May 29, 2006 - Nearing 60, Mt. SAC stands proud

Nearing 60, Mt. SAC stands proud

This year, Walnut college poised to grant most degrees in its tenure

May 29, 2006

News Article/IVDB

By Sang Lee, Staff Writer
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

WALNUT - In 1945, World War II was over and young men from throughout the San Gabriel Valley returned home.

Many had deferred their educations, and a sudden need for college learning prompted immediate action.

On Sept. 16, 1946, doors opened for East Los Angeles County Junior College. Now known as Mt. San Antonio College, the school, which has 26,650 full-time students, has the highest enrollment for a single-campus community college district in California.

"Residents call us UC Walnut. Even though we don’t want to be a four-year university," said Mt. SAC President Christopher C. O’Hearn. "We want to be a community college with a university feel."

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the award-winning academic institution. Events are planned throughout the year, capped with an Oct. 28 gala at the Richard M. Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda.

Founders of Mt. SAC probably could not have imagined the growth of the school that started out by using the facilities of the U.S. Naval Hospital, which occupied 445 acres north of Valley Boulevard in Walnut.

At a time when most junior colleges used high school campuses for instruction, the California State Board of Education petitioned for the school districts of Pomona, Covina, Puente and Bonita to devise a plan for a junior college to accommodate the influx of returning soldiers. A plan was adopted on Aug. 1, 1946, with a general reserve fund of $191,790 to supply education for 635 students with a faculty of 23 instructors.

This year, the Walnut college is expected to hand out 2,443 degrees, the most ever. And last year, 18-year-old Alex Wu became Mt. SAC’s 1 millionth student.

"A lot of people look down on community colleges, but from what I know it’s harder than universities," said Wu, a West Covina resident. "The classrooms are smaller, and I am saving a bunch of money. I would say I made the right choice."

During Mt. SAC’s first year, the school initiated a name contest. Proposed names emerged such as Brownhills, Essex, Interurban, Kellogg Hill, Orange Cove and Puddingstone.

Mt. San Antonio, the name of the most-visible snow-capped mountain behind the campus, was selected as the official name.

Since then, a vast array of distinguished students have taken notes at Mt. SAC.

The list includes former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Fred Claire, Albertsons supermarket Southern California division president Dave Simonson, Las Vegas entertainer Danny Gans and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Sam Shepard.

Politicians have also roamed the halls, including former Walnut Mayor Drexel Smith, state Sen. Nell Soto, D-Ontario, and former California Secretary of Business Maria Contreras-Sweet.

Olympic gold medal pole vaulter Bob Seagren also was a student from 1964-1966, and was awarded "Alumnus of the Year" by Mt. SAC in 2005. He became an actor with a regular role in the 1970s sitcom "Soap." His thoughts of the college reach back to before the modernized upgrades of the school.

"It was a very rural setting back in the ‘60s. There were big open fields and the old bookstore was a converted house or gymnasium," Seagren said.

The 60th anniversary means a little more to Seagren than to most. This year will also mark his 60th birthday. Seagren is raising funds to build a heritage hall for the athletic department.

"It was the major turning point in my athletic career. Before I got to Mt. SAC, I was just a normal high school athlete," he said. "They had a great faculty at Mt. SAC, and I was able to set a national collegiate record."

The college is known worldwide for its Mt. SAC Relays, an event in which athletes from around the world compete in track and field.

Prior participants have included Carl Lewis and Maurice Green.

In 2001, voters approved Measure R, a $221 million construction bond enabling the school to create a new language center, health-careers center, student health and resource center and athletic fields.

According to Judy Chen, Mt. SAC board president, it was an opportunity to give the campus a more university feel.

"I think there will be a new Mt. SAC with high-tech development. Ten years ago, people didn’t even have cell phones. We have been very mindful about the campus infrastructure and academic curriculum we implement."

The school has had seven presidents in its history. O’Hearn believes the school’s success is directly related to the care each member of the staff and administration puts into his or her work.

"What I prefer to focus on in our system is the seriousness in which our faculty across the board takes their responsibilities," O’Hearn said. "They teach and prepare students for success. You see that it’s consistent with every program at our school."

O’Hearn assures school patrons that Mt. SAC’s standard of excellence will continue to increase while maintaining the community college tag.

"Since we are not a university with research departments, our professors specialize in teaching. I’m enormously proud to be here. It’s a thrill, and it’s been the apex of my career," he said. "We’re building brand new buildings, and it shows the faculty and the students that we care. But in my opinion, what makes this place special is the people. The human capital here is what we hope will be our legacy in 60 years."

