Cerritos College Celebrates 65 Years of Excellence

Printer-friendly Version

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 10, 2020

Media Contact: Aya Abelon; Public Affairs

NORWALK, Calif. – September 10, 2020 – Today, Cerritos College kicked off its 65th-anniversary celebration highlighting more than six decades of community success and academic excellence. On June 10, 1955, residents of Bellflower, Downey, Norwalk, La Mirada, Artesia, Bloomfield, and Carmenita Elementary school districts voted to establish the Excelsior Junior College District, which would later become Cerritos College. On September 17, 1955, the Board of Trustees passed a $6-million bond to officially build Cerritos College. Courses began in 1956 with 197 students enrolled in classrooms rented from Excelsior High School.

Cerritos College serves more than 21,000 students and offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Cerritos College continues to be a leader in innovative programs and initiatives, including Teacher TRAC, Court 2 College (C2C), Cerritos Complete Promise Program, and The Village, a new housing development for homeless students, to name a few.

Virtual celebration activities will be held over three weeks beginning September 10, 17, and 24.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Thursday, September 10: Celebration kick-off
Thursday, September 17: Virtual birthday party and happy hour featuring Falcon alumnus DJ Mando Fresko on Instagram Live 
Thursday, September 24: Celebration close out

“For more than six decades, Cerritos College has provided outstanding educational opportunities that enrich students and the community. We are committed to working hard to set higher academic standards and increase needed resources to help students change their lives for years to come,” said Dr. Jose Fierro, president/superintendent, Cerritos College.

For information about the College’s 65th anniversary activities, visit www.cerritos.edu/65    


About Cerritos College: Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages 21,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at https://www.cerritos.edu.

-END-