According to the 1936 Galapagon yearbook, Clark College opened on October 1, 1933.  Classes began on Monday, October 2 in the Hidden House in downtown Vancouver at what was then called Vancouver Junior College.  They were among the first steps in the college's history.

Clark College history includes 11 men and women who have served as dean or president since the earliest days of the college.

Since the earliest days of the college, students, faculty and staff have embraced their beloved penguin mascot, Oswald.  In 2007, Clark President Bob Knight declared Clark College to be "The Penguin Nation."

Clark's 75th anniversary celebration

On October 1, 2008, the college will launch a yearlong celebration marking the college's 75th anniversary. 

The theme of the diamond jubilee is:  "Preserve the past.  Honor the present.  Embrace the future."

Clark's 75th anniversary:  Our honorary steering committee

An impressive list of regional and state dignitaries are serving on the honorary steering committee for the college's diamond jubilee.  

Robert K. Knight	President, Clark College
Rhona Sen Hoss	Chair, Clark College Board of Trustees
Tony Bacon	Editor, The Daily Insider
Brian Baird	Congressman, 3rd Congressional District
Twyla Barnes	Superintendent, ESD #112
Al Bauer	State Senator (retired), 12th Legislative District
Mitch Bower	past member, Clark College Board of Trustees
Scott Campbell	President & Publisher, The Columbian; member, Clark College Foundation Board
Roger Daniels	past Director of Student Programs, Athletics and Recruitment, Clark College
Bruce Davidson	Vice Chair, Clark College Foundation Board
John Deeder	Superintendent, Evergreen School District
Dr. Lynn Degerstedt	past Director, Southwest Washington Joint Center for Education
Dr. Hal Dengerink	Chancellor, Washington State University Vancouver
Robert Dingethal	Regional Director, office of Senator Maria Cantwell
Ellis F. Dunn	past Interim President, Clark College
Charles Earl	Executive Director, Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
John Erickson	Superintendent, Vancouver School District
Bill Fromhold	State Representative, 49th Legislative District
Leann Johnson	Director for Equity & Diversity, Clark College
Val Joshua	President Emeritus, Vancouver Chapter, N.A.A.C.P.
Scott Keeney	President & CEO, nLight Photonics
Kathy Kniep	Executive Director, YWCA Clark County
Tom Koenninger	Editor Emeritus, The Columbian; chair, Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
Joseph F. Kortum	President & CEO, Southwest Washington Medical Center
Mindi Linquist	District Representative, office of Senator Maria Cantwell
Ed Lynch	Chairman, Identity Clark County
John Marshall	member, Clark College Alumni Association Board
John McDonagh	Publisher, Vancouver Business Journal
Patrick Mehigan	President, Associated Students of Clark College
Roger Michaelis	President & CEO, iQ Credit Union
Betty  Sue Morris	Clark County Commissioner
Bob Moser	past Director of Public Relations, Alumni Affairs, Student Programs and College Advancement, Clark College
Dan Ogden	Faculty Emeritus, WSU Pullman
Val Ogden	State Representative (retired), 49th Legislative District
Jan Oliva	Chair, Clark College Foundation Board
Bart Phillips	President, Columbia River Economic Development Council
Royce Pollard	Mayor, City of Vancouver
Craig Pridemore	State Senator, 49th Legislative District
Beth Quartarolo	President & CEO, Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Antonio Scarpelli	Faculty Emeritus and member, Clark College Foundation Board
Sally Schaefer	past member, Clark College Board of Trustees
Pat Sheaffer,	past CEO, Riverview Community Bank
Claude "Skeet" O'Connell	Faculty Emeritus and member, Penguin Athletic Club Board
Elson Strahan	President & CEO, Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust
Gaydena Thompson	Faculty Emeritus and member, Penguin Athletic Club board
Deb Wallace	State Representative, 17th Legislative District
Ralph Willson	Principal architect, LSW Architects

Clark's 75th anniversary celebration:  Our planning committee

A vibrant group of students, faculty and staff members are serving on the college's 75th anniversary planning committee.

Nancy Abel	Production Printing
Kathy Chatfield	eLearning
Narek Daniyelyan	Student Ambassador
Nancy Johnson	Business Technology
May Jolly	Clark College Bookstore
Jennifer Lea	Business Programs
John Marshall	Clark College Alumni Association Board
Barbara Miller	Office of Instruction
Cindi Olson	Student Affairs
Tracy Reilly-Kelly	Continuing Education
Patti Serrano	Business Administration
Ara Serjoie	Clark College Foundation
Linda Tuve	Accounting Services
Vanessa Watkins	Admissions
Carrie Weikel-Delaplane	Student Life & Multicultural Student Affairs

Community Events Manager Michelle Golder and Executive Director of Communications and Marketing Barbara Kerr serve as consultants to the planning committee.

In the weeks and months to come, more information about the college's history and plans for its diamond jubilee will be unveiled on the Clark College Web site, in college publications and through regional media outlets.