MIDDLETOWN, N.Y.—Dozens of SUNY Orange alumni returned to the community college on Sept. 27 to share their memories as part of the college’s yearlong 75th anniversary celebration.
Nearly 75 years ago, a group of visionary citizens took it upon themselves to start a community college in Orange County to afford hometown high schoolers more opportunities in life.
At the time, Orange County sent the fewest high schoolers to college in the entire state, and community advocates figured a low-cost institution close to home would bump up the rate.
With the blessing of state and county investments and a donated property from Christine Morrison, a prominent citizen, the college opened its doors to 160 students on Sept. 21, 1950….