50th Home Events Press Releases Photo Gallery 50 Greatest Moments Alumni Foundation Looking Back, Moving Forward 50 Greatest Moments at SJRCC 1958 St. Johns River Junior College was established as a public institution in 1958 to serve the counties of Clay, Putnam and St. Johns. The college was officially opened for organizational purposes on February 25, 1958. Dr. B. R. Tilley was appointed as the first president. Classes for the 1958-59 school year were conducted in the educational buildings of First Baptist Church of Palatka where 191 students began the fall semester of 1958. A basketball team was formed under the leadership of Coach William "Bill" Tuten. 1959 In its second year of operation, the College moved to its permanent campus of 96 acres and enough room to meet the needs of a rapidly increasing enrollment. At the end of its second year, the college graduated its first class of 22 students. 1961 The first baseball team took to the field now named after Coach John Tindall. 1963 The basketball team moved into what is now known as the William H. Tuten Gymnasium. The team also won its first conference championship that year. 1965 Collier-Blocker Junior College in Palatka moved its classes to the SJRJC Campus after SJRJC absorbed its operations the year before. The Dual Enrollment program is offered to high school juniors and seniors. 1966 Dr. Charles W. LaPradd was inaugurated as the College's second president. The last half of the decade saw a tremendous building program. Handsome architectural designs, functional and attractive renovations of existing buildings, and beautification of the SJRJC Palatka Campus were all begun. The basketball team won its second conference championship. The 1966 team featured three of the four players to ever be named All-Staters. 1968 In compliance with a legislative act, a District Board of Trustees was organized in 1968 as the governing body of the College. The members were: Putnam County: Dudley Sergeant, Frank M. Hancock and Clyde D. Middleton. St. Johns County: Ben Padgett and Allan D. Nease. Clay County: Melba Ilgen and C. L. Geiger, Jr. 1972 Dr. Robert L. McLendon, Jr., vice president and dean of academic affairs, was appointed president. The new administration focused attention on increasing the educational opportunities and expanding services to the community throughout the three counties of the district. 1976 The Florida School of the Arts began full operation as a part of St. Johns River Junior College with a charter class of 51 students. 1977 The official name of the College changed to St. Johns River Community College. SJRCC opened its first branch location in Orange Park. 1981 Florida School of the Arts began an artistic affiliation to produce the official state play “Cross and Sword” in St. Augustine. 1983 SJRCC celebrates its 25th anniversary. 1984 SJRCC students had the highest passing rate on the CLAST exam of all public colleges and universities in Florida. This was the first time the exam was given and passing was required for junior year status. 1985 SJRCC establishes women's the collegiate softball team. 1986 The college opened its second branch location, this time in St. Augustine on the Fullerwood School campus. SJRCC's Palatka Campus began offering Adult Education classes to prepare students for the GED exam. 1989 The Orange Park Campus began operating at its new and permanent facility at 283 College Drive. The Provost was Dr. Albert C. Malone. 1996 St. Augustine faculty, staff and students moved into the new campus located on State Road 16. The Provost was Mr. Bill Reedy. 1999 SJRCC revived its criminal justice program. The college began its apprenticeship programs that included carpentry, electricity, and heating and air. 2000 SJRCC begins its first nursing program on the Palatka Campus. 2001 SJRCC offered its first online class. 2002 SJRCC began its radiologic technology program on the St. Augustine Campus. 2003 SJRCC opened the Higgins-Solomon Criminal Justice Center on the St. Augustine Campus. 2004 The College opened the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts on the Orange Park Campus. The 1,750 seat theater hosts Broadway shows, concerts and traveling art exhibits. It also houses a conference center. 2005 Students begin registering online. Student begin utilizing e-mail. The annual graduation ceremony was moved from the FloArts auditorim on the Palatka Campus to the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts. 2006 SJRCC partners with the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind to bring interpreter services onto St. Augustine Campus. SJRCC graduates its first Educator Preparation Institute class. SJRCC offers students the phlebotomy program. SJRCC offered its first A.S. degree program in architectural design and construction technology. 2007 SJRCC began offering students an A.S. degree in respiratory care program in cooperation with Flagler Hospital on the St. Augustine Campus. SJRCC's three campuses go wireless, offering Internet connection in student centers, libraries and courtyards. Athletic director and head softball coach Toni Willis is appointed to chair the Mid-Florida Conference – the first woman within the Mid-Florida Conference to hold this position. The educational reform program Tech Prep returns to SJRCC. 2008 SJRCC opened the $12-million Health-Sciences Building for classes on the Orange Park Campus. The building accommodates the College's nursing, health information management and related allied health programs along with science labs for physics, chemistry, microbiology, biology, and anatomy and physiology. The athletic department undergoes facility improvements including a new weight room, lighting for the baseball field and restrooms for the baseball and softball fields. SJRCC launches a Web-based portal for student registration, records and e-mail access. The College celebrates its 50th anniversary. Dr. Robert L. McLendon SJRCC President President's Letter Photo Gallery Contact Us ST. JOHNS RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE Palatka - St. Augustine - Orange Park - Ponte Vedra Beach 5001 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, Florida 32177 (386) 312-4200 An Equal Opportunity College. St. Johns River Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4501 for questions about the accreditation of St. Johns River Community College.