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American River College opened its doors as California's 61st public junior college in 1955. Its history, however, dates back to February 28, 1942, when Grant Union Junior College was established in Del Paso Heights to train civilian personnel for national service during World War II. In 1945 the name was changed to Grant Technical College.
In June 1954, voters agreed to the establishment of a new junior college district, followed by the approval of a $3 million bond issue in November of that year. Grant Technical College ceased operation after 13 years and American River Junior College was born in the fall of 1955.
For the first three years, classes were offered at the former Grant Technical College campus.
However, soon after its first semester of classes had begun, the college purchased a 153-acre site known as the Cameron Ranch on which to construct a permanent campus. By October of 1958, when official dedication ceremonies were held, eight new building complexes had been erected among the magnificent oaks native to the area.
Since that dedication the stately oak has been adopted as the official college symbol (including the campus seal), and many other facilities have been added to expand instructional and related services.
In 1965 the college became a part of the Los Rios Community College District and became American River College. Today, along with Sacramento City College and Cosumnes River College, as well as the Folsom Lake and Eldorado Centers, ARC is directed by a seven-member board of trustees elected by voters residing in the district.
At ARC, campus facilities development as part of the Los Rios District began with Davies Hall, a three-story classroom and faculty office building completed in 1966. In 1968-1969 new facilities for chemistry, physics, engineering, women's physical education, and technical vocational studies, were added.
The campus grew rapidly in the 1970s, including a three-story library, a horticulture complex, a major addition to the technical education facility, a childcare center and counseling center.
The 1980s saw the completion of the Rose Marks open-air pavilion and a new bookstore (remodeled in the 1990s). Recent improvements include major remodeling of laboratories and the student services building, new faculty and administrative office buildings, and facilities for disabled student programs & services, and instructional technology.
American River College is among the ten largest community colleges in the state and is looked upon as a leader in innovative programs and services. It transfers more students to UC Davis and CSU Sacramento than any other community college.
Forty-five years after its founding, American River College continues its leadership role among the Sacramento area's institutions of higher education.
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