Vermont Legislature Celebrates CCV’s 50th Anniversary

MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Community College of Vermont (CCV) kicked off its 50th year today with a celebration at the Vermont State House. Lawmakers joined CCV students, faculty, and staff from around the state, as well as education leaders and community members, to honor CCV’s 50 years of providing Vermonters with access to affordable, high-quality education. Governor Phil Scott, Representative and CCV alumnus Dylan Giambatista, Senator and CCV faculty member Ginny Lyons, and CCV President Joyce Judy offered remarks, and a Senate Concurrent Resolution was read on the House floor in honor of the College’s milestone.

Representative Giambatista spoke about his experience as a CCV student. After having dropped out of high school, Giambatista attended classes at a number of CCV centers and online, earning his associate degree in 2010. “What I found at the Community College of Vermont is what so many others have found: It’s not just a school—it is a family.”

“In [my CCV] classes, I met the most incredible faculty, I met the most incredible students,” said Giambatista. “Students who had just come back from war; New Americans; I met folks who were later in life trying to figure out a new interest, a new job… As we celebrate this 50th anniversary, let’s recognize that we’re not just conferring degrees on students. We are changing lives.”

President Judy reflected on CCV’s mission to provide access to postsecondary education for all Vermonters, and the College’s growth over the course of five decades. “To go to college in Vermont in 1970, you had to find your way to a college campus. As you can imagine, this made going to college out of reach for so many Vermonters. In 1970, CCV opened its doors with 10 classes and 50 students in Montpelier…I don’t think anyone in 1970 could have imagined that we would become the second-largest institution of higher education in Vermont.”

“CCV is a really important economic development tool for our state,” said Governor Scott. “I want to congratulate CCV, and all the graduates who are here, on the 50 years of important contributions to our state, its communities and families.”

CCV was founded in 1970 with the mission to deliver postsecondary education to Vermonters in their local communities. For five decades, CCV has been committed to access, affordability, and student success, and has served more than 150,000 students. Today, CCV serves 10,000 students each year at 12 locations and online. For more information about CCV’s history, and 50th anniversary events throughout the state, visit 50.ccv.edu.