Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Muskegon Community College (MCC) invites the community to the first event in its three-part lecture series exploring the College’s history as part of its centennial celebration. “The Founding of the Dream (1926–1959)” will take place on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 6:15–8:00 p.m. in Stevenson Center, Room 1300.

The lecture will offer an in-depth look at MCC’s early years, from its beginnings as Muskegon Junior College to the debates and opposition surrounding its creation to the pivotal decisions that ultimately shaped the future of both the College and the Lakeshore region.

Attendees will gain insight into what might have been had MCC never come to fruition, and how its establishment laid the foundation for a century of educational opportunity that led to today’s thriving College serving more than 5,000 students annually.

“Attending this lecture series is a must for anyone who has ever called Muskegon or the Lakeshore home,” said Muskegon Community College Department Chair of Social Sciences, George Maniates. “The only way we know who we are as a community is coming to grips with the past—how we got here, the successes we have achieved, and where we have fallen short; this examination ultimately provides us wisdom in helping shape the next 100 years at MCC.”

The centennial lecture series will continue throughout the academic year, with future sessions covering MCC’s growth through the 20th century, its vision for the future, and its $249 million impact on the Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, and Ottawa county areas.

Muskegon Community College will celebrate its 100th anniversary on June 20, 2026. Since Its founding a century ago, MCC has been a cornerstone of the Lakeshore, shaping generations of students, strengthening the local workforce, and enriching the cultural and economic vitality of West Michigan. The yearlong celebration and events aim to highlight 100 years of excellence at MCC, while looking forward to the next century of preparing students, building communities, and improving lives.

For a complete list of centennial events or to learn more, visit: https://www.muskegoncc.edu/about/centennial/