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North Iowa Area Community College is proud to celebrate its 90th anniversary of excellent service and education to North Iowa. 

“For those of us, past and present, who have been fortunate to work for Mason Junior College and NIACC, I want to ‘thank you’ for providing us the opportunity to do so. When the history of higher education is written, I believe it will state that the most important initiative in the history of education will be the development and deployment of community colleges throughout the United States. Thanks for allowing us to participate in the community college movement. It’s been a great 90 years! Together, we have made a difference! May NIACC and our region be blessed by many more anniversaries promising a better quality of life for all,” Dr. Michael Morrison (retired 2008), NIACC president, said.

A look back at the 90 years in which NIACC has served the region, shows the strategic impact the College has had on the people and communities served in the area.  North Iowans have long prided themselves as having a highly regarded  community college, providing overwhelming public support for their “people’s college.”

The College began in 1918 as Mason City Junior College, which not only carried the distinction of being the very first public two-year college in Iowa, as well as one of the first of such academic institutions in the entire country.
According to historical archives, the idea for a junior college formulated at a high school PTA meeting in the spring of 1916. Records indicate that the following year the Mason City School Board passed a resolution establishing a junior college, and on September 9, 1918, Mason City Junior College classes began on the top floor of the high school building.

The first year of the Junior College consisted of 28 students, six instructors and five fields of study under Principal James Rae. Tuition was free to Mason City residents and $10 to others.

Enrollment increased to approximately 300, before declining during World War II. By 1945, as a result of the war, veterans taking advantage of the G.I. Bill accounted for more than 25 percent of the total enrollment.

The College relocated in the mid 1950’s from the high school building to the remodeled Memorial University Building on the Roosevelt campus, where it remained for 12 years, with enrollment increasing from 280 to 1,390.

By 1960, vocational/technical education became an important addition to the college programs, with the Electronics program leading the way.

1965 marked the year that Iowa’s 61st Assembly enacted legislation that would create a statewide system of two-year postsecondary educational institution, identified as “Merged Area Schools.” The next year, based on a strong foundation built on the almost 50 years of existence as Mason City Junior College, North Iowa Area Community College (Merged Area II) opened its doors in the old Mason City High School building located in downtown Mason City. At that time enrollment exceeded 1,700 full-time students.

1970 was a hallmark year, as NIACC moved it its new home on a 300-acre site on the east edge of Mason City. The first two permanent buildings, McAllister Hall and the Careers Building, were occupied, and within one year all NIACC classes moved to temporary buildings on the new campus, pulling together an operation scattered over fourteen different locations in Mason City.
Dormitories were added in 1972 to house over 450 students, and by 1979, two additional buildings, the Beem Center and the North Iowa Community Auditorium, were completed.

The NIACC campus today consists of a 500-acre countryside campus consisting of contemporary, state-of-the-art facilities including the Student Activity Center, Muse-Norris Conference Center, and the Murphy Manufacturing Technology Center, as well as the lakeside student apartments.  A new Recreation Center will open in Fall 2008.

Satellite locations include Community Education Centers in Charles City, Garner, Hampton, Lake Mills and Osage.

Today, over 3,200 students are enrolled in classes for college credit. NIACC’s faculty-student ratio is an impressive 13:1, and class sizes average 20-30 students. Approximately 350 students live on campus in the lakeside housing facilities.

In addition, approximately 1,000+ area high school students a year get a “head start” on their college education and careers through partnerships with NIACC.
NIACC has always strived toward progressive and strategic initiatives that have made a positive difference in the lives of North Iowans, making the College a strategic asset for all North Iowans.  As a strategic asset, NIACC shoulders a high level of responsibility and accountability for all constituents.

While celebrating a tremendous history that turns 90 years strong, NIACC looks to carry those great traditions into the future.  The complex economic and social issues faced today confirm the vital and pivotal role that NIACC must play in shaping a good quality of life for North Iowans and in determining worthy responses to present and future issues.

Overall, more than 26,000 people have graduated from NIACC (or predecessor Mason City Junior College) since the college was established 90 years ago. Considering that what was once an institution where a mere 25 students opted to continue their educational opportunities in North Iowa, the past accomplishments combined with the upbeat vision for the future will ensure quality, progressive and comprehensive learning opportunities in North Iowa for another 90 years.

NIACC has indeed come a long way, and will continue to grow. This year represents the 90th year of NIACC’s tradition of excellence in education and service!

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