Hocking College
Encyclopedia
Hocking College, a technical college located in Nelsonville, Ohio
, in the Appalachian region of the United States
offers a wide selection of curriculum, with 56 associate degree programs, as well as several certification programs.
In 1972, the official name was changed to Hocking Technical College and 250 acres were purchased for new building and future development. In 1975, the college relocated its main campus to its current site on Hocking Parkway. The same year, residence halls opened on Hocking’s campus, making it the only two-year school in Ohio to have college-owned residence halls available to its students. Hocking College was first accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission(HLC) in 1976. During the 80s, Hocking College continued to grow and expand, establishing many sister-colleges worldwide, in places such as Taiwan, Japan and Jamaica. In 1990, the Perry Campus in New Lexington opened to better serve the needs of Perry County residents with 61 students. The name changed again to Hocking College in 1991. In 1997, the college purchased Lake Snowden
in Albany, Ohio and in 1998 renamed it as the Lake Snowden
Education and Recreation Park.
Also in 2009, Hocking College President Dr. John Light retired after 42 years of service to Hocking College. He was replaced by Dr. Ron Erickson of Minnesota. In August 2008, the Ohio State Auditors website announced an audit of Hocking College to explore “various allegations regarding certain financial activities and financial transactions at the college.” Light and his wife, who served as his senior-vice president, and two other employees were found to have taken money illegally from the college. Light and his wife were charged with crimes related to these allegations in June of 2011 and they pled no contest to the charges and were fined and ordered to pay restitution. Erickson himself was removed from office in June 2011 after "blindsiding trustees by sending out a campus wide e-mail that said he'd been micromanaged" but was reinstated three months later.
An investigation by the state's auditor's office found that Light, DuVivier (Light's Wife and senior vice-president under his administration), and two other employees illegally took money from the college. The Audit report shows that this money should be paid back to the college and criminal prosecution is impending a final investigation by the State of Ohio's Ethics Commission. Light and his wife were charged with crimes related to these allegations in June of 2011; they pled no contest to the charges and were fined and ordered to pay restitution. Coincidentally, these charges were levied less than a month after Light's successor was ousted by the college's board of trustees.
The college also had issues in January 2010 when a note was found on a bathroom wall that threatened the African-American students on campus. Although two students withdrew from the college, Hocking took a number of actions to protect the safety of its students. The college increased security measures, including more security cameras in the residence halls, provided alternative living quarters for those feeling threatened and offered a $5,000 reward for anyone who had information, and an additional $2,000 if they were willing to testify. In addition, Hocking President Dr. Erickson held a number of events to promote peace and healing around the campus, “We regret this kind of behavior,” he said “and as the parent of a multi racial family, it is especially important that everyone understand this kind of behavior will not be tolerated on the Hocking College Campus.”
, a 670 acres (2.7 km²) recreation area in Lee Township
. They also own 1400 acres (5.7 km²) of open-space land in the rugged landscape of York Township
, west of the campus.
Nelsonville, Ohio
Nelsonville is a city in northwestern Athens County, Ohio, United States. The population was 5,230 at the 2000 census. Hocking College is located in Nelsonville.-Geography:...
, in the Appalachian region of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
offers a wide selection of curriculum, with 56 associate degree programs, as well as several certification programs.
Mission
Hocking College provides a unique, innovative, and quality education in a supportive experience-based learning environment, preparing students for employment and transfer education opportunities, while teaching the value of lifelong learning, promoting diversity and developing citizens who are engaged in their local and global communities.History
Hocking College came into existence as the Tri-County Institute. In the 1960s, the need for a vocational school became apparent in Southeast Ohio through demographic studies and population surveys. The Tri-County Institute was built on the campus of the Tri-County Joint Vocational School with the schools sharing laboratory and service areas. Fall 1968 marked the opening of the Institute with approximately 250 students and 28 instructors. In 1969, the Ohio Board of Regents granted a charter to the institute, and they were authorized to grant degrees in 13 technical programs. The first commencement took place June 1970 with 117 graduates.In 1972, the official name was changed to Hocking Technical College and 250 acres were purchased for new building and future development. In 1975, the college relocated its main campus to its current site on Hocking Parkway. The same year, residence halls opened on Hocking’s campus, making it the only two-year school in Ohio to have college-owned residence halls available to its students. Hocking College was first accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission(HLC) in 1976. During the 80s, Hocking College continued to grow and expand, establishing many sister-colleges worldwide, in places such as Taiwan, Japan and Jamaica. In 1990, the Perry Campus in New Lexington opened to better serve the needs of Perry County residents with 61 students. The name changed again to Hocking College in 1991. In 1997, the college purchased Lake Snowden
Lake Snowden
Lake Snowden is a 675 acre education and recreation park in southeast Ohio 6 miles southwest of Athens and 1 mile northeast of Albany. Lake Snowden is the largest of four lakes which form the Margaret Creek Conservancy District, covering about 136 acres with a maximum lake depth of 42 feet...
in Albany, Ohio and in 1998 renamed it as the Lake Snowden
Lake Snowden
Lake Snowden is a 675 acre education and recreation park in southeast Ohio 6 miles southwest of Athens and 1 mile northeast of Albany. Lake Snowden is the largest of four lakes which form the Margaret Creek Conservancy District, covering about 136 acres with a maximum lake depth of 42 feet...
