Los Angeles Pierce College
Encyclopedia
Los Angeles Pierce College, also known as Pierce College, Pierce, is a community college
that serves more than 23,000 students in the northern Chalk Hills
of Woodland Hills, a community within the San Fernando Valley
region of the city of Los Angeles
, California
.
The college began with 70 students and 18 faculty members on September 15, 1947. Originally known as the Clarence W. Pierce School of Agriculture, the institution’s initial focus was crop cultivation
and animal husbandry
. Nine years later, in 1956, the school was renamed to Los Angeles Pierce College, retaining the name of its founder, Dr. Pierce, as well as his commitment to agricultural and veterinary study. (Pierce still maintains a 225 acres (91.1 ha) working farm for hands-on training.)
and CSU
schools.
Students can pursue any of the 44 Associate’s degrees
or 78 Certificates of Achievement the school offers directly.
Pierce College comprises 426 acres (172.4 ha) amidst a dense metropolis, an area larger than many university campuses, including that of UCLA. The grounds are landscaped with more than 2,200 trees, thousands of roses and a 1.9 acre (0.7689034 ha) botanical garden. The Pierce College farm houses small herds of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, a small poultry flock, as well as a llama and an alpaca for its students to learn from.
From 1976 to 1979, the San Fernando Valley's first professional sports team, the Los Angeles Skyhawks
of the American Soccer League
, played their home games at the Pierce college stadium.
The Los Angeles Express of the USFL
played their last home game here on June 15, 1985. The stadium was expanded to 16,000-person capacity for the game.
Shepard Stadium hosts Nuts for Mutts, an annual dog show and pet fair that raises funds for the New Leash on Life Animal Rescue.
The stadium is also the former home stadium of the San Fernando Valley Quakes
men's soccer team, which competed in the USL Premier Development League
.
By 2010 two new “green” complexes now under construction—a 109000 sq ft (10,126.4 m²). Center for the Sciences and a 50000 sq ft (4,645.2 m²). Student Services Building—will add increased capacity and classrooms and laboratories with enhanced technologies. Other key improvements are increased parking, new infrastructure and roadways, and renovations to existing facilities.
The 2008 passage of Measure J for Jobs will bring further enhancements to the College, with a new Library/Learning Center/Instructional Media Center, and classroom facilities that offer programs focusing on emerging green technologies and new media in the planning stages.
The 2 acre (0.809372 ha) S. Mark Taper Foundation Life Science Botanic Garden, completed in 2007, is a “living classroom” in the middle of campus. It features one of the finest collections of drought-resistant plants in the region.
Pierce College prides itself as an environmentally-forward institution, with a 191-kilowatt solar generation system
that has 1,274 photovoltaic panels
and a 360-kilowatt
, natural gas co-generation system. This project is the largest of its kind to be undertaken by a U.S. community college, yielding around 4.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year and reducing Carbon dioxide
emissions by more than 1,500 tons over its operating lifetime. The college also has a water retention pond
beneath its soccer field, collecting run-off from the adjacent parking lot. The Los Angeles River
is nearby to the north. Under propositions A and AA, a new water reclamation
facility is also being planned, and the new facilities will meet rigorous Silver-level guidelines set by the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
.
The campus is home to "Old Trapper's Lodge," California Historical Landmark No. 939, an outsider art
environment that pays homage to the pioneer upbringing of its creator, John Ehn. It represents the life work of John Ehn (1897–1981), a self-taught artist who wished to pass on a sense of the Old West, derived from personal experiences, myths, and tall tales. From 1951 to 1981, using his family as models, and incorporating memorabilia, the 'Old Trapper' followed his dreams and visions to create the Lodge and its 'Boot Hill.' The artwork was moved from the original site in Sun Valley, CA, and relocated to the college.
Pierce College is one of the nine colleges of the Los Angeles Community College District
, and is accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
, a nationally recognized accrediting agency. It is located at 6201 Winnetka Ave. near Victory Boulevard. The campus is accessible from the LACMTA Orange Line
station of the same name
.
