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.
No. 49 - 49 Years of the Cattaraugus County Campus in Olean
JCC has had a campus in Olean for 49 years, dating back to 1976.
Thanks to support from the county legislature, the Cattaraugus County Campus began in Olean at the former School #8 on Homer Street. We moved downtown on North Union Street in the early 1980s and expanded there at our current location in the early 2000s.
Today, the campus includes the College Center and Allied Health & Sciences Center on North Union, Cutco Theater, the Library & Liberal Arts Center, the Manufacturing Technology Institute at the corner of North Barry and Hamilton streets, the Technology Center, and the former train depot, which now serves as an eSports arena.
No. 48 - JCC YMCA Early Learning Center is SUNY's 48th On-Campus Childcare Center
When the JCC YMCA Early Learning Center opened on our Cattaraugus County Campus in summer 2024, it became the 48th childcare center operating on a SUNY campus.
The center serves approximately 50 children, from a few months old to pre-school aged. Run by the YMCA of the Twin Tiers on the first floor of the Technology Center, childcare services are open to JCC students, faculty, staff, and the community.
This isn't the first time a JCC campus has offered childcare. In 1984, a similar center was opened in the Annex near the Jamestown Campus and offered daytime and evening care for children of students, faculty, and staff.
No. 47 - One of JCC's Longest Tenured Employees Served 47 Years
One of the college's longest tenured employees, Mike Goon retired in November 2020 shortly after starting his 47th year working on the buildings and grounds staff on the Jamestown Campus.
A maintenance mechanic, Goon served under eight JCC presidents. After retiring, he moved to Florida to spend more time with family.
No. 46 - USA Scholarship Awarded to Students for 46 Years
For 46 years we have given the USA Scholarship to local students.
Founded in 1979 under former #SUNYJCC president Roger Seager, the Unified Student Assistance Scholarship was created to “unify” resources and make college possible for more students across our region. What began as a visionary merit-based program — supported early on by the Gebbie Foundation and the Carnahan-Jackson Foundation — has grown into one of JCC’s strongest and most enduring commitments to student success.
Today, the scholarship continues to provide up to four semesters of New York state tuition for first-time, full-time students who graduate in the top 20% of their high school class in qualifying New York and Pennsylvania counties. Thanks to the generosity of local donors, community members, alumni, and employees, the program has provided over $6 million in assistance and supported more than 3,000 scholars since its inception.
At JCC, we award more than $1 million in scholarships annually, helping over half of our students graduate debt-free.
No. 45 - SPREE Program Serves 45 Student Parents in First Semester
JCC's SPREE program began in fall 2018 and served 45 student parents that first semester.
Since then, the Single Parents Reaching Education to Employment program at JCC has supported dozens more single parents who are working toward a college degree.
SPREE helps students by providing a dedicated coach to guide them through school, a community of other single parents for support, access to resources like childcare help, food assistance, and financial guidance, assistance finding jobs, and overcoming barriers that could keep them from finishing their program.
No. 44 - 10,000 Maniacs Take Shape on Campus 44 Years Ago
It was 44 years ago that the acclaimed 10,000 Maniacs band was founded after taking shape on the Jamestown Campus.
Keyboardist Dennis Drew and bassist Steve Gustafson met singer Natalie Merchant while working at the campus radio station, WJCC, in the late 1970s, and they soon joined Robert Buck in the group Still Life. With the addition of drummer Jerry Augustyniak and John Lombardo, the group started playing under the 10,000 Maniacs name in 1981.
The Maniacs played a concert to more than 1,200 at College Stadium on July 29, 1986 as part of the city of Jamestown's centennial celebration (see video!). They returned to play a benefit concert before a sold out Physical Education Complex in 1988, and have performed at The Robert Lee Scharmann Theatre in the years since.
The band released four albums that reached the top 50 in the U.S. between 1987 and 1993. While Merchant left the group in the mid 1990s, Drew, Gustafson, Lombardo, and Augustyniak have stayed together and continue to tour.
