Moorpark College is a California state community college with a 150-acre (61Â ha) campus on a hillside in Moorpark, in Ventura County, California. It was established in 1967 with enrollment of 2,500 students, and enrolled 14,254 students in 2014. An Exotic Animal Training and Management center houses over 200 animals on campus.
Moorpark College was ranked number 13 of more than 800 institutions in Wallethub's 2016’s Best & Worst Community Colleges rating. The ranking was based on evaluations of colleges' costs and finances, education outcomes, and career outcomes.
History
The Board of the Ventura County Community College District established Moorpark College in 1967. In addition to the land already owned by the District, Moorpark College expanded into a 134-acre (54Â ha) parcel of land on Moorpark's eastern boundary, donated by a local ranching family, the Strathearns.
In 1965, the citizens of Ventura County passed a bond for 8 million dollars to build the first part of the college. Construction of the administration, science, technology, gymnasium, and Maintenance buildings, and the Library and Campus Center began in 1966.
Moorpark College officially opened on September 11, 1967. The College's first president, Dr. John Collins, welcomed almost 1,400 students and 50 faculty members.
Dr. Robert Lombardi became the College's second president in 1971. Under his direction, enrollment doubled, and the college added emphasis on preparing students to transfer to four-year schools.
Dr. Ray Hearon is the longest-serving president, in office from 1974 to 1989. In 1980, the Moorpark College Foundation was formed to fund construction of an athletic stadium, amphitheater, and observatory. The 6,000 seat stadium, completed in 1985, was named after Paul Griffin Jr., a major benefactor. In 1987, the Charles Temple Observatory, the only public observatory in Ventura County, and Carlsberg Amphitheater were dedicated at the college's 20th anniversary celebration.
The nearby Oxnard College solicited Moorpark's help in establishing a Camarillo Center, located on California State University, Channel Islands's campus.
In 2000, a high school for juniors and seniors opened on the college campus, called The High School at Moorpark College (separate from Moorpark High School, but part of the Moorpark Unified School District). The first class to graduate in 2001 numbered 25.
In 2004 and 2005, various bond projects were completed, such as a parking lot renovation and all-weather track.
For the 2007 transferring cohort of eligible students (2,252), Moorpark College transferred 130 to a 4-year accredited universities in two years, 480 in three years, and 793 and four years.
Bernard Luskin was appointed interim president of Moorpark College in September, 2013. The current president, Luis Pablo Sanchez, was appointed for a term beginning February 3, 2015.
Trivia
- The college operates an Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) Program with an on-site zoo that is open to the public which was founded by William Brisby in 1971.
- Award-winning film director, producer and screenplay writer Gregory Nava first taught cinematography classes at Moorpark College from 1976â€"1978 after graduating from UCLA film school.
Notable alumni
- Jamal Anderson - former NFL running back
- Erica Arana - model, television host, speaker, and former NFL cheerleader
- Chris Beal (attended), CIF State Champion wrestler; professional Mixed Martial Artist for the UFC
- April Bowlby (Did not graduate) - of the CBS television show Two and a Half Men
- Brandon Boyd (Did not graduate) - Incubus
- Colbie Caillat (Did not graduate) - pop singer/songwriter
- Jason Dolley - actor and musician
- Nicole Johnson - Miss California 2010, Michael Phelps's wife
- Alex Hoffman-Ellis - football linebacker
- Gabe Kapler - major league baseball outfielder
- Ken Lutz - American football player
- Matt Mahurin - Illustrator, photographer
- Isaiah Mustafa (2012) - Former Football Player, The Old Spice Man
- Jose Pasillas (Did not graduate) - Incubus
- Julie Scardina (AA Exotic Animal Training and Management) - Sea World Busch Gardens Animal Ambassador
- Dan Winters - photographer
- Elliot Rodger (did not graduate) - perpetrator of the 2014 Isla Vista killings
References
External links
- Moorparkcollege.edu: Official Moorpark College website
- Moorparkcollege.edu: America's Teaching Zoo
