COD Kicks Off 50th Anniversary Celebration with Free Concert, Fireworks Aug. 26

College of DuPage, in partnership with the McAninch Arts Center, will host a free concert by "Chicago" tribute band Brass Transit at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at the Lakeside Pavilion on the Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd. The concert, which includes fireworks and giveaways, kicks off a yearlong celebration of the College's 50th anniversary.

Over the next year, the College will host free on- and off-campus events to highlight the institution's robust history and continued service to students and District 502 residents over the past half-century. Featured events include the COD Food Truck Rally and Sunset 5K on Sept. 17 and a Homecoming Reunion and Homecoming Game Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, respectively.

The College also will sponsor traveling history exhibits throughout District 502, will participate in local parades, host alumni lectures and host "pack the place" throwback events at Chaparral basketball games. Click here for a list of all 50th anniversary festivities. A full list of campus events can be found on the College's events calendar.

In addition, COD is celebrating the McAninch Arts Center's 30th anniversary, WDCB's 40th anniversary and the COD Foundation's 50th anniversary.

Chartered in 1965 and opening its doors in 1967, College of DuPage originally formed from 10 high school districts. Since that time, it has evolved and grown into a modern, state-of-the-art institution that has provided high-quality instruction to more than one million students over the past 50 years.

Today, College of DuPage is an accredited community college that serves more than 29,000 students each term. The College, which grants nine associate degrees and more than 170 certificates in 100 areas of study, is the second largest provider of public undergraduate education in Illinois.