In April 2010, after securing a $100,000 grant, Pierce College launched a 24-hour student-run online radio station, KPCR, airing a mix of music, sports, drama, and locally-produced news and features. The station has two faculty advisers and a staff of 23.
In April of every year, the Foundation for Pierce College hosts Farmwalk, an outdoor festival including animals, activities, displays, games and music. The Farmwalk also includes face-painting, a petting-zoo and hayrides for children, all to benefit the Pierce College farm.
In October the Foundation sponsors an annual Harvest Festival, featuring tons of pumpkins grown on the Pierce farm, a five-mile (8 km) corn maze, rock climbing, games and rides for the children, a petting zoo, live music and Halloween frights for the whole family.
The College also serves as a Los Angeles County large animal emergency evacuation center. During a slew of fires in Southern California in 2007
, Pierce College sheltered and fed more than 150 horses under the direction of the L.A. County Volunteer Equine Response team. The horses were taken in for free at Pierce, and a veterinarian was onsite. Trained volunteers from Pierce's equestrian program assisted the county rescue effort.
.
Many athletes receive scholarships to four-year universities after playing at Pierce—and Pierce has some of the top sports facilities in the San Fernando Valley
.
In 2009 the Pierce Brahmas won the American Pacific Conference, losing in the first round of bowl playoffs to the National Champs Mt. San Antonio 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...
that serves more than 23,000 students in the northern Chalk Hills
Chalk Hills
The Chalk Hills are a north—south running low 'mountain' range in the San Fernando Valley perpendicular to and adjoining the Santa Monica Mountains. They are located in the Woodland Hills District of the City of Los Angeles in Southern California.-Environs:...
of Woodland Hills, a community within the San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
region of the city of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
The college began with 70 students and 18 faculty members on September 15, 1947. Originally known as the Clarence W. Pierce School of Agriculture, the institution’s initial focus was crop cultivation
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and animal husbandry
Animal husbandry
Animal husbandry is the agricultural practice of breeding and raising livestock.- History :Animal husbandry has been practiced for thousands of years, since the first domestication of animals....
. Nine years later, in 1956, the school was renamed to Los Angeles Pierce College, retaining the name of its founder, Dr. Pierce, as well as his commitment to agricultural and veterinary study. (Pierce still maintains a 225 acres (91.1 ha) working farm for hands-on training.)
Campus overview
Pierce College offers courses on more than 100 subjects in 92 academic disciplines, and has transfer alliances with most of the universities in the state. Students at the school successfully transfer to UCUniversity of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
and CSU
California State University
The California State University is a public university system in the state of California. It is one of three public higher education systems in the state, the other two being the University of California system and the California Community College system. It is incorporated as The Trustees of the...
schools.
Students can pursue any of the 44 Associate’s degrees
Associate's degree
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years...
or 78 Certificates of Achievement the school offers directly.
Student government
The Associated Students Organization (ASO) is the official Student Government of the 23,000 students at Los Angeles Pierce College. It has been in existence since the mid-50's and has three branches: Club Council, Senate and Student Court.John Shepard Stadium
Besides hosting the Brahmas' football and women's soccer teams, John Shepard Stadium (current capacity 5,500) also has hosted many outdoor professional sporting events in San Fernando Valley history.From 1976 to 1979, the San Fernando Valley's first professional sports team, the Los Angeles Skyhawks
Los Angeles Skyhawks
The Los Angeles Skyhawks was a professional soccer club based in Los Angeles, California that was a member of the American Soccer League. Founded as part of the American Soccer League's expansion to the west coast in 1976, they were the first professional sports team to be based in the San Fernando...
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
, played their home games at the Pierce college stadium.
The Los Angeles Express of the USFL
United States Football League
The United States Football League was an American football league which was in active operation from 1983 to 1987. It played a spring/summer schedule in its first three seasons and a traditional autumn/winter schedule was set to commence before league operations ceased.The USFL was conceived in...
played their last home game here on June 15, 1985. The stadium was expanded to 16,000-person capacity for the game.
Shepard Stadium hosts Nuts for Mutts, an annual dog show and pet fair that raises funds for the New Leash on Life Animal Rescue.
