RCC History at a Glance

THEN…

• Despite not having been on New York's original list of counties to receive community college funding, Rockland's leaders were determined to launch the fledgling college.
• The first semester at Rockland Community College began in September 1959.
• Enrollment: 139 day and 162 evening students.
• Classes were held in the former county almshouse (Brucker Hall), and the theater and gym were housed in a barn.
• The campus was on a 26.5-acre farm, with fields that grew cabbages and tomatoes — and included the county jailhouse.
• The first student to enroll in RCC was Sophie Fink Long, a widow with three young children. She had planned on pursuing secretarial studies until her advisor recommended accounting - a life changing decision!
• Library: 244 books
• Faculty: 9

• First graduating class in 1961: 39 (22 men, 17 women)

and NOW…

• Enrollment: 10,000 students in credit and non-credit courses
• Employees: 900
• Yearly visitors to campus: 200,000
• College grounds: 175 acres
• College buildings: two academic buildings, a Cultural Arts Center, Library, two-acre
  Fieldhouse, Technology Center, Student Union and child care center
• Graduates: 34,000 (the majority transfer to outstanding four-year colleges and universities
  to continue their education)

Although much has changed at RCC over the past 50 years, the important things have remained the same: small classes taught by a caring faculty, an enduring commitment to excellence, innovation and opportunity, and a dedication to helping the diverse people of Rockland County achieve their higher education goals.