.60th Anniversary video

Opening
Fade this quote onto screen
“Few of us have a true appreciation of what the cultural effect of establishing a college here will be. Its effect will be felt for the next couple of hundred years.” 
Carl V. Warren, 1950

[40]
More than 60 years ago, a group of civic minded, forward-thinking citizens realized Orange County residents were starving for access to college education. Their solution was to establish a local community college.
It was a time when all of New York was lagging far behind other states with respect to educational access. Leaders of the newly formed State University of New York, along with Governor Thomas Dewey, had a new vision for what community colleges could and should be, and there were people in Orange County who agreed.
Thanks in part to sheer fortitude, a shrewd and relentless pursuit of their goals … and one very generous local philanthropist named Christine M. Morrison … those early proponents of education in Orange County turned their dreams into reality during the summer of 1950.
When Dewey spoke at the College’s dedication in October of that year, he discussed the importance of the new community college ideal.

INSERT DEWEY QUOTE (40 seconds … queued up on Side A) starts with … “it seemed to us” … and ends with … “it is unlike anything else.”

[40]
The College offered its first classes in September 1950, and one hundred fifty-four students were on hand. A local college … the “community’s college” … was no longer a dream. Orange County Community College was officially open for business, and it hasn’t looked back since. 
The College was an immediate success as students flocked to Mrs. Morrison’s immaculate estate. As student enrollment ballooned, the College struggled to meet the growing demand. In those early years, every square inch of building space was turned into a classroom, including areas of the mansion, garage and barn. 
But the students didn’t seem to mind. They were learning. And Orange County Community College was generating a strong presence within the community.
…
ON SCREEN
“The seed of a new kind of college planted here three years ago is beginning to flower--not only on its own small 16-acre campus but also throughout Orange County. … Today, on the eve of its third graduation, the school has become more than just a prospering junior college--it is, in the words of its president, “an integral part of the community.”
Middletown Record, May 1953
…
[45]
By 1955, the College needed more classroom space and ground was broken on Hudson Hall, the first community college classroom building built in New York. Hudson Hall would be the first of 10 new buildings built before the College’s 25th anniversary.
When the College dedicated its five newest buildings in 1975, Congressman Ben Gilman spoke of the College’s success
INSERT GILMAN CLIP (30 seconds) … starts with “despite all of those doubting Thomas’” and ends with “Yes, we have here something for everyone.”
By the College’s 40th birthday in 1990, enrollment had surpassed 5,700 students. That year, the College opened its Newburgh Extension Center to great fanfare. Today as it reaches its 60th anniversary, the College serves nearly 7,000 students and is in the midst of a significant expansion program at what is now a vibrant Newburgh campus.

[65]
College leaders have always understood the needs and interests of local residents, and Orange County Community College has earned its reputation as a pioneer and innovator in education. Class offerings during the early years included “poultry science” and “Atomic Energy in Everyday Life.” The novel idea of offering evening and weekend classes opened pathways to education for thousands of students over the past 60 years.
The College was the first community college in the nation to offer a two-year degree in nursing, and was the first to develop studies in electron microscopy.
In 1962, the College became the first community college to receive accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. In 1982, the College joined with two local chambers of commerce to provide quality and affordable training to businesses in the county. It was the first such program in the nation operated by a community college.
Today, SUNY Orange continues its long tradition of partnering with local businesses and organizations to provide business solutions, employee training and enrichment programming. These relationships have enhanced the College’s curriculum through both educational and experiential learning opportunities for students.

[40]
Programs in the health professions, business, math, science, technology and liberal arts provide current students with a wide array of academic choices. Because of its diversity, Orange County Community College has always been a place where opportunity meets success.
And 60 years after the College’s founding, it is fair to say that Orange County no longer lags behind with respect to educational access. Legions of alumni are proof that Orange County Community College’s founders were correct: A local community college would have a lasting effect on Orange County. 
Such has been the legacy of SUNY Orange over its first 60 years, and the College is in position to continuing benefitting the Hudson Valley for decades to come.


“When I think about OCCC today, I am so happy. We were so blessed, having the college right here. Look at all of us who profited.”
Poet Emily Borenstein, Class of 1961
2000

After the quote has displayed for a few moments … fade out most of the quote and slide “Look at all of us who profited.” to the top of the screen and fade in the College seal.

SUNY Orange Presidents

Fred Germain
(1950-51)

Edwin Miner
(1951-59)

William G. Dwyer
(1960-64)

Robert Novak
(1965-82)

Mary Norman
(1982-85)

William Messner
(1986-96)

Preston Pulliams
(1997-2003)

William Richards
(2003-present)