MODESTO — Modesto Junior College will begin its Centennial Celebration this month, kicking-off a year’s worth of celebrations with a virtual and in-person event to recognize the 100-year anniversary of the institution’s founding.
On September 16 at 5 p.m., MJC will kick off its Founders’ Day Centennial Celebration activities on Thursday, Sept. 16, at 5 p.m., with Episode One of the MJC Centennial TV video series celebrating both the history and future of the college.
The virtual kickoff will be followed by the Founders’ Day Centennial Celebration held outdoors and in-person on Sunday, Sept. 19, starting at 1 p.m. on MJC’s East Campus Quad.
On the same date in 1921 students attended the first-ever MJC courses and began the rich 100-year history of MJC, the community’s college.
The celebration will feature the unveiling of a time capsule buried in 1987, the unveiling of plans for the East Campus Quad renovation, guest speakers including the Chancellor of Yosemite Community College District, Henry C.V. Yong, the president of Modesto Junior College, Santanu Bandyopadhyay, the president of the Associated Students of MJC, Maria Marquez, and distinguished MJC alumni.
The MJC Foundation will award Centennial Finish-Line Scholars with $6,000 scholarships, MJC Fire Academy students will raise a flag flown over the Capitol along with a live music performance of the national anthem by members of the MJC Community Orchestra and the MJC Chorale Program. Current students, alumni, retirees and the general public are invited to join in and celebrate MJC’s 100th birthday.
Attendees will receive a limited edition MJC Centennial pin to commemorate the milestone. In its 100th year, MJC will also launch the Centennial Curriculum Project, which will offer several student and faculty-led projects exploring MJC’s history and partnership with the community, and its role in the lives of people who have studied and served at the college.
There are also plans for a digital storybook and a giving campaign by the MJC Foundation where the community will get the opportunity to contribute and help in raising money that will directly affect the lives of MJC students. Dollars raised will fund scholarships, emergency student grants and increase overall access to higher education in the region.
More information regarding MJC’s year-long Centennial Celebration is available at mjc.edu/100 Help reduce the financial burden of college by donating to the MJC Foundation modestojcfoundation.org. About Modesto Junior College MJC was established in 1921 and is the first California community college district. The college boasts a Bachelor’s Degree program that is one of only 15 such programs offered at a California community college.
MJC initiated the long and prestigious legacy of California community college students transferring to universities, with the first ever transfer student in 1922, when the alumnus transferred to Stanford University. Noteworthy alumni from the college include famed director, producer and screenwriter George Lucas, major-motion picture actor Jeremy Renner, NFL Hall of Famer Gino Marchetti, Olympic athlete and actress Dot Jones, Broadway artists Jeremy Stolle and Lindsay Pearce, and more.
Over 750,000 students have taken courses at MJC during the last century.
More information regarding MJC’s year-long Centennial Celebration is available at mjc.edu/100 Help reduce the financial burden of college by donating to the MJC Foundation modestojcfoundation.org.
MJC was established in 1921 and is the first California community college district. The college boasts a Bachelor’s Degree program that is one of only 15 such programs offered at a California community college.
