Merced College’s Los Banos Campus to mark 50 years of education with celebration
Merced College’s Los Banos Campus is celebrating a milestone with a 50th anniversary celebration on Nov. 5.
“The Merced College Los Banos Campus 50th year celebration highlights our commitment to serving the community and the thousands of people on the west side of Merced County who have advanced their education and created better lives for themselves,” Merced College President Chris Vitelli said in a campus news release.
The college is commemorating its five decades with free food and entertainment, including carnival games.
Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke and Merced College Trustee John Pedrozo will lead a volunteer barbecue crew serving food, and taco trucks will also be standing by with free tacos.
The celebration will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. in the outdoor quad of the Merced College Los Banos Campus at 22240 West Highway 152. The event is free to Los Banos and Dos Palos residents, as well as the college’s supporters throughout Merced County.
Current and past Los Banos Campus staff and students will be honored during the event, as will emeritus board member Gene Vierra, the release said. Previous deans of the campus and several adjunct instructors will be acknowledged, too.
“The whole west side of Merced County is proud of the Merced College Los Banos Campus for what it has done for our community,” Merced College Trustee Joe Gutierrez, who represents Los Banos, said in the release.
“We hope there will be a big turnout for the celebration so the campus can express its appreciation to the many people who have supported it over the years.”
Merced College’s Los Banos Campus has offered opportunities over the past half-century to many individuals who might not have otherwise been able to attend college, the release said. These graduates have earned degrees and certificates, transferred to universities and found fruitful jobs.
Jessica Moran, a Los Banos Campus dean and native of Los Banos, has seen the it grow over the years and wants to continue that growth, the release said.
“We plan to welcome our community to showcase what we have accomplished over the past five decades,” Moran said in the release. “But we also want to hear what they envision will help us grow over the next five decades.”
Students from the Los Banos Welding Program created a suggestion box for the event. All suggestions will be read and will help shape plans over the next five decades, according to the release.
Merced College is inviting businesses and organizations to help sponsor the celebration. Families and individuals can also contribute. Sponsorship information is available on the Merced College website.
