Klamath Community College

College History
On May 21, 1996, the voters of Klamath County overwhelmingly approved formation of Klamath Community College Service District with a 79 percent affirmative vote. In addition, they agreed to establish a $3.5 million tax base to operate the district.

On July 1, 1996, KCC joined Oregon's largest education network. There are now 17 Oregon community colleges, including two service districts. Initially, Klamath Community College contracted with Rogue Community College for educational services. During the first year of operation, the District offered three one-year certificates to students: Business Assistant, Computer Software Specialist and Criminal Justice. At the same time, KCC contracted with Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) to provide general education courses, student health services, and library services. Classes were conducted in facilities rented from Klamath Falls City Schools and Klamath Falls County Schools.

During its first year of operation, Klamath Community College provided services to approximately 3,000 students. In July 1997, KCC contracted with Portland Community College for educational services. The Klamath Community College Board of Education appointed Wesley R. Channell, Ph.D. as the College's first permanent president on August 1, 1997.

In December 1997, the Oregon State Board of Education approved the Charter for Klamath Community College (KCC) and in January 1998, authorized the Klamath Community College Board of Education to award degrees and certificates. In April 1998, the curriculum in KCC's first catalog was approved by the Oregon State Board of Education and Portland Community College. That same month, KCC submitted its Application for Initial Candidacy to the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NASC), now known as the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the accrediting agency for the region, and began its one-year self-study process. On November 10, 1999, Klamath Community College was granted Candidacy for regional accreditation through NASC, now NWCCU. As a Candidate, KCC is authorized through its accrediting agency to provide state-authorized courses and programs.

While KCC was advancing its bid for accreditation, it was also working on finding a permanent home. In September 1999, President Channell announced the purchase of 57 acres, which included two buildings that would become the first permanent home of Klamath Community College. The buildings were redesigned and renovated, and on March 27, 2000, KCC students attended their first day of classes on the new campus. Additional buildings were completed in Fall 2002 to provide eight additional classrooms, computer labs, a new Learning Resources Center, food service and student study areas. In the spring of 2004, the Klamath Community College Board of Education accepted President Channell's retirement and appointed Vice President Fredrick Smith, Ph.D. as president on May 1, 2004. Subsequently, Dr. Smith resigned his position on August 1, 2007. Gerald Hamilton was then appointed as Interim President on September 1, 2007 and then President on February 26, 2008.