October 24 '25•Benjamin Demers•50th anniversary• walking tour

Mission Marks 50 Years of Excellence with “Golden Milestones: A Walk-Through Mission’s Legacy”

Misison College sign in middle of campus
Guests are welcomed to explore Mission College’s rich history during “Golden Milestones: A Walk-Through Mission’s Legacy,” a special 50th-anniversary event held across the Gillmor Center, Student Engagement Center, and Business Technology building.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

SANTA CLARA, CA -- This year marks Mission College’s 50th anniversary - five decades dedicated to empowering students, fostering innovation, and transforming the community.

As part of this yearlong celebration, Mission College will host “Golden Milestones: A Walk-Through Mission’s Legacy” on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., beginning in the Gillmor Center and continuing through the Student Engagement Center and Business Technology building.
 
This immersive showcase honors the college’s journey from its humble beginnings to its place today as a hub of innovation, diversity, and student success in the heart of Silicon Valley.
 

The Spring Semester, which kicked off on January 27, surpassed all expectations as Mission not only met but exceeded its enrollment target by 17 percent.

“Golden Milestones” invites attendees to step into the story of Mission College, a guided walking tour through interactive exhibits and multimedia installations that capture the people, moments, and movements that shaped the college’s identity. 
 
Visitors will explore galleries of historic photographs, oral histories, personal recollections, and defining achievements, reflecting how Mission’s mission of access and equity has evolved over five transformative decades.
 
Each stop along the tour will highlight a different era of the college’s development from its founding in the 1970s and its pioneering focus on inclusivity, to its rise as a forward-thinking institution at the forefront of technological innovation and community engagement.
Mission College classroom in 1980s
Visitors journey through five decades of Mission College memories at “Golden Milestones,” celebrating the people, progress, and pride that shaped the campus community.

“For 50 years, Mission College has stood as a beacon of opportunity and innovation,” said Dr. Seher Awan, president of Mission College. “Our story is one of resilience, collaboration, and compassion. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also charting the next chapter, one where education continues to break barriers and build futures.”

A Year of Celebration

Throughout 2025, Mission College has honored its golden anniversary with a series of vibrant community events that reflected its creativity, culture, and spirit from the Golden Notes Summer Concert Celebration that filled the Central Plaza with music and laughter, to the Golden Vibes Welcome Back BBQ that reunited students, alumni, employees, and retirees for a joyful new semester.
 
The festivities continued this fall with the elegant Golden Nights, Brilliant Stars Gala, the spirited Ghouls in Gold 5K Dash & Bash, and the inspiring Golden Impressions Employee Art Exhibition in the Vargas Gallery, all culminating in Golden Milestones, a signature event that brings together the heart of Mission’s history and the promise of its future.
 

“Mission College has always been more than a campus as it’s a community built on hope, belonging, and shared purpose,” said Lorrie Ranck, vice president of instruction. “These celebrations remind us that every student success story is part of something bigger - a legacy of transformation that continues to inspire.”

Continuing the Legacy

As Mission College honors its past, it also looks ahead to a bold and inclusive future fueled by compassion, technology, and a deep belief in the power of education. Every act of generosity and every student success strengthens the college’s commitment to creating opportunities for all.

Light refreshments will be served at Golden Milestones, and all are welcome to attend this inspiring celebration of Mission’s history and future.

Event Details

Golden Milestones: A Walk-Through Mission’s Legacy
When: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Starting in the Gillmor Center, Mission College, Santa Clara, CA
Website: missioncollege.edu/50

 

Benjamin Demers
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
[email protected] 
About Mission College

Mission College is a leading institution of higher education dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality education that empowers students to succeed.

With a commitment to student success, equity, and innovation, Mission College offers a diverse range of academic programs, exceptional faculty, and supportive services to foster a thriving educational community. 


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