Ever since opening its main campus on Auburn’s Lea Hill in 1965, Green River College has offered residents a local option to reach their higher education goals.
Fifty years on, the college has grown to include satellite campuses in Kent, Enumclaw and downtown Auburn.
Green River will mark its 50th birthday with various events throughout the school year.
“It’s a huge milestone,” said Allison Friedly, Green River’s executive director of college relations. “We are looking forward to serving the community for the next 50 years.”
The celebration kicks off Thursday, Sept. 10, with the First 50 Breakfast.
The breakfast, which begins at 8 a.m. in the Lindbloom Student Center on the college’s main campus, 12401 SE 320th St. in Auburn, is free, but registration is required. To RSVP, visit GreenRiverCollegeFoundation.org.
Special guests include Mel Lindbloom, the first president of the college, and Ray Needham, the college’s first dean of instruction, who also served as assistant for vocational and adult education.
“We hope to bring together students, faculty and community members from the present and past to celebrate the past 50 years,” Friedly said.
A student kickoff celebration is set for Thursday, Sept. 24.
The community is invited back to the main campus on Saturday, Oct. 3, for the inaugural Rock The Green festival, hosted by the Green River Coalition, to celebrate the region’s natural resources. The free festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features vendor booths, activities, food, games and live music.
Main stage performers include Tim Noah, Dana Lyons, The Kevin Jones Band, Chuck Buser, Howling Rain and The Community Players.
Rock The Green will take the place of Gator Fest, which the college hosted in 2013. For more information, call 253-333-6010 or visit Greenriver.edu/rockthegreen.
An exhibit on the college’s history will be displayed in the Helen Smith Gallery on the main campus in January and February.
The 50th Anniversary Gala, a formal ticket event, is Saturday, April 16, in the new Mel Lindbloom Student Union on the main campus. Information regarding tickets will be available this fall.
The anniversary celebration wraps up with the college’s 50th commencement ceremony on Friday, June 10.
The college will also mark the opening of two new buildings on the main campus during the year. The Trade and Technology building will be dedicated in October and the new Mel Lindbloom Student Union will open this winter.
A website, Greenriver50th.org, dedicated to the 50th anniversary, has been launched to provide up-to-date information on upcoming events, as well as historical information and photos of the college.
Community members are encouraged to share their stories and memories about the college through the website.
“We want to hear about how Green River has impacted your life,” Friedly said.
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