The Plainsman Press - South Plains College

by Caroline Basile, sports editor

South Plains College has made it a half a century, a milestone worth celebrating.

The college will be celebrating its 50th year at the start of the Fall 2007 semester and year-long commemorative activities will continue through the following Spring semester.

Approved by Hockley County residents by a vote of 1,577 to 644, SPC was established on April 2, 1957.

“A lot is planned for this anniversary,” said Stephen John, vice president for institutional advancement. “Through the events we have planned, we want to honor those who have made SPC what it is today.”

SPC bought the land for the Levelland campus from the family of ranching industrialist C. W. Post at a cost of $116,267.38. The ground was officially broken for the original buildings in December 1957.

Original campus buildings include the Administration building, Gymnasium-Student Union Center (which is now the Technology Center and the Student Center), a Library and Fine Arts Building, and an Auditorium. A handful of classes first began on September 15, 1958.

Events planned for the anniversary include an employee breakfast at the 50th Convocation of faculty and staff, as well as events planned for back-to-school week.

“We want to look back on our heritage,” John added. “We want to look at where we’ve come from as an institution, the students we’ve served and just have a chance to celebrate what SPC is all about.”

Plans for an all-class reunion are in the works and may occur during homecoming.

“We want to be able to reconnect people,” John said, “whether it be graduates, retired employees, or faculty. We hope we can instill in our current students and graduates a sense of pride in going to SPC.”

The anniversary also marks the 50th year for many events at SPC, including the Miss Caprock Scholarship Pageant, homecoming, and the 50th commencement exercises.

Also at the commencement exercises, SPC will honor and recognize the recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award and recognize past college presidents.

“It’s been awhile since someone has received the Distinguished Alumni award,” John said. “It’s been 10 years, and we’re ready to start that tradition back up again.”