Suffolk County Community College - A History - by Ryan Hayes, RTV Student

Summary

Kevin McCoy, a librarian at Suffolk Community College, provides historical context about the college's founding and early development. He discusses how it started in 1959 with night classes at a local high school before getting its own campus in 1960 at a former TB sanitarium site. The first building was a gym, followed by more academic buildings in the 60s. He also talks about the Ammerman campus which opened in 1974 on former state hospital grounds, and the role community colleges play in providing local affordable education.

Takeaways

• Suffolk Community College was founded in 1959 with night classes at a local high school.
• The original campus in 1960 was a former TB sanitarium site.
• The first building constructed was a gym in 1963.
• New academic buildings were added through the 1960s.
• The Ammerman campus opened in 1974 on former state hospital grounds.
• Community colleges provide local affordable education options.

Q & A

Where were the first classes held for Suffolk Community College?

The first classes in 1959 were held at a local high school after normal school hours.

What was the original campus site previously used for?

The original campus opened in 1960 was previously a TB sanitarium.

Why was a gym built first on the new campus?

The college president believed you can have classes anywhere but you can only have a gym in a gym building.

When did the Ammerman campus open and what was it previously?

The Ammerman campus opened in 1974 on grounds formerly occupied by a state hospital.

What role do community colleges serve?

Community colleges provide local affordable education options, especially for students who can't go away to school.