No. 43 - JCC Offers 43 Degree Programs
As of 2025-26, JCC offers 43 A.S. and A.A.S degree programs that help students build and advance their professional careers.
From nursing and manufacturing to criminal justice and sport management, there's something for just about everyone. Beyond degree programs, JCC also provides certificates, microcredentials, and workforce development training for those looking for an even faster path into high-demand fields.
Check out sunyjcc.edu/Programs to see all the offerings.
No. 42 - 42 Nursing Students Volunteer at RAM Clinic in 2021
In September 2021, 42 of our second-year Nursing students stepped up to volunteer at a Remote Area Medical - RAM on the Cattaraugus County Campus.
The students helped document vitals signs, performed assessments, and guided patients on their next steps for healthcare outside of the clinic.
Since then, JCC has proudly co-hosted four RAM clinics in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties, with dozens of students, faculty, staff, and alumni coming together to serve the local community.
The most recent clinic, held this September at the Olean YMCA, delivered free medical, dental, and vision care to more than 400 people, totaling over $273,000 in care provided.
No. 41 - Jamestown Campus Russell E. Diethrick Jr. Park Opens in 1941
Originally called Jamestown Municipal Stadium upon opening in 1941, it was renamed College Stadium when our campus relocated to Falconer Street in 1961, and to its current name in 1997 in honor of Jamestown's "Mr. Baseball."
The stadium holds 3,000 and is home to our Jayhawks baseball team and the Jamestown Tarp Skunks of the Perfect Game Collegiate League.
For decades, Diethrick Park was the home field for Jamestown's New York-Penn League team that was affiliated with the Montreal Expos, Detroit Tigers, and Miami Marlins, among others. The stadium also hosts the Babe Ruth World Series each August.
Many future Major League Baseball players and coaches have played for the home team in Jamestown, including Dave Roberts, Giancarlo Stanton, Nellie Fox, Randy Johnson, Jim Leyland, and many others.
Diethrick Stadium has also hosted other events and concerts, including Jamestown's 10,000 Maniacs in 1986.
No. 40 - Women's Soccer Duo Combines for 40 Goals
Ashley Skelly and Emma Ylias, teammates on the Cattaraugus County Campus women's soccer team, combined for 40 goals in leading the Jaguars to the NJCAA Division 3 national tournament in 2011.
The photos show Skelly, Ylias, and the rest of the Jaguars during a rousing sendoff to the tournament in front of campus on North Union Street in Olean. The JCC team finished 18-3 and ended the season with a 3-1 loss to eventual champion Montgomery College.
No. 39 - 39 Years of SBDC on the Jamestown Campus
For 39 years the Small Business Development Center has operated on the Jamestown Campus.
Since SBDC's start at JCC in 1986, its expert advisors have worked directly with more than 13,000 local businesses, helping them to invest millions in the area's economy, and create or save more than 10,000 jobs.
No. 38 - 38 School Districts and BOCES in the College Connections Program
38 area school districts and BOCES participate in the College Connections program.
The long-standing program is a collaboration between JCC and partner school districts that allow students to earn college credits at no cost to families by completing JCC courses taught in their schools. Participating schools are located in Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties in New York state.
Many College Connections instructors teach at the partner school districts and are reviewed, selected, trained, and supported by our faculty.
Every year the College Connections program recognizes one junior and/or one senior from each of our partner high schools as Student of the Year, and an overall Teacher of the Year.
No. 37 - Historic Train Depot Preserved on the Cattaraugus County Campus 37 Years Ago
It was 37 years ago that the historic train depot on the Cattaraugus County Campus in downtown Olean was preserved and converted to house a fine arts studio gallery.
Since that restoration in 1988, the depot was later transformed into the Dresser Rand Training Center for continuing education and workforce development courses and in 2022 to the current eSports stadium, which is home to the Jayhawks team and the host of regional high school tournaments and events.
The original depot was built in 1901 near the intersection of North Union and East Sullivan streets and served passengers and freight.
