Weatherford College (WC; officially Weatherford College of the Parker County Junior College District) is a community college located in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas, with branch campuses in nearby Wise County, Granbury and Mineral Wells.
History
WC's roots are in the Phoenix Masonic Lodge No. 273, which laid the cornerstone for the school on July 5, 1869 at the corner of South Main and Lee Streets in Weatherford. After years of construction starts and delays, the first graduating class of six students received their diplomas on June 15, 1875. It is the oldest continuing community college in the southwest.
The original campus, known as Old Main, was a brick structure 50x75 feet and two stories high. At an estimated cost of $12,000 it was named the Weatherford Masonic Institute and served as both a school and Masonic Lodge. The Phoenix Lodge faced financial problems for the next 20 years, and on May 23, 1885 the Phoenix Lodge sold the Masonic Institute to Mr. M. C. Brown who leased the building to the Methodist Church. The Trustees changed the name to Cleveland College in hopes that it might influence President Cleveland to provide some financial support. It was noted that his support consisted of only 1,000 bound copies of the Congressional Record. No monetary contribution was ever made to the college.
Previously, at its annual meeting in 1873, the Weatherford District Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South had passed a resolution authorizing the formation of a high school for Granbury and the authority to erect a three-story stone building to house the school. This school, too, was faced with financial difficulties, and in order to increase revenue, junior college courses were added, and Granbury College was born September 1881. Dr. David S. Switzer was elected president. The only Methodist Junior College in west Texas and very popular with the people of Granbury, the college grew in the next five years. However, in January 1887, the people’s optimism waned when the main building and all its contents were destroyed by fire.
Granbury College immediately initiated a rebuilding program, but because of severe drought, the money was not available. With no funds for rebuilding or to retire the mortgage, Dr. Switzer recommended that the College look for a new “home.â€
One of the interested citizens of Granbury reported a friend of his had called and told him the College property in Weatherford was for sale. Mr. Brown had been unable to make payments on his note for Cleveland College, and the college had reverted to the Phoenix Lodge. This citizen committed to use his influence to move Granbury College to Weatherford “if the citizens of Granbury would purchase the property and furnish a certain amount of money sufficient to repair the present building for school purposes.â€
Within four days, the citizens of Granbury complied with his request, and the Weatherford District Conference of the Methodist Church purchased the property, immediately changing the name from Cleveland College to Weatherford College â€" thus ended the existence of Granbury College and its 16-year history. However, it was renewed under the name of Weatherford College to carry on the same type of work, which had characterized Granbury College. The history of Granbury College and Weatherford College is forever linked, because the Granbury institution’s president and faculty became Weatherford College’s first president and faculty.
Weatherford College existed as a Methodist college from 1889 until 1901 when it became a training school. It was officially called the Weatherford College Training School for Boys, and later, upon the admission of girls, was changed to Weatherford College Training School. In 1921, Weatherford College was reorganized and became a junior college, offering college transfer courses once again. It was still under the direction of the Methodist Church.
By December 1943 enrollment had dropped due to World War II forcing the college to accept a merger proposal submitted by Southwestern University of Georgetown, Texas, who changed the name once again to Weatherford College of Southwestern University. This relationship continued until June 1949 when Weatherford College was released to Parker County. The State Board of Education approved the creation of a junior college district on July 11, 1949. This action allowed the College to receive financial assistance from the State of Texas.
Facing continued growth, and landlocked in its existing location, WC purchased 90 acres (36 ha) in southeastern Weatherford and built a new facility which opened in the fall of 1968. Weatherford College currently has Education Centers in Mineral Wells and Granbury and a Wise County campus which opened in the fall of 2012. In 2008, the WC Board of Trustees purchased 30 acres in Aledo for a future branch campus in eastern Parker County. WC now officially serves the citizens of Parker, Palo Pinto, Hood, Jack and Wise counties.
Weatherford College provides programs that parallel the first two years of baccalaureate education, prepares students for vocational and professional degrees and provides valuable lifelong learning opportunities. Through its academic transfer and technical and career programs, Weatherford College has developed a national reputation for its academic standard and outstanding career programs. The instructors at Weatherford College include 129 full-time and about 143 adjunct faculty; 65 percent of the FTE is taught by full-time masters and doctorate holders. As the campus has continued to grow, so too has the student enrollment. The 2013 fall enrollment reached an all-time high at just over 5,700, made up of students from all over Texas, 32 other states and 23 foreign countries.
