Brazosport College

In 1948, voters of the Brazosport Independent School District voted to create the Brazosport Junior College District. However, not until the summer of 1967, after a tax was authorized by voters to maintain the college, was the college actually built. In the fall of 1968, the college opened as Brazosport Junior College, and the first semester of classes began with an enrollment of 868 students.{{cite web |url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/kcb05 |title=Brazosport College |author=Gillenwaters, Karen |publisher=Texas State Historical Association |work=Handbook of Texas |access-date=May 6, 2021}} Classes were held at the Brazosport Education Extension Center in Freeport, Texas.

In 1970, Brazosport Junior College graduated its first 25 students. That same year, Brazosport Junior College was renamed to Brazosport College to represent a broader vision for the school.

On June 20, 2003, then-Texas Governor Rick Perry signed Senate Bill 286 into law, which allowed the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to choose Brazosport College, Midland College, and South Texas College to offer baccalaureate degrees.{{cite web |url=http://thefacts.com/news/article_fc5baf35-77a9-5c3f-a318-5eb79205b206.html |title=BC can offer 4-year degree |author=Wright, Michael |date=July 1, 2003|publisher=Brazosport Facts |access-date=June 11, 2010}} In December 2004, Brazosport College received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a baccalaureate-level institution. In fall of 2005, Brazosport College began offering classes for its Bachelor of Applied Technology degree program for the first time.

In 2011, Brazosport College, along with Frank Phillips College in Borger, Ranger College in Ranger, and Odessa College in Odessa, were proposed for closure by the State of Texas. The Texas Association of Community Colleges rallied successfully to keep the four institutions open.{{cite web|url=http://www.tacc.org/documents/012411-2a.pdf|title=Letter to the Honorable Joe Straus|date=January 24, 2011|publisher=tacc.org|access-date=September 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074602/http://www.tacc.org/documents/012411-2a.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}}

In July 2014, Brazosport College expanded its baccalaureate programs by adding the Health Management Services major to its Bachelor of Applied Technology degree program.

In July 2021, Brazosport College received a $3 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in recognition to their service to minority communities.{{Cite web|url=https://brazosport.edu/about-bc/newsroom/2021/brazosport-college-receives-3-million-gift-from-philanthropist-mackenzie-scott.html|title = Brazosport College receives $3 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott|website=Brazosport College|first=Billy| last=Loveless|date = June 15, 2021}}

• J. R. Jackson, 1968–1978
• W. A. Bass, 1978–1988
• John R. Grable, 1988–1996
• Millicent Valek, 1996–2021
• Vincent Solis, 2022–present

There are several divisions that comprise the college as follows:

• Division of Communication & Fine Arts
• Division of Computer Technology & Office Administration
• Division of Construction and Mechanical Technologies
• Division of Mathematics & Life Sciences
• Division of Physical Sciences & Process Technologies
• Division of Social Sciences & Business
• Department of Transitional Education

File:Byron & Sandra Sadler Health Professions-Science Complex.jpg

Students at BC have the option to pursue several educational paths. Historically, most students have opted to attend classes at Brazosport College as a stepping stone to other colleges and universities that offer bachelor's degrees. BC participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System, or TCCNS, a voluntary cooperative effort by many Texas colleges and universities to create a standard set of course designations for transfer students at the freshman and sophomore level. This allows students who wish to transfer courses taken at Brazosport College to take a relevant curriculum for their destination school.

Another option for students at BC is to pursue an associate degree. Brazosport College generally graduates around 200 students annually.

File:Dow Academic Center.jpg

A third option for students at BC is to pursue a Bachelor's degree in the school's Bachelor of Applied Technology program. Students in this program must be admitted through a separate application process.

File:The Clarion.jpg

Brazosport College as a campus is nearly {{convert|160|acre|km2}} in size. It is a fully commuter-based campus, as there are no housing facilities for students. Most classes are held in a central complex.

Brazosport College is home to The Clarion — a {{convert|29000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} performance hall that seats 600 people.[http://clarion.brazosport.edu/Facility.htm About the Clarion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814002233/http://clarion.brazosport.edu/Facility.htm |date=August 14, 2007}}. Brazosport College. Retrieved October 12, 2007. The $7.36 million facility opened in October 2005.[http://www.brazosport.edu/~navgator/2005_Oct/clarion.htm "Clarion music performance hall holds first concert".] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206072726/http://www.brazosport.edu/~navgator/2005_Oct/clarion.htm |date=February 6, 2007 }} The Navigator. Retrieved October 12, 2007. Notable artists that have performed at The Clarion include singer-songwriters Don McLean, Lyle Lovett, David Sanborn, Aaron Neville, Christopher Cross, Vince Gill, Rick Springfield, and Los Lonely Boys.[http://clarion.brazosport.edu/PastPerformances.htm Past Performances by Guest Artists] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819235017/http://clarion.brazosport.edu/PastPerformances.htm |date=August 19, 2008}}. Brazosport College. Retrieved October 12, 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.brazosport.edu/sites/General/NewsAndEvents/Current%20News/Los%20Lonely%20Boys%20kicks%20off%20Clarion's%20fifth%20season.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121212025745/http://www.brazosport.edu/sites/General/NewsAndEvents/Current%20News/Los%20Lonely%20Boys%20kicks%20off%20Clarion's%20fifth%20season.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 12, 2012 |title=Los Lonely Boys kicks off Clarion's fifth season |author=Loveless, Billy |publisher=Brazosport College |date=October 1, 2010|access-date=October 10, 2012 }} The Clarion has had only one administrator since its construction, Vorin Dornan.{{Cite web|url=http://brazosport.edu/faculty-and-staff/resources/staff-directory/dornan-vorin/dornan-vorin.html|title=Dornan, Vorin|website=09-Staff-Page|language=en|access-date=June 4, 2019}}

The Brazosport Center for the Arts and Sciences, a {{convert|45000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility, is located directly in front of Brazosport College. Hosted by the college, the Brazosport Center for the Arts and Sciences is an independent nonprofit corporation. The center houses Brazosport Center Stages, an art studio and gallery, The Brazosport Museum of Natural Science along with a nature center and planetarium.[http://www.bcfas.org BCFAS.org]. The Brazosport Center for the Arts and Sciences. Retrieved October 12, 2007.

BC has a student activity center known as "The Swamp". Students can play pool, table tennis, and participate in other activities. The college also has a central dining facility that serves meals throughout the day to visitors, students, and staff and faculty.

Brazosport College's Student Senate are elected and represent the student body's interests. Other activities for students include a fencing club and a performing drama group.

• Candace Duval, class of 1981, former Democratic nominee to the U.S. House of Representatives
• Robert Ellis, last attended in 2006, singer-songwriter

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Brazosport College}}

• [http://www.brazosport.edu Official website]

{{coord|29.044786|-95.407907|display=title}}

{{Education in Brazoria County, Texas}}

{{Tertiary education in Greater Houston}}

{{Community colleges in Texas}}

{{Freeport, Texas}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Education in Brazoria County, Texas

Category:Greater Houston

Category:Universities and colleges established in 1968

Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Category:Community colleges in Texas

Category:Freeport, Texas

Category:Two-year colleges in the United States

Category:1968 establishments in Texas