DC3 Celebrates 90th Anniversary with Week of Events
Published September 30, 2025
Dodge City Community College (DC3) wrapped up a week of events Saturday, celebrating its 90th anniversary, bringing together students, alumni, and community members to honor the college’s legacy since its founding in September 1935.
The festivities, spanning Tuesday, Sept. 23, through Saturday, Sept. 27, featured a blend of historical reflection, community engagement, and forward-looking partnerships.
The celebration began Tuesday with a time capsule ceremony on the college quad at 4 p.m. DC3 students and employees gathered to bury memorabilia, photographs, letters, and a 2025 Golden Shield yearbook, all scheduled to be unearthed during the college’s centennial in 2035. A granite marker, donated by Kitchens Inc., now marks the site.
On Wednesday, DC3 hosted a 5:30 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renamed Skinner Student Activity Center, known locally as the Dome. The event, which was in partnership with the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce, was followed by a community reception upstairs in the Western State Bank Conq Lounge. Attendees enjoyed free pizza from Dodge City Brewing and commemorative cupcakes before cheering on the Conquistador volleyball team at 6:30 p.m. in a home match against Cloud County Community College.
The college turned its focus to the future on Thursday, signing a memorandum of understanding with Kansas State University. The agreement, aimed at expanding collaboration in agriculture and education programs, was signed during a 10 a.m. ceremony in the Student Union Board Room. Speakers included Dr. Harold Nolte, DC3 President; Dr. Richard Linton, K-State President; and Jesse Perez Mendez, K-State Provost.
From 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, the Student Activities Department hosted “Quad Bash: 90 & Thriving” on the campus quad with walking tacos, outdoor activities, and music by DJ Benji Beatz.
Friday evening featured the unveiling of “DC3 Through the Years,” a historical photo exhibit presented by the college’s Office of Marketing and Public Relations. Hosted in the newly remodeled Communications Center from 4-6 p.m., the event debuted 33 new photo collages spanning 1997 to 2025 and included live music by Them Spicy Boys, hors d’oeuvres, and giveaways. At the same time, the Fine Arts Department presented an art exhibition in the Little Theatre Gallery showcasing pieces from the college’s permanent collection.
Saturday’s events began with a Pilot Meet and Greet at Dodge City Regional Airport, at 8 a.m., where families toured helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft from DC3’s Arizona-based flight programs. In addition, free coffee, donuts, and kids’ giveaways were available during the event.
Later in the day, beginning at 11 a.m., the community gathered at Memorial Stadium for a tailgate party and football game against Highland Community College. Free food and drinks were provided by National Beef, Central Station, and Heartland Coca-Cola. Local service-area K-12 students received free admission with school-distributed passes.
Just before the 1 p.m. kickoff, the game ball was delivered by helicopter courtesy of Sherry Curtis Rogers, Professor of Physical Science. During the game, cheerleaders from Dodge City High School and Dodge City Middle School joined the DC3 cheer team on the sidelines. At halftime, the DC3 cheerleaders performed a special routine for the crowd, followed by a recognition ceremony for pilots from DC3’s flight programs.
The celebration concluded with “Books, Bottles, and Brie,” a wine and cheese fundraiser hosted in the DC3 Library from 7-9 p.m. Guests enjoyed live music by Jeff Mitchell and refreshments provided by Hilmar Cheese, Great Western Dining, and Boot Hill Distillery, all while viewing sculptures and artwork by the late Mary Spurgeon, a 1938 alumna. The evening also featured raffles and cash games, with proceeds from the event supporting the future preservation and display of Spurgeon’s work on the DC3 campus.
For more information on the anniversary and upcoming college events, visit www.dc3.edu. Additional full-resolution photos from the 90th Anniversary Celebration week can be found on our DC3 Flickr account at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dodgecitycc/albums/.
By Alba Gutierrez-Ortiz
Marketing and Media Specialist
Photos by Jorge H. Garcia, Alba Gutierrez-Ortiz, and Lance Ziesch