Through partnerships with institutions such as the University of Texas at Arlington and Tarleton State University, to name a few, WC students may also pursue bachelor, master and doctorate degrees. The College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and many other program-specific accrediting authorities.
Campuses
Weatherford College - Main Campus
The main campus occupies 109 acres (44Â ha) in southeastern Weatherford, Texas. Campus Location: 225 College Park Drive, Weatherford, TX 76086
WC Education Center at Mineral Wells
The Education Center at Mineral Wells is located on the site of the former Fort Wolters military base. WC’s Cosmetology, Truck driving, Occupational therapy assistant and Physical therapist Assistant Programs are headquartered at the ECMW. Campus Location: 704 Hood Rd, Mineral Wells, TX 76067
Weatherford College Wise County
In response to the needs and desire of the citizens of Wise County, who wanted a more permanent higher education institution, Weatherford College Wise County, located between Bridgeport and Decatur, about 45 miles from Weatherford, was built in partnership with Wise County and opened in 2012. Formerly located in a vacated Decatur Walmart, the education center has become a full-fledged campus, offering the traditional core academic transfer courses, as well as a wide variety of electives, workforce-ready and vocational training. The building was designed by VLK Architects of Fort Worth. Campus Location: 5180 Hwy 380, Bridgeport, TX 76426
WC Education Center at Granbury
In the fall of 2011, WC opened the Education Center at Granbury. Housed in a former Granbury ISD facility, the center offers a complement of credit and workforce/continuing education courses and programs. It has a learning resources laboratory, library collections, smart classroom technology and academic/career assessments. Campus Location: 210 N. Jones St., Granbury, TX 76048
Organization and administration
As defined by the Texas Legislature, the official service area of WC includes all of Jack, Palo Pinto, Parker, Hood and Wise Counties.
WC Board of Trustees
Ultimate responsibility for governance of the College is vested by state statute in a district board of trustees with seven members. Executive responsibility for administering policies of the board is delegated to the president of the college, who is assisted by the administrative officers.
Current members of the WC Board of Trustees are: Frank Martin - Chair, Joel Watson - Vice Chair, Dr. Luke Haynes - Secretary/Treasurer, Dr. Trev Dixon, Mac Smith, Elaine Carter and Judy Ray McAnally.
WC Foundation Board of Directors
The Weatherford College Foundation, founded in 1978, is made up of 23 Board members. The purpose of the Foundation is to support academic, community service, educational scholarship, capital improvement and other College-related projects and activities. As the fundraising entity of the College, the Foundation exists to generate and receive gifts and donations in support of college programs.
After a successful Capital Campaign in 2013, the WC Foundation holds in its coffers more than $7 million.
Current Board of Directors: Bob Glenn - President, Nancy Stuart - Vice President, Jacy Guynes - Secretary, Mark Riebe - Treasurer, Hon. Don Chrestman, Vickie Durant, Dr. Kevin Eaton, Dan Feely, Lisa Flowers, Charlie Gilchrist, Brent Gough, Dr. Rickey Harman, Justin Hooper, Rev. Curtis Jefferson, Rep. Phil King, Ed Kramer, Dr. Sumant Kumar, Lonna Leach, Frank Martin, David Orcutt, Tom Pritchard, and Mike Scott.
Members Emeritus: Dorothy Doss, Dr. Richard McIntosh, Brent Baker - Executive Director, Evelyn Payne - Executive Assistant.
Academic profile
Weatherford has programs in Agriculture, Behavioral Science, Health, Public Safety and Education.
Degrees are designed to transfer to four-year universities and consist of the transfer core as set forth by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) for a particular major or field of study. Additional hours required to satisfy the minimum degree requirement consist of degree-specific electives.
Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees are offered in: Accounting, Agriculture, Architecture, Art, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Communication/Intermedia Arts, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Drama, Engineering, Kinesiology, Liberal Arts, Mathematics, Marketing, Music, Physics, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Studies, Sociology and Teacher Education.
Associate of Applied Science degrees are offered in: Accounting, Associate Degree Nursing, Business Administration, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Equine Production and Management,Fire Science Technology, Histotechnology (Tarleton State University Partnership), Human Service Provider, Information Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology (Tarleton State University Partnership), Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology and Respiratory Care.
