A Community’s Vision, 40 Years of Opportunity
This academic year marks a milestone for Owensboro Community & Technical College: the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Owensboro Community College.
While our community college story officially began in 1986, OCTC’s roots stretch back nearly a century—and reflect generations of people who believed education could transform lives and strengthen our region.
A tradition begins
The story began in 1929, when educator C.F. Criley established the area’s first technical school in a modest 60-by-40-foot garage. As demand for skilled workers grew, technical education expanded throughout the community.
Owensboro Technical High School opened in 1941, and the school later transferred to the Kentucky Department of Education to serve both high school students and adults. In 1971, the Daviess County State Vocational School opened on Southeastern Parkway with 15 instructional programs and an extensive schedule of evening classes.
These early schools laid the foundation for the career-focused education that remains central to OCTC’s mission today.
A community college takes shape
By the early 1980s, community leaders recognized that the Owensboro region needed a comprehensive community college—one that could offer affordable university transfer opportunities while continuing to meet local workforce needs.
In 1984, the General Assembly authorized a pilot campus operated by Henderson Community College. Expectations were modest: approximately 250 students were anticipated for the first semester. More than 500 enrolled. By 1985, enrollment had surpassed 1,000 students and exceeded that of Henderson’s home campus.
The message was clear: Owensboro was ready for a college of its own.
The Citizens Committee on Education, chaired by Morton Holbrook, worked alongside Speaker Don Blandford, state officials and community leaders to make that vision a reality. In 1986, the Kentucky General Assembly officially established Owensboro Community College and appropriated funding for its construction and operation.
Dr. James H. McDannel was appointed founding president, and the new college became the 14th institution in the University of Kentucky Community College System.
Built by the community
Choosing a permanent home for the college inspired spirited—and sometimes heated—community debate. The Citizens Committee hosted forums and public meetings to gather input from residents who understood how profoundly this decision would affect future generations.
In 1989, Owensboro Community College opened its new 104-acre campus at 4800 New Hartford Road.
The college wasn’t simply built for the community; it was built by the community.
One college, one mission
Another important chapter began in the late 1990s with the creation of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. Owensboro Community College and Owensboro Technical College began consolidating, officially becoming Owensboro Community & Technical College in 2003.
By bringing community and technical education together, OCTC could offer students an even broader range of opportunities—from university transfer and career preparation to customized workforce training.
The college continued to grow with the opening of the Advanced Technology Center in 2007, the Industry Innovation Center in 2018 and the HealthForce Kentucky Innovation Center in 2026. Each investment reflected OCTC’s commitment to anticipating regional needs and preparing students for the careers of today and tomorrow.
Forty years of changing lives
The numbers help tell the story. In fall 1986, enrollment stood at 1,116 students, and the college awarded 15 degrees during the 1986–87 academic year. By fall 2025, OCTC enrolled 4,978 students and awarded 794 degrees during 2024–25.
But OCTC’s impact cannot be measured by numbers alone. It can be seen in the graduates who built careers, transferred to universities, launched businesses, cared for patients, strengthened local industries and served their communities. It lives in the faculty and staff who encouraged students to keep going—and in the families whose futures were changed through education.
As OCTC celebrates 40 years of community college excellence, we honor the visionaries, educators, students, alumni, employees and community partners who made this story possible.
From a small technical school in a garage to a nationally recognized comprehensive community and technical college, OCTC’s mission remains steadfast: changing lives and strengthening our region through education.
OCTC has served 93,605 individuals in our region. Forty years of community college excellence. And the best is yet to come.
Find you path here. Go anywhere.
Classes begin August 17, registration is open through August 20. OCTC's START Center is on the main campus, located at 4800 New Hartford Road in the Campus Center. Prospective students may walk in or schedule an in-person, phone, or virtual appointment by calling (270) 686-4522 or emailing octc.STARTCenter@kctcs.edu. Let us help you find your path today!
Scott Williams is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s of Science degrees in Animal Science. He graduated from Colorado State University with a Ph.D. in Animal Science, majoring in Meat Science and Muscle Biology. Williams was appointed president of OCTC in June of 2015.
