- Moorpark College
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Coordinates: 34°17′59.66″N 118°50′06.27″W / 34.2999056°N 118.835075°W
Moorpark College 
Established 1967 Endowment $43,957,920[1] President Dr. Pam Eddinger Students 16,580[1] Location Moorpark, CA, USA Campus 134 acres (54 ha) Colors Black and Columbia blue Athletics Western State Mascot Raiders Website www.moorparkcollege.edu Moorpark College is a California state college located on a 134-acre (54 ha) property reclining on a hill in Moorpark, a town in Ventura County, California. It was established in 1967 and as of 2006, had an enrollment of 16,580 students and 175 full-time faculty members.[1]
Contents
History
The Moorpark College Jazz "A" Band, in one of the school's Auditoriums
The Governing Board of the Ventura County Community College District established Moorpark College in 1967. In addition to the land already owned by the District, Moorpark College expanded into a 134-acre (54 ha) parcel of land on Moorpark's eastern boundary, donated by a local ranching family, the Strathearns.[2]
In 1965, the citizens of Ventura County passed a bond for 8 million dollars to build the first part of the college. Construction of the administration, science, technology, gymnasium, and Maintenance buildings, and the Library and Campus Center. began in 1966.
Moorpark College officially opened on September 11, 1967. The College's first president, Dr. John Collins, welcomed almost 1,400 students and 50 faculty members.
Dr. Robert Lombardi became the College's second president in 1971. Under his direction, enrollment doubled, and the college added emphasis on preparing students to transfer to four-year schools.[2]
Dr. Ray Hearon is thus far the longest-serving president, in office from 1974 to 1989. In 1980, the Moorpark College Foundation was formed to fund construction of an athletic stadium, amphitheater, and observatory. The 40,000 seat stadium, completed in 1985, was named after Paul Griffin Jr., a major benefactor. In 1987, the Charles Temple Observatory, the only public observatory in Ventura County, and Carlsberg Amphitheater were dedicated at the college's 20th anniversary celebration.
The nearby Oxnard College solicited Moorpark's help in establishing a Camarillo Center,[3] located on California State University, Channel Islands' campus.[4]
In 2000, a high school for juniors and seniors opened on the college campus, called High School at Moorpark College (separate from Moorpark High School, but part of the Moorpark Unified School District). The first class to graduate in 2001 numbered 25. Additional information about The High School at Moorpark College can be found at: http://mcweb.moorparkcollege.edu/htdocs/hs/about.html
In 2004 and 2005, various bond projects were completed, such as a parking lot renovation and all-weather track.
Moorpark College currently ranks ninth in the state based on number of transfers to the University of California and California State University systems.[2]
Trivia
- The college is known for the Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) Program with an on-site zoo that is open to the public which was founded by William Brisby [5]in 1971.
- Award-winning film director, producer and screenplay writer Gregory Nava first taught cinematography classes at Moorpark College from 1976–1978 after graduating from UCLA film school.
- Moorpark College's campus newspaper (The Student Voice) covers information for both Oxnard College and Ventura College. http://www.studentvoiceonline.com/
Notable alumni
- Jamal Anderson (former NFL running back)
- Erica Arana (model, television host, speaker, and former NFL cheerleader)
- April Bowlby (of the CBS television show Two and a Half Men)
- Brandon Boyd (Incubus)
- Diana L Guerrero (author, director of Ark Animals)
- Gabe Kapler (major league baseball outfielder)
- Isaiah Mustafa (Former Football Player, The Old Spice Man)
- Jose Pasillas (Incubus)
- Julie Scardina (Sea World Busch Gardens Animal Ambassador)
- Dan Winters (photographer)
- Matt Mahurin (Illustrator, photographer)
References
- ^ a b c "Moorpark College Fast Facts" (PDF). Official site. 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070928222151/http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/pubs/fastfacts.pdf. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- ^ a b c "History – Moorpark College". Official site. 2007. Archived from the original on July 8, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070708221242/http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/htdocs/info/mchist.html. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- ^ "Oxnard College History". Oxnard College, Official site. 2006. Archived from the original on April 12, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070412191406/http://oxnardcollege.edu/collegeinformation/history/. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- ^ "Welcome to Camarillo Satellite". State of California, Official site. 2004. Archived from the original on February 7, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070207225208/http://www.ccc.ca.gov/DISTRICT/CAMARILO/camarilo.htm. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- ^ William Brisby Founder of EATM
External links
Colleges and Universities of Ventura County Two-year and community colleges Four-year colleges and universities Graduate-only schools Categories:- Universities and colleges in Ventura County, California
- California Community Colleges System
- Educational institutions established in 1967
- Schools accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
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