One of the best deals in higher education in Central Oregon and many places beyond is Central Oregon Community College.

It’s been doing that year after year, giving people a chance to deepen and broaden themselves. It’s the oldest community college in the state, and it is celebrating its 75th year of providing education opportunities.

Classes used to be taught in the building downtown that houses the Bend-La Pine School District’s administrative offices, the former Bend High School. COCC got its present location on the side of Awbrey Butte in 1964.

Tens of thousands of students full-time and part-time have taken classes for credit, not for credit and for fun. It’s expanded to offer more and more locations. It has shifted with the times to offer programs aimed at serving workforce needs. You could highlight any number of its programs and make a mistake by leaving too many other good ones out.

Students apparently paid $3.50 per class in 1949. It’s still a bargain, though the price has gone up. Some students, many of whom are the first of their families to attend college, want COCC to be the place to reach their educational goals. Donating to the COCC foundation is how you can help. There is more information here: tinyurl.com/COCCfoundation.