JCCC Billington Library

JCCC Archives presents the Sleuthing Series, where every Tuesday, we bring you an image from our past and ask you to help us find out more!

What We Know

• The first “picnic” (of which we can find record) was held, off-campus, on August 21, 1972.  The next was September 21, 1973, in the same location.  Both were advertised as an “all college get acquainted picnic.”  Attendees were asked to bring their “whole family” and food was served.
• According to newsletters, JCCC was designated the fourth largest community college in the state prior to the opening of classes in 1969.  By the same time in 1970, JCCC was designated as the largest community college in the state.   This brings us to the first question about “what we don’t know.”  (see below)
• The next record of a picnic we find is “JCCC’s Annual Super Staff Picnic,” held Friday, August 22, 1980 in the College Commons Area.  Replies were to be sent to Betty Rush (administrative secretary), 113 GEB (President’s Office).  “Family and guests are welcome.”  As with the 1972 and 1973 picnics,  no photos have been identified.
• There was an “old-fashioned” “All-Staff Picnic,” on Wednesday, August 17, 1983.  This announcement included a reply card to be sent to Staff Development.  Staff were allowed to bring unlimited family members.  Single staff could bring one guest.  The exact location was not mentioned in this announcement.
• The next recorded Staff Picnic was on Friday, September 11, 1992, and the next was Friday, September 9, 1994.  After this, we have announcements of Staff Picnics every year, on a Friday evening, usually capping off orientation week.
• ADDENDUM – We discovered some interesting slides from the first picnics!  They have been added as the first seven images below.

What We Don’t Know

• Were these always strictly for faculty and staff, or were students (even the community) also welcome to attend?  After all, this was already the largest community college in the state?
• According to Charles Bishop, the Office of Staff Development was not organized until 1983.  Who actually organized the first picnics?
• Do you have any announcements or photos for picnics in the 1970s and 1980s (other than those mentioned here)?  If Archives doesn’t have them, it is because no one thought to donate them?
• What is the most humerous or enjoyable picnic event you remember?
• Did you meet anyone for the first time at one of these picnics and still know them as a friend or colleague today?
• Do you have a picnic memory you want to share?

If You Know More…

Contact  librarians: Anita Gordon Gilmore (agordong@jccc.edu, ext. 4369) or John Russell (jrussell@jccc.edu, ext. 3284).  You may also comment below!

For More Information…

JCCC Archives presents the Sleuthing Series, where every Tuesday, we bring you an image from our past and ask you to help us find out more!

What We Know

• “At national adult education meetings, community services was defined as whatever your community and your college need to do in community education.  Continuing education was separate at the college – Dane Lonborg started that while we were in Merriam.  Community services was considered community outreach for special needs; continuing education was teaching people skills and general information.” — Virginia Krebs from Visionary Voices, 1994.
• “We started doing cultural things, as programs and space were available.  We began community forums ….  People would call me with program ideas.” — Virginia Krebs from Visionary Voices, 1994.
• Basically, a thread runs through the college that is characterized both by growth and a very defined sense of purpose: to serve as many people as we can in this community and provide very high-quality education on a lifelong basis.  This community college has made tangible the concept of lifelong learning.  It is never too late to get involved.” — Fred Krebs from Visionary Voices, 1994.

What We Don’t Know

• We need as much information as you can supply regarding the following images, which may or may not be community or continuing education.
• Did you have any favorite topics we missed?

If You Know More…

Contact  librarians: Anita Gordon Gilmore (agordong@jccc.edu, ext. 4369) or John Russell (jrussell@jccc.edu, ext. 3284).  You may also comment below!

For More Information…

 

JCCC Archives presents the Sleuthing Series, where every Tuesday, we bring you an image from our past and ask you to help us find out more!

What We Know

This picture is from 1980. In the background is the intersection of 111th Street and Quivira Road. That large building is still there, but the home (far right, in trees) is gone. If you enlarge the image, you can see trailers between them, likely indicating construction.

