The Victoria College, 1925-2000: A Tradition of Excellence

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Dr. Jimmy Goodson (right) listens to
Governor George W. Bush’s proposal
to reduce state taxes.
Victoria College scored another first on
August 31 when nine students became the first
graduates of the firefighters certification program.
Instructor Jode Zavesky commented
that the course the college offered was different
than those found at other community colleges
because the local program was designed
to permit students to take the training and
hold full-time jobs. He said, “There are other
firefighting schools in the state, but most of
them are 8 to 5.” Zavesky added that this
poses a hardship for those who want to
become a firefighter but find it difficult to give
up their employment. “This one,” the instructor
noted, “has filled the gap.” 72
At its meeting on September 20, the board
adopted a ten-year master plan designed to
give “the College direction in construction and
layout for about the next 25 years.” Among the
proposal’s features are “enhancing the entrance
off of Red River Street leading to the Student
Center to create a main campus entrance and
focal point,” developing the quadrangle area in
the rear of the Academic Buliding, and relocating
“parking to the exterior of the campus
which provides space future construction.” 73
There have been many changes at Victoria
College over the past seventy-five years. When
Victoria Junior College was established, course
offerings were minimal, class enrollment
was small, the college shared a campus
with Patti Welder High School, students were
nattily dressed, walking to school was commonplace,
and racial segregation was the order
of the day. As the first decade of the new millennium
approaches, students have a wider
array of courses to choose from; class sizes
have mushroomed; males as well as females
wear earrings; the students dress less formally;
automobiles of all descriptions are driven on
206 ✦ THE VICTORIA COLLEGE, 1925-2000