MONACA – Beaver County commissioners, on Thursday, issued a proclamation formally recognizing the 55th anniversary of the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) School of Health Sciences.
In the proclamation, it stated CCBC began its first program of instruction whenever the commissioners donated then $49,500 for a new campus whenever the former Ambridge School of Practical Nursing shut down in 1967.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 29, 1972, for what would eventually become the over 1.7 million square foot Alliance Health Center.
Over the years, the building received different renovations, including significant laboratory and technological enhancements, aimed for student first-hand learning and experience.
The center was eventually renamed The Health Sciences Center.
In 2016, CCBC and Carlow University, in Pittsburgh, signed an agreement that would allow associate degree students who graduate from CCBD to transition to Carlow for its Bachelor of Science and nursing program.
This has led CCBC to expand the program with more area colleges and universities, and even started a high-school dual enrollment program to allow juniors and seniors a chance to earn half of their associate degree while still in high school.
In 2019, the name was changed to the School of Health Sciences.
It currently offers programs in electrocardiography, health science, medical assistant certification, medical office management, multiskilled health technician, nursing (ADN), phlebotomy certificate, practical nursing, and radiologic technology.
A gala celebrating the School of Health Sciences will be held on May 7 at the CCBC Golden Dome at 1 Campus Drive, Monaca.
Doors open at 5:45 p.m., with the dinner and programming to begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be ordered by going on the CCBC Foundation website, ccbcfoundation.org.
Nicholas Vercilla is a staff reporter for the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at nvercilla@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: CCBC School of Health Sciences celebrates 55th anniversary
