Linn-Benton Community College
Encyclopedia
Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) is a two year junior college
, located in Linn County, Oregon
.
. Credits earned at LBCC can be transferred to any university within the Oregon University System
.
counties.
In the 1950s a community college
was a conceptual idea, however, it wasn't until 1964 that a study was conducted to assess the need of such an institution. The results of this study showed that post-high school
opportunities, educationally, were non-existent and that many graduating high school students were interested in a local community college.
It was then that Linn County asked for the support of Benton County in assistance for foundation of a college in the mid-Willamette Valley
. This partnership reached success on December 6, 1966 when, by referendum
vote, Linn and Benton County voters approved the formation of a college district by nearly 3:1.
The first classes began in 1967 during the same year LBCC started operations full time. The campus headquarters was located on the corner of First St. and Ellsworth St., however, classes were offered at rented locations throughout the LBCC college district.
During this time, six occupational programs were offered. This included a sewage waste/treatment program that was described to be the "first of its kind offered in the country". Tuition was $60 per term.
In February, 1970 a permanent campus was slated for construction based on a vote by voters in Linn and Benton counties. Voters agreed that bond
s should be issued to pay for construction. The ideal location for the campus was 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Albany, off of Pacific Blvd. The campus was dedicated in October, 1974. Takena Hall, the campus student union was completed in 1979.
In May, 1998, a dual enrollment program was established between Oregon State University
and LBCC in the fields of agricultural sciences, business and engineering. This was extended to all programs in 1999.
LBCC also offers unique regional specific programs:
, just 11 miles (17.7 km) east of Corvallis, Oregon
. It comprises 13 brick buildings in the Brutalist style, and seven additional contemporary buildings. These buildings are on the perimeter of a giant courtyard, while a covered walkway connects the buildings and is adjacent to the courtyard.
. Before the current campus in Albany was dedicated in 1974, students were called roadrunners since the campus was scattered in several locations all over Albany leaving students to jump in a car to get to class that could be in another building on the other side of town.
Junior college
The term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...
, located in Linn County, Oregon
Linn County, Oregon
Linn County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is named in honor of Lewis F. Linn, a U.S. Senator from Missouri who advocated the American occupation of the Oregon Country. By the 2010 US census the population of Linn county was 116,672 showing a 13.2% growth since the 2000 census...
.
Accreditation
LBCC is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesNorthwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is an independent, non-profit membership organization recognized by the United States Department of Education since 1952 and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the regional authority on educational quality and institutional...
. Credits earned at LBCC can be transferred to any university within the Oregon University System
Oregon University System
The Oregon University System consists of seven public, four-year universities in the State of Oregon administered by the Chancellor of the OUS, who is appointed by the Oregon State Board of Higher Education...
.
History
LBCC was established in 1966 with the purpose of supporting the citizens of Linn and BentonBenton County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Siuslaw National Forest *William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 78,153 people, 30,145 households, and 18,237 families residing in the county. The population density was 116 people per square mile . There were 31,980...
counties.
In the 1950s a community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
was a conceptual idea, however, it wasn't until 1964 that a study was conducted to assess the need of such an institution. The results of this study showed that post-high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
opportunities, educationally, were non-existent and that many graduating high school students were interested in a local community college.
It was then that Linn County asked for the support of Benton County in assistance for foundation of a college in the mid-Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is the most populated region in the state of Oregon of the United States. Located in the state's northwest, the region is surrounded by tall mountain ranges to the east, west and south and the valley's floor is broad, flat and fertile because of Ice Age conditions...
. This partnership reached success on December 6, 1966 when, by referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
vote, Linn and Benton County voters approved the formation of a college district by nearly 3:1.
The first classes began in 1967 during the same year LBCC started operations full time. The campus headquarters was located on the corner of First St. and Ellsworth St., however, classes were offered at rented locations throughout the LBCC college district.
During this time, six occupational programs were offered. This included a sewage waste/treatment program that was described to be the "first of its kind offered in the country". Tuition was $60 per term.
In February, 1970 a permanent campus was slated for construction based on a vote by voters in Linn and Benton counties. Voters agreed that bond
Government bond
A government bond is a bond issued by a national government denominated in the country's own currency. Bonds are debt investments whereby an investor loans a certain amount of money, for a certain amount of time, with a certain interest rate, to a company or country...
s should be issued to pay for construction. The ideal location for the campus was 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Albany, off of Pacific Blvd. The campus was dedicated in October, 1974. Takena Hall, the campus student union was completed in 1979.
In May, 1998, a dual enrollment program was established between Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
and LBCC in the fields of agricultural sciences, business and engineering. This was extended to all programs in 1999.
Academic programs
LBCC offers more than 60 degrees and certificates:- Associate of Applied Science
- Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer
- Associate of Science
- Associate of General Studies
- Certificates for Pro/Tech majors
- ROTC
- GED
LBCC also offers unique regional specific programs:
- Agriculture
- Animal Technology
- Animal Technology: Horse Management
- Horticulture
- Mechatronics/Industrial Maintenance
- Water/Wastewater Technology
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Nursing
- Culinary Arts
Campus
The campus is located on 104 acres (42.1 ha) on US Highway 99E (Pacific Blvd), located in south Albany, OregonAlbany, Oregon
Albany is the eleventh largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon, and is the county seat of Linn County. It is located in the Willamette Valley at the confluence of the Calapooia River and the Willamette River in both Linn and Benton counties, just east of Corvallis and south of Salem. It is...
, just 11 miles (17.7 km) east of Corvallis, Oregon
Corvallis, Oregon
Corvallis is a city located in central western Oregon, United States. It is the county seat of Benton County and the principal city of the Corvallis, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Benton County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 54,462....
. It comprises 13 brick buildings in the Brutalist style, and seven additional contemporary buildings. These buildings are on the perimeter of a giant courtyard, while a covered walkway connects the buildings and is adjacent to the courtyard.
Extension campuses
Linn-Benton Community College is located just off Hwy 34 and Hwy 99 and also has three extension campuses: Corvallis, Lebanon, and Sweet Home. Evening and weekend classes, as well as part-time courses, attract many working students and others with busy schedules.Costs
LBCC is supported financially through tuition, property taxes and the State of Oregon. Community colleges like LBCC have relatively low tuition costs allowing those who attend to maintain a very light class load; in contrast, many state universities charge hundreds of dollars in fees alone.School colors
The colors of LBCC are blue, gold and white. Its mascot is the roadrunnerGeococcyx
The roadrunners are two species of bird in the genus Geococcyx of the cuckoo family, Cuculidae, native to North and Central America...
. Before the current campus in Albany was dedicated in 1974, students were called roadrunners since the campus was scattered in several locations all over Albany leaving students to jump in a car to get to class that could be in another building on the other side of town.