On January 28, 2020 ³Ô¹ÏȺÖÚ officially kicked off the Centennial Anniversary with a ceremony in John Paul Theatre. Dr. Christina Marin, Theatre Director and Centennial Tri-Chair, emceed the celebratory event. ³Ô¹ÏȺÖÚ president, Dr. Larry Johnson, welcomed more than 200 faculty, alumni, staff, and students who came together to kick-off the 100-year anniversary of the college. Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board President Marie Sullivan, a ³Ô¹ÏȺÖÚ alumna, and member Dr. Tom Nerini joined the celebration.
In 1995, then ³Ô¹ÏȺÖÚ president Dr. Marie Pepicello sealed a time capsule commemorating the College’s 75 th -anniversary, announcing that the time capsule should be opened in January 2020. Attendees to the Centennial kick-off enjoyed viewing contents of the 75 th Anniversary time capsule.
A highlight of the event was induction of the Class of 1970 into the ³Ô¹ÏȺÖÚ Half Century Club. ³Ô¹ÏȺÖÚ alumni are inducted into the club at their 50-year reunion. 1970 is especially significant as it was also the 50-year anniversary of ³Ô¹ÏȺÖÚ’s founding. Marty Manning ’70, retired KEZ iHeartmedia radio personality, entertained the audience with memories of his time at ³Ô¹ÏȺÖÚ.
Don Richardson, long-time faculty member at ³Ô¹ÏȺÖÚ, also spoke about how the college has changed in the 49 years that he has been employed at the college.
The morning celebration ended with unveiling of the ³Ô¹ÏȺÖÚ Centennial Time Capsule. Ty Welborn, History faculty member, and Development Director, Deb Spotts, educated the audience on how to submit memories and mementos for the Centennial time capsule. Memory card submissions to the time capsule will be accepted until May 2021, when the capsule will be sealed. If you would like an official memory card, please contact alumni@phoenixcollege.edu for more information.
Celebrate ³Ô¹ÏȺÖÚ’s 100 years with us! Learn more at phoenixcollege.edu/100.
See Fox New’s video on the Celebration -