Dear Editor:

“Thank you!” On behalf of the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, Collin College would like to send this message to the citizens of Collin County. You see, 30 years ago local voters approved the creation of this college—the first public higher education institution in our county. Today, we would like to begin the college’s 30^th anniversary with sincere appreciation to everyone who had a hand in the formation and success of Collin College both then and now.

Collin County waited a long time to have its very own college, but it never would have happened without the foresight of a group of dedicated volunteers on the “Committee of 100.” Three decades of successful alumni stand as a tribute to these visionaries as well as the citizens who understood the value of education to the local economy. Their work stands as a lesson to the next generation about what can happen when our communities bands together for the greater good.

In the fall of 1985, about 1,500 eager students stepped into classrooms the first time. This year nearly 52,000 students will attend Collin College’s seven campuses and locations. Collin County can be proud of the award-winning academics and the solid pipeline of talent produced for the local workforce at Collin College. At the same time, we have kept the tax rate low, and tuition is currently the lowest in the state of Texas.

Last fall, we adopted the Texas bluebonnet as Collin College’s official flower. The flower’s royal blue petals topped by a crown of white parallel the college’s official colors, and the flowers bloom each year just prior to commencement as a prelude to a new class of graduates and a tribute to alumni. The first bluebonnets were planted last fall at campuses throughout the district, and right on schedule the first blossoms appeared just before the 30^th anniversary of the election to found the college. The flowers are a symbol of higher education, because, as Lady Bird Johnson once said, “Where flowers bloom, so does hope.”

Looking forward, Collin County can be proud of the investment made with the vote to establish a college in this county. Although it is the second-youngest community college in Texas, Collin College has become a jewel of the state and a national powerhouse for higher education. This is only the beginning, and we hope you will join in the celebration as Collin College springboards into the next era. Thank you for being a part of the Collin College legacy.

Gratefully,

Mac Hendricks

Chairman

Collin College Board of Trustees