Local colleges experienced greatly increased enrollment figures in 2008, which were largely attributed to the economic recession. The year also brought the arrival of Chapman University's new Hanford campus, as well as the groundbreaking for construction of the College of the Sequoias' new Hanford campus.

Here are news highlights of 2008 for Kings County's higher education institutions:

WHC Celebrates 75 Years With All-Class Reunion

When West Hills College opened to 35 students in 1932, a new house cost $6,515, gasoline cost 10 cents per gallon and postage stamps were 3 cents.

A lot has changed since then.

In a continuation of the West Hills College 75th anniversary celebration, the institution hosted an all-class reunion, where many of the changes in the school and society over the last three quarters of a century were be discussed.

On April 26, all West Hills College alumni, faculty, staff and friends were invited to participate in the reunion, said Barbara Caganich, executive director of the West Hills Community College Foundation.

The reunion included a full day of activities, including a ceremony with a welcome from the district's chancellor, Dr. Frank Gornick and the two college presidents, Dr. Willard Lewallen and Don Warkentin.

Enrollment at local CCs on rise

More and more students enrolled at local community colleges. Summer school enrollment at West Hills Community College District jumped about 9 percent from summer 2007 to summer 2008, and College of the Sequoias reported a 14.5 percent increase over last summer.

Frances Squire, marketing director for West Hills, said 3,526 students enrolled in summer school versus 3,224 last summer. The college's officials are projecting a similar increase in fall enrollment. In fall 2007, about 6,500 students were enrolled, and in 2008, 7,500 students were expected to enroll, Squire said. As of July 15, 3,730 students were enrolled for the fall semester, but a large percentage of West Hills students wait until the last moment to enroll, Squire said.

West Hills officials said they expect new programs, including the Lemoore campus' new nursing program and engineering scholars program, were factors in driving up enrollment. And the fact that several classes are offered online is increasingly popular, especially with the high cost of gas, Squire said.

"When economic times get tough, people turn to community colleges," Squire said, citing that people recognize that they need inexpensive training to get certain jobs.

Bill Scroggins, president of the College of the Sequoias, said 4,290 students enrolled in summer school, versus 3,747 students in 2007.

Chapman's New Campus Site

Local students pursuing a degree through Chapman University College no longer have to share classrooms with the students of Pioneer Middle School, or any other school. After just seven months of construction, Chapman's new site opened to host its first classes in mid-July. Two classes were held at the new site at 325 Mall Drive on July 14, and three more were held on July 15. By the college's fall term, director Glen Parsons expected to be hosting all classes at the new site.

About 300 students are enrolled at Chapman's Hanford location. The move will allow the college to consolidate administrative offices and classrooms in one location. With a larger facility, Parsons hopes to bring new academic programs and significantly increase local enrollment.

COS enrollment up 17 percent over fall 2007

Enrollment far surpassed previous records for the College of The Sequoias this fall. COS released enrollment figures during the first week of September, when 12,784 students were enrolled, marking a 17 percent increase over last fall. At the COS Hanford Center, 963 students were enrolled, which was up from 787 last fall.

Scroggins attributed the enrollment increase to less availability of entry-level jobs than a year ago, reflective of the economic downturn.

"Folks are looking to come back to school to improve skills and improve employability," Scroggins said.

He added that COS has increased its marketing and outreach efforts, as well as added programs, including veterinary technician and electrician.

Local college bond measures approved

Local community colleges will have some new funds coming to them after voters passed Measures E and J in the Nov. 4 election. About 64 percent of voters supported Measure E -- a $31 million bond for West Hills College's Lemoore campus -- that, alongside nearly $70 million in state matching funds, will bring almost $100 million worth of new facilities for the site. And about 61 percent of Kings County voters supported Measure J, which will bring $60 million to the College of The Sequoias for a new campus in Tulare.

Don Warkentin, president of West Hills' Lemoore campus, said the new funds would take the site out to the year 2020, including the construction of a new student center, join -- use facilities planned for Riverdale and Avenal, facilities for physical education in Lemoore, a performing arts center and an additional two-story instructional building.

"It's a tremendous event for the future of our college," Warkentin said. "It's going to be a lot of building. We thank everybody for all the support."

Scroggins also thanked voters for their support this morning. Both measures in the Nov. 4 election for COS passed -- the other measure, Measure I, is for improvement to the Visalia campus. Measure J will provide funds for the new Tulare College Center, which will serve up to 3,500 students and provide curriculum for the first two years of a university education, job training and critical basic skills to raise the literacy of the population, Scroggins said.

COS Hanford groundbreaking ceremony

It's now official: the final planned installment of Hanford's Joint Educational Center is under way. More than 100 local leaders gathered Dec. 1 to commemorate the start of construction on the College of the Sequoias Hanford College Center, just yards away from the in-progress Sierra Pacific High School. Even the day's thick fog could not muddle the excitement in the atmosphere.

Scroggins welcomed attendees to the groundbreaking ceremony and commended the community, because the college center is a 100 percent locally funded facility.

"What it took to get here was not a small undertaking," Scroggins said.

He introduced a few of the people who helped the $22 million bond Measure C to pass, including Sue Sorenson, Mike Robinson and Neil Williams.

"If you're not sitting here proud and excited, you need to go get your blood pressure checked," Hanford City Manager Gary Misenhimer said to attendees.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(Dec. 27, 2008)