The stadium is also the former home stadium of the San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes was an American soccer team based in Calabasas, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
men's soccer team, which competed in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
.
Bond construction
Since the approval of Los Angeles County Propositions A and AA, Pierce College has been undergoing large-scale renovation.By 2010 two new “green” complexes now under construction—a 109000 sq ft (10,126.4 m²). Center for the Sciences and a 50000 sq ft (4,645.2 m²). Student Services Building—will add increased capacity and classrooms and laboratories with enhanced technologies. Other key improvements are increased parking, new infrastructure and roadways, and renovations to existing facilities.
The 2008 passage of Measure J for Jobs will bring further enhancements to the College, with a new Library/Learning Center/Instructional Media Center, and classroom facilities that offer programs focusing on emerging green technologies and new media in the planning stages.
The 2 acre (0.809372 ha) S. Mark Taper Foundation Life Science Botanic Garden, completed in 2007, is a “living classroom” in the middle of campus. It features one of the finest collections of drought-resistant plants in the region.
Pierce College prides itself as an environmentally-forward institution, with a 191-kilowatt solar generation system
Solar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
that has 1,274 photovoltaic panels
Solar cell
A solar cell is a solid state electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect....
and a 360-kilowatt
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
, natural gas co-generation system. This project is the largest of its kind to be undertaken by a U.S. community college, yielding around 4.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year and reducing Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
emissions by more than 1,500 tons over its operating lifetime. The college also has a water retention pond
Retention basin
A retention basin is used to manage stormwater runoff to prevent flooding and downstream erosion, and improve water quality in an adjacent river, stream, lake or bay. Sometimes called a wet pond or wet detention basin, it is an artificial lake with vegetation around the perimeter, and includes a...
beneath its soccer field, collecting run-off from the adjacent parking lot. The Los Angeles River
Los Angeles River
The Los Angeles River is a river that starts in the San Fernando Valley, in the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains, and flows through Los Angeles County, California, from Canoga Park in the western end of the San Fernando Valley, nearly southeast to its mouth in Long Beach...
is nearby to the north. Under propositions A and AA, a new water reclamation
Sewage treatment
Sewage treatment, or domestic wastewater treatment, is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater and household sewage, both runoff and domestic. It includes physical, chemical, and biological processes to remove physical, chemical and biological contaminants...
facility is also being planned, and the new facilities will meet rigorous Silver-level guidelines set by the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
.
The campus is home to "Old Trapper's Lodge," California Historical Landmark No. 939, an outsider art
Outsider Art
The term outsider art was coined by art critic Roger Cardinal in 1972 as an English synonym for art brut , a label created by French artist Jean Dubuffet to describe art created outside the boundaries of official culture; Dubuffet focused particularly on art by insane-asylum inmates.While...
environment that pays homage to the pioneer upbringing of its creator, John Ehn. It represents the life work of John Ehn (1897–1981), a self-taught artist who wished to pass on a sense of the Old West, derived from personal experiences, myths, and tall tales. From 1951 to 1981, using his family as models, and incorporating memorabilia, the 'Old Trapper' followed his dreams and visions to create the Lodge and its 'Boot Hill.' The artwork was moved from the original site in Sun Valley, CA, and relocated to the college.
Pierce College is one of the nine colleges of the Los Angeles Community College District
Los Angeles Community College District
The Los Angeles Community College District is the community college district serving Los Angeles, California and some of its neighboring cities. In addition to typical college aged students, the LACCD also serves adults of all ages. Indeed, over half of all LACCD students are older than 25 years...
, and is accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
, a nationally recognized accrediting agency. It is located at 6201 Winnetka Ave. near Victory Boulevard. The campus is accessible from the LACMTA Orange Line
LACMTA Orange Line
The Orange Line is one of two lines on the Metro Liner bus rapid transit network in Los Angeles County, California. It operates between Warner Center in the Woodland Hills and the North Hollywood Metro Station in the San Fernando Valley where it connects with the Red Line on the Metro Rail light...
station of the same name
Pierce College (LACMTA Station)
Pierce College is a station on the Los Angeles Metro Orange Line. It is named after the adjacent community college of the same name, which is located on Winnetka Avenue, immediately across Victory Boulevard from the station, which lies on the border between the Los Angeles districts of Winnetka,...
