Pierce College

Infobox_University
name = Pierce College


established = 1967
type = Community college
staff =
faculty =
chancellor = Michele Johnson, Ph.D.
president = Denise R. Yochum (FS)
Tana L. Hasart, Ed. D (P)
students =
mascot = Raider
graduated =
city = Lakewood (FS)
Puyallup (P)
state = WA
country = USA
campus = Suburban
free_label =
free =
website = http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/:"For the college of the same name in Los Angeles, California, see Los Angeles Pierce College; for the similar-sounding college in Philadelphia, see Peirce College"Pierce College is a community college district operating in and serving Pierce County in the U.S. state of Washington. The district consists of two colleges, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood and Pierce College Puyallup and auxiliary campuses on Fort Lewis, McChord Air Force Base, and in South Hill.

In 2006 the Library won a national Excellence award.

Academics

Pierce College offers associate's degrees, mainly in the arts and sciences. There are also certificate programs in early childhood education, social services, dental hygienist, and others. Classes are held on the quarter system.

Athletics

The Pierce College Raiders Athletics Department competes in the Western Region of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges. The Raiders currently field six teams and compete in soccer, volleyball, men's and women's basketball, baseball, and fastpitch. Raiders Athletics currently play off-campus until the 2007-2008 season when the volleyball and both basketball teams will play at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom in the new Health Education Center.

History

In 1967, Clover Park Community College opened its administrative offices and library in an abandoned grocery store on Bridgeport Way Southwest, now the site of QFC. It was nicknamed Albertsons' U. Classes were held, however, at various Pierce County locations such as high schools, military bases, and hospitals.

Later that year, on March 24, the Washington State Legislature passed the Community College Act. This law shifted the control of community colleges from the school districts to the state. On April 3, Governor Dan Evans signed the bill into law.

Consequently, the site of the new campus was chosen on a convert|140|acre|km2|sing=on site in Fort Steilacoom. By 1970, the college changed its name to Fort Steilacoom Community College. Until the opening of the main building in 1974, classes were taught in portables.

As a result of increasing enrollment over the years, the college sought a name that encompasses the students who live throughout Pierce County. So in 1986, the name was changed once more to Pierce College.

In 1989, a new campus was being built in Puyallup, just east of the South Hill Mall. The school later opened in the fall of 1990. By 1999, the status was upgraded to a full-service college.

External links

* [http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/ Pierce College Official Website]