Calling all Students—Dress like it’s 1972 (it’s our birthday)
Join us for our 40th Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the mall (AKA, affectionately known as “the beach") in front of Hale La‘akea, the new Library Learning Commons.
Activities will include music from the 70s by d.j.gusdgus, a 70s dress-up contest and Guess that 70s TV Show, a “Punt-kick-pass” sports event, Chinese good luck noodles, a birthday cake, photo guessing game just for fun and college Transfer booths to get information for the next step in your education journey.
It’s all groovy. Come be part of the fun.
Calling all Faculty and Staff (past and present)
Then, join us for a 40th Anniversary Pau Hana Reunion from 4–7 p.m. in Hale La‘akea, 3rd Floor Conference Room and Lanai. Meet some of WCC’s “Originals” and take a step back in time to see if you can recognize colleagues and old friends.
We’ll even have a Bon Dance practice at 6 p.m. in preparation for our very first Bon Dance at WCC on Sept. 22. Now’s your chance, if you’ve always wanted to bon dance.
A little bit of 1970s history about WCC
1972
In humble beginnings as the youngest college in the UH System, 525 students attended classes housed in five renovated buildings inherited from the Hawaii State Hospital. Since renamed, the buildings were Lono, Kanaloa, Haloa, Mahi, and Judd. Fifty classes in the liberal arts and business were offered. There were 12 faculty members, including Janice Nuckols and Jean Shibuya. DeEtta Catherine Wilson opened the library in half of Kanaloa building. John Pridhoda was appointed WCC's first provost.
1974
By 1974, 1,000 students were enrolled. First commencement exercises included 28 graduates. A mobile counseling program was started to help high school students plan for college. Staffed by WCC students, they operated out of mini-buses, counseling centers, and libraries in several Windward communities. The first Ho‘olaule‘a day featured Hawaiian music, arts, crafts and exhibits.
1975
The college acquired its sixth building from the Hawaii State Hospital, Eckerdt Building, which is renovated to house Administrative Services. Nancy Heu began working at the library. Janice Nuckols, professor of History, received the Excellence in Teaching Award.
1976
Cooperative Vocational Education program began, which placed students in real-life working conditions in small businesses on the Windward side. WCC instructor Pikaki Wahilani was named one of 13 national winners of the Ford Foundation Graduate Fellowship for Native Americans.
1978
WCC student Janice Kilbey was the first student from a community college in Hawaii to receive the Truman Scholarship, an award of $20,000 for years of college study.
1979
Enrollment was 1,485. Pete Dyer was appointed provost. The college launched its literary magazine, Rain Bird, providing an opportunity for students and faculty to publish their prose, poetry, and artwork. The Marine Option Program (MOP) received a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation to begin a study of Hawaiian backyard aquaculture and a feasibility study of raising prawns. Windward Performing Arts Theatre makes its home in Eckerdt 129 (Little Theatre), presenting plays featuring students and Windward residents. Ron Loo, professor of Philosophy, received the Excellence in Teaching Award.
To learn more about Windward Community College’s history, visit the archives at http://windward.hawaii.edu/Calendar/archive.php.