Education and Recreation Park.
Recent history
Two new residence halls were built in 2009 and the Hocking College Energy Institute opened in Hocking County near Logan. The institute features green building design and hands-on learning labs for students studying in an advanced energy program.Also in 2009, Hocking College President Dr. John Light retired after 42 years of service to Hocking College. He was replaced by Dr. Ron Erickson of Minnesota. In August 2008, the Ohio State Auditors website announced an audit of Hocking College to explore “various allegations regarding certain financial activities and financial transactions at the college.” Light and his wife, who served as his senior-vice president, and two other employees were found to have taken money illegally from the college. Light and his wife were charged with crimes related to these allegations in June of 2011 and they pled no contest to the charges and were fined and ordered to pay restitution. Erickson himself was removed from office in June 2011 after "blindsiding trustees by sending out a campus wide e-mail that said he'd been micromanaged" but was reinstated three months later.
An investigation by the state's auditor's office found that Light, DuVivier (Light's Wife and senior vice-president under his administration), and two other employees illegally took money from the college. The Audit report shows that this money should be paid back to the college and criminal prosecution is impending a final investigation by the State of Ohio's Ethics Commission. Light and his wife were charged with crimes related to these allegations in June of 2011; they pled no contest to the charges and were fined and ordered to pay restitution. Coincidentally, these charges were levied less than a month after Light's successor was ousted by the college's board of trustees.
The college also had issues in January 2010 when a note was found on a bathroom wall that threatened the African-American students on campus. Although two students withdrew from the college, Hocking took a number of actions to protect the safety of its students. The college increased security measures, including more security cameras in the residence halls, provided alternative living quarters for those feeling threatened and offered a $5,000 reward for anyone who had information, and an additional $2,000 if they were willing to testify. In addition, Hocking President Dr. Erickson held a number of events to promote peace and healing around the campus, “We regret this kind of behavior,” he said “and as the parent of a multi racial family, it is especially important that everyone understand this kind of behavior will not be tolerated on the Hocking College Campus.”
Academics
Hocking College lists 66 individual program options, organized into ten program areas:- Arts & Sciences
- Business
- Computer & Information Technologies
- Energy Institute
- Engineering & Technology
- Health & Nursing
- Hospitality
- Natural Resources
- Public Safety Services
- Short-Term Certificates (which includes subjects belonging to the other categories)
Notable alumni
| Name | | Known for | | Relationship to Hocking |
|---|---|---|
| John Freshwater John Freshwater John Freshwater is a former science teacher at Mount Vernon Middle School in Mount Vernon, Ohio, USA. The Board of Education voted to consider firing Freshwater in 2008 on the grounds of his conduct and teaching materials. He requested a public administrative hearing, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code... |
Teacher accused on using of a tesla coil Tesla coil A Tesla coil is a type of resonant transformer circuit invented by Nikola Tesla around 1891. It is used to produce high voltage, low current, high frequency alternating current electricity. Tesla coils produce higher current than the other source of high voltage discharges, electrostatic machines... to mark students' arms with the Christian cross Christian cross The Christian cross, seen as a representation of the instrument of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is the best-known religious symbol of Christianity... |
Associate's Degree in Recreation and Wildlife. |
Land holdings
In addition to their main campus, Hocking College owns and operates Lake SnowdenLake Snowden
Lake Snowden is a 675 acre education and recreation park in southeast Ohio 6 miles southwest of Athens and 1 mile northeast of Albany. Lake Snowden is the largest of four lakes which form the Margaret Creek Conservancy District, covering about 136 acres with a maximum lake depth of 42 feet...
, a 670 acres (2.7 km²) recreation area in Lee Township
Lee Township, Athens County, Ohio
Lee Township is one of the fourteen townships of Athens County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 2,531 people in the township, 1,747 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:...
. They also own 1400 acres (5.7 km²) of open-space land in the rugged landscape of York Township
York Township, Athens County, Ohio
York Township is one of the fourteen townships of Athens County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 7,740 people in the township, 1,947 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:...
, west of the campus.