East Central College is excited to celebrate its 50th Anniversary with the community. On September 15 from 12 – 4 p.m., we’ll have food trucks, family-friendly activities, live music and games on the Union campus, 1964 Prairie Dell Road. The free event will also feature a live petting zoo, a 1960s to 1970s vehicle display and inflatables for the kids.

Activities will take place in all campus buildings, including the East Central College Training Center and Business and Industry Center. Shuttles will be available during the event. Academic departments will host several interactive displays and presentations at the celebration.

50th Anniversary Celebration Schedule of Events

12 – 4 p.m.                               Vehicle Display, Buescher Hall Parking Lot

                                                   Food Trucks, Donald Shook Student Center Quad

                                                   Petting Zoo, Hansen Hall Lawn

                                                   Children’s Games and Inflatables, Buescher Hall Plaza

                                                   Commemorative Photo Booth, Health and Sciences Lobby

                                                   Faculty Demonstrations and Displays, All Campus Buildings

12 – 3 p.m.                                Exceptional Equestrians Display, Donald Shook Student Center – East Lawn

12:15 – 1:15 p.m.                    Culinary Demonstration, East Central Training Center

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.                    Matterhorn Performances, Art Gallery (10-minute play)

1:00 p.m.                                   Walking Tour of Campus, Buescher Hall Lobby

1 – 2 p.m.                                  Alumni Reunions, Theater Lobby (PTK, SGA, Student Clubs, Athletes, Coaches)

1 – 2 p.m.                                  Jazz Band and Choir Performance, Donald Shook Student Center Quad

1:15 – 2:15 p.m.                      Culinary Demonstration, East Central Training Center

2:00 – 2:30 p.m.                      50th Anniversary and Time Capsule Ceremony, Theater

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.                      Alumni Reunions, Theater Lobby (Performing Arts Students, Faculty and Staff)

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.                      Poetry Reading, Hansen Hall Art Gallery

3 p.m.                                        Walking Tour of Campus, Buescher Hall Lobby

3 – 4 p.m.                                  Culinary Demonstration, East Central Training Center

“Our faculty and staff will have some really interesting and interactive activities throughout the day on campus,” said Jay Scherder, director of public relations. “Our education faculty will be recording messages for the time capsule, our accounting faculty will demonstrate how to use an abacus and our math and science faculty will have several interactive activities. There really will be something for everyone.”

Additionally, several academic departments will hold trivia-related activities around campus. The art department has a 50th Anniversary mosaic project, and there will be an escape room in Hansen Hall. The Business and Industry Center will have several equipment demos, and the healthcare faculty will showcase its latest technology in the Health and Science Building.

On April 2, 1968, voters approved the establishment of the Junior College District of East Central Missouri. On September 15, 1969, nearly 17 months later, the first classes were held in temporary facilities at Memorial Auditorium in downtown Union. Learn more about East Central College’s 50th Anniversary.