No. 36 - Jayhawks Basketball Team Wins 36 Games in 1982-82 Season
The JCC men's basketball team piled up 36 victories in 38 games while winning the NJCAA Region III championship and advancing to the national tournament during the 1982-83 season.
The Jayhawks collected three consecutive Region III titles in the early 1980s under coach Nick Creola, and a No. 1 national ranking at one point. The team was led on the court by Carl Jeter, who was named to the NJCAA national all-tournament team in 1982 and 1983.
No. 35 - Stainless Steel Statue Reaches 35 Feet Tall
The "More" stainless statue on the Jamestown Campus that features hands reaching to the sky is 35 feet tall.
A beautiful sight no matter the season, the statute was placed near the pond on campus in 1975 with the help of a giant crane.
No. 34 - 34 Alumni Golf Classics
This year will mark the 34th golf classic put on by the JCC alumni associations.
Started in 1993 at Bartlett Country Club in Olean, the tournament brings together more than 100 golfers from the region annually to help support student needs, opportunities, and scholarships.
The last four golf classics have been held at Holiday Valley's Double Black Diamond course. Those events together have raised close to $55,000.
No. 33 - Long-Time Athletic Director Served for 33 Years
George Bataitis, known as the "Father of JCC Athletics," served as the college's athletic director for 33 years, from 1956 to 1988.
A native of Syracuse, Bataitis came to Jamestown in 1954 as physical education director at the Boys' Club before being hired at JCC. Over his 35 years at JCC, he taught physical education and served as an interim dean of students. Bataitis also coached basketball, baseball, and golf.
Upon his retirement, the George Bataitis Open golf tournament was created to raise money for JCC athletics. The 37th tournament is scheduled for this spring at the Chautauqua Golf Club.
Bataitis passed away at the age of 87 in 2014.
No. 32 -Lucille Ball Honored as One of 32 Women Trailblazers
JCC honored Jamestown's Lucille Ball as one of 32 women trailblazers during a Women's History Month and International Women's Day event in 2021.
Students, faculty, and staff worked together to construct a tile-by-tile mosaic in tribute to Ball as part of the Women’s Empowerment Draft, a collaboration across campuses in the State University of New York system.
Ball has a history with JCC. The comedic legend was to be presented an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree during commencement on campus in 1988. Unfortunately, Ball was hospitalized before the ceremony - preventing her first return to Jamestown since 1956 - and passed away in 1989. During commencement in 1990, daughter Lucie Arnaz accepted the honorary degree on behalf of her mother.
No. 31 - $31 Million to Expand Cattaraugus County Campus
The project cost was $31 million to expand the current location of the Cattaraugus County Campus on North Union Street in Olean.
In the early 2000s, the downtown campus was transformed into what you see today. The Allied Health & Sciences Center, Technology Center, and Cutco Theater were built, while the College Center building, formerly Fleet Bank, was renovated and added onto. The quad area with the clock tower centerpiece was also created, complementing the Library and Liberal Arts Center and former train depot already on campus.
During a dedication ceremony in September 2003, Alcas Corp. chairman of the board Erick Laine said: "This campus, with its spectacular architectural design, green space and beauty, will help define Olean the way Harvard defines Cambridge, Mass."
No. 30 - More than 30,000 Graduates
During the 2025 commencement ceremonies JCC surpassed 30,000 students who have graduated.
No. 29 - 1993 Grad Passed Away at Age 29 on September 11
Amy Ruth King, a 1993 graduate, was 29 when she passed away while serving as a flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 175 that crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
A native of Celoron and graduate of Southwestern Central School, King liked to paint and was interested in clothing design. She started working for United in Chicago in 1993.
There is living memorial to King on the Jamestown Campus.
No. 28 - OTA Program Operating 28 Years on Jamestown Campus
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program has been operating for 28 years on the Jamestown Campus.
The first graduates of the program in 2000 achieved a 100% pass rate on the national certified occupational therapy assistant certification (COTA) exam and grads have achieved similar results over the years since.
One of the more popular JCC programs, the OTA degree prepares students to become certified in the field. Some graduates transfer to four-year colleges while others enter the workforce, holding positions in hospitals, nursing homes, school districts, and other healthcare venues.
