TC3 Celebrates 50 Years in Dryden

Posted: October 22, 2024
Three individuals stand at a podium during an event at Tompkins Cortland Community College. A woman at the podium is speaking into a microphone, wearing glasses and a name tag, while a green sign on the podium displays the college's name. Behind her, a man and another woman hold a large image of what appears to be a design or architectural concept. The atmosphere is formal.

The year was 1974. Gas prices were skyrocketing – up 35% from the previous year to a nationwide average of 53 cent a gallon. Richard Nixon became the first American president to resign for office. Hank Aaron passed Babe Ruth to set the new Major League Baseball home run record. The movie some would call a cinematic classic from Mel Brooks premiered, with moviegoers showing up on horseback to watch “Blazing Saddles.” And up on a hill in Dryden, Tompkins Cortland Community College cut the ribbon on its new home. TC3’s main campus in Dryden turns 50 years old this year, and on October 21, students, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate the milestone. 

After opening in a renovated old high school building in Groton in 1968, TC3 quickly outgrew its temporary home and the College moved to Dryden in 1974. Speaking at the celebration, TC3 President Amy Kremenek said a lot has changed through the years, but the heart of the institution has not. “We've added to campus with dorms, a student center, athletics facility, sports fields, and a childcare center,” she said. “Since the opening of this campus 50 years ago, TC3 has been a place of excitement and promise, just as it is today. Through the years, this building has seen so many wonderful, life-changing moments for so many people. We have grown through the years, but we have never lost sight of our commitment to serving the educational needs of our students and our sponsoring counties.”

Joining Kremenek at the celebration were Cortland County Legislators Cathy Bischoff, Doug Bentley, and Kevin Fitch. Fitch, the chair of the legislature, read a proclamation from the legislature congratulating TC3 on 50 years in Dryden. Tompkins County Legislator Mike Lane also spoke during the celebration, sharing a similar proclamation from Tompkins County as well his memories of living in Dryden while the campus was under construction. 

The event ended with a group singing of “Happy Birthday” accompanied by Sandor Molnar of the TC3 Student Music Club.

 

Photo caption: President Amy Kremenek speaks at the 50 years celebration while Cortland County Legislators Kevin Fitch and Cathy Bischoff look on.