STC turns 15

McALLEN — Anna Moreno probably didn't know South Texas College turned 15 this year, but it didn't seem to matter as long as she got to visit the school's Pecan Campus on Saturday.

"The kids are having a blast," her mother, Diane, said as the girl rushed to the table to ask permission to visit various tents set up outside the school.

"They really like the moon jumps," her father, Joe, chimed in.

At least 4,000 people gathered for the college's Quinceañera Celebration Day to check out art exhibits and attend lectures and presentations by professors at the campus, among other activities. The event was part of a series of 15th anniversary festivities planned this year at various STC campuses across Hidalgo and Starr counties.

It was an opportunity for the school to showcase its achievements over the years and provide entertainment for the community, STC spokeswoman Helen Escobar said.

"We have fun every day at STC, and we want everyone else to have fun, too," Escobar said. "We want to show the community what we have to offer."

Among at least 100 educational attractions was a reptile petting zoo with a tortoise, alligator and iguana roaming the campus, located at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd., McAllen.

For Charles Robinson, a history instructor at the school, the event was an opportunity to deliver book readings on his published work and to bring his grandchildren to the campus to learn about biology.

His grandson Daniel Saldaña said he particularly enjoyed the reptile exhibit, shyly extending a photograph with the alligator on his lap.

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Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.

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IF YOU GO:

What: South Texas College's Starr County Campus will have a "quinceañera" celebration Nov. 20 to commemorate the school's 15th anniversary. Activities will include mariachis, folklorico dancers, choirs, a DJ, an auto show, a carnival, cake decorating and floral arrangement demonstrations, and a health fair with free diabetes and blood pressure screenings.

When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 20

Where: STC's Starr County Campus, 142 Farm-to-Market Road 3167, Rio Grande City.

Cost: Free and open to the public.

OVER THE YEARS:

>> June 2, 1993

Gov. Ann Richards signed legislation that led to the creation of South Texas College, which was known at the time as South Texas Community College.

>> September 1993

With one location in McAllen, the college opened its doors to 1,058 students with a handful of programs.

>> September 2001

Voters in Hidalgo and Starr counties approved the passage of a $98.7 million bond issue, which the college used to create its current campus locations and facilities.

>> June 2004

South Texas Community College changed its name to South Texas College because the institution was selected as one of three community colleges in the state to offer a pilot degree program to allow students to earn a bachelor of applied technology in technology management.

>> Fall 2008

Record enrollment of more than 22,000 students.