ABOUT LAKELAND

1964 Twenty-two people meet at Garfield Park (then, Mentor Recreation Park) to discuss the idea of a community college for Lake County. County Commissioners appoint a committee to study the feasibility of establishing a community college.
1965 The citizens of Lake County vote in favor of creating a community college district.
1966 First board of trustees is appointed. The Ohio Board of Regents grants charter to the board of trustees.
1967 Voters approve a five-year levy to open and operate the college. Dr. Wayne Rodehorst selected as the college's first president. On September 25, Lakeland opens its doors to 1,073 students in various Painesville buildings on September 25.
1968 The college purchases 400 acres at the intersection of SR 306 and I-90 from Margaret Moore for $600,000. First Commencement Ceremony is held at St. James Episcopal Church; 55 students receive their degrees, having transferred from former Chandler Tech. Ceremony held dedicating the campus at Kirtland.
1969 Groundbreaking on the Kirtland site. Construction of campus facilities occurs in three phases.
1970 Lakeland becomes first two-year institution in Ohio to initiate telecourses for credit.
1971 Construction of Phase I is complete. General classrooms, laboratories, Library, student services, faculty, and service areas are ready for fall quarter.
1972 Phase II, providing facilities to support technical education programs, is completed.
1973 College is granted official accreditation by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
1974 Lakeland Gym is built.
1975 Phase III, providing for studios and laboratories for the fine arts, a Performing arts center and an art gallery, is completed.
1976 Construction of the nursing wing is completed.
1977 Additions to the gym, racquetball courts, wrestling rooms, auxiliary gym, and saunas in the locker rooms are completed; the Lakeland Gym is renamed the Athletic and Fitness Center.
1978 Annex to the Athletic and Fitness Center is complete.
1981 Dr. James Cantanzaro appointed college president.
1982 Cleveland Browns make their pre-season training camp on Lakeland's campus.
1983 Engineering building completed.
1988 Dr. Ralph Doty appointed college president. T Building built.
1989 Center for Business & Industry created to reach out to local business to provide on-site or campus-based training.
1990 Lakeland receives North Central Accreditation.
1993 Groundbreaking for Health Technologies building held.
2001 Dr. Morris W. Beverage, Jr. appointed college president.
2002 Nuclear Engineering Technology Program with FirstEnergy started.
2005 United States President George W. Bush holds a roundtable discussion on Lakeland's campus.
2006 Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools approves online degree programs at Lakeland.
2006 Lakeland Alumni Hall of Fame established.
2007 Lakeland celebrates 40th anniversary
2010 1.7 mill replacement levy passed by Lake County voters.
2011 Lakeland's Holden University Center opens, offering bachelor and graduate degrees from a variety of four-year partner institutions.
2011 1.5 mill property tax levy renewed by Lake County voters.
2013 Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center dedicated.
2013 C-Building renovation completed.
2015 Lakeland's 0.4 mill bond issue to expand and renovate the Health Technologies (H-Building) approved.
2017 Lakeland celebrates 50th anniversary.
2018 Health Technologies (H-Building) expansion and renovation completed.
2018 HIVE makerspace opens.
2019 Lakers mascot Crash named.
2020 Coronavirus pandemic forces transition to remote learning.
2021 Laketran's Frank J. Polivka Transit Center at Lakeland Community College opens .
2021 Lakeland receives reaffirmation of accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission.
2021 WonderStruck outdoor music festival premieres on Lakeland's campus.
2021 1.5 mill property tax levy renewed by Lake County voters.
2022 Lakeland Jazz Festival celebrates 50 years; Lakeland is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through 2027; Lakeland becomes a smoke- and tobacco-free campus including outdoor spaces; Lakeland adds Esports as a new varsity sport competing in the National Junior College Athletic Associateion Esports Leage.
2023 Lakeland Civic Chorus celebrates 50 years; Lakeland ranked #2 by WalletHub 2023 Best Community Colleges; Lakeland presidents are honored in street naming ceremony at Vitalia Mentor.
 
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