About HCC

History of HCC Text

Housatonic Community College Dates and Facts

1966	The College opened at the Stratford Community College Center as a branch of Norwalk Community College with 378 students in the first semester. Various sites were used for classes including Bunnell High School, Wooster Junior High School, Stratford United Methodist Church, Alliance Medical Inns Building, Masonic Temple, Stratford Public Library, and trailers.
1967	Housatonic Community College became an independent part of the Connecticut Community College system. The Housatonic Museum of Art was founded with works donated by artists and collectors under the leadership of Burt Chernow, HCC Art Professor. The HMA is now one of the largest permanent collections of any two-year college in the United States, the collection valued at over $13 million. HCC’s first president was Edward Liston.
1968	The Inaugural Exhibition of the HMA was held at the Museum of Art, Science and Industry in Bridgeport. Among the works from the Museum on exhibit were those by Larry Rivers, John Marshall, Andy Warhol, Elaine deKooning, Milton Avery, Robert Rauschenberg, Takeshi Kawashima, and others. Twenty three students comprised the first HCC graduating class.
1971	Housatonic moved to the former Singer Metrics Building on Barnum Ave. in Bridgeport as a temporary move while the search for a permanent site was undertaken.
1974	The College inaugurated its second president, Vincent Darnowski.
1990	The Housatonic Community College Foundation, Inc. was founded by a group of Greater Bridgeport residents, business and arts leaders to assist the College and its students beyond the fundamentals provided by the state. The Foundation was IRS approved as a tax-exempt organization.
1993	The College changed its name to Housatonic Community-Technical College in recognition of the extended mission to provide high-level technical education to students in the region. Bonding was approved for the purchase of the former Hi-Ho Mall at Lafayette Boulevard as a permanent site for the College.
1994	The State of Connecticut took title of the Lafayette Boulevard property.
1997	Classes began at the new campus on January 27. The Burt Chernow Gallery of the Housatonic Museum was named for the founder of the Museum. The opening exhibit was 20th Century Art – Selections from the Collection. The College’s third president, Janis Wertz (Hadley), was inaugurated. Burt Chernow died.
1998	U.S. President Bill Clinton visited the College on March 3. He toured the building with a specific visit to the Early Childhood School Lab. He made a speech in the PAC about early childhood education.
1999	The College name was changed to Housatonic Community College in an October vote of the Trustees.
2001	Ansel Adams Classic Images was exhibited at the Burt Chernow Galleries. Many of the photographs were on public view for the first time. Over 8,000 visitors viewed the exhibit.
2004-2005	Housatonic became one of three community colleges in Connecticut to receive an Achieving the Dream four-year grant from the Lumina Foundation to determine ways to assist at-risk students to achieve success.
2006	Ground was broken for the addition to the campus of a second building, the former Sears building, at the southern perimeter of the campus. The College celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Office of Institutional Development launched a Major Gifts Campaign.
2007	Anita Gliniecki, the College’s fourth president, inaugurated. The HCC Foundation Major Gifts Campaign – Pathways to Success exceeded its $1 million goal.
2008	Beacon Hall opened in September and Housatonic became a two-building campus, Lafayette Hall remaining the home of the Burt Chernow Galleries and the administrative offices. The buildings were named by a college-wide contest. Names selected were chosen from over 100 submissions and the final (blind) decision was made by a committee and the President. Lafayette Hall was the entry of two staff members; Beacon Hall was the entry of a student. Enrollment exceeded 5,000 students.
2009	HCC received a Developmental Education Initiative grant from the Gates Foundation, administered by MDC, Inc. to sustain and expand the student success initiatives started under the College’s participation in Achieving the Dream.
2010	Enrollment exceeded 6,000 students in the fall.
2011	The College changed its logo.
2012	The Advanced Manufacturing Center with state-of-the-art equipment was created in Lafayette Hall to train and retrain workers for work in present, digital manufacturing industries. HCC was one of three Conn. community colleges funded by the state to create the Manufacturing Centers.
2013	The College began planning the renovation and expansion of Lafayette Hall which will facilitate the enrollment and registration process, enlarge the Library and other spaces in the building. The expansion will move the building to the street and add additional floors to the building.
2014	President Gliniecki retired. Academic Dean Elizabeth Roop was named Interim President. Dr. Paul Broadie was named HCC’s fifth president.
2015	Dr. Broadie on campus April 3.
2016	Construction began for expansion and renovation of Lafayette Hall which added 47,000 sq. ft. new space, moving the front of the building to the sidewalk to include a new Welcome Center, additional 3 upper floors and 28,500 sq. ft. renovation in the B and C wings including additional Library space.
2017	Housatonic Community College celebrated its 50th anniversary. Renovation to Lafayette Hall and the garage continued. The Welcome Center and upper floor art studios and classrooms open. Consolidation of Conn. community colleges and state universities began. President Broadie becomes the interim president of Gateway Community College, overseeing both HCC and GCC.
2018	HCC held the 50th graduation. Since the first graduation in 1968, approximately 15,500 have graduated from HCC. HCC Dean of Administration Rose Ellis named Dean of Administration at Gateway CC, overseeing both campuses. Archive moved to room L156 in Lafayette Hall.
2019	Dr. Thomas G. Coley becomes president of Region Three, Shoreline-West including Gateway, Housatonic, and Norwalk CCs. Regional Presidents to take office in the 2019 summer. Dr. Broadie continues as President of HCC and Interim President of GCC.

