Sixty-five years of transforming lives and communities

As we welcome students back for a new fall semester, there is an especially exciting feeling across Southwestern College. This year marks the 65th birthday of Southwestern College! It is a milestone that gives us an opportunity to celebrate where we have been and look ahead to where we are goingOur theme for this milestone year is “Celebrating 65 Years: Transforming Lives and Communities.” I cannot think of a better way to describe the District.

For 65 years, this institution has been woven into the fabric of South County. Since opening its doors in 1961, we have grown and evolved alongside the communities we serve, expanding access to higher education, responding to workforce needs and creating opportunities for generations of students.

And as our college has changed, so has our Jaguar.

This fall, students and community members will notice an updated look for Jonny Jaguar, our beloved mascot. It represents the energy and pride that define Southwestern College and the generations of students who have called themselves Jaguars.

In many ways, the updated Jonny Jaguar reflects Southwestern College itself: rooted in tradition, but always willing to evolve. That spirit of growth is evident throughout our campus community.

Southwestern College serves more than 32,000 students, compared with approximately 22,000 when I arrived at the District seven years ago. Our students come from every corner of our Cali-Baja region with a remarkable range of backgrounds and life experiences. They come to Southwestern College with different goals and different stories, but they share something important: the belief that education can change the trajectory of their lives.

We have much to celebrate.

At its heart, Southwestern College has always been about people serving people.

That is why I hope our 65th anniversary celebrations will be more than a look at our history. I hope it reminds our community of the countless lives touched by this institution and the ripple effect that follows when a student earns a degree, transfers to a university, enters a career, starts a business or returns to the community to serve others as our alumni.

And we want everyone to be part of the celebration.

On Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Southwestern College will host our Jaguar Spectacular at our Chula Vista campus.

This free, family-friendly celebration will bring our community together for a day filled with student performances, food, classic carnival games, a ferris wheel, and opportunities to explore the many educational programs Southwestern College offers. Guests can meet our faculty and discover hands-on opportunities in programs ranging from Nursing and EMT to many of the other programs that prepare our students for careers and further education. Admission, entertainment and program showcases will be free, with Jaguar Bucks available for purchase for rides, games, food and select activities.

Most importantly, I hope the Jaguar Spectacular feels like what Southwestern College has always been: a place where our community comes together.

Happy birthday, Southwestern College! Here’s to celebrating our past, embracing our present and building an even brighter future together.

Dr. Mark Sanchez is president/superintendent of Southwestern College.