Alpena Community College (ACC) offers educational programs, technical training, and cultural opportunities to all of Northeast Michigan. Its student population — numbering 2,165 in the official 2003 spring semester — is marked by diverse ages, backgrounds, and goals. Small classes and the opportunity for individual attention enhance the quality instruction delivered at Alpena Community College and benefit both the traditional and non-traditional student.

Founded in 1952

Situated on 700 acres of land bordered by the Thunder Bay River, ACC is located within the city limits of Alpena and is just a short distance from Lake Huron. It was founded in 1952 and was part of the Alpena K-14 system until 1979, when district voters approved separation of the College from the public schools district.

Voters also granted a 1.5 charter mill levy for operations and established the Alpena Community College Board of Trustees to govern the institution. The College district encompasses the same geographic voting district as Alpena Public Schools.

A home of its own

The first Alpena Community College classes began in September 1952 at Alpena High School, then located at 400 S. Second Avenue. The first class of 23 students graduated in June 1954.

The current college campus was established in April 1957 when about 23 acres of land were granted to ACC by philanthropist Jesse H. Besser. An additional 14 acres came from the City of Alpena and the Michigan Department of Conservation. Central Hall (now Van Lare Hall) opened in September 1958.

Accreditation

By 1959, Alpena Community College was accredited by the Michigan Commission on College Accreditation, and it awarded associate in arts, associate in commerce, and associate in science degrees. Full accreditation came in March 1963 from the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504; phone 1.800.621.7440). It has remained continuously accredited, with the latest 10-year reaccreditation granted in 1998.

Expanding the campus

Campus expansion began with construction of Besser Technical Center, a 50,000-square-foot facility that opened in September 1963. Space was added in 1967, and in 1979, the Besser Tech Annex opened to provide an additional 9,600 square feet for technical programs. The Natural Resources Center opened in 1972, and in 1977, the former Alpena Catholic Central High School became Alpena Community College East Campus, home of physical education and art programs.

Nearly 20 years passed before any facilities were added to campus. A series of projects then brought a new look and feel to ACC, beginning with the August 1996 completion of an $8.2 million construction and renovation project on the north side of Johnson Street. Called the Center, it has become "a center of activity" as both the College and community find its multiple spaces are perfect for myriad uses.

In 1997, College Park Apartments opened, providing on-campus student housing in 16 four-bedroom townhouse units. They were privately built and are privately owned and operated.

The latest addition to campus is the World Center for Concrete Technology, also a public/private partnership, which officially opened in August 2000. The concrete technology and Blockmakers Workshop® programs relocated from Besser Technical Center, and expanded workforce development, testing and research services are available to the concrete and concrete products industries.

Change will continue as plans are developed for the best use of the space being vacated and to relocate fine arts courses from the aging East Campus, where renovation is cost prohibitive.

An Oscoda extension center

Through the years, ACC has continued to meet the needs of the district and the entire Northeast Michigan region. In 1969, an extension center was established in partnership with the U.S. Air Force at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Oscoda.

Now known as the Huron Shores Campus, it continues to serve Iosco County residents following the 1993 closure of the air base. In June 1996, the Huron Shores Educational Center opened in the former base headquarters after a $750,000 renovation project. It houses the Huron Shores Campus and offices for other education and employment related service agencies.

The facilities used for ACC instruction and student services include eight classrooms, computer and science labs, a two-way interactive room, administrative and counseling offices and a developmental instruction lab. Library resources for ACC students are available through a partnership with the nearby Robert J. Parks Library.