1966	The College opened at the Stratford Community College Center as a branch of Norwalk Community College with 378 students in the first semester. Various sites were used for classes including Bunnell High School, Wooster Junior High School, Stratford United Methodist Church, Alliance Medical Inns Building, Masonic Temple, Stratford Public Library, and trailers.
1967	Housatonic Community College became an independent part of the Connecticut Community College system. The Housatonic Museum of Art was founded with works donated by artists and collectors under the leadership of Burt Chernow, HCC Art Professor. The HMA is now one of the largest permanent collections of any two-year college in the United States, the collection valued at over $13 million. HCC’s first president was Edward Liston.
1968	The Inaugural Exhibition of the HMA was held at the Museum of Art, Science and Industry in Bridgeport. Among the works from the Museum on exhibit were those by Larry Rivers, John Marshall, Andy Warhol, Elaine deKooning, Milton Avery, Robert Rauschenberg, Takeshi Kawashima, and others. Twenty three students comprised the first HCC graduating class.
1971	Housatonic moved to the former Singer Metrics Building on Barnum Ave. in Bridgeport as a temporary move while the search for a permanent site was undertaken.
1974	The College inaugurated its second president, Vincent Darnowski.
1990	The Housatonic Community College Foundation, Inc. was founded by a group of Greater Bridgeport residents, business and arts leaders to assist the College and its students beyond the fundamentals provided by the state. The Foundation was IRS approved as a tax-exempt organization.
1993	The College changed its name to Housatonic Community-Technical College in recognition of the extended mission to provide high-level technical education to students in the region. Bonding was approved for the purchase of the former Hi-Ho Mall at Lafayette Boulevard as a permanent site for the College.
1994	The State of Connecticut took title of the Lafayette Boulevard property.
1997	Classes began at the new campus on January 27. The Burt Chernow Gallery of the Housatonic Museum was named for the founder of the Museum. The opening exhibit was 20th Century Art – Selections from the Collection. The College’s third president, Janis Wertz (Hadley), was inaugurated. Burt Chernow died.
1998	U.S. President Bill Clinton visited the College on March 3. He toured the building with a specific visit to the Early Childhood School Lab. He made a speech in the PAC about early childhood education.
1999	The College name was changed to Housatonic Community College in an October vote of the Trustees.
2001	Ansel Adams Classic Images was exhibited at the Burt Chernow Galleries. Many of the photographs were on public view for the first time. Over 8,000 visitors viewed the exhibit.
2004-2005	Housatonic became one of three community colleges in Connecticut to receive an Achieving the Dream four-year grant from the Lumina Foundation to determine ways to assist at-risk students to achieve success.
2006	Ground was broken for the addition to the campus of a second building, the former Sears building, at the southern perimeter of the campus. The College celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Office of Institutional Development launched a Major Gifts Campaign.
2007	Anita Gliniecki, the College’s fourth president, inaugurated. The HCC Foundation Major Gifts Campaign – Pathways to Success exceeded its $1 million goal.
2008	Beacon Hall opened in September and Housatonic became a two-building campus, Lafayette Hall remaining the home of the Burt Chernow Galleries and the administrative offices. The buildings were named by a college-wide contest. Names selected were chosen from over 100 submissions and the final (blind) decision was made by a committee and the President. Lafayette Hall was the entry of two staff members; Beacon Hall was the entry of a student. Enrollment exceeded 5,000 students.
2009	HCC received a Developmental Education Initiative grant from the Gates Foundation, administered by MDC, Inc. to sustain and expand the student success initiatives started under the College’s participation in Achieving the Dream.
2010	Enrollment exceeded 6,000 students in the fall.
2011	The College changed its logo.
2012	The Advanced Manufacturing Center with state-of-the-art equipment was created in Lafayette Hall to train and retrain workers for work in present, digital manufacturing industries. HCC was one of three Conn. community colleges funded by the state to create the Manufacturing Centers.
2013	The College began planning the renovation and expansion of Lafayette Hall which will facilitate the enrollment and registration process, enlarge the Library and other spaces in the building. The expansion will move the building to the street and add additional floors to the building.
2014	President Gliniecki retired. Academic Dean Elizabeth Roop was named Interim President. Dr. Paul Broadie was named HCC’s fifth president.
2015	Dr. Broadie on campus April 3.
2016	Construction began for expansion and renovation of Lafayette Hall which added 47,000 sq. ft. new space, moving the front of the building to the sidewalk to include a new Welcome Center, additional 3 upper floors and 28,500 sq. ft. renovation in the B and C wings including additional Library space.
2017	Housatonic Community College celebrated its 50th anniversary. Renovation to Lafayette Hall and the garage continued. The Welcome Center and upper floor art studios and classrooms open. Consolidation of Conn. community colleges and state universities began. President Broadie becomes the interim president of Gateway Community College, overseeing both HCC and GCC.
2018	HCC held the 50th graduation. Since the first graduation in 1968, approximately 15,500 have graduated from HCC. HCC Dean of Administration Rose Ellis named Dean of Administration at Gateway CC, overseeing both campuses. Archive moved to room L156 in Lafayette Hall.
2019	Dr. Thomas G. Coley becomes president of Region Three, Shoreline-West including Gateway, Housatonic, and Norwalk CCs. Regional Presidents to take office in the 2019 summer. Dr. Broadie continues as President of HCC and Interim President of GCC.

