Gavilan College
Gavilan College is a junior college in unincorporated Santa Clara County, California.
Former names | San Benito Junior College (1919–1963) |
---|---|
Type | Junior college |
Established | 1919 |
President | Kathleen A. Rose |
Students | 7,303[1] |
Location | , , United States 36°58′25″N 121°34′08″W |
Campus | Suburban |
Colors | Navy blue, Red, and White |
Nickname | Gavilan Rams |
Affiliations | CCCS |
Website | www |
History
The college was established in 1919 as the San Benito County Junior College. It operated as such until 1963, when a new community college district was drawn that included both San Benito County and southern Santa Clara County. The college moved to its present main campus in 1968.
Campus
The main campus is in Gilroy, California. In 1997, satellite sites were added in Hollister and Morgan Hill to augment offerings on the main campus. In 2008, land was purchased in Coyote Valley and San Benito County for the future development of additional campuses. In 2017, Phase 1 of the Coyote Valley Center was completed, becoming Gavilan's newest instructional site and the home for South Bay Public Safety Training Consortium police and fire academies.
Academics
Gavilan College offers Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, and certificates in a variety of career fields. Gavilan College is also the only community college in northern California offering degree and certificate programs in Aviation Maintenance Technology.
Gilroy Early College Academy
Gavilan College hosts an early college high school, Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy (GECA), ranked as one of the best high schools in California and the United States as a whole.[2][3] Founded in 2007, GECA students are able to complete two years of college in their four years of high school by taking advanced placement and honors classes, as well as Gavilan College courses alongside Gavilan students, and can graduate with up to 60 transferable units.
Student life
Fine and performing arts opportunities include theater, children's theater, gallery art, mural art, ceramics, Folklorico dance, choir, instrumental ensemble, symphony, and vocal ensemble.
Sport
Athletics teams include men's football, baseball, basketball, and soccer, and women's basketball, softball, volleyball and beach volleyball. The Gavilan College mascot are the rams.
Student diversity
- African American: 3%
- Asian American: 7%
- Hispanic: 43%
- International: 0%
- Native American: 1%
- White: 36%
- Unknown: 9%[4]
Notable alumni
Athletes
- Jeff Garcia, former quarterback for the San Francisco 49'ers[5]
- Frank LaCorte, former pitcher for the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros[6]
- Louis A. Mackey, former linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys
- Bob Kampa, former lineman for the Denver Broncos
- Josh Wallwork, former quarterback for the Wyoming Cowboys
Politicians
- Luis Alejo, former California State Assemblyman and Mayor of Watsonville[7]
References
- "California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office - Data Mart". Datamart.cccco.edu. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
- "Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy: Home Page". Geca-gusd-ca.schoolloop.com. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
- "Trustee TJ Owens Dies After Stroke". Gilroydispatch.com. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
- "Explore Gavilan College". Colleges.niche.com. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
- Purdy, Mark (29 November 2016). "Jeff Garcia wants to coach San Jose State football - and would be a good choice for the Spartans". The Mercury News. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
- Powell, Mark (24 March 2011). "Being Frank". Gilroy Dispatch. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
- "Gavilan College alumni shine on election day". Gavilan College. 11 November 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2017.