Pierce College: Cultivating Knowledge
An in-depth exploration of Los Angeles Pierce College, covering its history, academic offerings, campus features, and community impact.
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About Pierce College
Institutional Overview
Los Angeles Pierce College, commonly referred to as Pierce College or simply Pierce, is a distinguished public community college situated in the San Fernando Valley neighborhood of Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California. It operates under the auspices of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) and holds accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). The institution serves a substantial student body of approximately 22,000 students each semester, fostering a dynamic learning environment.
Origins and Foundation
Established on September 15, 1947, Pierce College commenced its academic journey with an initial cohort of 70 students and 18 faculty members. Originally known as the Clarence W. Pierce School of Agriculture, its foundational mission centered on crop cultivation and animal husbandry. In 1956, the institution was renamed Los Angeles Pierce Junior College, honoring its founder, Dr. Pierce, and preserving his commitment to agricultural and veterinary studies. This legacy continues today with a 225-acre working farm dedicated to hands-on training.
Location and Scale
The college's expansive campus spans 426 acres (172 hectares), a significant area for an urban institution, offering ample space for its diverse programs and facilities. The grounds are meticulously landscaped, featuring over 2,200 trees and a 1.9-acre botanical garden. Its location in Woodland Hills places it strategically within the San Fernando Valley, providing accessible educational opportunities to a broad community.
Academic Excellence
Comprehensive Programs
Pierce College offers a robust academic curriculum, providing instruction across more than 100 subjects within 92 distinct academic disciplines. This breadth of offerings ensures students can explore a wide range of fields and prepare for diverse career paths or further education.
Transfer Pathways
The college maintains strong transfer alliances with numerous universities throughout California. Students consistently achieve successful transfers to prestigious institutions within the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems. Pierce College offers direct pathways to 44 associate's degrees and 78 Certificates of Achievement, facilitating seamless transitions to bachelor's degree programs or specialized career preparation.
Campus Environment
Landscaped Grounds
The Pierce College campus is renowned for its extensive and well-maintained grounds, covering 426 acres. It features a diverse array of flora, including over 2,200 trees and a 1.9-acre botanical garden, creating an aesthetically pleasing and conducive learning atmosphere amidst the urban landscape of Los Angeles.
The Pierce College Farm
A distinctive feature of Pierce College is its 225-acre working farm, which serves as a vital resource for agricultural and veterinary science students. This facility provides invaluable hands-on training opportunities, allowing students to engage directly with crop cultivation and animal husbandry, reinforcing the college's historical roots and commitment to practical education.
Agricultural Hub
Equestrian Center and Programs
The college boasts a $13 million equestrian center, a state-of-the-art facility supporting its agricultural students. This center offers university-transferable courses essential for animal and veterinary science programs, underscoring Pierce's dedication to specialized agricultural education.
Community Engagement
The Foundation for Pierce College actively engages the community through events like Farmwalk, held annually in April, which showcases animals, activities, and student projects to benefit the farm. The Harvest Festival, typically in October, features pumpkins grown on campus, a corn maze, and family-friendly activities, further integrating the college with the local community.
Emergency Services
Pierce College serves as a critical resource for Los Angeles County as a large animal emergency evacuation center. During regional emergencies, such as the Southern California wildfires in 2007, the college provided shelter and care for over 150 horses, demonstrating its commitment to community safety and support.
John Shepard Stadium
Athletic Venue
John Shepard Stadium, with a current capacity of 5,500, is a significant venue on campus, serving as the home ground for the Brahmas' football and women's soccer teams. It has also hosted notable professional sporting events throughout the history of the San Fernando Valley.
Historic Events
The stadium has a rich sporting history, including hosting the Los Angeles Skyhawks of the American Soccer League from 1976 to 1979. It also hosted the final home game for the Los Angeles Express of the USFL on June 15, 1985, for which the stadium's capacity was temporarily expanded to 16,000. Additionally, it has been the home stadium for the San Fernando Valley Quakes men's soccer team.
