Palomar College to celebrate its 60th anniversary all during 2006

CONTACT:
Mark Oggel, Communications Office
760-744-1150, ext. 2152


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
With graphic art


SAN MARCOS (January 9, 2006) – Palomar College, the largest community college in San Diego County and one of the largest in the state, celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

Having opened classes on Sept. 23, 1946 -- shortly after the close of World War II -- at Vista High School, Palomar has grown and developed over six decades into a community-steeped institution known and respected in California and the nation.

Palomar today serves approximately 27,000 students from its 200-acre main campus in San Marcos, its Escondido Center, and seven other sites in North County. For the 2004-2005 academic year, Palomar’s full-time equivalent student enrollment was the seventh largest of 116 community college sites in the state, according to figures at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. Palomar offers its public district a wide and continually changing range of programs and opportunities, with 320 degree and certificate programs currently available.

To commemorate the anniversary and involve the public in it, a college committee is planning activities and events. Notable will be an April 8 celebration day, when the public will be invited to the San Marcos campus to participate in various ways. In the works that Saturday are an alumni reunion, a high school air bands competition, a folk opera performed by the Palomar College Chamber Singers, an information fair, historical exhibits at the Library, and tours.

During the year alumni athletes will be invited back to be recognized at various games. A 1940s film festival is anticipated. And the many annual events that go on at the college -- from the President’s Concert in May, to arts performances, to a first-time Cesar Chavez photo exhibit, to lectures, to the Palomar College Foundation President’s Associates annual gala dinner/auction -- will carry a celebratory or anniversary recognition message.

A 60th anniversary logo has been developed, with the tag line “Building Your Future.” It will be displayed on materials throughout the year.

Details about the anniversary activities will be announced as they become set. For more information, contact Mark Oggel, director of communications at Palomar and committee chair, at 760-744-1150, ext. 2152, or moggel@palomar.edu.

####