FMCC’s Diamond Jubilee: a night to remember
On March 16th, 2023, Fulton-Montgomery Community College (FMCC) celebrated a milestone anniversary that will be remembered for years to come. The event marked the college’s sixtieth anniversary with a grand catered dinner that brought together the Fulton Montgomery Community College Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board of Directors. The celebration continued as the college hosted breakfast, lunch, and workshops on April 6th for all staff and faculty, who received commemorative zip hoodies with the new SUNY FMCC logo and anniversary years on them.
From vision to reality: the birth of Fulton-Montgomery Community College
The celebration of FMCC’s Diamond Jubilee was a testament to the hard work and dedication of those who founded and established the college. The idea for a community-based college that would provide affordable and accessible higher education for regional populations began in the late 1950s. Despite initial skepticism about the feasibility of such a venture, a group of Fulton County citizens contacted State Education Department officials to investigate the possibility of establishing a community college within the county. A group of Amsterdam citizens made a similar request, and the community college concept began to gain traction.
Providing affordable and accessible higher education for six decades
FMCC became a reality in 1964, with 325 full-time students taking their classroom seats on opening day, and another 25 joining after late registration. The college provided a temporary campus and recruited employees to administer, teach, and provide clerical and maintenance support.
The curriculum was designed to provide two years of post-high school degree-bearing education, with low tuition costs, to prepare graduates for immediate jobs in their own areas and to serve students seeking to matriculate into four-year colleges. The college’s early success was recognized by none other than Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, who sent a congratulatory telegram on opening day.
The Foundation’s continued commitment to community-based education
Over the past sixty years, FMCC has expanded its offerings to include a variety of degree programs and has established itself as an integral part of the community. The Foundation’s continued commitment to the mission of providing accessible and affordable higher education to all, regardless of their background or circumstances, is as strong as ever. The success of FMCC is a testament to the importance of community-based education, and the Foundation will continue to support quality education in the region for many years to come.
Join us in supporting accessible and affordable higher education at FMCC!
As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, it’s important to recognize not only the hard work and dedication of those who founded and established the college but also the continued support of the FMCC Foundation and its donors. Without their generosity and dedication, the college would not have been able to make the strides that it has. FMCC’s success is a testament to the importance of community-based education, and the Foundation’s commitment to this mission is as strong as ever. Here’s to many more years of growth and success at FMCC, made possible by the continued support of the Foundation and its donors.
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