.
In April 2010, after securing a $100,000 grant, Pierce College launched a 24-hour student-run online radio station, KPCR, airing a mix of music, sports, drama, and locally-produced news and features. The station has two faculty advisers and a staff of 23.
Events
In October the Foundation sponsors an annual Harvest Festival, featuring tons of pumpkins grown on the Pierce farm, a five-mile (8 km) corn maze, rock climbing, games and rides for the children, a petting zoo, live music and Halloween frights for the whole family.
The College also serves as a Los Angeles County large animal emergency evacuation center. During a slew of fires in Southern California in 2007
October 2007 California wildfires
The October 2007 California wildfires were a series of wildfires that began burning across Southern California on October 20. At least 1,500 homes were destroyed and over 500,000 acres of land burned from Santa Barbara County to the U.S.–Mexico border...
, Pierce College sheltered and fed more than 150 horses under the direction of the L.A. County Volunteer Equine Response team. The horses were taken in for free at Pierce, and a veterinarian was onsite. Trained volunteers from Pierce's equestrian program assisted the county rescue effort.
Athletics
Pierce College currently fields 11 athletic teams, which compete in the Western State ConferenceWestern State Conference
The Western State Conference is a college athletic conference that is affiliated with the California Community College Athletic Association. The conference was established in 1950, making it the oldest community college conference in California...
.
Many athletes receive scholarships to four-year universities after playing at Pierce—and Pierce has some of the top sports facilities in the San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
.
In 2009 the Pierce Brahmas won the American Pacific Conference, losing in the first round of bowl playoffs to the National Champs Mt. San Antonio College
Notable alumni and staff
- Ellen Albertini DowEllen Albertini DowEllen Albertini Dow is an American character actress. She often portrays feisty old ladies and is perhaps best known as the rapping grandmother who performs in the feature film The Wedding Singer...
, actress (The Wedding SingerThe Wedding SingerThe Wedding Singer is a 1998 romantic comedy film written by Tim Herlihy and directed by Frank Coraci. It stars Adam Sandler as a wedding singer in the 1980s and Drew Barrymore as a waitress with whom he falls in love....
) aided her husband, Eugene Francis Dow, in founding the Theater Department. - Mark BalderasMark BalderasMark Henry Balderas, born September 10, 1959 in Encino, California, was the keyboard player for the rock band Human Drama from 1986 to 1991 and again from 1993 to 2005.-Early life:...
, Keyboardist for RCA Recording Artist "Human Drama". - Danny BonaduceDanny BonaduceDante Daniel "Danny" Bonaduce is an American radio/television personality, comedian, professional wrestler, and former child actor...
, actor and radio personality - Coco CrispCoco CrispCovelli Loyce "Coco" Crisp is an American professional baseball center fielder. Crisp is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed...
, baseball player - Denny CrumDenny CrumDenzil E. "Denny" Crum is a former American men's college basketball coach at the University of Louisville from 1971 to 2001, compiling a 675–295 record. He guided the Cardinals to two NCAA championships and six Final Fours...
, basketball coach - Doug DeCincesDoug DeCincesDouglas Vernon "Doug" DeCinces is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. He was traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the California Angels in 1982 to make room for Cal Ripken Jr. after having begun his career as the successor to Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson...
, baseball player - Ron Goldman, murder victim, (O. J. Simpson murder caseO. J. Simpson murder caseThe O. J. Simpson murder case was a criminal trial held in Los Angeles County, California Superior Court from January 29 to October 3, 1995. Former American football star and actor O. J...
) - Robin GrahamRobin GrahamRobin Ann Graham , was a college student who disappeared from a Los Angeles freeway in the early hours of November 15, 1970 after her car had broken down. She has not been heard from since, nor are there any clues as to her whereabouts or subsequent fate...
, missing person (since 1970) - Gary LeRoi GrayGary LeRoi GrayGary LeRoi Gray is an African-American actor and voice actor involved with movies, television, and animation. He is most recognized for his childhood role as Nelson Tibideaux, the son of Sondra Huxtable Tibideaux and Elvin Tibideaux on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show...
