A Century of Community & Excellence

For a century, San Bernardino Valley College has opened doors, built futures, and shaped the Inland Empire through education.

Founded in 1926, SBVC has grown from a small community institution into a dynamic college committed to equity, innovation, and student success. As we mark 100 years of service, we invite you to celebrate our rich history, honor the people who made it possible, and look ahead to the next chapter of excellence.

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"As we move into our next century, we will deepen partnerships with local industries, expand bachelor’s degree programs, and invest in technologies that transcend traditional classrooms ... Together, we will shape the next century of success at San Bernardino Valley College. Here’s to a future as inspiring as our past."

— President Gilbert J. Contreras, Ph.D.
"As we celebrate 100 years of academic excellence, innovation, and community impact, San Bernardino Valley College stands tall as a beacon of opportunity and growth. From our humble beginnings in 1926 to becoming one of the most respected community colleges in California, our journey has been defined by resilience, progress, and the unwavering spirit of our students, faculty, and community."

— President Gilbert J. Contreras, Ph.D.
Old black and white photo of the SBVC Auditorium Present day photo of the SBVC Auditorium

Old FTVM

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POWERED BY THE PAST,

FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE.

POWERED BY THE PAST, FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE.

For 100 years, San Bernardino Valley College has been a catalyst for change - educating generations, transforming communities, and opening doors to opportunity. 

Learn about SBVC's 100 Years
A student with an "S" sweater between two kneeling students.
EDUCATING GENERATIONS,
EMPOWERING FUTURES

1926San Bernardino Union Junior College District is Established

March 26, 1926 - A vote to establish the San Bernardino Valley Union Junior College District passes with an overwhelming majority.

1926Land for New College is Acquired

Summer 1926 - the Board of Trustees offers to buy land for a new college on the east side of Mount Vernon Avenue. Voters approved a bond to cover the cost of the land and initial building construction. George H. Jantzen, Colton school superintendent and principal of Colton High School, is appointed dean of the college -- a title later changed to president.
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1926-1927First Year of Classes

First year of classes are held at San Bernardino High School and Colton High School. Construction is finished on the Administration Building, Life Science Building, gymnasium and library. In fall 1927, nearly 300 students were enrolled and more than 50 courses were offered. The college’s social life took off with the organization of several clubs and events, including La Sociadad Hispanica, Sock and Buskin (drama), the Forensics Club, a Women’s Athletic Association, dances, and parties.
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Track squad in the 1929 Gauchama Letters yearbook.
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Faculty in the 1929 Gauchama Letters yearbook.

1930The Observatory Opens

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1932Enrollment Tops 700 Day Students

Most planned to transfer to four-year schools
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Faculty in “Who’s Who and What’s What” book, 1932.

1933Great Depression

Depression leads to faculty pay reductions; most staff are retained.
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Campus in a June War Whoop issue.

1936-38SBVC Receives Funding for Building

SBVC receives funding to build an auditorium, Greek theater, vocational building, and concrete stadium bleachers.
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The auditorium opens in 1938.

1939-1945The College Shifts to Wartime Operations

The number of male students drops and some faculty join the military. The nursing program ramps up and students collect clothing for the Red Cross and scrap metal.
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Students participate in an activity in 1949.
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The Valentine king and court in 1948.
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A wartime student dance.

1946Bond Passes to Fund Construction

Bond passes to fund construction of an engineering building, student center, fine arts building, science building, business education building, and a library addition.
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Drawing of the campus in the March 22, 1946 War Whoop newspaper showing new buildings in a proposed $1.1 million expansion.

1951SBVC turns 25

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Students leave the A Building in the 1950s.

1954KVCR-FM is Created

Federal Communication Commission approves the district’s application for an FM station, creating KVCR-FM.
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M. Moulis operates the tape machine at KVCR in the 1960 Tom Tom yearbook.
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KVCR Manager Edward Rothhaar, left, runs through the script for KVCR’s “20th Century Dialogues” in the April 2, 1965 War Whoop newspaper. The topic was “Controversy on Campus,” with four students participating in the panel.

1958Enrollment Climbs In The Post-War Decade

Enrollment reaches more than 6,000 students in 1958. The technology and student life buildings are constructed.
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Technology building in the 954 Tom Tom yearbook.
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Students paying ASB fees in the 1955 Tom Tom yearbook.
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Students line up behind the S building for registration in the 1955 Tom Tom yearbook.

1958-1966The Campus Expands to Its Current Size

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Construction in the 1960s.
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Construction in 1965.
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Campus in 1969.

1967SBCCD Becomes a Multi-Campus District

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Homecoming parade in the 1960 Tom Tom yearbook.
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An instructor teaches class in the 1960 Tom Tom yearbook.

