About Blue Mountain Community College

A 5:1 community vote establishes Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) on July 1, 1962.

• 1962: Doors opened in September with vocational-technical courses taught at Pendleton’s John Murray Junior High School.
• 1963: College Transfer programs are added.
• 1965: BMCC campus moves to the north hill overlooking Pendleton.
  • Construction plans are completed within 10 years.
• 1992: BMCC purchases Columbia Hall in Hermiston in September to accommodate local growth.
• 1993: BMCC leases the former US Bank Building for a center in Milton-Freewater.
• 1994: The Milton-Freewater Continuing Education Office and Basic Skills Center moves into the former US Bank Building.

With the expansion of Blue Mountain Community College’s tele-courses through videotapes, the Internet, and ED-NET, BMCC begins its distance education program in the fall of 1995. 

• Distance education delivery is now primarily online, including faculty and peer connections.
• Complete degree programs are available online.
• Technology components are now included in all BMCC courses to ensure students are digitally prepared.
• 100 distance educations courses are available today.

With growing enrollment in Morrow and Umatilla counties, a bond measure is passed in November 1998 for centers in these key growth areas. This bond financed:

• Centers in Hermiston and Milton-Freewater.
• The BMCC Morrow County Center in Boardman.
• The Pendleton campus’ new technical agriculture buildings, science and technology building, and older facility upgrades and remodels.

An additional ballot in March 2000 added Baker County to the BMCC district and classes began that fall.

The Eastern Oregon Higher Education Center was built in Hermiston to expand postsecondary education access for the residents in west Umatilla, north Morrow, and east Gillam counties. 

• June 2009: After 5 years of planning, the Oregon State Legislature approved funds for the project.
  • $7.4 million in lottery-backed funds are allocated for the project.
• September 2011: The building opened for classes.