by Herkimer County Community College is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year. Founded in 1966, the campus was temporarily located in Univac Plant #3 in Ilion, until the present location was established.
The College mascot was named after General Nicolas Herkimer, a Palatine immigrant from Germany. He was best known for being a general in The Revolutionary War, particularly his efforts in leading the battle of Oriskany. In the past 60 years “The Generals” have won 66 national championships.
Professor Gassmann is the longest serving faculty member on campus, and has been working here since 1990. A lot has changed in that time, from the programs to the students. Gassmann said that students “are for the most part nicer, kinder and more agreeable than students I’ve had in the past. I don’t know if that has more to do with me than with them…I just don’t have disciplinary concerns about students anymore.”
According to Gassmann, Herkimer College has changed in many ways, but its remains steadfast in the most important ways. “One thing that has remained the same is the role the college plays in our community…it’s a rock on which so many lives have been built—think of the thousands of graduates who have gone on to improved careers and lives because they came through these doors,” said Gassmann.
One thing that has changed is some degrees that are offered, such as Radio-Television Broadcasting. Now the old production studio is a learning area for the criminal justice program. Gassmann remarked “I was hired in 1990 to teach television production and audio production, and when the college jettisoned that degree program I was crestfallen for quite some time.”
One thing is for certain though, according to Professor Gassmann, “This is a great school for no other reason than the people who work here really care about students and want the students to grow and succeed. That has always been the case and I can’t imagine that will change.”
To honor its commitment to students and the community, the college has taken up the 60 Acts of Service. From community clean-Ups to donation drives the college strives to “honor this milestone by supporting the people and organizations that make Herkimer County home.”