Spotlight
After Humble Beginnings, the Los Banos Campus Has Thrived
“With a solid foundation, a permanent campus, the overwhelming support of the community, and an ongoing commitment to excellence, the Los Banos Campus is poised for even greater success in the years to come.”
By James Leonard
Note: The annual State of the College event, scheduled for April 7, will be held for the first time in Los Banos. Merced College President Chris Vitelli will give his annual address, and the contributions of Larry and Georgeann Anderson (mentioned below) will be honored.
The Los Banos Campus of Merced College has played a vital role in the community for more than 50 years. Despite a series of challenges, the campus has evolved into a hub for higher education, vocational training, and community engagement. Here, we reflect on its history, the resilience of its supporters, and the exciting developments that promise to shape its future.
A Dream Becomes Reality
In 1971, Merced College established a full-time campus in Los Banos, meeting the educational needs of a growing community. Before this, the college had only offered evening courses in the area. The transition to a full-time campus was initiated by Merced College President Lowell Barker and Dean Ted McVey, who identified a building previously used by the Bureau of Reclamation to house the campus. The Los Banos community responded enthusiastically, with more than 400 students enrolling in the first semester.
Despite these early successes, the campus faced financial and logistical challenges following the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, which reduced funding for education. By 1980, the campus was facing the threat of closure. Local leaders, including Richard Menezes, stepped in to help. In 1980, Menezes donated 10 acres of land for a new campus, and while delays in construction resulted in temporary setbacks, the Los Banos Campus survived, teaching classes in storefronts across town until the new modular buildings were completed in 1982.
The Struggle for Stability
The next decade saw the Los Banos Campus continue to grow and stabilize. Under the leadership of John Spevak, the campus began to expand its course offerings and hire more faculty. In 1985, the campus re-established its name as the Los Banos Campus, distancing itself from the earlier “Westside Center” designation it had been given in 1982.
The campus also began to benefit from the generosity of donors like Menezes, who provided a $40,000 donation for the construction of a child development center, which opened in 1992. The campus also grew closer to the local high schools, with a concurrent enrollment program allowing high school students to take college courses.
A Permanent Home
By the 1990s, it was clear that the campus needed a permanent, brick-and-mortar home to accommodate its growing student population. Local developer Larry Anderson and his wife Georgeann stepped forward, donating 125 acres of land near Highway 152 for a new campus.
This donation, combined with the success of a bond measure passed in 2002 with a voter approval of more than 70%, set the stage for the construction of the new campus.
In 2007, the new Los Banos Campus opened its doors on the donated land, offering state-of-the-art classrooms, science labs, and much-needed space for growth.
Growth and Expansion
Starting in the 1990s and especially since the opening of the permanent campus in 2007, the Los Banos Campus has continued to grow, adding new programs and facilities to better serve its students. It has been fortunate to have had the leadership of outstanding deans, including Anne Newins, Karyn Dower, Brenda Latham, Lonita Cordova, and the current dean, Jessica Moran.
The campus now offers a diverse array of educational opportunities, including general education courses, career technical education (CTE) programs like welding, and newer programs such as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training. The campus also offers adult education programs like GED preparation, ESL classes, and citizenship courses, further expanding access to higher education for the community.
In 2024, the Los Banos community overwhelmingly passed Measure P, a $46 million bond measure, with nearly 74% voter approval. This crucial support will fund the development of a new Career Technical Education building, which will house cutting-edge programs in healthcare, agriculture, computer information systems, and welding.
The new CTE facility is part of a broader strategy to enhance workforce development and prepare students for in-demand careers. The Measure P funding will also go toward modernizing campus infrastructure and expanding hands-on learning opportunities.
Other recent developments include the completion of an Agriculture Modular Building and Greenhouse, designed to give students practical experience in sustainable farming and agribusiness. Additionally, the campus quad has undergone significant renovations to enhance student spaces and create a more inviting, collaborative environment.
The Child Development Center has become a cornerstone of the campus, providing childcare for student-parents while also serving as a training facility for students in the child development program.
Honoring the Past, Looking to the Future
As Merced College looks toward the future of the Los Banos Campus, the college will pause to recognize Larry and Georgeann Anderson for their transformative donation of 125 acres of land in 2001, which allowed the college to build its permanent home. On April 7, the annual State of the College event will be held in Los Banos for the first time, and the Andersons will be recognized with the President’s Medallion for their support of Merced College and in honor of the lasting impact of their generosity.
The Los Banos Campus has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with a 21% increase in student enrollment reflecting the increasing demand for higher education in the area. Dual enrollment programs, which allow high school students to earn college credits, continue to expand, and the campus is committed to building stronger connections with the community through workshops, career fairs and multicultural events.
With a solid foundation, a permanent campus, the overwhelming support of the community, and an ongoing commitment to excellence, the Los Banos Campus is poised for even greater success in the years to come.