Last updated on 09 August 2020.

Housatonic Community College’s policy is to respect and protect the privacy of our Web site users, consistent with the applicable laws of the United States and the State of Connecticut, including the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act and the Connecticut Personal Data Act. We do not collect, use or disclose any information about our users without their knowledge and approval. We do not share user information with third parties unless we have informed users about the disclosures or when we have prior consent.

Visitors should be aware that the State of Connecticut may be required to disclose personal information in response to valid legal process, such as a search warrant, subpoena, or court order, or pursuant to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act. All record keepers face the possibility that disclosure of their records may be compelled in some civil, criminal, or administrative matters. Disclosures may also be necessary to protect the State’s legal rights or during emergencies if physical safety is believed to be at risk. These events are unlikely, but possible.

POLICY REVISION AND NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES

Housatonic Community College will update this policy as new services and features are added. We will tell our users about policy changes through notices on this page, which will always contain a version number and date. Any information collected under the current policy will remain subject to these terms. Information collected after any changes take effect will be subject to the revised privacy policy.

WHAT INFORMATION ABOUT USERS DOES THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT COLLECT?

A. Automatic Information

The following information is collected and stored automatically from all users accessing the Housatonic Community College Web sites to browse or download information:

The Internet domain and Internet Protocol address from which you access our site;
The type of browser and operating system used to access our site;
The date and time you access our site;
The pages you visit; and
If you were referred to Housatonic Community College from another Web site, the address of that Web site.

