By: Lydia McAllister

Seventy-seven years ago, on September 13th, Pensacola Junior College held its first classes with the initial enrollment of one hundred thirty-six students. Over the course of seven decades, it has evolved and grown into the school we now know as Pensacola State College, a name that was adopted in 2010. If you are reading this, there is a good chance you are a part of this institution, and even if it is only for a short time, we all make up what makes Pensacola State College a place worth expanding and being involved with. 

This year’s celebrations involved a trinity of festivities on both the Pensacola and Milton campuses, most notable to students going in and out of classes, being trays of cupcakes in the lobbies of multiple buildings adorned with the school colors. Student Engagement also put on a trivia about the school in the Student Center and a scavenger hunt that lasted most of the day on the Pensacola Campus. Like many other Pensacola State College school-sanctioned activities, t-shirts were given out, and food was provided. According to one of the Milton campus circulation technicians, Tracy Jernigan, the Milton campus celebrations had no leftover t-shirts or pizza. 

I approached the Milton campus with questions about the college, its birthday, and some general history to pose to the library staff because I knew they would have good insight into the activities happening on the campus, what the past birthdays have been like for the college, and what things time has changed or preserved. Clara Viveros, a circulation technician who has worked at the college for many years, recalls that during the lockdown, when the staff had a virtual happy birthday call on Zoom, and even observed a cake cutting for the special occasion. I asked how the college has changed since she’s been here, and she described a notable increase in traffic in the library in the last few years. Another circulation technician, Juliana Miller, responded to an earlier question of mine about what the staff appreciates about the college, saying that: “the class options are a big plus, being able to choose between in-person, online, or a hybrid of the two.” From the Milton campus library, I also learned two facts of history: first, that the Milton campus initially existed as Pensacola Junior College’s Milton center in 1971, and classes were held in a facility on Canal Street. Second, Pete the Pirate was chosen as the school’s mascot in 2008. 

Having been so successful at getting information from the Milton library staff, I went to the Pensacola campus’ Chadbourne Library, where I spoke with librarian and instructor Jennifer Trawick, who attended PSC when it was still PJC. She recalled how, for the 75th anniversary of PSC’s founding (in 2023), a logo was made and erected on Pensacola’s Graffiti Bridge. When asked about what makes Pensacola State College so special, Trawick replied that there is an “accepting environment” and gave credit to that environment specifically for non-traditional students. In a recent class, Trawick had five generations in one class, and this kind of diversity in

age helps to provide insight into students’ perspectives. One of PSC’s greatest strengths is the diversity of its students, which Trawick feels can be seen at the school as a “good reflection of Pensacola.” If the college’s purpose is to serve this area, the school can be said to be an accurate reflection of its people. 

Sarah Addison, who is an assistant professor and librarian at the Chadbourne Library, told me about how she’s observed an increase in school spirit, and, like at the Milton Library, they have experienced an increase in students using the library services. Addison also disclosed noticing a “sense of gratitude from students,” which I can attest to, as I admired the colorful decorative yarn hanging like garlands above me in the library. Of course, beyond the decor, I have used the library printer countless times and have a favorite study cubby on the second floor. Beyond my positive personal experiences, all the staff members at both the Pensacola and Milton libraries commented on the attentiveness of the professors here at PSC. Addison noted that we have “committed teachers,” specifically regarding their students’ success. This same sentiment was corroborated by Juliana Miller from the Milton campus library. She said that because of the small class sizes, professors at PSC are “a lot more helpful” than professors at bigger colleges who must teach bigger classes. 

PSC’s birthday celebrations the week leading up to the 13th were a great time to learn about the history of this institution and the people who take care of that history, and definitely worth looking forward to, as sweet treats around campus are customary.