For more the 60th anniversary celebration, go to anniversary.mtsac.edu

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Nearing 60, Mt. SAC stands proud

This year, Walnut college poised to grant most degrees in its tenure
May 29, 2006 News Article/IVDB By Sang Lee, Staff Writer Inland Valley Daily Bulletin WALNUT - In 1945, World War II was over and young men from throughout the San Gabriel Valley returned home. Many had deferred their educations, and a sudden need for college learning prompted immediate action. On Sept. 16, 1946, doors opened for East Los Angeles County Junior College. Now known as Mt. San Antonio College, the school, which has 26,650 full-time students, has the highest enrollment for a single-campus community college district in California. "Residents call us UC Walnut. Even though we don’t want to be a four-year university," said Mt. SAC President Christopher C. O’Hearn. "We want to be a community college with a university feel." This year marks the 60th anniversary of the award-winning academic institution. Events are planned throughout the year, capped with an Oct. 28 gala at the Richard M. Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda. Founders of Mt. SAC probably could not have imagined the growth of the school that started out by using the facilities of the U.S. Naval Hospital, which occupied 445 acres north of Valley Boulevard in Walnut. At a time when most junior colleges used high school campuses for instruction, the California State Board of Education petitioned for the school districts of Pomona, Covina, Puente and Bonita to devise a plan for a junior college to accommodate the influx of returning soldiers. A plan was adopted on Aug. 1, 1946, with a general reserve fund of $191,790 to supply education for 635 students with a faculty of 23 instructors. This year, the Walnut college is expected to hand out 2,443 degrees, the most ever. And last year, 18-year-old Alex Wu became Mt. SAC’s 1 millionth student. "A lot of people look down on community colleges, but from what I know it’s harder than universities," said Wu, a West Covina resident. "The classrooms are smaller, and I am saving a bunch of money. I would say I made the right choice." During Mt. SAC’s first year, the school initiated a name contest. Proposed names emerged such as Brownhills, Essex, Interurban, Kellogg Hill, Orange Cove and Puddingstone. Mt. San Antonio, the name of the most-visible snow-capped mountain behind the campus, was selected as the official name. Since then, a vast array of distinguished students have taken notes at Mt. SAC. The list includes former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Fred Claire, Albertsons supermarket Southern California division president Dave Simonson, Las Vegas entertainer Danny Gans and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Sam Shepard. Politicians have also roamed the halls, including former Walnut Mayor Drexel Smith, state Sen. Nell Soto, D-Ontario, and former California Secretary of Business Maria Contreras-Sweet. Olympic gold medal pole vaulter Bob Seagren also was a student from 1964-1966, and was awarded "Alumnus of the Year" by Mt. SAC in 2005. He became an actor with a regular role in the 1970s sitcom "Soap." His thoughts of the college reach back to before the modernized upgrades of the school. "It was a very rural setting back in the ‘60s. There were big open fields and the old bookstore was a converted house or gymnasium," Seagren said. The 60th anniversary means a little more to Seagren than to most. This year will also mark his 60th birthday. Seagren is raising funds to build a heritage hall for the athletic department. "It was the major turning point in my athletic career. Before I got to Mt. SAC, I was just a normal high school athlete," he said. "They had a great faculty at Mt. SAC, and I was able to set a national collegiate record." The college is known worldwide for its Mt. SAC Relays, an event in which athletes from around the world compete in track and field. Prior participants have included Carl Lewis and Maurice Green. In 2001, voters approved Measure R, a $221 million construction bond enabling the school to create a new language center, health-careers center, student health and resource center and athletic fields. According to Judy Chen, Mt. SAC board president, it was an opportunity to give the campus a more university feel. "I think there will be a new Mt. SAC with high-tech development. Ten years ago, people didn’t even have cell phones. We have been very mindful about the campus infrastructure and academic curriculum we implement." The school has had seven presidents in its history. O’Hearn believes the school’s success is directly related to the care each member of the staff and administration puts into his or her work. "What I prefer to focus on in our system is the seriousness in which our faculty across the board takes their responsibilities," O’Hearn said. "They teach and prepare students for success. You see that it’s consistent with every program at our school." O’Hearn assures school patrons that Mt. SAC’s standard of excellence will continue to increase while maintaining the community college tag. "Since we are not a university with research departments, our professors specialize in teaching. I’m enormously proud to be here. It’s a thrill, and it’s been the apex of my career," he said. "We’re building brand new buildings, and it shows the faculty and the students that we care. But in my opinion, what makes this place special is the people. The human capital here is what we hope will be our legacy in 60 years." For more the 60th anniversary celebration, go to anniversary.mtsac.edu
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