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60th Anniversary

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QCC was established in 1963 to provide access to quality, higher education to residents of Central Massachusetts, providing thousands of men and women opportunities for:

  • A first-rate education
  • Personal growth
  • Immediate entry into the workforce
  • Transfer to bachelor level programs in four-year colleges and universities
  • Personal and cultural enrichment

A Glimpse of the Past

QCC: A Brief History

December 15, 1961Massachusetts Board of Regional Community College approved application by Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce for a college in Worcester.
December 19, 1962Site selected at 251 Belmont Street and approved by the Regional Board.
February 2, 1963President Paul G. Preus appointed.
May 10, 1963First student admitted.
September 1963First classes began with 278 students at Holy Cross while renovations were made on the Belmont Street Buildings.
September 28, 1964Classes began at the new facilities on Belmont Street with 558 day division students and 150 evening division students.
June 10, 1965First Commencement Exercises held for a class of 44 candidates, that included students in Liberal Arts, Business Administration and Secretarial, and Engineering.
December 8, 1967Accreditation by and membership in the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools was awarded.
July 29, 1969Worcester Consortium of Higher Education was incorporated, consisting of six senior and four junior colleges in and near Worcester and including Quinsigamond Community College.
November 30, 1970QCC purchased the Assumption Preparatory School campus on West Boylston Street, Worcester.
January 27, 1971Classes held for the first time on the West Boylston Street Campus for approximately 900 students. The 500 day division students continued at the Belmont Street Campus.
1977Dr. Donald J. Donato named the second president of QCC.
1980Dr. Clifford S. Peterson named the third president of QCC.
1995Dr. Sandra L. Kurtinitis named the fourth president of QCC.
May, 2004QCC opened The Harrington Learning Center, a 56,000-square foot, three-story, state-of-the-art facility housing the Alden Library and a comprehensive academic and media center.
2006Dr. Gail E. Carberry named the fifth president of QCC.
July, 2009President Barack Obama issued a challenge to the community college system nationwide to double its numbers. QCC rose to the challenge, graduating 80 percent more students since June 2007.
September, 2009First satellite location opened in Southbridge.
September, 2011Marlborough satellite location opened at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School.
April, 2015The QCC Healthcare and Workforce Development Center opened as part of a partnership between Quinsigamond Community College and the Worcester Business Development Corporation.
January, 2016Grand Opening of the QuEST (Quinsigamond Engineering, Science and Technology) Center.
July, 2017Dr. Luis G. Pedraja named the sixth president of QCC.
March, 2020For the first time in the College's history all classes transitioned to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evolution of the Quinsigamond Logo

The evolution of QCC logos

  1. 1995 black and white rectangular logo.
  2. Red ellipse logo with full college name.
  3. Red ellipse with new tagline.
  4. Introduction of the school color, Pantone 2945 to the ellipse logo.
  5. Current logo representing an open door.
  6. Special edition 50th Anniversary logo.

Behind the Scenes: A Look at the Wyvern

An early wyvern design conceptAn early wyvern design conceptAn early wyvern design concept

An early wyvern design conceptAn early wyvern design conceptAn early wyvern design concept

An early wyvern design conceptAn early wyvern design concept

The Wyvern mascot has developed extensively over the years, changing from a ferocious creature of myth into the friendly, guardian figure adopted by QCC. Each iteration highlights a different dragon-like trait of this creature from English folklore, where the creature is said to have possessed a venomous bite, a lack of hind legs, and the ability to breath fire. In heraldry, the wyvern is commonly a supporting figure on crests and seals.

For a more detailed history, please visit our Wyvern page.