Fullerton College (FC) is a public community college in Fullerton, California. The college is part of the California Community Colleges System and the North Orange County Community College District. Established in 1913, it is the oldest community college in continuous operation in California.
History
In April 1913, the governing board of Fullerton Union High School approved a motion to establish a two-year postgraduate course of study at the high school. At this time, Fullerton was primarily an agricultural community, which specialized in the production of citrus produce. Delbert Brunton, who was the Fullerton High principal, established the new Fullerton Junior College to provide such postgraduate study.
Twenty-six freshman students enrolled in the first year, and the school had a curriculum of 10 courses. "In 1922 the college was reorganized as an independent junior college district. After holding classes on the Fullerton Union High School campus for its first 23 years, the college began moving to its own fourteen-acre campus next door in 1936."
In 2002, North Orange County voters passed a $239 million facilities bond measure, of which nearly $135 million was allotted to Fullerton College. It was used for renovation of current campus facilities and also to construct new facilities. On June 13, 2005, the new library inside of the LLRC was opened, and a formal dedication occurred on October 28, 2005. A bond measure that passed in 2014 will award the North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) $574 million to fund construction and renovation projects for the next 25 years.
In 2021, the college introduced an American Indian and Indigenous Studies degree program. This was announced with the school's celebration of Indigenous People's Day.
Campus
The college is located in the city of Fullerton, California, in northern Orange County. The campus is within walking distance of the downtown section.
The Fullerton College library first opened in 1913, in a small section of the Fullerton High School Library. It moved into the high school gymnasium in 1929 and to a small space in the new science building in 1938. A specialized facility was constructed in 1957 and named the William T. Boyce Library in 1962 in honor of William T. Boyce, who served as dean and president from 1918 to 1951. A new library was constructed and opened on June 13, 2005, and formally dedicated on October 28, 2005.
Artist-in-residence program
The Fullerton College Art Department hosts a yearly artist-in-residence (AIR) program which was started in 1972 with a visit from painter Wayne Thiebaud. August 2013 marked the 100th fall semester of the AIR program. It was celebrated with the first exhibit of the entire AIR art collection at the Fullerton College Art Gallery.
Student life
The students of Fullerton College have established a student body association named Associated Students of Fullerton College. The association is required by law to "encourage students to participate in the governance of the college".
Associated Students of Fullerton College is a voting member of a statewide community college student organization named Student Senate for California Community Colleges. The statewide Student Senate is authorized by law "to advocate before the Legislature and other state and local governmental entities".
Notable alumni
Actors and artists
James Cameron — Academy Award Winning movie director and screenwriter, and an explorer of the seas. Attended Fullerton College from 1973 to 1974. William Conrad — Actor, producer and director whose career spanned five decades in radio (Gunsmoke), film (The Killers) and television (Cannon). Jerome Ranft — Sculptor Melissa Villaseñor — Actress, comedian, and former Saturday Night Live cast member Cress Williams — Actor, appeared in numerous TV shows including Beverly Hills, 90210, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, NYPD Blue, ER, Becker, Nash Bridges, Providence Bill Blackbeard — Writer Renee Griffin — Actress Steven Seagal — Actor and martial artist Matthew Lillard — Actor Eden Espinosa — Actress and singer Mitch Pileggi — Actor Jason Scott Lee — Actor Florence Arnold — Painter Ruby Berkley Goodwin — Actress Nathan Baesel — Actor Harry Anderson — Actor, comedian, and magician