Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) hosted a 50th Anniversary Celebration last week. The event included a homecoming hour meet and greet where guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and live music with NPC alumni Jacob Flores and Christine DeMeo. Dr. John Hogan, NPC President; Barbara Briscoe, retired faculty; and Cole McCaskill, NPC alumni addressed the crowd. Guided and self-guided tours of campus were provided throughout the evening.

Briscoe shared early history of the College before the campus was established and highlights from her experience as one of the original faculty members hired in 1973. She explained that classes were held in locations all over the city when the College first began. “We finally did get a building in Mid-America Park. In 1977, we moved here and that’s when things began to flourish.”

Briscoe described how the community came together to make the campus what it is today. “The good people of Garland County saw a need and helped us meet it,” she noted in closing.

Hogan said, “This Hot Springs and Garland County community is more…supportive of its college than any place that I’ve ever been and frankly that I can imagine. All of the changes, all of the growth, all that you contribute, it matters and it pays off for our students. It’s important work.”

Hogan discussed the changes to campus over the past decade, including changes to student demographics and the student experience with the addition of residence halls and athletics. He explained that NPC students disproportionately struggle with housing, food and health care insecurities and discussed investments the College has made to respond to those needs.

Hogan stated, “We are still under construction,” noting the College was breaking ground on phase one of the 25-year master plan with the addition of Redbud Hall. “This represents a vision that our students and our faculty and staff have for NPC, the NPC of the future. And, hopefully, 50 years from now folks will be standing here in that campus,” he added.

McCaskill shared his family’s connection to NPC started in 1973 when his mother enrolled as a student in the College’s first class. “My mom credits the college with changing the trajectory of her life.”

McCaskill said his mother encouraged him to consider enrolling at the College when he was 24 years old. He recognized his mother in the crowd and said, “Mom, thank you for giving me that direction and investing in me when I needed it. We weren’t sure where I was headed, but you could see the first step in my path forward.”

“After finishing classes here, I got a bachelor’s degree. I went to work for the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and Hot Springs Metro Partnership where I have been for 10 years. I probably would not have finished college if it had not been for this school right here in my community,” said McCaskill.

McCaskill described some of the recent industry partnerships he has been a part of with NPC. “I have a new appreciation for the College, as they play a major role in the economic improvement of our region. It’s critical to have a strong college in our area, one that hears the needs of the community and offers programs that equips students with the right skills for in-demand jobs.”

McCaskill added in closing, “National Park College is an economic generator in our community. The next 50 years of National Park College will be transformative. I know that because the past 50 years have been transformative. I know that National Park College will continue to evolve and meet the needs of our community to give the students the skill necessary to compete in the labor market, some for jobs that don’t exist today. The College released its 25-year master plan. It’s ambitious. It’s what our community deserves.”

Pictured left to right: Front row -  Forrest Spicher, Beverly Joe, Barbara Briscoe, Joyce Craft, Lance Porter, Gary Troutman; Back row - Mike Bush, John Hogan, Cole McCaskill, and Raymond Wright.