This year marks the 75th anniversary of our beloved SUNY Jamestown Community College! To honor the milestone, we are counting from 75 to 1 throughout the 2025-26 academic year, with each number having a connection to the college’s history, legacy, people, and campuses.
Follow along with us here and on our Facebook and Instagram pages as we countdown each week.
No. 75 - 75 Years of Community College Excellence
JCC is celebrating 75 years existence in Jamestown and Chautauqua County.
A short history lesson ...
SUNY JCC was founded in 1950 as the first community college in the State University of New York system. The SUNY board of trustees sanctioned JCC on Feb. 17, 1950, and the first meeting of our board of trustees was held on April 29, 1950.
Classes began in 1950 and were held after 2 p.m. at Jamestown High School.
The former home of Mr. And Mrs. Fletcher Goodwill at Foote Avenue and Allen Street in Jamestown was given to JCC in 1952 and became our first campus in 1954.
The Jamestown Board of Education agreed to allow JCC to use half of the East Jamestown Elementary School in 1958, and the following year the board donated the school and nearby municipal golf course and 100 Acre lot to the college.
In 1962, we moved to our current Jamestown home on 107 acres at Falconer Street.
Thanks to support from the Cattaraugus County legislator, we expanded to Olean in 1976, where classes were held at an old elementary school on Homer Street. By 1980, the site received branch campus certification by SUNY.
The campus moved downtown to its current location in 1984 and expanded with a $31 million project in the early 2000s.
Over the years, we have also had college locations in Dunkirk and Warren.
No. 74 - Notable 1974 Graduate Dennis Webster
The graduation year of alumnus Dennis Webster was 1974. Webster was a local radio staple for more than 50 years on WJTN in Jamestown and longtime host and supporter of the regional High School Bowl competition that takes place on our Jamestown Campus.
We're proud of the thousands and thousands of graduates SUNY JCC has produced over the past 75 years. Besides radio hosts, they have become doctors, nurses, government leaders, judges, teachers, coaches scientists, and even famous musicians.
From Natalie Merchant to Eric Jones, Randy Merrill to Bryan Hodgson, Vernon Robinson to Dennis Webster, and so many in between, we are thankful for all that you have done to improve our communities and shine the best light on JCC.
No. 73 - First 2-Year Grads Celebrated 73 years ago in 1952
JCC's first class of students to complete two-year State University of New York associate's degrees was celebrated 73 years ago. On June 10, 1952, 20 grads received their diplomas before some 300 attendees at the First Presbyterian Church in Jamestown.
Top scholastic awards went to to Robert V. Nolan of Salamanca, and Warren W. Davidson of Celoron. Deans William H. Schlifke and Robert Kochersberger presented the graduates.
No. 72 - Record 72 International Students in 2021
A record 72 international students we welcomed to the Jamestown Campus to start the 2021 fall semester.
They came from 26 countries and six continents. The previous high was 53 in 2019. By coincidence, we also have 72 international students enrolled this fall, representing 23 countries
While we occasionally had international students before 2008, the opening of Hillside Suites residence halls that year brought many more to Chautauqua County. That was also the year of an earthquake devastated Sichuan, China.
"SUNY had launched a special effort to bring 150 students whose college experience were disrupted by the earthquake to SUNY institutions," longtime former JCC employee Nelson Garifi said in an interview with WRFA last year. "We were so fortunate to welcome five really outstanding students from Sichuan who spent the year with us."
Our international students have long been active in campus clubs, leadership, athletics, and residence life.
"That changes the whole dynamic when you have that level of diversity," Garifi said. "It really lets you hear perspectives you would not hear in your classrooms."
A gift from the 2008-09 Student Senate allowed JCC to initiate a collection of international flags representing the home countries of all our students. Those flags are displayed proudly in our Student Union.
No. 71 - Becoming the Jayhawks in 1971
JCC made the switch to the Jayhawk mascot in 1971. Before that SUNY JCC Athletics teams were known as the Muskies.
Although the appearance of JJ Jayhawk, our longtime mascot, has changed quite a bit over the last five decades, his friendly and encouraging spirit has remained as strong as ever.
No. 70 - Marking JCC's 70th Anniversary
State Sen. George Borrello recognized JCC's 70th anniversary in September 2020. Borrello presented JCC President Daniel DeMarte with a state Senate proclamation congratulating us on the milestone.