Led by longtime director Sarah Tranum, program students gain hands-on professional experience in the on-campus Jayhawk Explore & Soar pediatric sensory clinic that provides free service to area children and families. The clinic opened in 2023.
No. 27 - Roger Tory Peterson Institute 27 Acres on Jamestown Campus
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute encompasses 27 acres of land on our Jamestown Campus.
The board of trustees approved a resolution which made RTPI an official part of the campus in 2013, including the 28,000 square foot museum adjacent to the college on Curtis Street.
RTPI was established in 1984 to foster understanding, appreciation, and protection of the natural world as by honoring and continuing the work of Jamestown native and acclaimed naturalist and artist Roger Tory Peterson. The museum is home to the largest collection of Peterson's original artworks, films, photographs and related archival materials.
Peterson was the keynote commencement speaker in 1986 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in fine arts.
No. 26 - Barcelona Study Abroad Internships Start in 2026
Starting in summer 2026 JCC begins offering study abroad internships in Barcelona, Spain for Sport Management and Physical Education majors interested in working for sports clubs.
For many years, JCC has provided study abroad opportunities for students, including current 6-credit options in Antigua, Guatemala; Valladolid, Spain; and Norrkoping, Sweden. Our students have also studied in Scotland, Japan, and other countries.
The college also offers short-term study abroad courses that have traveled to the United Kingdom, Italy, Costa Rica, Russia, and we just wrapped up a two-week trip to Vietnam.
No. 25 - Host to 25 Consecutive NJCAA Golf Championships
JCC has hosted 25 consecutive NJCAA Division III Golf Championships at Chautauqua Golf Club since 2000.
The annual tournament, which was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID, brings together some of the best junior college golfers and teams from around the country in early June. More than 20 colleges and 90 men's and women's players competed in the 2025 event.
This year's tournament is scheduled for June 2-5 at Chautauqua Golf Club.
No. 24 - 24 Credit REACH for Homeschooled Students
REACH program for homeschooled students is a 24-credit college pathway that allows students to earn a high school equivalency diploma while also earning college and SUNY credits.
REACH students can experience life on campus and have access to campus facilities and resources in Jamestown and Olean.
Current standout student Jack Tupper (talking in the video) started here while being homeschooled. He was drawn to our Mechanical Technology Design program after taking a solid modeling course where he worked with partners to create a catapult design.
REACH is one of five programs we offer to support younger students in their transition from high school to college. Others include College Connections, Liberty Partnerships program, Pre-college Enrollment program, and Summer EARN.
Many of these programs allow students to take JCC courses for free or at reduced costs.
No. 23 - 23 Endowed Funds Support the USA Scholarship
Twenty-three endowed funds have been established through the JCC Foundation to support our USA Scholarship.
Founded in 1979, the Unified Student Assistance Scholarship is awarded to first-time, full-time JCC students ranked in the top 20% of their graduating class from local New York and Pennsylvania high schools. It covers up to four semesters of New York state tuition.
Among the endowed funds are the Carnahan-Jackson Fund, Cutco Fund, Dr. Greg T. DeCinque Fund, Erick Laine Fund, Elizabeth S. Lenna Foundation Fund, and Sarita Weeks Fund.
No. 22 - 22 Certificate Programs Offered
JCC offers 22 certificates as part of our wide range of program opportunities that also include associate degrees, microcredentials, and short-term Workforce Development training.
Among the 22 are healthcare certificates (Addictions Counseling, Community Health Worker, and Direct Support Professional); Technology certificates (Corrections Officer Technology, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology); Art certificates (Graphic Design and Multimedia Production), and manufacturing certificates (Computer-Aided Design, Machine Tool Technology, and Welding).
Those are just a handful of examples.
No. 21 - Jackson Carnahan Served on Board for 21 Years
Katharine Jackson Carnahan served on our Board of Trustees for 21 years, starting as a charter member in 1950.
