Vernon Colege - Trailblazer Yearbook (Vernon, TX)

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Wilbarger County Junior College District located in Vernon, Texas, was created by a majority of the electorate of Wilbarger County on January 20, 1970. In the same election, voters approved a tax rate of $1.00 on $100.00 of assessed evaluation; issuance of bonds in the amount of $12 million; and elected seven original Trustees to govern this new institution. On April 9. 1970, the Board of Trustees elected Dr. David L. Norton as the first Col- lege President. Campus construction was begun in May. 1971, including an Academic Science Center, Administration-Fine Arts Center, Applied Arts Center, Resource Materials Center, and Student Activities Center. The campus entrance was also con- structed during this first phase of the build- ing program and was donated by Dr. and Mrs. Thomas A. King of Vernon. The cam- pus buildings are surrounded on three sides hy the school farm, for a total of 100 acres. The initial registration was held in August of 1972. and on September 5, classes met for the first time on the Vernon Regional Junior College campus with a total of 608 students. Following the initial opening of the Col- lege. an extension center was developed in Burkburnett in 1973-74. for the purpose of making educational opportunities available to a greater number of prospective students. On August 1, 1974, the Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Jim M. Williams as the sec- ond President of the College. During the 1974-75 school year, three additional cen- ters were developed in Seymour, lowa Park, and Quanah. In the fall semester, 1974, a combined on and off-campus enrollment exceeded 800 students. During the 1975-76 school year Vernon , Regional Junior College expanded its ser- vices to include a learning center on Shep- pard Air Force Base. During this year, enrollment in credit courses, both on and off- campus, rose to a level of 1199. In addition, the College significantlh: increased opportu- nities provided in the community services area. Enrollment in continuing education or community service courses was 1,005 during that same year. The scope of the Vocational Nursing Program was enlarged during the 1976-77 school year with the assumption of the Greenbelt School of Vocational Nursing in Crowell, and the Bethania School of Vocational Nursing in Wichita Falls. = In August of 1976 the sixth major build- ing. a Physical Education Center, was dedi- cated in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas A. King. Construction. of this building com- pleted the original master plan for the main campus. : ; November of 1977 VRJC became a nber of the North Texas Skill “Wichita: Falls. Through lege provides expanded voca- portunities in Wichita nding area. Sk CRS TERS GRR

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On February 1, 1858, Wilbarger County, Texas, was named in honor of his unselfish dedication. In the following pages, the 1978 Trailblazer reflects the spirit of the past by remembering some of the people and places of years gone by in an effort to retain an image of those who faithfully provided Wilbarger County and Vernon, Texas, witha foundation on which to build a lasting future.

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