| In
1964 Rochester Junior College became part of the Junior
College State System thus ending its near 50 year
association with the Rochester Public Schools.
|
Enrollment
from 1955 to the fall of 1963 exploded from 275 to1156
students. Record registrations, orientation
attendance and graduates occurred. Between 1953
and 1963 RJC’s growth rate topped the state
at 413%.
|
1956
Booster Cup Recipient Johng Lim
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In
1962 the tradition of freshmen having to wear RJC
Beanies for three week at the start of fall term
began. The beanies allowed freshmen to be
distinguished from high school kids and was deemed
a privilege.
|
Geraldine
Whipple Evans was student in the late fifties (pictured
on the far left) She would later become the
college’s 6th President.
|
Chuck
Johnson became a local business leader and an owner
of Johnson Printing was a former student senate president
and Booster Cup recipient in the early 60’s.
|
Bob
Wise, Don Lavine, and Julie Siem provided leadership
for Musical productions like the Music Man in 1964.
|
Arlin
Snesrud an RJC student wrote a new Alma Mater for
the college in the late fifties.
|
The
college’s first All American was Roger Garmers
in men’s basketball in 1957. Garmers set a scoring
record of 50 points in one game. He repeated
as all-American the following year. Garmers
is pictured with Joe Rockenbach.
|
Philo
created a powerhouse that would dominate in community
college wrestling. He coached 7 All Americans,
won 10 titles and led RJC to a national ranking
as high as second. Philo is the college’s
first coach elected to the NJCAA Hall of Fame in
1979.
|
1960
marked one of RJC’s greatest athletic years
with the Jackets capturing 3 conference titles in
the spring. The golfers won their 11th consecutive
southern Minnesota title. The tennis squad
won their 5th straight title and the trackmen copped
their 3rd straight title.
|
The
first yellowjacket design made its appearance.
|
|
The
college’s foundation was established in 1961.
|
In
1960 the College lost its beloved Charles Singley.
Charlie in his 36 years was known for his sage advice,
his readiness with a story to ease frayed nerves
and his unquestionable loyalty to Rochester Junior
College.
|
The
Echo Staff led by Marie Matte received a first class
rating in national competition in 1961 and not its
last.
|
|
|
RJC
was highlighted in the June 1960 issue of Seventeen
magazine.
|
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Timeline: 
