CC turns 125 next Tuesday

Clarendon College will celebrate its 125th anniversary next Tuesday, and plans are being made to observe the milestone throughout the school year.

The Texas Panhandle’s first college was established as Clarendon College & University Training School and opened its doors on September 5, 1898, under the guidance of the Methodist church conference.

As a Methodist college, CC actually became a four-year institution for a short time before the church conference shifted its support to what is now McMurry University in 1927.
At that time, Clarendon College became a public institution and was managed by Clarendon ISD through the school board before a separate college district was created in the 1960s. CC moved to its present campus in 1968.

Today, Clarendon College offers classes in Pampa, Childress, Amarillo, Shamrock, and Canyon in addition to courses on the home campus. Many students also enjoy the opportunities CC provides through dual credit classes in high schools and through classes online.

CC President Tex Buckhaults said the college will hold a celebration on Saturday, September 9, as the official kick-off to the anniversary observations.

A public meet and greet will be held at the Vera Dial Dickey Library from 2 to 4 p.m. that day. Light refreshments and snacks will be served, and the library will have on display some of the history and artifacts of the college’s past.

The evening of September 9 will feature an invitation-only event at the Bairfield Activity Center for donors, former members of the board of regents, and other dignitaries, Buckhaults said.
On September 27, the college is inviting all former coaches and volleyball players to attend the volleyball game that day.

Former basketball coaches and players will be invited to games on November 14, and former softball and baseball players and coaches will be invited to ballgames on April 27.

Additional plans call for a dinner theatre, and the striking of an commemorative coin for the 125th anniversary. The college rodeo team may also incorporate anniversary observations during its NFR send-off next year.

Buckhaults said the college also plans to raise funds to replace trees on the campus that have been lost over the years.

Graduation festivities in May will cap off the year’s celebrations, the president said.

For more information about these or other events, contact Clarendon College at 806-874-3571.