Frederick Community College is celebrating its 60^th anniversary this fall and will mark the occasion at the FCC Fest on Saturday, October 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner commemorated the milestone by offering a proclamation on October 3 to officially recognize the 60^th anniversary.

FCC started in September 1957 and originally held classes in the evening at Frederick High School. There were 77 students enrolled in the first year, compared to the nearly 16,000 students who enrolled at FCC last year. When the College first opened, four programs were available to students – arts and sciences, accounting and business, engineering science, and teacher education. FCC now offers more than 85 degree and certificate programs.
 
FCC has grown in many other ways, including in these areas:
 
Library: FCC used to share library books with Frederick High School and relied heavily on the generosity of donors to supplement the small collection. Today, the Bess and Frank Gladhill Learning Commons, which opened in 2016, provides students with access to thousands of books, additional online research materials, free one-on-one tutoring help in any subject, a variety of study rooms, and a Digital Makerspace.
 
Athletics: The College athletics program started with the creation of the men’s basketball team in 1958. It took the team six years – and a last second basket in double overtime – to notch its first victory. FCC male and female student athletes now compete in many different sports and have provided FCC with regional and state team championships.
 
The Foundation: The first meeting of the FCC Foundation was held in 1981, and the office that provides students with scholarships has grown ever since. Just last year, the Foundation provided more than $600,000 in scholarships to 740 students, as well as nearly $60,000 in Student Success Awards for 107 students. 
 
FCC Economic Impact: A study done in 1973 by then Economics Instructor Ronald A. Wood found that FCC generated $2.5 million for the community as part of the re-spending cycle. FCC created 300 jobs that year. A similar study done of Fiscal Year 2015-2016 found that FCC contributed $348 million to our county economy. Last year, FCC employed more than 1,400 people. 
 
Over the past six decades, more than 210,000 students have enrolled at FCC for post-secondary education.
 
FCC thanks the entire community for its support throughout the last 60 years and invites all community members to celebrate this milestone at the FCC Fest on October 7.
 
The free event, held on the FCC main campus, will feature:
 

• A free lunch prepared by students in the Hospitality, Culinary, and Tourism Institute (HCTI)
• Live music by the Original Moonlighters, a popular group based in Washington, D.C.
• Activities for children and people of all ages including a climbing wall, old-fashioned games and toys, a selfie station, face painting, and more
• A car cruise-in for historic or unique vehicles
• Alumni and informational booths
• Campus tours

FCC Fest is planned to be an outdoor event, but activities will be moved into the Athletics Center in the event of inclement weather.
 
For more information about the FCC Fest, click here or contact Mike Pritchard by email or 301.846.2417.
 
Photo information: Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner presents FCC President Elizabeth Burmaster, joined by FCC administrators and staff and Janice Spiegel (Education Liaison/Office of the County Executive), with a proclamation on October 3 to recognize the 60^th anniversary of FCC.