By NICK BONHAM
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN    July 13, 2008

CSU-Pueblo and PCC mark common roots

Throngs of alumni and proud residents of Pueblo and Southern Colorado turned out Sunday to say happy birthday to Pueblo Community College and Colorado State University-Pueblo.

After 75 years of existence, the daylong celebration was filled with a lot of history, hugs, a warm feeling of accomplishment and enthusiasm for the future of higher education in Pueblo.

"If I was to epitomize today, and the significance of today's community celebration, it would be simply: 75 years of growing Pueblo; that's what these two schools have done. We create opportunities, economic development and quality of life programs," PCC President John "J.D." Garvin said at the event's opening ceremonies, celebrated on PCC's Orman Campus.

Exactly 75 years ago Sunday, 15 students gathered on the third floor of the Pueblo County Courthouse and began taking basic college courses. It was the time of the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, dark times for the community and nation.

"Leaders in this community, just as they do today, looked through those dark clouds and saw that if they worked hard, were creative and optimistic, that they could come up with an idea to improve this community and Southern Colorado, and that's what these two institutions have become," said CSU-Pueblo President Joe Garcia.

What began as Southern Colorado Junior College eventually split into two distinct but closely related institutions that saw several name changes before becoming PCC and CSU-Pueblo.

SCJC, which in 1937 became Pueblo Junior College, settling in on Orman Avenue on land donated by the Colorado Fuel & Iron Corp. Another name change to Pueblo Vocational Community College came in 1979 followed by the Pueblo Community College label in 1982.

Southern Colorado State College built its campus on the fringes of the Belmont neighborhood in the mid-1960s, where its name has changed over the years from SCSC to the University of Southern Colorado and CSU-Pueblo.

"And look at what they've become," said Pueblo attorney Tom Farley, a member of the Colorado State University System's governing board. "Look at what they've become. Who would've guessed."

Patty Erjavec, a Puebloan and member of the state community college board, noted the symbiotic relationship between her two alma maters.

"PCC is a great feeder system for CSU-Pueblo and other four-year universities in the state," she said. "(PCC) is an integral part of the state's secondary school system, and a prime motivator for keeping kids in school who might otherwise drop out.

"Yet, for those who drop out, it remains a salvation, an open door, patiently waiting for the time when they are ready to come back to it, even if it takes 50 years or more."

Former PCC President Ron Meek was in attendance. With his wife of 24 years, Connie, a high school teacher whom he met here during his presidency from 1981 to 1985, the Meeks made the trip from their Las Vegas, Nev., home for Sunday's celebration.

"This place started as one tree. It's two major trunks now, but it's still one tree."

The 64-year-old Meek was president during the 50th anniversary and swore after attending the 75th that he'd be here for the colleges' 100th anniversary.

"I'll be 90, but I'll be here."

While taking measure of PCC's and CSU-Pueblo's accomplishments and the evolution and obstacles each institution hurdled over the years, it was fitting to pay tribute to past presidents who established much of Pueblo's foundation in higher education.

Two in particular were the late Mike Davis and Ron Applbaum.

The lives of both men were cut short - Davis died in a plane accident, Applbaum died of cancer - leaving their posts to be filled by the current presidents, Garvin in June 2007 and Garcia in August 2006.

"Dr. Mike Davis . . . his legacy will be long remembered at this institution," Garcia said. "Dr. Ron Applbaum, he gave everything he had for the university. He was totally committed to the students, faculty and community."

Also honored at the opening ceremonies were the founding fathers and mothers of Pueblo's higher education family, none of whom survive.

Those members included: Eric Todd Kelly Sr., Calvin N. Caldwell, Hattie A. Mead, Margaret Dick Peterson, J. Arthur Phelps, A.J. Dooner, and the former publisher of The Pueblo Chieftain, Frank Hoag Jr.

Bob Rawlings, Hoag's nephew and current publisher of The Chieftain, received a commemorative presidential coin from Garvin and a framed painting of CSU-Pueblo's oldest structure, the campus library, from Garcia.

"Frank Hoag Jr. would be thrilled to see what both universities have become today," Rawlings said, clad in a PCC shirt and ThunderWolf baseball cap.

The party didn't end there.

Throughout the day, current and former students from both institutions walked around the PCC campus, dotted with activities.

There was plenty of entertainment from music and dance groups; a custom car show; an Indian Powwow; a veterans ceremony; an art show; a 7.5 kilometer run and 2 mile walk that drew almost 130 participants; and plenty of shared memories.

Pueblo County Commissioner John Cordova and City Council President Barbara Vidmar read a proclamation declaring Sunday PCC/CSU-Pueblo 75th Anniversary Kickoff Day.