Community college in Rockford celebrates 50 year

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) - A community college in northern Illinois is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Rock Valley College in Rockford opened in 1965. The Rockford Register Star (http://bit.ly/1wuziMJ ) reports that following a two-year study, a 1964 districtwide reference determined the need for a community college in the area.

The newspaper reports that dozens of people including staff and students kicked off a celebration Friday at the college.

Those in attendance included 19-year-old Claudia Consuelos, who is a pre-med student. She says she'll always have fond memories of the school.

The two-year college is part of the Illinois Community College System. It serves parts of counties including Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, McHenry and DeKalb.

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Online: http://www.rockvalleycollege.edu

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Information from: Rockford Register Star, http://www.rrstar.com