College of Marin Community Update

A message from College of Marin President, Dr. Jonathan Eldridge.

Dear College of Marin Community,

Today marks a significant date in our institutional history, as we commemorate two remarkable milestones that illuminate both our journey and our resilience as an educational community.

Fifty years ago today—August 11, 1975—Indian Valley Colleges officially opened its doors. This campus, which would later become an integral part of the Marin Community College District as one of College of Marin's two campuses, represented a bold commitment to expanding educational access and opportunity throughout Marin County.

One hundred years ago, in 1925, a compelling story of transformation began. A young instructor at UC Berkeley, Ward H. Austin, wrote a paper concluding that Marin County could not successfully support a junior college due to an inadequate tax base. Despite these concerns, Marin Junior College (now College of Marin) was founded on April 6, 1926, after voters approved a 15-cent increase to their tax rate. A year later in 1927, Austin himself joined the College as an engineering instructor. Perhaps more remarkably, he would go on to serve as the College's president from 1942 to 1960, leading the very institution he had once deemed impossible.

Austin's journey from skeptic to champion embodies the spirit that has defined our College for a century: the willingness to challenge assumptions, embrace possibility, and dedicate ourselves to educational excellence even when the odds seem stacked against us.

As we stand at the threshold of our centennial year, these two anniversaries offer us both reflection and inspiration. They remind us that our College has consistently defied expectations, adapted to changing needs, and remained steadfast in our commitment to student success. From Austin's initial doubts to Indian Valley College's expansion of our mission, we have continually evolved while staying true to our core purpose.

In the year ahead, we will honor our remarkable past while actively shaping our future through Plan 2030: Defining Our Future. Guided by three transformative tenets—to be the best place to study & learn, be a great place to work & grow, and be a catalyst for positive community change—we will celebrate the visionaries, educators, and students who built this institution while charting a course that ensures College of Marin continues to serve as a beacon of opportunity and excellence for the next hundred years.

Thank you for being part of this extraordinary story. I look forward to seeing everyone soon as we kick off the fall semester later this month.

Jonathan