Former names
|
Cisco Junior College (1939–2009) |
---|---|
Type | Community college |
Established | 1939 |
President | Bobby Smith |
Undergraduates | 4,800 |
Location |
Cisco, Texas and Abilene, Texas 32°24′06″N 98°59′08″W / 32.401789°N 98.985691°WCoordinates: 32°24′06″N 98°59′08″W / 32.401789°N 98.985691°W |
Campus | Rural, 92 acres (370,000 m2) |
Colors | Blue and White |
Athletics | Compete in Southwest Conference for football |
Nickname | Wranglers |
Website | www |
Cisco College is a community college in Cisco, Texas located in Eastland County between Fort Worth and Abilene, where Highways 183, 206, and 6 intersect Interstate 20. The main campus is 92 acres (370,000 m2) outside of Cisco, and the Abilene Educational Center is 38 acres (150,000 m2) in Abilene. The college is accredited to award associate degrees by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Education on the "hill" in Cisco began in 1909 when O. C. Britton, prominent early-day educator, gained the support of far-sighted Cisco citizens in opening a private school known as Britton Training Institute. The school operated successfully until military involvement in World War I so depleted the number of students that it was forced to close.
In 1923, the Christian Church of Texas reopened the institution as Randolph College and operated it until 1932 as a four-year church related school. Financial difficulties plagued the college, and from 1932 until 1936 officials tried to keep the school open as a two-year junior college. When this effort ultimately failed, the college again was closed.
Cisco Junior College was actually established in 1940. On May 8, 1939, after months of planning and consultation with state officials, Cisco citizens succeeded in getting enacted into legislation a bill which created the college as a part of the Cisco Independent School District. R. N. Cluck, superintendent of Cisco schools, who had devoted years to the project, became its first president. Randolph College properties were purchased, the college was formally opened in September, 1939, and the first students were admitted in 1940. Such was the success of this venture that in 1956 the college was separated from the public schools and a Board of Regents was elected. Since that time the high quality, low cost, state supported educational programs have enabled the College to satisfy the needs of students from its service area and from across Texas and beyond.