This information is used to create summary statistics, which are used for purposes such as assessing what information is of most interest to users, determining technical design specifications, and identifying system performance or problem areas.

This information is not reported or used in any manner that would reveal personally identifiable information, and will not be released to any outside (third) parties unless legally required.

B. PERSONAL INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE TO US

Housatonic Community College does not retain personally identifiable information about you when you visit our Web sites unless you choose to provide such information to us (i.e. sending an email, participating in a survey, responding to a feedback or “contact us” form, downloading an eBook, etc.)

We consider any information that could reasonably be used to identify you as “personally identifying information.” This includes, but is not limited to:

Your name
Your address
Your email address
Your Social Security number
Your password
Bank account information
Credit card information
Any combination of data that could be used to identify you such as your birth date, your zip code and your gender.

Connecticut state government agencies, organizations and institutions may request personally identifiable information from you in order to provide requested services, but such information is handled as it would be on an in-person visit to that same agency, organization or institution.

If personal information is requested on the Web site or volunteered by the user, state law and the United States Privacy Act of 1974 may protect it. However, this information is a public record once you provide it, and may be subject to public inspection and copying if not protected by federal or state law.

E-MAIL COMMUNICATIONS AND WEB FORMS

If you send us an electronic mail message with a question or comment that contains personally identifying information, or fill out a form that emails us information, we will only use this personally identifying information to respond to your request. We may redirect your message to another government agency or person who is in a better position to answer your question.

All email messages collected by Housatonic Community College contain the email addresses of persons who voluntarily communicated with or requested information from us. Email addresses are not sold, leased or shared with any governmental or commercial entities without the user’s consent. When a user has given us their email address for purposes of communicating with or requesting information from Housatonic Community College, that communication becomes part of the public record and may be subject to public inspection and copying if not protected by federal or state law.

DOES HOUSATONIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE USE COOKIES TO COLLECT INFORMATION ABOUT A USER?

We do not use permanent cookies to retain information on the Housatonic Community College site. A cookie is a text file, not a program, which is sent to your computer when you access a site. Cookies do not disclose your name or email address to a Web site. They can only tell a Web site if you have visited before and can pass short bits of information from the Web site back to itself the next time you visit. Housatonic Community College does use temporary cookies that do not write anything to the user’s hard drive. When the browser is closed the cookie is gone.

DOES THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT SHARE THE INFORMATION IT RECEIVES WITH ANYONE?

Except as provided by applicable state and federal laws, we do not collect, use or disclose user information without the user’s knowledge and approval. We do not share user information with third parties unless we have informed users about the disclosures or have prior consent.

In addition, all State of Connecticut contractors must comply with this policy.

CAN I ACCESS AND CORRECT MY PERSONAL INFORMATION?

Persons concerned about information contained in their personal records should contact the custodian of the record, which typically is the state agency or other governmental entity that collects and maintains the information.

Housatonic Community College does not collect any personally identifiable information other than what you provide in your email correspondence. The automatic data recorded is not matched with any of that personally identifiable information. Therefore, information cannot be provided about your visit.

DO I HAVE A CHOICE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT MY PERSONAL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO OTHERS?

Housatonic Community College does not obtain personally identifiable information about you when you visit our Web sites unless you choose to provide such information to us (i.e. sending an email, participating in a survey, responding to a feedback or “contact us” form, etc.). We do not disclose, sell, lease or provide any personal information about our users to any other government or commercial entity for any purpose.

There may be instances where we send ongoing updates or announcements to interested parties. In such cases, visitors will have the choice whether or not to receive these updates or announcements.

However, it is important to understand that under applicable state and federal law, various forms of correspondence and other communications may be subject to public disclosure.

DISCLAIMER/LINKS TO OTHER SITES

Housatonic Community College contains links to other Web sites. These may include links to Web sites operated by other government agencies, non-profit organizations and private businesses. When you link to another site, you are no longer on the Housatonic Community College Web site and this privacy notice does not apply. When you link to another Web site, you are subject to the privacy policy of that Web site.