A New Visual Arts Center

As Wyoming’s first community college, Casper College has seen many successes throughout its 75 years. On June 5, 2021, we will celebrate Casper College’s impact on our current students, alumni, and community. Join the Casper College Foundation and Alumni Association as we look back and celebrate how far the college has come!

Our Beginning

Our students and the community have consistently benefited from the offerings at Casper College since its opening on September 17, 1945. That year, Casper College, known then as Casper Junior College, began on the 3^rd floor of Natrona County High School under Dean, Maurice Griffith. The first classes commenced with 73 daytime students and 83 evening students.

In the fall of 1955, Casper College moved out of Natrona County High School into its brand new $800,000 building on the present-day campus. Nearly 415 students attended classes that year, a record-breaking number. By the 1960s, the campus housed three structures on 30 acres and boasted 750 students. The Casper College Foundation, established in 1963, has been instrumental in ensuring the college has the resources it needs to provide a top-notch education for its students, even during tough economic times.

Campus Growth

Over the past 75 years, Casper College’s campus has grown to 28 buildings on more than 200 acres in central Casper. As one of the largest and most comprehensive community colleges in the region, Casper College now offers more than 140 academic transfer and technical career programs to nearly 5,000 students.

Growing a campus to this size has been no small feat and has required the support of generous alumni, community members, and our exceptional faculty and staff. The addition of recognizable buildings supports the demand for higher education, more diverse programs, and a growing student population.

Thanks to a community of incredible donors, the Life Science Building was fully funded and completed in 1972, propelling Casper College into the future and opening the doors to more expansion in the years to come. In 1980, we saw the new Goodstein Library open for students and community members to study and expand upon ideas captured during lectures and class studies. Then, the Gertrude Krampert Theatre opened in 1985, dedicating an entire facility to the performing arts.

A Bright Future

More space, upgrades, and construction have resulted in the beautiful campus you see today. We are excited to see where the next 75 years take this beloved college. Scholarships and financial contributions to the college have grown tremendously along with the college’s physical space. Today, the foundation awards over $1.2 million in scholarships to students each year. Additionally, the foundation helps fund needed and ongoing programs. The foundation also helps fund building upgrades and construction through the support of our donors, including the new visual arts building set for completion in 2022. This would not be possible without the people who believe in the work we do and the mission to provide the highest education and tools for success to each student that comes through our doors.

On June 5^th, the Casper College Foundation and Alumni Association is holding a gala to celebrate Casper College’s rich 75-year history. The celebration will also honor 25 Exemplary Alumni who embody the excellent education Casper College provides. The limited tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased from the foundation online at caspercollegefoundation.org/75th-invitation or by calling 307-268-2256.