Lehigh Carbon Community College

History:

Efforts of the local sponsor to establish a publicly supported community college in the Allentown area date to 1955 when stud­ies were first conducted to determine whether or not the area could support such an institution. With the support of the Allentown Chamber of Commerce and several other groups, the Allentown Public Schools conducted a survey of high school seniors to determine the number of students who were interested in attending a community college.

The results were favorable and the Allentown Board of School Directors decided to develop full-time post high school courses. A practical nursing program was established in 1958, followed by several other technological programs. The programs proved successful as increasing numbers of students enrolled for classes and, following graduation, secured local employment.

The Allentown Board of School Directors agreed to serve as an interim sponsor. The proposal to establish a community col­lege was then submitted to the Lehigh County Board of School Directors in October 1964. Following a convention of school directors, the proposal to establish a community college was approved by the Board of School Directors. Several committees were formed to survey the interests of business, industry, students, and other colleges in the area. These combined actions resulted in the writing of a formal application that was approved by official action of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education. A Board of Trustees was elected by the Lehigh County Board of School Directors and Lehigh County Community College was officially established and empowered on March 31, 1966.

Sponsorship of the community college totals 13 school districts including the nine Lehigh County school districts and four of the five Carbon County school districts.

For the first three semesters, September 1967 to February 1969, classes were held in the Old Lehigh County Court House and its Annex. Additional facilities were made available by the Allentown School District to meet laboratory needs. The move to the Schnecksville campus was completed for the 1969 spring semester. Classes and college offices were housed in the Administration (AD) building.

The second building erected on the Schnecksville campus was the Science Technology (ST) building in September 1971. The building provides laboratories, classrooms, lounges, and study areas. The Learning Resources Center and Berrier Hall were completed for occupancy in September 1974. The ST building was renamed Science Hall (SH) in 2004.

In January 1994, the college officially changed its name to Lehigh Carbon Community College. This name change reflects the college's service and responsiveness to its Carbon County constituents, as well as Lehigh County.

To make its offerings accessible to as many citizens as possible, LCCC has established several off-campus sites. In August 1987 the college opened its downtown Allentown site in the Sovereign Building on Hamilton Mall. The city site was relocated in January 1999 and, in November of that year, was rededicated as the Donley Center. The Airport Site, adjacent to Lehigh Valley International Airport, and the Carbon Center in Nesquehoning were also established to make LCCC classes even more convenient and accessible. Beginning August 2003, the college extended its offerings to the Morgan Center in Tamaqua.

The new Technology Center on the Schnecksville campus opened in conjunction with the start of the spring semester on Jan. 19, 2004. The 50,000-square-foot building houses numerous classrooms and laboratories for the college's Industrial Technology, Computer Information Systems, and Digital Media & the Arts programs.

In addition, distance learning classes have taken LCCC's educational offerings to student homes and offices.

Mission:

Responding to the community by providing affordable, accessible, and high quality education.

Vision:

National prominence and academic excellence as a comprehensive community college.

Goals:

To advance the Mission and Vision of Lehigh Carbon Community College, four major categories of collegewide goals have been identified: Enrollment, Retention, Academic Excellence, and Professional Development. The specific objectives related to these goals change annually; however, the college's emphasis on these three goals remains constant.