2008 Woodie Awards
Valley: 55 Years and Still Kicking
Second in a three-part series reflecting on Valley College's history.
LaGina Phillips and Adriana Olivarez
Issue date: 10/13/04 Section: News
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As Valley College celebrates its 55th anniversary, we are reminded of its rich past.
Since Valley College opened its doors Sept. 12, 1949, it has been the center of influence for education, cultural and political activities in the San Fernando Valley.
From its humble beginnings on the campus of Van Nuys High School, consisting of only five bungalows with 439 students and 23 faculty members, Valley College has grown to include more than 19,000 students and 500 faculty and instructors.
"Our college lays claim to no originality, yet is thrillingly full of promise," said the first director of the college, Vierling Kersey in an article in Valley Star's premiere issue on Oct. 7, 1949. "Our college promises to challenge and deserve esteem. Our college is 'just like' no other institution."
The college has also been a host to everything from presidential candidates' campaign visits to speeches given by accredited celebrities, poets and writers.
Notable political personalities such as Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Jesse Jackson have visited the campus. Jackson appeared at Monarch Stadium to drum up votes for the presidential primary and Clinton stopped by on the campaign trail in 1994 to speak to students.
Not only have celebrities visited the campus; some have even attended the college. Famous Valley alumni include: Tom Selleck, Ed Begley Jr. and Sean Astin.
In 1954, the college started the Athenaeum, a lecture series that offered community programs, bringing internationally known speakers, such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Clement Atlee, Margaret Mead and Louis Leaky, to campus.
"What made everyone jealous, including UCLA and USC, was the Athenaeum, [which] brought world figure speakers, I was the official host, 'The Valley Knight,'" said journalism professor Roger Graham. "I dressed like a knight and escorted the speakers to the podium."
The Athenaeum lasted 17 years. An article in the Valley Star's July 21, 1970 edition cited tensions between Committee Chairman Dr. Arnold Fletcher and the Board of Trustees.
According to Fletcher the board repeatedly refused to approve each proposed fall Athenaeum on the grounds that the majority of the speakers were overly liberal.
"The Athenaeum was one of the most wonderful things this college had," said Graham.
Since Valley College opened its doors Sept. 12, 1949, it has been the center of influence for education, cultural and political activities in the San Fernando Valley.
 Media Credit: File Photo STORIED HISTORY - Sen. Richard Alarcon is one of many notable people to speak at Valley College. |
From its humble beginnings on the campus of Van Nuys High School, consisting of only five bungalows with 439 students and 23 faculty members, Valley College has grown to include more than 19,000 students and 500 faculty and instructors.
"Our college lays claim to no originality, yet is thrillingly full of promise," said the first director of the college, Vierling Kersey in an article in Valley Star's premiere issue on Oct. 7, 1949. "Our college promises to challenge and deserve esteem. Our college is 'just like' no other institution."
The college has also been a host to everything from presidential candidates' campaign visits to speeches given by accredited celebrities, poets and writers.
Notable political personalities such as Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Jesse Jackson have visited the campus. Jackson appeared at Monarch Stadium to drum up votes for the presidential primary and Clinton stopped by on the campaign trail in 1994 to speak to students.
Not only have celebrities visited the campus; some have even attended the college. Famous Valley alumni include: Tom Selleck, Ed Begley Jr. and Sean Astin.
In 1954, the college started the Athenaeum, a lecture series that offered community programs, bringing internationally known speakers, such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Clement Atlee, Margaret Mead and Louis Leaky, to campus.
"What made everyone jealous, including UCLA and USC, was the Athenaeum, [which] brought world figure speakers, I was the official host, 'The Valley Knight,'" said journalism professor Roger Graham. "I dressed like a knight and escorted the speakers to the podium."
The Athenaeum lasted 17 years. An article in the Valley Star's July 21, 1970 edition cited tensions between Committee Chairman Dr. Arnold Fletcher and the Board of Trustees.
According to Fletcher the board repeatedly refused to approve each proposed fall Athenaeum on the grounds that the majority of the speakers were overly liberal.
"The Athenaeum was one of the most wonderful things this college had," said Graham.
