniversary
BUTLER TWP — Everyone had accolades for Butler County Community College on its 40th anniversary, but none caught the crowd like that of Butler County Commissioner Scott Lowe.
"Live long and prosper," he wished to the college.
Lowe likened the success of the college to the success of "Star Trek," the TV show that began the same year as the college, 1966.
The show had a rough start and it was only later that it received the cultural respect it deserves. "Like that of, say, Mozart or van Gogh," he said.
"The Starship Enterprise ... updated and became sharper, as has BC3," he said.
The sometimes challenging past and optimism for the future were repeated as founders and current students celebrated the college's anniversary Tuesday at the main campus.
Lowe, who serves on the board of directors at the college, called former commissioner Jim Green the "Gene Roddenberry" of BC3. Green was on the county board that voted to sponsor and provide funding for the college in 1965.
"We did have many roadblocks," he said. He told the story of how the land for the campus was the second choice. The first choice went to Armco Steel Co., at its request, for the plant's expansion.
Doris Rose said it took courage for the commissioners, who faced political pressure, to vote for the college.
Rose, whose late husband, Gail, was also a founder, said the board had to work furiously to buy the land, get the buildings up and the staff on board by the deadline set by the state. They did, and the doors opened Sept. 26, 1966.
"Without the vision and commitment (of people like Gail Rose), Butler County would have been a less significant county," said Ray Steffler, chairman of the trustees.
Rose became one of the students at the college in addition to sitting on several boards affiliated with the college. She said she particularly remembers looking through the telescope in an observatory on campus and seeing four moons of Jupiter.
"I know there are 12, but I could see four," she said.
Today students shared in the success and celebration for the college.They dressed in costumes to have old-style photographs taken, sat for chair massages by the Physical Therapy Club, and signed a 7-foot birthday card to the college created by the Graphic Arts Club.After an honorary pitch by President Cynthia Azari, the faculty faced off against a student softball team. Clad in uniforms, everyone sported the number of the day — 40.Amid the hub of activity, the band Walking Matthew spread music, including Tom Petty's "Free Fallin" and John Denver's "Country Roads," across campus from the Clarence Brown Forum.It reminded BiffHealy of the early days on campus. Healy was a student during the first semesters after the college opened and he said he remembered students strumming on their acoustical guitars near the original portion of campus.Lucille Shapiro, another member of that first class, said the anniversary brought back many memories, including late nights typing assignments. Her best memory, she said, was the hard work she put into help forming the alumni association.To mark the future of the college, Tom Smith, editor of BC3's student newspaper, announced a time capsule will be buried with memorabilia.There are plans to open it at the 50th anniversary.