, actor - Keith GreenKeith GreenKeith Gordon Green was an American gospel singer, songwriter, musician, and Contemporary Christian Music artist originally from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York. Beyond his music, Green is best known for his strong devotion to Christian evangelism and challenging others to the same...
, Gospel musician and songwriter - Melanie GriffithMelanie GriffithMelanie Richards Griffith is an American actress. She is an Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner for her performance in the 1988 film Working Girl...
, actress - Paul SchrierPaul SchrierPaul L. Schrier II is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his role of Farkas "Bulk" Bulkmeier in the Power Rangers series. He portrayed the character for seven seasons from 1993–1999, returning in 2011 for the eighteenth season of Power Rangers Samurai, and was the last original cast...
, actor - Mark HarmonMark HarmonMark Harmon is an American actor who has been starring in American television programs and films since the mid-1970s, after a career as a collegiate football player with the UCLA Bruins. Since 2003, Harmon has starred as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the CBS series NCIS.-Early life:Harmon was born Thomas...
, football player and actor - Erik KramerErik KramerWilliam Erik Kramer , is a former American football quarterback. He attended John Burroughs High School in Burbank, CA. After attending Los Angeles Pierce College and playing as their quarterback, Kramer transferred to North Carolina State University where he finished a successful college football...
, football player - Shia LaBeoufShia LaBeoufShia Saide LaBeouf is an American actor who became known among younger audiences for his part in the Disney Channel series Even Stevens and made his film debut in Holes . In 2007, he starred as the leads in Disturbia and Transformers...
, actor - Minnette Gersh LenierMinnette Gersh LenierMinnette Ella Gersh Lenier was a teacher and professional magician who used stage magic to improve students' reading and learning skills.-Education and career:...
, magician and teacher of literacy - Riley SalmonRiley SalmonRiley Salmon is a volleyball player from the United States. He graduated from Clear Creek High School in League City, Texas, and played two years of varsity volleyball at Pierce College from 1994-96 before joining the men's national team in May 2001 as an outside hitter. He competed at the 2004...
, Volleyball player, 2008 Beijing Olympics Gold Medalist - Scott ShawScott ShawScott Shaw is an American actor, author, journalist, film director, film producer, musician, professor and martial artist.-Early life:...
, author, actor, filmmaker - Uri TreismanPhilip TreismanPhilip Uri Treisman is an American mathematician, and mathematics educator. He is currently the Director of the Charles A. Dana Center, and Professor of Mathematics at The University of Texas at Austin. He is credited with pioneering the Emerging Scholars Program , aimed at helping students from...
, professor of math and of public affairs at University of Texas at Austin, founder and executive director of the Charles A. Dana Center - Barry Van DykeBarry Van DykeBarry Van Dyke is an American actor and the second son of actor and entertainer, Dick Van Dyke, and nephew of Jerry Van Dyke. He has one older brother, Christian, and two younger sisters, Stacy and Carrie Beth...
, actor and son of Dick Van DykeDick Van DykeRichard Wayne "Dick" Van Dyke is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer with a career spanning six decades. He is the older brother of Jerry Van Dyke, and father of Barry Van Dyke... - Ron WeaverRon WeaverRon Weaver was a college football player for the University of Texas. Weaver, who played under the alias Joel Ron McKelvey, played under his own name when he enrolled at Monterey Peninsula College in the fall of 1984, then at Sacramento State, which was a Division II program, in 1988. Hence,...
, football player who prolonged his eligibility under an assumed name - John WhitakerJohnny WhitakerJohnny Whitaker is an American actor and singer notable for several performances for film and television during his childhood...
, actor - Anton YelchinAnton YelchinAnton Viktorovich Yelchin is an American film and television actor. He began performing in the late 1990s, appearing in several television roles, as well as the Hollywood films Along Came a Spider and Hearts in Atlantis...
, actor - Barry ZitoBarry ZitoBarry Zito is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. He previously played seven seasons with the Oakland Athletics, where he won the 2002 American League Cy Young Award and made three All-Star teams....
, baseball player