A certificate of completion is awarded to any student who completes a prescribed program of study in: Accounting, Basic Firefighter, Business Administration, Child Care Provider/Assistant, Cosmetology, Database Programming, Emergency Medical Technician - Basic, Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic, Equine Production and Management, Gaming Design and Programming, Information Systems, Network Systems, Substance Abuse Counseling, Veterinary Assisting, Vocational Nursing and Web Development.
Agriculture
Weatherford College offers three agriculture programs: an Associate of Science two-year transfer degree, a two-year Equine Production and Management A.A.S. degree and a one-year certificate of completion in Equine Production and Management.
Education and child care
Weatherford College offers several options for individuals wishing to care for or educate children.
The Child Care Provider/Assistant Certificate prepares students to work in a child care center, own a child care center, manage a child care center in a corporate environment, teach in a preschool setting, direct an afterschool program, etc.
An Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (A.A.T.) provides the introductory preparation for students wishing to become certified teachers in Texas. Following the completion of this degree, students may apply to the Tarleton Teacher Education program and enroll in courses offered on the WC campus or transfer to another university to complete their bachelor's degree and certification requirements.
Alternative Teacher Certification is available to individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and meet other admissions criteria.
Fine Arts
The Marjorie Black Alkek Fine Arts Center, built in 1998, has hosted national recording acts in addition to hundreds of community and college fine arts events. A beautiful, 500-plus seat theatre features an unusual thrust stage where the entire audience is in close proximity to the performers. An elegant banquet/entrance area called Texas Hall greets visitors, as well as hosting special events, such as art exhibits and community receptions. Sound proofed music practice rooms, a band hall, visual arts studios/ classrooms, a Macintosh equipped Intermedia Arts laboratory, and standard classrooms add to the Alkek Fine Arts Center’s amenities.
Courses are offered in drama, intermedia arts, music, speech and visual arts.
Health Science
WC offers a wide array of career opportunities in the health care industry, including associated degree nursing, vocational nursing, phlebotomy, medical assisting, certified nurse’s aide, dental assistant, occupational therapy assistant, diagnostic medical sonography, physical therapist assistant, radiological technology and respiratory care. All healthcare programs offered are accredited with both the state and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The Health Science department also offers the Human Service Provider associate degree which prepares students for careers in the fields of social work, human services and substance abuse. Specific objectives of this program are to introduce the student to the sociological, psychological and social work perspectives of mental health, drug and alcohol issues, interviewing and assessing techniques, case management, counseling techniques and group dynamics. Practicums and internships are offered to allow studentd to experience the actual field of human service provider and substance abuse counseling. Students completing this program will have met the requirements for state licensure examination as a licensed chemical dependency counselor. A final internship will be used to verify workplace competencies (Capstone). Students successfully completing the program would be awarded the Associate of Applied Science degree in Human Service Provider Associate.
Public Safety
Weatherford College offers the following public safety academies: Emergency Medical Services Professions, Fire Science, Fire Technology and Law Enforcement.
Student life
Athletics
Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Rodeo
Clubs and Organizations
Agriculture Club, Art Club, Anime Club, Baptist Student Ministry, Black Awareness Student Organization, Caring and Responsible Educators, Coalition of Student Human Service Providers, College Choir, College Students for an Accessible World, Criminal Justice, Drama Club, Hispanos Unidos Organization, Intermedia Arts Organization, International Student Organization, Jazz Band, Phi Theta Kappa, Psychology Club, Radiological Technology, Respiratory Care Club, Sonography Club, Student Government Association, Student Nurses Association, Student Occupational Therapy Association, Veterans Organization, Weatherford College Young Democrats, Weatherford College Republicans, Wesley Foundation.
Student housing
In the fall of 2003, Weatherford College opened a new on-campus student community known Coyote Village. A unique alternative to traditional dormitory living, the facility features apartment-style two- and four-bedroom suites for 280 students.
Notable people
Maria Cantu, Noted Nurse and Professional.
- Jake Arrieta, professional baseball player
- Harvey Catchings, former professional basketball player
- German Duran, professional baseball infielder
- Joe Bertram Frantz, American historian
- Stedman Graham, American educator, author, businessman, speaker, partner of media mogul Oprah Winfrey
- Aubrey Huff, professional baseball player
- Casey James, country music artist, third place finalist on American Idol Season 9
- 1LT Jack L. Knight, Medal of Honor Recipient, World War 2
- Jerod Turner, professional golfer
- Jim Wright, former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
- Justin Rackley, YouTube fishing channel "LakeForkGuy"
References
External links
- Weatherford College
