The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
50th birthday week gets off to nostalgic start
Maybe it’s because most of the dignitaries there Monday morning attended the school at one time or another.
Or it could be that Lakeland Community College President Morris W. Beverage and the big head on the south side of A Building each donned a party hat for the occasion.
Whatever it was, the school’s official 50th Anniversary celebration kickoff at its main campus in Kirtland was full of smiles, laughter and good cheer as local, county, state and school officials talked about how much the institution has meant to them over the years.
“Exactly 50 years ago today, Lakeland first opened for classes to allow Lake County students to attend college close to home. Lakeland has grown and changed dramatically since 1967, yet our mission to provide quality learning opportunities for our community has remained the same,” Beverage said during his opening comments. “Just over 1,000 students enrolled that first year. That number has increased tenfold to over 10,000 students taking credit classes annually. Over 35,000 graduates and hundreds of
thousands of students have benefitted from the highquality, affordable education and training that Lakeland provides.
He went on to describe the school’s first list of class offerings.
“Our first class schedule in 1967 was typewritten and included 72 classes. In addition to English, math, science, business, health and engineering classes, Lakeland offered classes in Fortran — does everyone remember that one? — typing, salesmanship and bowling,” he told the crowd of about 75 gathered just outside Breakers Dining Hall near the Mind Ladders sculpture created for the school’s 25th Anniversary in 1992.
“Today’s schedule is entirely online and includes over 1,000 classes. Classes reflecting today’s modern society include Java programming for mobile apps, Fantasy — I have no idea what that’s about, but I’m signing up for it — nursing care of adults and chemical dependency. Lakeland always has, and will continue to, adapt and change to meet the needs of our community and employers.”
And, although he couldn’t be there in the flesh, founding Lakeland Community College President Wayne L. Rodehorst nonetheless made an impression on the crowd Sept. 25 via Beverage.
“Fifty years ago today, then Lakeland President Dr. Wayne Rodehorst, along with Arthur Holden and other trustees, cut a ribbon to signify the opening of classes. Dr. Rodehorst could not be here today, but shared some memories of that day I’d like to read to you,” Beverage said.
He then read Rodehorst’s missive: “When I learned of the plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary
of the opening of Lakeland, I dusted off some clippings I had saved from the local newspapers published on September 25, 1967. The headlines alone tell the story. One in large bold print over a photo of the ribbon cutting announced, ‘History Makers at Lakeland College.’ Another, ‘Lake County College Doors Open to 1,060’ and still another, ‘College Begins Semester; 1,060 Students are Enrolled.’ ”
Rodehorst’s recollections continued: “The stories detailed how the citizens of Lake County had struggled to make the day possible. One article said, ‘Most of us by now know the story almost by heart about how Lakeland started more than three years earlier when a small band of citizens met and discussed the idea.’ The article continued, ‘...the real story of Lakeland Community College, we think is told in this letter sent to school officials by one of today’s (in 1967) students who said: ‘I am very pleased to hear about my acceptance into Lakeland Community College. This is a great opportunity for myself and many other young people in the area, both present and future. And I’d like to thank you and everyone involved
for giving us the chance to further our education so conveniently...”
And so it went Monday morning. Most of the speakers invited to address the crowd there had some story or another of his or her personal involvement with Lakeland.
“You know, I’ve lived in Lake County for 61 years. So I’ve witnessed (Lakeland) from birth to its present 50th birthday; and I really treasure this institution, because I think it’s really added to the quality of life in our county,” said Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy as he addressed the crowd.
Troy regaled those in attendance about how he, Lakeland officials and other Northeast Ohio policy makers helped build the student center there — now Breakers Dining Hall and its ancillary facilities — and helped preserve and restore the Mooreland Mansion, which is now a thriving business and social engagement venue, among other things.
He also shared the fact that he’s a perpetual 4.0-grade-average alumnus, having taken a logic class there and earned an A.
Likewise, speakers Janet Dowling who is Mentor City Council President;
The college also has special events planned throughout the rest of the month to commemorate its 50th.
North Perry Village mayor Ed Klco; Painesville Township Administrator Mike Manary; Lakeline Village Mayor Deborah Neale; Willowick Mayor Richard Regovich and, of course, Beverage, himself, are all Lakeland Community College alumni, whether they took a single class or graduated and went on to become the pillars of Lake County that they are today.
Perhaps one of the most poignant reminders of how far the school has come — and how much times have changed — is the fact that Dowling brought with her the copy of her Fundamentals of Accounting Principals textbook she bought used there in 1971 for $9.95.
Along with Troy, Dowling, Klco, Manary, Neale and Regovich, U.S. Congressman Dave Joyce, RRussell Township sent representative Katie Burger to present a resolution. State Senator John Eklund, RMunson Township; Ohio Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township; Lake County Commissioner Jerry Cirino, Kirtland Mayor Douglas Davidson and Mentor City Manager Ken Filipiak were also on hand to offer their accolades to Lakeland.
After his wife, Connie, led the crowd in a rendition of Happy Birthday, Beverage invited everyone to keep taking part in the continuation of the school’s 50th Anniversary celebration, which included a campus cookout and fireworks at 8 p.m.
The college also has special events planned throughout the rest of the month to commemorate its 50th.