Lower Columbia College was established in 1934 as Lower Columbia Junior College. Students registered for classes at Korten's Music Store in Longview, Dahlman Hardware in Castle Rock, and the Orr Furniture Store in Kelso. Classes were held at R.A. Long High School. The first class to graduate with an Associate degree was in 1936; the class consisted of seven students. The second class, with ninety-six students, graduated in 1937. As the number of students increased, instruction expanded into the Myklebust building in downtown Longview and the Moose Hall. The Moose Hall continued to house classes until the 1949 Olympia earthquake, when damage caused the building to be condemned. Classes were also held on the first floor of the Longview Public Library. Enrollment was 149 students in 1939, 200 students in 1950, and 300 students in 1954. The student population consisted of both male and female students. In 1948, the college received its first accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. In 1942, twenty-six acres were purchased from the Longview Company to build a campus. In 1950, construction began on Old Main, LCC's first permanent building. The original building had thirteen classrooms and cost a quarter of a million dollars. The Lower Columbia College League, an association of friends of the college, used fundraising to pay for the construction. Lower Columbia Junior College became part of the Longview School District and changed from a junior college to a community college in 1961. LCC joined the state-supported community college system in 1967. Today, the college includes twenty-six buildings on 38.75 acres and enrolls between 4,000 and 5,000 students each quarter.
Foundation
The Lower Columbia College Foundation was formed in 1976 with the help of Phillip and Jeanne Wertheimer.
University partnerships
Students can earn bachelor's and master's degrees through the Lower Columbia Regional University Center located on the Lower Columbia College campus. Partner universities include:
Lower Columbia College offers a selection of degree and certificate programs designed to prepare students for advanced studies or to move directly into the workforce.
Activities and events
The Associated Students of Lower Columbia College, along with faculty and staff at the college, plan student and community events throughout the year. Students participate in events, activities, clubs and organizations both on and off campus. Activities and event dates are posted on the Events Calendar and the Student Activities web page.