Starting in the 1930s, Carnahan played a key role in organizing the community’s first major effort to bring college-level courses to the area through Alfred University. She was a secretary during her early years on the board.
Carnahan was remembered during a special tribute at JCC's 40th anniversary convocation in February 1990, during which the Forum Building on the Jamestown Campus was renamed the Katharine Jackson Carnahan Center.
In 1984, the Carnahan-Jackson Foundation established two $250,000 endowed funds at JCC as a tribute to Carnahan.
Today, the Carnahan Center is home to our Criminal Justice program, Chautauqua County Sheriff's Academy, the Southwest Region Small Business Development Center, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Child and Family Services, and the Weeks Teleconference Hall.
No. 20- 20 Hot Air Balloons Launched on Campus
20 hot air balloons were launched during SkyJam '97 on the Jamestown Campus. The three-day festival in 1997 benefitted alumni and athletic scholarships.
We also brought hot air balloons to campus during fall semesters in 2017, 2018, and 2019 for students to enjoy.
Here is video from the 2017 rides.
No. 19 - Longest Tenured President Served 19 Years
Dr. Gregory T. DeCinque, JCC's longest tenured president and certainly one of the most accomplished, served for 19 years.
Joining JCC during a time of declining enrollment and funding, President DeCinque led the college from financial uncertainty to being named the “Top Performing Public Two-Year College” in New York in 2011 by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
During his tenure, JCC moved from sole sponsorship by the City of Jamestown to regional sponsorships which include Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties as well as the city.
Additionally, JCC advanced regional educational and workforce training opportunities and established several new degree and certificate programs that are mainstays, including Occupational Therapy Assistant and Welding Technology.
DeCinque also provided leadership for several expansion and renovation projects, notably the creation of a new Cattaraugus County Campus in downtown Olean and the construction of residence halls and a state-of-the-art Science Center on the Jamestown Campus.
Following his retirement in 2013, the JCC Foundation announced the endowment of the Dr. Gregory T. DeCinque Unified Student Assistance (USA) Scholarship, thanks to more than $125,000 in support from local businesses, organizations, foundations, and individuals.
Just this past fall, the Board of Trustees named DeCinque a President Emeritus.
No. 18 - Scharmann Taught for 18 Years on Jamestown Campus
Robert Lee Scharmann, after whom the Jamestown Campus Scharmann Theatre is named, served #SUNYJCC as a professor of drama and coordinator of theater arts for 18 years.
Scharmann also headed the humanities division, founded the JCC Uncommoners theater troupe, and directed most of the college's theatrical productions during his tenure on campus.
Scharmann came to JCC in 1956, and within months of his arrival, began leading plays. The first few were at various sites around Jamestown. Not long after he moved into a small college theater in the abandoned elementary school that was being renovated as the first instructional building at our new Falconer Street campus.
Scharmann’s personality and direction called forth brilliant productions and established theater as a preeminent student and cultural activity. Theater became so central to JCC that the trustees decided to include a full proscenium theater in the college’s building plans in 1968, and to name it the The Robert Lee Scharmann Theatre after his death on May 10, 1976.
A generous bequest from Robert Scharmann allows for support of special theater projects. These have included residencies, visits from national and international theater companies, and awards for our students.
No. 17 - Coach Led Top Women's Volleyball Team for 17 Years
Kathy Stedman was coach of the women's volleyball team for 17 years, leading the Jayhawks to the national tournament four times and mentoring five NJCAA All-Americans.
Stedman joined the JCC faculty as a physical education professor in 1987 and coached the volleyball team from 1987 to 2003. She also served as an assistant director of athletics and developed our Sport Management and Physical Education Studies degree programs.
Stedman, who received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018, concluded a long career in education as associate professor of Physical Education. Prior to joining JCC, she taught at the University of Wyoming, Whitesville Central School, and Canaseraga Central School.
No. 16 - College has 16 Athletic and Club Sports Teams
JCC is currently represented by 16 athletic teams and club sports.
The college's 14 NJCAA teams include baseball, softball, wrestling, women's volleyball, and men's and women's basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and swimming and diving. We have club teams in men's ice hockey and eSports.
