Bringing Together Voices from Generations of Lions

A reception for the 60^th exhibit on March 31 brought faculty and staff, past and present, and alumni together for a look back at CCP through the years. Through audio clips, vintage CCP ads and materials from each decade of the College, attendees had the opportunity to take a look back at the institution’s history and see how we’re moving forward.

Over the last six decades, countless individuals have formed unique and strong bonds with the College. As we celebrate 60 years as an institution, we are honoring those connections and the momentum they’ve helped build for the College by highlighting the stories of some reception attendees.

One of those individuals is Bill Jones, a member of the first graduating class of Community College of Philadelphia and co-founder of the College’s Alumni Association. “Well, it's a journey and...those that were in the first class had a stronger identification, I think, than a lot of people,” Bill said. When CCP opened its doors in 1965, it quickly began filling a large gap in the city, making college degrees possible for people who were historically shut out of higher education.

“Back in those days, there wasn't a lot of scholarship money around, period. And going to four-year schools like Temple and Penn were expensive,” Bill said. “And I came from a blue-collar neighborhood, so the community college opened the door, the opportunity. I appreciated it.”

For David Berg, retired professor of Psychology, one of his favorite memories from working at CCP was during the time that Dr. Judith Eaton served as President. After Dr. Eaton came to visit his classroom to meet with him and his students, she asked if a photographer could take photos of him teaching. “[The] next year, a catalog came out with my picture on the cover. I...looked like the colossal 50-foot man standing over the Mint building," David said. “Everybody howled. It was great peals of laughter all over the College, and that was my 15 minutes of fame.”

Retired Art and Design faculty member Jeffrey Reed spent 40 years at the College preparing students for transfer by teaching fundamentals they would need to be successful as they worked toward their bachelor’s degree and careers. He also realized the classes he taught served as an introduction to the arts for some of his students.

“I really feel as faculty we could have a big impact on our students. A lot of our students never visited a museum or took an art class. That type of impact was wonderful to be a part of,” he said.

Collaborating with student service areas across the College helped Jeffrey and the department connect students with assistance that led to success.

“The whole College had that goal in mind to support students,” said Jeffrey.

The exhibit in the Library and Learning Commons is open through the end of June and can be visited during regular business hours.