What We Don’t Know

• When did 111th become College Blvd?
  (We know, but do you?)
• Were the kites for a class project?
• What did the construction mentioned above become?
• What month is this?

If You Know More…

• Contact  librarians: Anita Gordon Gilmore (agordong@jccc.edu, ext. 4369) or John Russell (jrussell@jccc.edu, ext. 3284).  You may also comment below!

Related Information

• Complete image set from this event.

JCCC Archives presents the Sleuthing Series, where every Tuesday, we bring you an image from our past and ask you to help us find out more!

What We Know

• In his history of JCCC, The Community’s College, Charles Bishop states, “Between 1978 and 1983, the [Sword and Shield] club and Student Activities co-sponsored Fool-Con, a national convention of sci-fi enthusiasts that drew over 1,325 people to JCCC in 1982.”  He also noted that Sword and Shield Club was “a science fiction and fantasy society sponsored by then Student Activities Director Jonathan Bacon.”
• A 1979 announcement reads: “Join us on April Fool’s weekend just outside Kansas City in a Galaxy Far, Far Away …. Comics, science fiction, fantasy related items, films, nostalgia and fun!”
• Fool-Con III (1980) and later were billed as  “Home of the Balrog Award.”    Official rules for the award and revisions are accessible in the College Archives.  The April 11, 1980 issue of the Campus Ledger notes that the 381 Balrog ballots recieved for that year represented 40 states and the District of Columbia, as well as Italy, Canada, Japan, Korea, Belgium and the United Kingdom.
• Fool-Con VI in 1983 was the last held.

What We Don’t Know

• The first Fool Con was supposed to have taken place in the spring of 1978, but we are still looking for proof.  Do you remember the exact dates?  The College Ledger did not begin publishing on campus until the fall of that year.
• Did you save a poster?
• Do you have any pictures?

If You Know More…

Contact  librarians: Anita Gordon Gilmore (agordong@jccc.edu, ext. 4369) or John Russell (jrussell@jccc.edu, ext. 3284).  You may also comment below!

For More Information…

 

JCCC Archives presents the Sleuthing Series, where every Tuesday, we bring you an image from our past and ask you to help us find out more!

What We Know

• The first fliers for youth summer sports clinics in our Archives files are from 1974, but the photos tell a different story.
• Youth summer enrichment programs are in the non-credit listings as early as 1970, however, these programs were through Johnson County Libraries.
• By 1974 youth sports clinics were securely under Community Education, later Continuing Education.
• The first youth enrichment program fliers in our Archives files appeared in 1986.

What We Don’t Know

• We are unable to pinpoint exact dates in the development of these programs.

If You Know More…

Contact  librarians: Anita Gordon Gilmore (agordong@jccc.edu, ext. 4369) or John Russell (jrussell@jccc.edu, ext. 3284).  You may also comment below!

For More Information…

JCCC Archives presents the Sleuthing Series, where every Tuesday, we bring you an image from our past and ask you to help us find out more!

What We Know

• Athletics records show the first JCCC Baseball team was organized in the 1972-1973 academic year with R.T. “Sonny” Maynard as head coach and Sherman Jones as assistant coach.  The season ended with a 16-6 win-loss record.
• All-Region honors went to Mark Balderson and Bob Downs in 1973, that first year.  The following year, these men won both All-District and All-American honors.
• Some former Kansans turned professional.  In 1977, Gary Pickert went with the San Diego Padres.  In 1978, Allan Wilkinson went with the New York Mets; Lee Ice went with the KC Royals and Kirk Aadland went with the Chicago Cubs.  In 1980, Jesse Vann went with the New York Mets.  In 1981, Mike Sims went with the Philadelphia Phillies and Antonio Triplett went with the Texas Rangers.  In 1982, Octavio “Tabby” Rojas went with the Oakland “As.”
• In 1984 the school mascot became the Cavaliers.
• “JCCC’s field has even graced the cover of Sports Illustrated – The July 6, 1992 issue featuring former Major League umpire Steve Palermo.”  1997-98  Media Guide, JCCC.
• Cavaliers Baseball thrives today: https://www.jcccathletics.com/sports/bsb/index

What We Don’t Know

What are your favorite memories of JCCC Kansans or Cavaliers

If You Know More…

Contact  librarians: Anita Gordon Gilmore (agordong@jccc.edu, ext. 4369) or John Russell (jrussell@jccc.edu, ext. 3284).  You may also comment below!

