Spotlight: On the List
Then and Now
Since its founding in 1970, Howard Community College has seen significant changes as it has expanded and evolved — while remaining true to its original vision to provide high-quality higher education opportunities.
| Then | Now |
|---|---|
| 1 building on campus In 1970, HCC opened with a two-story cinder-block building that housed all the offices, classrooms, labs, and a cafeteria. | 14 buildings on campus With state-of-the-art facilities, athletic fields, and a visual and performing arts center, HCC has continued to enhance the campus environment. |
| Cows, deer, foxes, and Scampy the Squirrel Animal sightings were common in HCC’s early years. One faculty member created a story about Scampy the Squirrel, a fictional animal that lived on the campus grounds. At times, cows from the neighboring farm wandered onto HCC’s fields. | Nature trails, a pond, and arboretum While cows no longer roam the campus, HCC maintains trails, rain gardens, bee hives, an arboretum, and pond where wildlife like deer, ducks, and hawks still make appearances. |
| Punch card registrations Before the first building was constructed, HCC’s earliest students signed up for classes using punch cards that were manually tallied by staff. | Online registrations and more Today, students register for classes online, and can take classes and access a host of services remotely, from counseling to library and tutoring help. |
| 594 students HCC’s first student body numbered just under 600 credit and noncredit students. | 26,143 students In fiscal year 2020, the total number of HCC students is nearly 45 times higher than the first student body. |
| Sandwich vending machines HCC had a cafeteria with plastic tables and chairs and food and drinks only available through vending machines in its early years. | Starbucks and Café on the Quad Today, students can dine in the Café on the Quad, drink coffee from Starbucks, and find offerings like burgers, pizza, and sushi. |
| 10 full-time faculty The tight-knit faculty met frequently to develop programs and formed a number of committees that continue today. | 201 full-time faculty In 2020, faculty members continue to demonstrate a strong dedication to supporting pathways to success, most recently seen in the college’s campuswide transition to remote learning due to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Iron Horse Express HCC’s original mascot from the 1970s was a train, serving as a nod to the county’s historic connection to the B&O Railroad. | Duncan the Dragon HCC’s current fire-breathing mascot was selected by a panel of students, faculty, and staff after a contest was held in 2000. |