Onondaga Community College
History
The college welcomed its first class of students in the fall of 1962 at its downtown Syracuse location, the now demolished Midtown Plaza. OCC celebrated its first graduating class in 1964. In 1970 the college moved to its new and current location in the Town of Onondaga. Residence halls were opened in 2006, and a new Arena began hosting intercollegiate, scholastic, and community-based events in 2011.
Campuses
The college has two campuses. The main campus is on West Seneca Turnpike in the hamlet of Onondaga Hill, west of Syracuse; OCC@Liverpool (formerly called the North Site) is on County Route 57 in Liverpool, New York.
Organization and administration
Onondaga Community College is a 2-year college. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and one of 30 locally sponsored community colleges throughout New York State.
Academics
OCC offers a number of areas of study for Career or Transfer programs. Some of these areas are: Art, Design, Media & Music; Business; Computing & Applied Technologies; Education; Health; Liberal Arts; Math, Science & Engineering; Public Safety & Community Service. The college is a training center for the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium.
Student life
Arts
In 2001, OCC started the Arts Across Campus program that showcases artists from various art fields. Each year they may have a variety of art exhibits, concerts, performances, and lectures.
Athletics
OCC's has 16 athletics teams, which are nicknamed The Lazers. Student-athletes have won a combined 16 team national championships in Men's and Women's Lacrosse, Men's Basketball, and Men's Tennis. The Lazers newest athletics teams include Esports and Competitive Cheer. The SRC Arena & Events Center is the home of Lazers Athletics, scholastic sports, and community-based events.60,000 square feet (5,600 m)
Notable alumni
- Laurie Halse Anderson, author
- Grace Jones, singer, model and actress
- Mike Randall, actor and meteorologist