Special thanks to Bill Lace, retired TCC vice chancellor, for archival research.
The first thing the College did was get the support of the community. I’ve always felt like, for the most part, Tarrant County people have really seen the value in the College, and they’ve really supported this.
Gary Smith, VP of Academic Affairs
TCJC’s first graduating class consisted of two students, Charles Williams and Albert McCord, who had transferred credit from other colleges. College administrators, taken by surprise, had to arrange a quick outdoor ceremony in spring 1968.
When the community voted for bonds to build this College in 1965, I was teaching at North Side High School. I was good friends with a man downtown, named Lee Goodman, who was president of the Downtown Fort Worth Association. I told him that day, ‘I want to teach at Tarrant County Junior College.’
Anita Barrett, Retired TCC Faculty
I’m a native of Fort Worth, and I remember when the first campus opened. I graduated from high school in ’68, and it opened in ’65 with Chancellor Rushing, whose daughter was a friend of mine. I’ve been to TCC and so have my husband and my children. Saved us major bucks, and in the last 50 years, they’ve just done an incredible job. People can learn nearly anything at the community college.
Betsy Price, Fort Worth Mayor