Late 1960sIncreased Enrollment and the Civil Rights Movement

The number of students of color increases due to the civil rights movement, and racial and political confrontation comes to campus.
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Mark and David Zedunich perform their favorite folk songs on campus during a rally pictured in the Feb. 6, 1970 War Whoop newspaper.
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MECHA demonstrators gather outside President Jensen’s office in the March 13, 1970 War Whoop newspaper.

1968 and 1972Cesar Chavez Visits Campus

In 1968 Chavez asked for help registering the poor to vote.
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Cesar Chavez speaks against Proposition 22 at a rally Oct. 12, 1972, as pictured in the War Whoop newspaper.
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Chavez at SBVC in March 1968.

1973Jane Fonda Visits Campus

Jane Fonda speaks in the gym about medical aid to Asia and peace negotiations in the Vietnam conflict.
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1975-76Enrollment Peaks at 18,000 Day and Evening Students

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The campus at 50 in 1976, in an aerial looking southwest toward Mount Vernon and Grant avenues, “From Jantzen to Jensen: SBVCs first fifty years.”

1976SBVC Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

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1978Ray Bradbury Visits Campus

Author Ray Bradbury speaks about creativity to a full house in the auditorium.
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1982Gore Vidal Visits Campus

Writer Gore Vidal speaks about the “State of the Union” in the auditorium.
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1986SBVC President Arthur M. Jensen Retires

SBVC's longest-serving president, Arthur M. Jensen, retires after 19 years. He oversaw many changes at SBVC, including several new buildings.
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Campus construction captured in the September 1969 War Whoop newspaper, near the beginning of Jensen’s tenure.

1990 Observatory Restoration

Richardson Astronomical Observatory is restored to its original use and reopens.
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1991SBVC Clock Tower Fixed

The clock tower clock is fixed through the efforts of student Doug Arendt.
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June 1992The Landers Earthquake

The Landers quake severely damages the book stacks on the main floor of the library, closing the building for the summer.
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February 1995President Bill Clinton Visits Campus

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Clinton tells a standing room-only crowd in Snyder gym the important role community colleges play in the nation’s economy on Feb. 14, 1995.
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Clinton is presented with an SBVC cap by Carleton Lockwood Jr., president of the college board of trustees.
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Clinton listens to students and community leaders at his education roundtable.

November 1996First Lady Hillary Clinton Visits Campus

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Hillary Clinton speak at SBVC Nov. 2, 1996, as pictured in the War Whoop newspaper.

1997The District Secures Over $40 Million in Funding

The District secures over $40 million in funding seven buildings straddling a fault line.
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1999Bookfest

SBVC hosts its first annual Bookfest, a celebration of books and authors open to the community.

2001SBVC Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary

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2001The College Changes Its Mascot to the Wolverine

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From the Arrowhead newspaper.
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From the Arrowhead newspaper.

2004-2008New Buildings Completed

The new library, Health and Life Sciences, Administration/Student Services, Campus Center, Art Gallery, Child Development Center and Student Health Services buildings open.
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Officials cut the ribbon on the new library on Sept. 15, 2004.
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The Campus Center under construction. It opened in May 2006 and was later renamed for board member Lois Carson.

2008Valley-Bound Commitment

Valley-Bound Commitment is launched and provides a free first year of college to eligible students from local high schools.
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Local high school students visit SBVC.

2009-2010Five Buildings Open

Five buildings open: Custodial, Maintenance & Operations, North Hall, Media & Communications and Physical Science. Physical Science is the campus’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified building.
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The Physical Sciences building opened in 2011.

2012Observatory Reopens

SBVC’s oldest building, the Observatory (built in 1930) reopens as a science museum.
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2012Veterans Resource Center

The Veterans Resource Center is dedicated.
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2013New Business Building

The 1960s-era Business Building reopens after an $18 million top-to-bottom renovation.
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2013Middle College High School

The Middle College High School campus opens after being housed for 12 years in portable classrooms.
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Middle College’s 10th anniversary celebration in 2023.

2016SBVC Cares Campaign

The SBVC Cares campaign is launched and encourages faculty, administrators and classified professionals to work together to assist at-risk students.
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2017The Valley 360 Resource Center Opens

The center provides food, hygiene and other items through community partnerships to help students meet their basic needs.
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2018Labor and Civil Rights Icon Dolores Huerta Speaks on Campus

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Dolores Huerta speaks at SBVC in March 2018.

2021Diana Z. Rodriguez Becomes Chancellor

Diana Z. Rodriguez becomes chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District after serving as president of SBVC for five years.
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2025New Applied Technology Building

The 114,897-square-foot Applied Technology Building opens and the college breaks ground on the Student Services Building. Both are on track for LEED Platinum certification, modeling sustainability in higher education.
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