While most of the sports programs are based on our Jamestown Campus, cross country and eSports are centered on the Cattaraugus County Campus. JCC also offers intramural sport opportunities for students on both campuses.
Athletics started at JCC in the late 1950s under the late George Bataitis, our athletic director for 33 years who is known as “The Father of JCC Athletics.”
No. 15 - $15 Million Facilities Project Builds Hultquist Library Expansion
As part of a $15 million major facilities expansion on the Jamestown Campus, ground was broken for the expansion of Hultquist Library in 1993.
The new addition provided space for teleconferencing and distance learning, an improved computer laboratory, an individualized learning center, and a new area for Developmental Studies.
Hultquist Library opened in 1971 with a dedication and unveiling of a memorial plaque honoring the Hultquist family. At the time, the library featured space for 30,000 volumes, an AV center, 24 self-instruction carrels, and a reading pit.
With a recent first-floor renovation, Hultquist Library remains as vibrant as ever. Besides books and computer labs, it is home to college's Learning Commons, SPREE program, veterans lounge, student lounge, distance learning facilities, Lenna Teleconference Theatre, and the Goodwill of Western New York Goodskills Career builder program.
No. 14 - 14 Members on College Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees typically consists of 14 members who are appointed by either the state governor, Jamestown mayor, or Cattaraugus and Chautauqua County executives and legislative chairs.
The first meeting of the Jamestown Community College Board of Trustees was held on April 29, 1950. Officers elected were Sidney Hewes, chairman; Howard Johnston, vice chairman; Mrs. Clyde Carnahan, secretary.
A student trustee, elected by the student body, was added in 1975.
The current board has 12 members with two open seats. Chaired by Mark Ward, other members are Donna Beal, Marie Carrubba, Lou DiPalma, Dennis Drew, Luke Fodor, James Griffin, Daniel Heitzenrater, Wally Huckno, Miriam Lugo-Alfaro, Kate Rauber, and John Stitt.
Board chairs over the years have included Sidney Hewes (1950-56), Howard Johnston (1956-57), John Hamilton (1957-64), Charles Price (1964-68), Simon Goldman (1968-72), R. Quintus Anderson (1972-77), Lucy Alpaugh (1977-79), Samuel Alessi (1979-88), Miles Lasser (1988-90), Je'Anne Bargar (1990-94), Lillian Ney (1994-98), Samuel Price (1998-2001), James Griffin (2003-07), Lance Spicer (2007-2013), Wally Huckno (2013-19), and Mark Ward (2019-present).
No. 13 - 13 Acting or Interim College Presidents
Since its founding in 1950, JCC has had 13 presidents, including acting and interim presidents.
The group of 13 includes Carlyle Ring (1950-51), Frederick deWolfe Bolman (1951-56), Sidney Hewes (1956-57), Albert Baisler (1957-69), John Hamilton (1969-70), Roger Seager (1970-80), David Petty (1980-81), Paul Benke (1981-91), Timothy Davies (1991-93), Gary Winger (1993-94), Gregory DeCinque (1994-2013), Cory Duckworth (2013-18), and current president Daniel DeMarte.
Ring, who was Jamestown Public Schools superintendent, served a part-time role before Bolman was appointed as our first full-time president in 1951.
Hewes, Hamilton, Petty, and Winger were acting or interim presidents.
No. 12 - 12 Buildings on Jamestown Campus
The Jamestown Campus on Falconer Street consists of 12 buildings. They are:
- Carnahan Center
- Hamilton Collegiate Center
- Hillside Suites North
- Hillside Suites South
- Hillside Suites West
- Hultquist Library
- Maintenance Garage
- Manufacturing Technology Institute
- Physical Education Complex
- Roger Tory Peterson Institute
- Science Center
- Sheldon Center
No. 11 - Jamestown Campus Science Center Opened in 2011
The Science Center, a showplace for sustainability in building design and operation, opened in 2011 on the Jamestown Campus.
