CBC Library Archives: Historical Events

1954

December: The Pasco School Board votes to rename the Columbia Basin Vocational-Technical School operated at the Pasco airport to "Columbia Basin College," a title deemed by directors as "less cumbersome and more meaningful" (Tri-City Herald, 17 Dec 1954).

1955

October: the first edition of the student newspaper, The Collegiate, is issued. 

1955-1958

 The administration building remains on the old Naval base at the Pasco airport.

 1957

$1 million is approved for CBC construction. Included in the building program were a college administration building, a laboratory building, and a gymnasium with  music facilities attached. 

The school adopts a new official seal, selected from a student contest. The seal was drawn by Jim Donnell, an ex-CBC student: 

CBC grew from 300 students in its first year of operations to 824 full-time students in its second year.

1958

16 May: "A corner-stone laying ceremony was held, conducted by the Masonic Lodge, in which Walter T. Higgins, Grand Master of the Washington Grand Lodge, and other dignitaries participated. On the program for this ceremony were members of the Pasco School Board, Lyle Neff, chairman; Mrs. John Nelson, vice-chairman, and the other board members comprised of Mrs. Wayne Smalley, Carl Lundgren, and Tom Bishop. Also participating were Dr. Herman Jaeger, Pasco Superintendent, Jack Cooney, Director of CBC; Assistant Director and Registrar, George Askegaard, and Venetta Stappler, Dean of Women. Student body president, Robert Wilkerson, spoke briefly, as did Architect Victor Wulff," writes Walter Oberst in his recollection of the event. 

1 June: CBC's Second Annual Commencement in the Pasco High Auditorium.

19 October: The dedication of the main administration building. Superintendent Herman Jaeger introduced the various guests and the Board of Directors. Board Chairman Lyle Neff introduced U.S. Senator Henry Jackson, who gave the dedicatory address. Student body president Sully Bayless also spoke briefly.