Home Economics...Did you know the first OCC catalog in 1948 offered a two-year program in Homemaking, and the courses were listed as “Home Economics”?
By 1958, the program was still structured the same way, and there were transfer degrees at California State University, Long Beach, under the same major. As a matter of fact, OCC had a building on campus (still standing under a different name) called “Home Economics.” This major was not only focused on “…managing a home efficiently, economically and intelligently…” (from 1948 catalog), but students with this degree could get employment at junior and senior high schools and even at the community college.
When I was hired in 1985, my first office was in the Home Ec building. The building continued with that name until 2011, when all the programs moved into other buildings. I had the pleasure of working with two Home Ec professors, Mina Hutchinson and Pat Mogan, pictured below.
The Homemaking program had a well-rounded curriculum in sewing, textiles, home decorating, cooking, nutrition, childhood training, and economics. You may not have known that several of OCC’s current and very popular occupational programs came out of this program. The first 20 years of OCC were under Homemaking and Home Economics. The first to have individual career-focused certificates was Culinary and Food Service in 1967, then Dietetic Tech and Food and Nutrition in 1970, and in 1973, Clothing and Textiles (Fashion) and “Nursery School Education” (currently Early Childhood Education). Not until 1980 did Interior Design have a clear certificate and discipline called “Interior Space Design and Home Furnishing” apart from Home Economics.
According to Professor Emeritus Christina Amaral of Fashion, “We started as a department teaching students how to sew, make patterns, and learn about textiles (clothing & textiles). Then, with the development of local industry, we evolved! The Orange County fashion industry has evolved over the years to include outstanding retail, which includes the 1967 opening of both South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island, representing all areas from luxury to fast fashion. While attracting local and international customers, these shopping centers are two of the most successful venues in the nation.
The OCC Fashion Department faculty continue to have strong industry relationships that have guided us in curriculum development to meet the needs of the Orange County apparel industry. We’ve also watched the action sportswear industry develop, starting with brands like Hang Ten (1960), Vans (1966), Ocean Pacific, Gotcha, and Quiksilver. Then came other strong brands like Paul Frank Industries, Volcom, Hurley, RVCA, 5.11 tactical, Travis Mathews, and Boot Barn.”