Didn’t you know that Los Angeles Pierce College began with just 70 students? It also had 18 faculty members back on September 15 1947. Today Pierce College is a vital part of the Los Angeles Community College District. It serves around 22000 students each semester.
Pierce College started as the Clarence W. Pierce School of Agriculture. Its main focus was crop cultivation and animal husbandry. The college renamed itself Los Angeles Pierce Junior College in 1956. It honored its founder Dr Pierce. The college retained his dedication to agricultural and veterinary studies. Pierce College still runs a 225-acre working farm. The farm offers valuable hands-on training.
Pierce College provides courses in over 100 subjects. These subjects span 92 academic disciplines. The college has transfer agreements with many state universities. Students successfully transfer to UC and CSU schools. Pierce College offers 44 associate’s degrees. It also provides 78 Certificates of Achievement.
The Pierce College campus covers 426 acres. This is larger than UCLA’s campus. The grounds boast over 2200 trees. Thousands of roses adorn the landscape. A 1.9-acre botanical garden enhances its beauty. The Pierce College farm houses herds of cattle sheep and goats. Students gain practical experience from these animals.
John Shepard Stadium is on the Pierce College campus. It hosts the Brahmas’ football and women’s soccer teams. The stadium has a 5500-person capacity. It has hosted many outdoor professional sporting events. The Los Angeles Skyhawks played here from 1976 to 1979. The Los Angeles Express played their last home game here in 1985. The stadium expanded to hold 16000 people for that game. Shepard Stadium hosts Nuts for Mutts annually. This dog show and pet fair raises funds for animal rescue.
Pierce College has its own Metro G Line stop. It is the Pierce College station on Winnetka Avenue. The college also utilizes solar power. A 191-kilowatt solar system features 1274 photovoltaic panels. There is also a 360-kilowatt natural gas co-generation system. This is the largest such project for a U.S. community college. It generates around 4.4 million kilowatt-hours yearly. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions significantly.
Old Trapper’s Lodge is located on the Pierce College campus. It is California Historical Landmark No 939.5. This unique art environment honors John Ehn’s pioneer upbringing. Ehn created the lodge from 1951 to 1981. He used his family as models. The artwork relocated from Sun Valley CA to the college.
The Pierce College Farm spans 226 acres. It includes a 13 million dollar equestrian center. The center is used for agricultural students’ education. It provides UC transferable courses.
Every April the Foundation for Pierce College hosts Farmwalk. This outdoor festival includes animals and displays. There are games and music. Farmwalk offers face-painting a petting zoo and hayrides. All proceeds benefit the Pierce College farm.
Pierce College has a weather station. It was founded in 1949. It is one of the oldest cooperative stations in the U.S. In 2009 it received 85000 dollars for new sensors.
The college athletic teams are called the Brahmas. Pierce competes in the Western State Conference. Football competes in the Southern California Football Association.
Pierce College students established the Associated Student Organization ASO. The ASO encourages student participation in college governance.
Pierce College has produced notable alumni. These include actors athletes and more. Pierce College continues to thrive. It offers excellent opportunities for students. It is a respected community college in California.