“We’re proud of our legacy — which includes over 27,000 alumni — and our ability to serve the education, enrichment, and economic development needs of our students over seven decades,” DeMarte said at the time.
No. 69 - Nursing Program Accredited by the National League of Nursing in 1969
The Nursing program was accredited by the National League of Nursing in 1969.
Starting under the watch of WCA Hospital during the early years of JCC in the 1950s, nursing has always been one of our leading academic programs for students. We have seen much growth with the program over the decades, as shown in the photos announcing expansion of studies to the Cattaraugus County Campus in Olean and an addition of hospital unit for our Jamestown Campus Nursing Lab.
We are very proud of the thousands grads who have come through our Nursing labs and classrooms over the last 70 or so years, many of whom stayed in our region to provide exceptional care to members of our community.
No. 68 - Early Increase of Enrolled Students by 68%
Between fall 1954 and fall 1955, JCC saw a remarkable 68% increase in student registration.
This leap foreshadowed the college's explosive growth in our early years, as we went from having just 157 students enrolled in 1950 to 2,554 by 1971. By 1982, we had 4,436 full-time students at our campuses in Jamestown and Cattaraugus County.
No. 67 - Arts & Sciences Center Opens in 1967
The addition and opening of the Arts & Sciences Center on the Jamestown Campus in 1967.
Now known as the Sheldon Center, the building remains a hub of action. It houses arts, humanities, and health sciences programs, including nursing and occupational therapy assistant programs; music studios; student computer labs; the Robert Lee Scharmann Theatre; Weeks Gallery; and the Sarita Hopkins Weeks Reception Hall.
In recent years, an upgraded music wing was added thanks to $1.1 million grant from the Sheldon Foundation, as well as a virtual reality room, and the Jayhawk Explore & Soar Occupational Therapy Clinic for children and families.
No. 66 - Class of 1966 Nursing Student Reunion
No. 66 on our 75-to-1 75th Anniversary Countdown: Five close friends from JCC's second graduated Nursing class in 1966 reunited on the Jamestown Campus during the summer of 2021. Fifty-five years later, they were still bonded by the profession they love and the memories they made here.
As Sue Johnson said, “We’ve been friends since ’65… this is home.”
Pictured, from left, are Elaine Swanson Crossley, Bonnie Allenson Biondolillo, Sue Johnson, Patricia Boberg Forbes, and Pennie Penhollow Harvey.
Relive their campus homecoming here.
No. 65 - YMCA Provides 65,000 Square Feet for Cattaraugus County Campus Use
JCC signed a 30-year shared agreement with the YMCA of the Twin Tiers in 2003 to oversee the 𝟲𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬 square-foot sports and recreational facility on Wayne Street in Olean that opened the following year.
As part owners of the Y, we have used the building over the years for our Cattaraugus County Campus commencement and nurse pinning ceremonies, athletic events, intramural competitions, and physical education classes. Our students also receive a Y membership at no extra cost.
At the time of the signing in 2003, JCC President Gregory T. DeCinque said: "This joint venture benefits JCC's students, faculty, and staff, the YMCA's patrons, and the community at large. The synergy of this relationship brings value to all. We will be able to expand our physical education curriculum, explore new degree or certificate programs, and enhance our intercollegiate and intramural athletic experiences. We will also have our own facilities for commencement and other large events."
No. 64 - One of 64 SUNY Colleges Across the State
JCC is one of 64 State University of New York institutions.
As the first locally sponsored SUNY public community college, chartered in 1950, JCC set the stage for the expansion of higher education across New York state. Today, JCC is one of 30 SUNY community colleges, offering more than 60 degree and certificate programs across multiple campuses.
No. 63 - High School Bowl, Co-Hosted by JCC, Wraps up 63rd Season
Co-hosted by JCC, High School Bowl completed its 63rd season last spring at the Jamestown Campus Carnahan Center.
As the longest running quiz show competition of its kind in the United States, High School Bowl offers students across area school districts the opportunity to "show what they know" in a wide variety of school subject areas. The competition is made possible by businesses and institutions committed to the young people in southwest New York and northwest Pennsylvania.
Tournament matches are recorded at the Carnahan Center and can be heard on Media One Group stations in Jamestown and at WJTN.com.