Community Events
Beyond athletic competitions, John Shepard Stadium serves as a venue for community events, notably hosting "Nuts for Mutts," an annual dog show and pet fair that raises funds for the New Leash on Life Animal Rescue, demonstrating the stadium's multifaceted role in community support.
Campus Connectivity
Public Transit Access
Los Angeles Pierce College is conveniently accessible via public transportation. The campus features its own dedicated stop on the Metro G Line (Orange Line), known as the Pierce College station, located on Winnetka Avenue near Victory Boulevard. This integration with the Los Angeles public transit system enhances accessibility for students and faculty.
Sustainable Energy Initiatives
Solar Power Integration
Pierce College demonstrates a commitment to sustainability through its significant solar power infrastructure. The campus features a 191-kilowatt solar generation system comprising 1,274 photovoltaic panels, complemented by a 360-kilowatt natural gas co-generation system. This initiative, noted as one of the largest of its kind for a U.S. community college, yields approximately 4.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and substantially reduces carbon dioxide emissions.
Water Management
The college also incorporates advanced water management practices, including a water retention pond situated beneath its soccer field to collect runoff from adjacent parking areas. Plans are underway for a new water reclamation facility, aligning with rigorous U.S. Green Building Council guidelines for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
Old Trapper's Lodge
Historical Landmark
The campus is home to the Old Trapper's Lodge, designated as California Historical Landmark No. 939.5. This unique environment is a testament to the outsider art of its creator, John Ehn (1897โ1981). Ehn, a self-taught artist, dedicated his life from 1951 to 1981 to creating this tribute to the Old West, drawing inspiration from personal experiences, folklore, and myths.
Artistic Legacy
The Old Trapper's Lodge and its associated "Boot Hill" were relocated to the Pierce College campus from their original site in Sun Valley, California. This preservation effort ensures that Ehn's life's work, which uses family members as models and incorporates memorabilia, continues to be accessible, offering a distinct cultural and artistic dimension to the college environment.
Weather Station
Historical Data Provider
The Pierce College Weather Station, founded on July 1, 1949, by Professor A. Lee Haines, is one of the nation's oldest operational cooperative weather stations. It has a history of collaborating with government agencies to provide archived data. In 2009, the station received an $85,000 grant for significant upgrades, including the installation of rare sensors for U.S. cooperative stations. The station regularly organizes tours to showcase its equipment and functions.
Athletic Programs
The Pierce Brahmas
The college's athletic teams, known as the Brahmas, compete vigorously in collegiate sports. Pierce currently fields six men's and six women's varsity teams. The college is a member of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) and competes in the Western State Conference (WSC) for most sports. For football, Pierce competes in the Southern California Football Association (SCFA).
Competitive Achievements
The Brahmas have a history of competitive success. In 2009, the Pierce Brahmas secured the American Pacific Conference title, advancing to the first round of bowl playoffs where they faced the eventual national champions, Mt. San Antonio College.
Student Governance
Associated Student Organization (ASO)
The student body at Pierce College is represented by the Los Angeles Pierce College Associated Student Organization (ASO). This organization is legally mandated to foster student participation in college governance. The ASO actively engages with statewide student organizations, such as the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, advocating for student interests at legislative and governmental levels.
Notable Alumni & Staff
Diverse Accomplishments
Pierce College has been a formative institution for a wide array of accomplished individuals across various fields, including entertainment, sports, business, and public service. Their contributions highlight the college's role in nurturing talent and fostering diverse career trajectories.
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References
References
- Other consists of Multiracial Americans & those who prefer to not say.
- http://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sherman-secures-85000-for-pierce-college om/about/
- Associated Student Organization (ASO). Retrieved 2018-5-11.
- Section 76060.5 of the California Education Code. Retrieved 2018-5-11.
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page has been generated by an AI and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and has been refined for clarity and depth, adhering to the persona of a professional academic. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness based on the provided source material, it may not reflect the most current information or all aspects of the institution.
This is not an official publication of Los Angeles Pierce College. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for direct consultation with the college's official resources or admissions departments. Always refer to the official Los Angeles Pierce College website and documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding programs, admissions, and campus life.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.