Palm Beach Community College - Galleon Yearbook (Lake Worth, FL)

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Palm Beach Junior College came into being in 1 933 as a community response to the serious problems of the great depression which began in Florida in 1 925, four years earlier than the rest of the nation. By 1 933, the economy of Palm Beach County had been poor so long many parents found it impossible to send sons and daughters away to the University for four years of college. High school graduates could find no jobs, and their time was being wasted. For its first 1 5 years, the college scheduled classes in rooms at Palm Beach High School, and two buildings on the north side of Gardenia Street were taken over for offices, classrooms, and a student union. In February, 1 948, under the leadership of its first president, Dr. John I. Leonard, the college moved to a 21 -acre site at the Morrison Field, a deactivated World War II Air Force Base. Converted barracks were used as dormitories, and the Air Base hospital provided excellent classroom space. A chapel, gymnasium, and swimming pool were already in existence at the new campus. At Morrison Field, (now Palm Beach Air Force Base), enrollment climbed to 41 5 in 1 951 , when the Korean Conflict brought about reactivation of the base. Palm Beach Junior College faced one of its two greatest crises. The depression had long since vanished in the prosperity brought on by World War II, and some community leaders were in favor of allowing the college without a home to dissolve. Spirited support by college students and faculty convinced the community that P.B.J.C. was a living, vital part of the growth pattern of the area, and a home was found in the Town Hall at Lake Park. Here, in spite of cramped quarters, the college continued to grow until 1956, when 300 students were jammed into the one building. In the fall of 1956, Dr. Leonard gratefully moved into a truly permanent campus and two years later, retired, turning over the guidance of the college to its current president, Dr. Harold C. Manor. The college has gradually expanded into nearly full use of its site on the western shore of Lake Osborne, west of the city of Lake Worth, with constant growth in number of students, number and variety of course offerings, and reputation in the academic world since it moved into its permanent home. 27

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Left to right: M. C. Hamblin, Mrs. J. Dortch, S. M. Fluellyn, R. D. Hill, Dr. H. C. Manor. Since July 1 , 1 968 the newly established District Board of Trustees of Palm Beach Junior College, which replaced the former College Advisory Committee, has been working industriously to promote better inter- campus relationships. The members of the committee come from all walks of life and from all parts of the country. The membership includes Mrs. Joyce W. Dortch (West Palm Beach), Mr. Maynard C. Hamblin (Lake Worth), Mr. Milton E. McKay (Belle Glade), Mr. Richard D. Hill (West Palm Beach), and Mr. S. M. Fluellyn. Through the co-operation of all the individuals on campus the board hopes to enable the college to run more efficiently and to the satisfaction of a majority of the faculty, administration, and student body. 26

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Dr. Harold C Manor 28