MEMBER NEWS: Delta College marks 60 years

Computer science courses have changed just a bit since 1963 (courtesy of SJDC website).

San Joaquin Delta College, a Central Valley Higher Education Consortium member, marked the 60th anniversary of its name this month.

Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson, SJDC superintendent/president 2023

Founded as Stockton College in 1935, the college adopted its new name July 1, 1963 when the institution separated from the Stockton Unified School District and charted its own course as an independent community college.

“Sixty years is a long time, and it is hard to summarize the immense impact that Delta College has had on the communities we serve over all these years,” said Superintendent/President Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson in a story by Manteca/Ripon Bulletin reporter Alex Breitler earlier this month.

“I’m proud of the efforts of our faculty and staff both past and present, I’m proud of our students and alumni for their perseverance and achievements, I’m thankful to the Board of Trustees for its leadership, and I’m thankful to our communities for their support and partnership,” said the president who sits on the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Board of Directors.

San Joaquin Delta College actually dates all the way back to 1935, when Stockton College came into existence, Breiter reports. But for many years the College operated under the umbrella of Stockton Unified.

Dr. Burke Bradley – first SJ Delta College president (1963)

Dr. Burke Bradley, who was named president of the College in 1956, ultimately decided that the College would never properly develop until it was able to operate as a totally independent district, according to retired history professor Chuck Bloch.

The public finally approved establishment of an independent college district in September 1962. Leaders studied no fewer than 129 potential names, including “San Joaquin College” and just “Delta College,” before settling on San Joaquin Delta College.

The College officially took control of its own destiny on July 1, 1963, and eventually moved to the present-day Pacific Avenue campus in the 1970s, The Bulletin reported.

See SJDC’s website feature with photo gallery.

See Manteca/Ripon Bulletin article.