1900
Emulating the “German Model,” educators such as David Starr Jordan (President, Stanford University) call for an extension of secondary education beyond high school to provide undergraduate training in what becomes known as “Junior Colleges.”

1907
State Senator Anthony Caminetti of Amador County sponsors a law permitting junior college works in California high schools allowing board of trustees for high school districts to oversee colleges, charge tuition, and articulate curriculum with the University of California.

1910
Fresno establishes first junior college, hailed as a “necessary development” by Alexis F. Lange (Dean, University of California). Kern County Union High School, later Bakersfield High School (BHS) Trustees, approve plan to create a junior college in Bakersfield.

1913
First group of 13 students enroll in junior college on the BHS campus. Science teacher Paul VanderEike appointed as first dean of the college. Bakersfield’s geographic isolation and the desire to provide a college opportunity for the less fortunate students of the community are among the reasons for creating the college. There was a degree of initial resistance from Board members and local taxpayers. Yale Ph.D. B.S. Gowan, Principal of BHS, provides leadership in the initial years of coursework.

1914
Seven students take second year courses at Bakersfield Junior College, while the Board of Trustees refuses to officially recognize the institution. In spite of the Board's refusal to recognize the institution, VanderEike continues to work with the University of California on curriculum and articulation issues, eventually establishing a two-year program of courses pre-approved by the University.

1915
Josephine Chase becomes the first graduate of Bakersfield Junior College and enters the University of California with junior status. Later, Chase becomes an editorial writer in New York and an editorial assistant to Walter Lippman.

Bakersfield High School Board of Trustees begins to recognize Bakersfield College by devoting a paragraph that summarizes Bakersfield Junior College's achievements in the annual high school yearbook “Oracle.”

1916
Second group of students graduate and matriculate to Berkeley and Stanford, majoring in French, Mechanical Engineering, Law, Architecture, and other subjects. Enrollment at Bakersfield Junior College increases to 27 students.

BC Presents speaker Vincent Price to read his acclaimed speech “Three American Voices,” which he later delivers to college campuses around the nation.

1917
Junior College enrollment increases in California, with 24 junior colleges enrolling over 800 students. Students from junior colleges are reportedly equal or superior academically to students who completed their first two years at a university.

1918
Students purchase a $50 Liberty Bond with the profits from its first dance in the Labor Temple Hall.

1920
Fifty students enrolled at the college (labeled the “Howling 50”) create the first college paper, The Scrutinizer Raspberry.

Berkeley graduate of 1915 Grace Van Dyke Byrd is appointed as the “Director” of the college, serving in that position until her return to the University of California in 1950. Once at University, Bird Develops strong ties with Robert Gordon Sproul, President, University of California. Course offerings expand reflecting community need in skill related areas, such as electrical technology and nursing.

1921
Seeking a separate identity from the high schools, students at the “Kern Junior College” hold their own assemblies and form a separate football team, called the “Renegades” in reference to their new independence from the high school. (First year team record is 4-2.)

1922
Junior college opens in Taft and becomes rival with Kern County Junior College.

1923
Kern Junior College joins National Assembly of Junior Colleges.

1930s
Depression brings increased need for practical and inexpensive education, especially with influx of new, often impoverished, migrants to San Joaquin Valley.

The college begins offering an Associate of Arts degree and law enforcement training.

A federally funded study analyzes persistence and enrollment using student’s high school, junior college, and university transcripts.

Kern Junior College is renamed Bakersfield Junior College. Although nothing but the name was changed, the term “community college” was seen by conservatives as evocative of communism.

1931
New building opens for college students on the high school campus ( enrollment is now at 354 students). The first edition of the yearbook “Raconteur” is published.

1935–36
College courses move to Warren Hall on BHS campus. Enrollment is now 900 with 65 faculty members. Students were placed in either Status I courses (transfer) or Status II courses (non-transfer). College hosts many state, regional, and national education conferences.

1937
Miss Adele Shafer hired to teach German and Typing. Student Lauren Voth transfers to Stanford, later returning to serve as President of the Board of Trustees of Bakersfield College.

1941
US involvement in World War II brings about a decline in enrollment to 200 by the middle of the war. Many students and faculty serve in the conflict. College tailors courses to fit the training needs of the local war industry. Students and faculty also work in the fields for the war effort. Grace Van Dyke Bird carries on correspondence with many former students in the military, thus forging the bonds of what would later become the Bakersfield College Alumni Association.

1946
Influx of war veterans swells enrollment of the college. Burns Finilson serves as Director of the Veterans Guidance Center. Veteran and Berkeley Grad John Collins hired as Veterans Counselor.

College enrollment increases to 1182 students, temporary classrooms built to house overflow of students. Teachers have to be recruited with the offer of high wages, and taxes are increased to help finance wages and curriculum.

1947
Bakersfield Junior College officially becomes Bakersfield College. New Courses added in many areas, including Police Arts, Petroleum Technology, Aircraft Construction, Agriculture, Business Education, and Social Science. English classes are segregated by ability.

1950
Grace Van Dyke Byrd leaves BC to work in the Office of School Relations at UC Berkeley, further solidifying the bonds between BC and the Berkeley Campus. Miss Byrd also initiates discussions to acquire land on the bluffs above town to house a new campus for the college.

Dr. Ralph Prator is named president of Bakersfield College.

1954
Construction begins on new campus. “Bluebell Canyon” excavated for football stadium, which is the first structure completed.

1956
During Spring Vacation, college operations are transferred to the new campus, with 1400 students and 89 faculty members.