No. 62 - College Connections Honors 62 Students of the Year in 2021-2022
JCC honored 62 area high schoolers as College Connections Students of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year.
Our College Connections program annually recognizes one junior and/or one senior from each of our partner high schools. Student of the Year recipients embrace the added challenges of completing college-level work while still in high school and understand the importance of higher education.
You can see past College Connections Student of the Year recipients dating back to 2020.
No. 61 - Ground Broken on Collegiate Center in 1961
Ground was broken on the construction of the Collegiate Center on the Jamestown Campus in 1961.
When we moved to our current Jamestown location on Falconer Street, movement was already underway for building a campus hub. The Collegiate Center opened in 1962, and today is home to our student union, campus store, cafe, health center, student success services, student government offices, and all administrative offices, including the registrar, admissions, financial aid, and business offices.
The Collegiate Center was renamed the John D. Hamilton Collegiate Center in 1983 to honor JCC's first trustee emeritus who also served briefly as acting president.
Among the photos, you will see Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Albert Baisler, then-JCC president, looking over proposed plans for the Collegiate Center on the site in 1961. You will also see Rockefeller, Hamilton, and Dean William Schlifke coming out of the east exit of the new building during Rockefeller's visit in 1962.
No. 60 - Students Ages 60 and Older Takes Classes Tuition Free
JCC announced in 1973 that people ages 60 and older could take courses tuition free when classroom seating was available.
By 1989, SUNY shared, that outside of the New York City area, JCC had the largest number of people 60 years and older who audited classes on a non-credit basis.
Among our oldest graduates ...
- 80-year-old Julia McGuire earned an associate degree in 1982.
- n 1988, 53 years after he was valedictorian of her high school class, 72-year-old Irene Minckler was awarded an associate degree in art.
- And, just this past spring, 87-year-old Paul Jewett earned a certificate, culminating the work that he started at JCC in the 1980s.
Certainly there are dozens more we are missing. Learning never ends, and we're here to support and guide students no matter their age.
No. 59 - College Given Land in 1959 to Relocate in Jamestown
In 1959, JCC was provided land to relocate to our current Jamestown Campus on the city’s east side.
The move was a collaboration between the Jamestown Public School Board, the city of Jamestown, and JCC. As part of the transition, the college received the East Jamestown School, Municipal Stadium, the city golf course, and the 100 Acre Lot.
Today, that land is home to many of the facilities and landmarks that define our campus, including the Hamilton Collegiate Center, Hultquist Library, Sheldon Center, Carnahan Center, Physical Education Complex, three Hillside Suites residence halls, Manufacturing Technology Institute, Russell E. Diethrick Jr. Park, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, and College Park.
Before the move, JCC’s campus was located at the corner of Foote Avenue and Allen Street in Jamestown, at the former home of Fletcher Goodwill.
No. 58 - Early Alumni Leader Graduated in 1958
One of the first leaders of the JCC Alumni Association, Darrell Sage, graduated in the year 1958.
In 1960, Sage and a small group of fellow graduates saw the power of staying connected. What started as a few alumni meeting to support their college has grown into a thriving community that hosts events, raises funds for scholarships, and celebrates our outstanding graduates each year.
“It was just about awareness in the community... we felt very proud to be a part of the process,” Sage said in 2010.
Sadly, Sage sadly passed away in May at the age of 89 in Anderson, South Carolina.
No. 57 - JCC Couple Married for 57 Years
Celebrating 57 years of marriage and love for a couple that met at JCC in 1960.
When Karin and Herb Meiselman sat down to talk with us in 2020, the JCC grads had been happily married for 57 years. One of countless couples that got their start here on campus, the Meiselman's met at a JCC basketball game and married three years later in 1963 before moving to California in 1966.
World travelers, the photo with this post shows the Meiselmans on one of their adventures. Sadly, Herb passed away in February 2025. We proudly celebrate the years of love and adventure he and Karin shared, which began here at JCC.
Read more about them from our 2020 story.
No. 56 - First Graduating Class Included 56 Women
Of the first class of 157 students at #SUNYJCC in 1950, 56 were women.
Among them was Ann Dahl Luce, a 1952 graduate who transferred to SUNY Fredonia to pursue a career in teaching.