Built at a cost of $12 million, the 26,762 square foot facility is home to the Life Sciences program and includes green features that enable energy conservation and promote environmentally-conscious thinking.
The building was awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification from the United States Green Building Council in 2013. In 2014, an interactive video display in the atrium was installed, offering an array of information related to JCC science offerings and the building itself.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Science Center was held on Nov. 20, 2011, and the building officially opened for classes shortly thereafter. The Hultquist Foundation and Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation contributed $1 million each toward the construction of the facility.
No. 10 - Noted Presidents Served Consecutively for 10 Years Each
Presidents Roger Seager and Paul Benke served consecutively for 10 years each from 1971 to 1991.
Known as "the man in love with ideas," Seager oversaw a significant expansion of the college throughout the 1970s. During his tenure, the Carnahan Center and Physical Education Complex were constructed on the Jamestown Campus, while the Cattaraugus County Campus was established in Olean in 1976.
Seager also helped create the USA Scholarship that still delivers full tuition to high-performing area high school grads and linked the college to the Hercules Project, a grant that provided "brokers" to identify and service educational and training needs of the community.
Seager's 10-year run as president ended in February 1980 when he died suddenly at the age of 53. Shortly after his death, the Roger C. Seager Seager Presidential Scholarship was established and is still awarded today to standout graduates intending to transfer to four-year colleges.
Benke took over in 1981 after serving in top management positions in multinational companies. He helped establish the JCC Foundation in 1983 and was instrumental in growing the Cattaraugus County Campus.
Benke is also known for developing the Roger Tory Peterson Institute on the Jamestown Campus, as well as for establishing the college's Warren Center and Scandinavian Studies program. For his efforts, Benke was named our first president emeritus in 2012.
No. 9 - 9 '0's in Cattaraugus County Campus Mural
There are nine letter 'O's in the Vantage Point Mural that covers all sides of the Cattaraugus County Campus Library & Liberal Arts Center.
Created by noted large-scale muralist Meg Saligman in summer 2022, a major theme of the mural is circles — from the nine 'O's to a depiction of the campus clock tower, a watch face, and a half dozen 3D stylized balls on the back wall facing the railroad tracks.
Saligman’s design was developed through months of research, interviews with community members, and her own experience growing up in Olean.
The mural’s name is inspired by poet Robert Lax’s famous work, “Circus of the Sun.” Lax was born and raised in Olean and lived in a house on grounds that are now part of campus.
In addition to a crew of more than 30 artists, nearly 1,000 community members contributed to the mural through paint day events.
The mural was dedicated on Oct. 8, 2022, with many area political and community dignitaries in attendance.
No. 8 - 8 Leaders of the Cattaraugus County Campus
Since its founding in 1976, there have been eight deans or executive directors who have led the Cattaraugus County Campus.
The group of eight includes R. Theodore Smith (1976-79), Charles Bohlen (1979-83), Michael Governanti (1983-86), James Ross (1987-91), Carol Scott (1992-99), Lawrence Sorokes (2000-08), John Sayegh (2009-19) and the recently retired Paula Snyder (2019-25).
No. 7 - 7 Main Buildings on the Cattaraugus County Campus
The Cattaraugus County Campus in downtown Olean includes seven main academic and administrative buildings. They are:
- Allied Health & Sciences Center
- College Center
- Cutco Theater
- eSports Arena
- Library & Liberal Arts Center
- Manufacturing Technology Institute
- Technology Center
No. 6 - 6 From Sweden Study at JCC
Six students from Jonkoping, Sweden came to #SUNYJCC to study in 1983 as part of the new Swedish exchange program.
More students from Sweden came in later years as the success of the exchange program led to a Scandinavian Studies program designed to strengthen knowledge of Jamestown heritage and appreciation of these cultural roots.
The Scandinavian Studies program grew scholarships for student exchanges and bolstered relevant resources at the Jamestown Campus Hultquist Library.
In the 1990s, Swedish exchange students played a key role in helping the women's volleyball team achieve national success.