1958
Dr. Ralph Prator resigned as president of Bakersfield College and Dr. Edward Simonsen becomes the new president.

High School and Junior College marching bands spell out "SHRINE CLUBS" during spectacular half time show at the Potato Bowl.

The Elliot Brothers provided music for the dancers, from Cha Cha Cha and Mombo to Polka and the Bunny Hop.

1959
“Fantasia” a fantasy in “Fantasyland” straight from Disney was the theme of the Christmas formal. Bakersfield College won victory over Riverside City College in the Potato Bowl.

1960
(Dec. 12, Pasadena, CA ) A terrific display of power carried the Bakersfield College Renegades to a 36-14 victory over Del Mar College of Texas here today before 47,000 fans in the 14th annual Junior Rose Bowl classic.

1961
The Kraftsman Klub accomplished the construction of the Homecoming Float complete with Chrysler engine and hydraulic brakes.

1963
Bakersfield College received four new teachers, plus three at China Lake, bringing the number of instructors in the division to 35.

The biggest change in the division was the completion of the new $600,000 Science Building. Bakersfield College celebrates fifty years of academic service to the Kern County community.

1964
The Agriculture Club built the plywood block “BC” letters located on the slope at the North end of Memorial Stadium.

Students were given Tuberculosis x-rays. A total of 4,527 x-rays were taken at Bakersfield High School and Bakersfield College between February 28 and March 11 by the Kern County Tuberculosis and Health Association.

1978
Yvonne Milliken is in charge of the scholarship program under the foundation. Milliken gives a rough estimate of $80,000 worth of scholarships going out each year.

The KCCD board of trustees named James C. Verdugo as the new KCCD Chancellor.

1979
Maya Angelou reads “The Emergence of the Contemporary Black Woman” in the BC indoor theatre during Black History Week.

Memorial held for Prof. Sam McCall at the BC indoor theatre.

Art show displays authentic artwork by BC faculty.

Forensics team places 12th in Nationals with BC student Mark Martinez winning the Bell Scroggins Award for the 2nd time.

The “La Raza Independence Day” pageant features authentic music, dancing and festivities.

KERO airs a TV program focusing on women and their stories about returning to and graduating from BC.

BC Forensics team places 4th in State Speech Tournament.

1982
Dr. Collins retires as Bakersfield College President.

The first issue of the Grapevine is published presenting the best in student writing. It includes poetry, essays, short stories and term papers.

1983
Dr. Richard Wright is named as the new president of Bakersfield College.

BC library was low on funds due to 700-800 books stolen within the year. There was an estimated cost of $70,000 to replace them.

1984
Homecoming theme was “Traditions of the Golden Past.” Winning float entry was a tribute to Margaret Levinson.

1985
"Renegade" issue was dedicated to Margaret Levinson.

1986
The main campus of Bakersfield College celebrates 30 years of community service since opening in 1956.

BC’s winning streak, dating back to 1942 with Ventura, is lost after Ventura defeats BC with a 31-28 loss. In addition, BC lost its 3rd place in its first Western State Conference season.

1987
Dr. Romain Clerou retires as BC’s sports doctor. Dr. Bill Baker takes over.

1991
BC band puts Peace Trip on hold due to political turmoil in the Soviet Union and terrorism. The money raised by the students for the trip went towards an alternate trip, The Music ’91 Expo in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Tax cuts slash school spending by $1.2 million causing BC to consider cutting certain programs.

BC graduate Lana Fain assists Kern County Board of Trade in the Christo “Umbrella Project.”

BC Nursing Program awarded high accommodations after passing the Board of Vocational Nursing’s examination with 100%.

A BC professor for 31 years in the fields of psychology and computer studies, Prof. Duane M. Belcher dies of stroke at 59.

1992
Due to budget crunches, BC student fees go from $6 to $8 dollars a unit.

BC celebrates 79 years of providing higher education to Kern County.

Jackie Fisher appointed first black Dean of Instruction for Weill Institute.

BC honor graduate Regina Dixon graduates USC’s Screenwriting Program and co-writes “Red Surf” and “Bones.”

BC graduate Kirk Hanson graduates Cal Arts and lands job for Disney, working on such films as “Aladdin.”

1993
Former B. C. graduate Kathy Baker is awarded an Emmy and stars in films such as “Clean and Sober,” “Article 99” and “Edwards Scissorhands,” and the television show “Pickett Fences.”

BC’s production of “Hair” receives controversy over nude scene and attracts protestors

1994
BC radio station, KBCC-Renegade Radio, has first broadcast, featuring different forms of music.

BC Prof. Chuck Wall goes on "Oprah" to talk about his “Acts of Senseless Kindness” campaign.

Piano instructor Dale Brooks retires after 31 years of teaching.

BC instructor and activist Larry Robinson Jr. struggles with valley fever and dies of heart complications.

New library project set to cost $9.75 million dollars.

BC graduate Kathy Baker receives 2nd Emmy nomination.

1996
The new Grace Van Dyke Bird Library is dedicated on November 7, 1996, and holds an open house on November 8th and 9th, 1996.

1998
Sandra V. Serrano becomes Bakersfield College's president. Bakersfield College celebrates its 75th birthday producing over 22,000 graduates since the opening of the college in 1913.

2001
Governor Gray Davis attends the Economic Development Summit at Bakersfield College.

2004
 President Sandra Serrano becomes the District Chancellor.

2005
Bill Andrews becomes Bakersfield College's President.