This year, Sept.13, 2023, marks the 75th anniversary of Orange Coast College's first classes. As we celebrate this diamond anniversary, we look back at and honor the building blocks of who and what we are. Orange Coast College was established on Jan. 27, 1947, with Dr. Basil H. Peterson as the first OCC president.
It began with an operating budget of $264,253- approved by the College's newly authorized District board of trustees.
OCC's first active classes were awarded 243 of the Santa Ana Army Air Base’s original 900 acres from Newport Harbor Union High School's night program.
On Sept. 13, 1948, on-campus classes officially began with 515 students, 728 evening students, and 30 faculty members.
At noon on the anniversary day, OCC will celebrate with a ceremony in front of the Go Coast letters in the Main Quad, with speeches by essential guests and celebratory cupcakes served after the event.