For years, the Jamestown Campus hosted the region’s Scandinavian Folk Festival and Scandinavian Christmas Market for the area’s vast Swedish population.
Within the last year, JCC began a series of Saturday Scandinavian Culture Days that focus on Swedish culture and the Swedish American experience, including presentations, activities, and cuisine.
Urban Ahlin, Sweden’s ambassador to the United States, visited our Jamestown Campus as part of a two-day stop in Chautauqua County in August and learned of the college’s role in preserving and promoting cultural ties between the Jamestown community and Sweden.
No. 5 - 5 Trees Planted for Arbor day in 2021
Five trees were planted on the Jamestown Campus as part of JCC's annual Arbor Day tree planting ceremony in April 2021.
Each April, the college also celebrates being designated as a Tree Campus USA. This year marks the 17th consecutive year JCC has achieved that honor.
Tree Campus USA is a national program launched in 2008 to recognize colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation.
JCC earned its first designation in 2009, becoming the first community college in New York to achieve the recognition.
No. 4 - 4 Faces on Cattaraugus County Campus Clock Tower
The clock tower on the Cattaraugus County Campus features four faces.
The downtown Olean campus possesses many distinct characteristics, including the wrought iron gateway arch that greets visitors on North Union Street, the vintage train depot turned eSports arena, the tile mosaic on the outside of Cutco Theater, and in recent years, the giant painted mural covering the Library & Liberal Arts Center.
But perhaps none stand out more than the clock tower at the center of campus that can be seen and admired from various angles across the quad and in our buildings. It has been staple since campus renovations in the early 2000s.
No. 3 - 3 JCC Locations Until Recently
Until recently, JCC had three locations in Jamestown, Olean, and Dunkirk.
Though the North County Center closed in 2025, JCC still has a presence in that part of the county. Thanks to a growing partnership with SUNY Fredonia, the college holds Workforce Development offerings on the Fredonia campus with plans to do more there in the future.
Over the years, JCC has also had locations or satellite campuses in Warren, Gowanda, Fredonia, and elsewhere in the region.
The college has been operating in Jamestown since 1950, in Cattaraugus County in Olean since 1976, and in northern Chautauqua County since 1988.
No. 2 - 2 Campus Art Galleries
JCC has two art galleries, one each on the Jamestown and Cattaraugus County campuses.
In 1996, the Forum Gallery opened in the Arts and Sciences Center on the Jamestown Campus with an exhibition titled “Three Generations of Swedish Photographers.” The exhibition was part of the yearlong Swedish immigration jubilee.
Before the turn of the century, the gallery was renamed Weeks Gallery in honor of former Jamestown mayor and attorney Stanley Weeks and his wife Sarita Hopkins Weeks, who were generous donors to the JCC Foundation.
In 2009, JCC celebrated the opening of the Center Gallery in College Center on the Cattaraugus County Campus with the opening of the "Beyond Shadow and Light" photography exhibition.
Prior to 2009, the Olean campus had a an art gallery located in the old train depot building.
The galleries are free and open to the public for exhibition viewings on week days.
No. 1 - Many Firsts and 1s
To be sure, there have been many firsts and 1s in JCC's three quarters of a century history in New York's Southern Tier. Here are just a handful:
- We were the first community college in New York state in 1950 and recognized as one of the first locally sponsored two-year schools in the United States.
- In 1951, 20 of our graduates received the first associate degrees in liberal arts ever granted by a community college in New York.
- Dr. Lawrence Jarvie, executive dean for SUNY's community colleges, in 1952, praised JCC, saying the college is leading the way for the rest of community college development in New York.
- In a 1954 New York Times article mentioning the film institute, the evening division, and the development of a furniture institute. were were cited as the first college in the state to launch new activities in the area of community relations.
- We were the first community college in the state to be accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1956.
- The JCC drama group, in 1972, becomes the first amateur group in the nation to perform "Promises, Promises."
- We were named the No. 1 New York state community college benefitting from private philanthropy in 1977.
- The Chronicle of Education, in 2011, named us the No. 1 performing two-year college in New York state.
