Skagit Valley College celebrates 100 years in Mount Vernon
MOUNT VERNON - Skagit Valley College celebrated its 100-year anniversary Wednesday on its Mount Vernon campus, honoring its history and unveiling a mural featuring paintings from hundreds of community members.
The college opened in 1926, making it one of the state's oldest community colleges.
The college started out as Mount Vernon Junior College at Union High School. It had five faculty that were also high school staff, and 26 students.
Now, the college has about 8,000 students and offers about 200 degrees and certificates. It has changed over time to meet community needs and a changing workforce.
The college now offers workforce training, transfer degrees, bachelor's degrees, adult education and lifelong learning opportunities.
Skagit Valley College interim President Tom Keegan recognized the college's history and its future at Wednesday's event.
"Skagit Valley College has helped generations of students to build better futures for themselves, their families and our region. For 100 years, the college has remained rooted in the belief that education should be accessible, affordable and transformative," Keegan said.
He highlighted the work and commitment of those who came before him, those who created the college's mission and the community that has supported the college over the years.
"It's their vision, their commitment, and their hard work that has served tens of thousands of students, and they really set the stage for our work today and for the future of the college, Keegan said.
VIDEO: Cardinal Centennial Days Carnival at Skagit Valley College
Skagit Valley College Interim President Thomas Keegan speaks at the Cardinal Centennial Days Carnival at Skagit Valley College.
He said college leadership looks forward to preparing students for the opportunities and challenges they will face in the next 100 years.
The mural vnveiled reads "SVC 100," and is made of 344 colorfully painted pieces from local artists and community members. The mural is near the central plaza on campus.
Mary Iverson, chair of the art department and an art faculty member, said most people who came to paint a piece of the mural were community members and students, not artists.
Each piece on the mural was arranged in a mosaic with no lines showing a regular pattern, an intentional choice making it so no singular piece that stands out, and making it so all pieces work together.
"In those pieces, individuals express their story, their connection to the college, and the hopes they have for their lives," Iverson said.
The colors were chosen to be bright but earthy, leaning especially into greens and blues to highlight the colors of the Skagit River and the nature in the valley.
Planning for the mural began last spring, and it took several months to make.
"This was a really unique project in that it brought together so many different voices," Iverson said.
"On the surface, all the people that painted the individual pieces, but then beneath the surface, all the incredible support from every corner of the college, from facilities, foundation, faculties, staff, all the programs that helped directly or indirectly. It's just a phenomenal group project like I've never done before."
The mural was designed by Iverson, Katie Walton - who owns Red Barn Art Studio in Bow - and woodworker Matthew Olds.
"It's an incredible honor to have been trusted with this important project. It's also in a way, a legacy piece for me that I can see every day and be so happy with, and that will live after me as well," Iverson said.
Iverson and Walton have painted several murals together, including one in downtown Mount Vernon and one in Burlington.
Celebrating Skagit Valley College's 100-year anniversary on Wednesday came with a revamped version of the school's annual Cardinal Day celebration.
The event was open to the community as well as students and faculty. Attendees were greeted by red, white and black balloon displays, and paper chains lining the walkways leading up to the plaza.
Students were given free food vouchers, which they could cash in for a free burger at Smash Daddy's food truck.
The event featured carnival games, a bouncy obstacle course, and booths that offered such things as face painting and caricature art.
The event incorporated both community organizations and student programs, with the culinary program running a food truck serving elotes, mac n' cheese, chicken drumsticks and onion rings.
The college's craft beer program organized the beer garden, serving two types of beer brewed by students.
Director of Student Life Brian Murphy said the carnival was organized by students who worked to rent the carnival games and set up the food.
The college's Centennial Celebration Committee partnered with Student Life, which normally organizes the annual Cardinal Day event, to bring Wednesday's event together.
Student Life Specialist Savannah Vercruysse said the partnership gave the event more funding and flexibility, allowing for more organized activities.
The event was held 2 to 6 p.m., which Vercruysse said was determined by the typical class times and breaks for students.
The central location at the plaza allowed for students just getting out of class or walking on campus to stumble upon the carnival for games and free food.
Cardinal Day typically sees about 150 attendees, but because of Wednesday's connection to the centennial celebration, it was expected that more than 200 people would show up, Vercruysse said.
The college has put together a web page titled "10 Decades of History," which includes videos, photos and a timeline commemorating key milestones and moments in Skagit Valley College history.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.