For More Information…

 

JCCC Archives presents the Sleuthing Series, where every Tuesday, we bring you an image from our past and ask you to help us find out more!

What We Know

• The first Course Catalog was printed early in 1969.  It contained only Programs and Course Descriptions.  One program was Health Professions: “Objective: To provide the student with the basic liberal arts instruction and the necessary clinical experience required of a student to sit for licensing or certifying examinations in those allied health programs indicated.”  The listing included: Cytotechnology, Medical Records Technician, Dental Assisting, Medical Secretary, Emergency Medical Technician, Radiologic Technology, Inhalation Therapy.
• By the time the 71-72 catalog came out in the spring of 1971, the same information appeared under “Health Occupations.”  However, a separate Nursing program was described.  “The successful graduate will be eligible to take the state licensing examinations for registration (R.N.)”
• The 1972-73 catalog listed, not only a Nursing program, but separate programs for Dental Assistant, Dental Hygiene, and Inhalation Therapy.
• Mary Lou Taylor, was listed in the 1970-71 staff directory as Coordinator of Nursing Education, and the following year as Coordinator of Natural Sciences.  In the following directories, she is listed as Coordinator of Nursing until 1984, when she was named Dean of Instruction.  From 1991-1994 she was a member of the Board of Trustees.
• From Mary Lou Taylor in Visionary Voices: An Oral History of Johnson County Community College, the Early Years. JCCC, c1994:
  “I remember telling my students that I can’t think of anything more exciting than starting from the beginning and developing something new and different.  I liked the idea of being involved in an institution in which there were not so many dyed-in-the-wool traditions that you couldn’t do something exciting and creative.”

What We Don’t Know

If You Know More…

Contact  librarians: Anita Gordon Gilmore (agordong@jccc.edu, ext. 4369) or John Russell (jrussell@jccc.edu, ext. 3284).  You may also comment below!

For More Information…

JCCC Archives presents the Sleuthing Series, where every Tuesday, we bring you an image from our past and ask you to help us find out more!

What We Know

• These photos were taken April 1, 1984.
• The barn was standing on the present site long before the land was selected for the JCCC facilities.  It still sits adjacent to the Horticultural Science Center.
• An article in the March 30, 1984 Campus Ledger discusses the variety of activities planned.  All were free to the public.

What We Don’t Know

• How was the barn used then versus now?
• Was this activity repeated in later years?  When?
• If Fun Day Sunday were repeated today, what might be included?

If You Know More…

• Contact  librarians: Anita Gordon Gilmore (agordong@jccc.edu, ext. 4369) or John Russell (jrussell@jccc.edu, ext. 3284).  You may also comment below!

For More Information…

Details of the plans and activities are covered in the March 30 and April 13, 1984 issues of the Campus Ledger.

 

 

JCCC Archives presents the Sleuthing Series, where every Tuesday, we bring you an image from our past and ask you to help us find out more!

What We Know

• The date is May 22, 1987.
• At graduation, the diversity of our student body is celebrated.
• 1971 graduates (the first JCCC graduation) chose not to wear traditional regalia.  Faculty and those seated on the dais dressed according to academic tradition.

What We Don’t Know

• Do you see someone you remember?
• Is this a companion dog with the student above?

If You Know More…

• Contact  librarians: Anita Gordon Gilmore (agordong@jccc.edu, ext. 4369) or John Russell (jrussell@jccc.edu, ext. 3284).  You may also comment below!

For More Information…