Grays Harbor College

History

Grays Harbor College, a community and technical college, was conceived in 1929 by a group of Aberdeen citizens under the leadership of Mr. Ethan B. Hatch and on August 7, 1930, was incorporated under the laws of the state of Washington. The college operated as a private institution from 1930 to 1945. In 1945, the Aberdeen School District assumed control of the college and provided much needed financial stability. The construction of the buildings - classrooms, science laboratories, library, gymnasium, administrative offices, and student union - began during the summer of 1956. Classes opened in the completed buildings on January 6, 1958. In May, 1961, the Choker Union Building was renamed the A. J. Hillier Union Building in memory of Alfred J. Hillier, late professor of history and forensics coach. In order to provide for an increase in enrollment, a new classroom building, an administration building, and additions to the science building, the music building, the gymnasium, and the A.J. Hillier Building were completed in September, 1964.

A new library opened in the fall of 1966, named after John Spellman, long-time librarian at the college. The John Spellman Library was renovated in 2003. The Physical Science Building (Building 800), completed in April, 1972, was used by chemistry, physics, earth science and engineering classes until the completion of the Shermer Instructional Building in 2015. The Shermer Instructional Building (Building 4000) houses most all math, science, engineering, and art classes offered at Grays Harbor College The Bishop Center for the Performing Arts was completed in the spring of 1974 and was renovated in 2003. The John M. Smith Aquaculture Center, a fish rearing facility, was dedicated in 1987. It was completed with donated funding, materials and labor. The welding and automotive technology building, which opened in Winter 2008, houses automotive mechanics, welding technology and faculty offices. The Jewell C. Manspeaker Instructional Building opened in January, 2007. Also opening in 2007 were the Craig Wellington Rehearsal Hall, and the Joseph P. Malik Commons.

Learning Centers

In keeping with the college’s focus on distance learning and accessibility, four community education centers have been opened in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties. The Columbia Education Center opened in 2006, after operating for nine years in a rented facility located several blocks from its present home. The Whiteside Education Center in downtown Aberdeen and the Simpson Education Center in Elma both opened in 1998, and the Riverview Education Center in Raymond was purchased in 1999 and completely renovated in 2001. The Simpson Education Center in Elma closed in 2009 under budget cuts. The Whiteside Education Center closed in 2015.

Athletics

Grays Harbor College competes in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) as the Chokers, fielding men's teams for baseball and wrestling, women's teams for soccer, softball and volleyball and men's and women's teams for basketball and golf.