No. 55 - One in 55 Jobs Supported by JCC
A recent economic impact study revealed that one out of every 55 jobs in our service area is supported by the activities of JCC and our students.
The report, which was published last November and focused on the 2022-23 fiscal year, showed that we also contributed to added tax revenue, public sector savings, and societal well-being in our region, while also noting our graduates received significant long-term return on investment from their education at JCC.
No. 54 - Hamilton Appointed to Board in 1954
John D. Hamilton, perhaps the most notable figure in JCC's history, was first appointed to the board of trustees by Governor Thomas E. Dewey in 1954.
Hamilton was elected chairman of the board of trustees in 1957. With the local banking leader at the helm, the college move to its current Jamestown location on Falconer Street and the Collegiate Center was constructed in the early 1960s.
Hamilton left the board in 1963 but returned to JCC as acting president for the 1969-70 academic year. He was appointed to the board of trustees again in 1971 and remained until 1991. Soon after, Hamilton was named a trustee emeritus.
The Collegiate Center was renamed the John D. Hamilton Collegiate Center in 1983 to honor Hamilton's 30 years of service to JCC. Apart from his official roles with the college, Hamilton was among devoted community members who supported the chartering of JCC in 1950.
The John D. Hamilton Award was established by the JCC Foundation in 1995 to recognize individuals whose civic contributions exemplify those of Hamilton.
Hamilton passed away at the age of 99 in 2000.
No. 53 - 53 Faculty Members Sign Vietnam War Petition
Faculty members took a stand in March 1968, signing a petition sent to U.S. Senator Charles Goodell of Jamestown that protested the Vietnam War and urged an immediate, unconditional halt to the bombing.
In a display of political courage, Goodell broke ranks with President Richard Nixon and other Republicans over America’s role in the Vietnam War. Goodell was the first senator to propose legislation for a fixed-date withdrawal from Vietnam, introducing a bill in September 1969 that would require the withdrawal of all U.S. troops by the end of 1970.
No. 52 - Student Veteran Supporter Passes Away at 52
Traci Maybach, a Jamestown resident and ardent supporter of veterans, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 52 in September 2013.
The Veteran's Scholarship in Memory of Traci C. Maybach was established shortly after her death by a group of Traci's friends and family members, including Judy Grimm, Wendy Burns, Shawna Kohlbacher, Susan Muscato, Marie Plumb, Barb Russell, and Wendy Present.
“Creating a scholarship fund at JCC for veterans is something Traci would have loved to see,” Jean Schrader, another friend of Maybach’s, said in December 2013.
The endowed scholarship has supported many veteran students over the last dozen years, helping them to graduate and pursue meaningful professional careers.
No. 51 - First Commencement Ceremony Held in 1951
JCC's first-ever commencement ceremony was held on June 12, 1951 at the First Presbyterian Church in Jamestown.
That evening, 19 graduates walked across the stage. Seven of the grads received associate degrees, making them among the very first students in New York state to earn associate degrees from a two-year college. A truly historic moment for the State University of New York and for JCC.
The ceremony featured keynote speaker Dr. Lawrence L. Jarvie, SUNY’s executive dean of community colleges and technical institutes, who visited campus ahead of the event to meet with college leadership.
The commencement committee was led by trustee Richard L. Swanson, and faculty and staff played important roles in organizing the event, including Miss Ruth E. Hunt (program and invitations); Mrs. Clyde L. Carnahan, Miss Hunt and Mrs. Lillian B. Congdon (decorations and reception); and Robert Kochersberger (processional).
William H. Schlifke, senior instructor in the technical division, served as general chairman.
From those first 19 graduates in 1951 to the more than 30,000 who have crossed the stage since, we're proud to celebrate student achievement for 75 years.
No. 50 - Celebrating 50 Years of JCC in 2000
JCC celebrated its 50th anniversary during a festive ceremony on Feb. 7, 2000.
The celebration featured music by local band 3G and the opening of a time capsule located in the cornerstone of the Arts and Sciences Center. alumna and faculty member Liz Petiprin, President Gregory T. DeCinque, Campus Life director Laurie Livingston, and board of trustees student representative Keelin Burrows displayed materials contained in the capsule.
The photo here shows JCC faculty, staff, and administration that were employed during our 50th anniversary year.
