Ever since opening its main campus on Auburn\u2019s Lea Hill in 1965, Green River College has offered residents a local option to reach their higher education goals.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Fifty years on, the college has grown to include satellite campuses in Kent, Enumclaw and downtown Auburn. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Green River will mark its 50th birthday with various events throughout the school year. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a huge milestone,\u201d said Allison Friedly, Green River\u2019s executive director of college relations. \u201cWe are looking forward to serving the community for the next 50 years.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n The celebration kicks off Thursday, Sept. 10, with the First 50 Breakfast.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n The breakfast, which begins at 8 a.m. in the Lindbloom Student Center on the college\u2019s main campus, 12401 SE 320th St. in Auburn, is free, but registration is required. To RSVP, visit GreenRiverCollegeFoundation.org. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Special guests include Mel Lindbloom, the first president of the college, and Ray Needham, the college\u2019s first dean of instruction, who also served as assistant for vocational and adult education.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope to bring together students, faculty and community members from the present and past to celebrate the past 50 years,\u201d Friedly said. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n A student kickoff celebration is set for Thursday, Sept. 24. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n The community is invited back to the main campus on Saturday, Oct. 3, for the inaugural Rock The Green festival, hosted by the Green River Coalition, to celebrate the region\u2019s natural resources. The free festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features vendor booths, activities, food, games and live music. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Main stage performers include Tim Noah, Dana Lyons, The Kevin Jones Band, Chuck Buser, Howling Rain and The Community Players. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Rock The Green will take the place of Gator Fest, which the college hosted in 2013. For more information, call 253-333-6010 or visit Greenriver.edu\/rockthegreen<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n An exhibit on the college\u2019s history will be displayed in the Helen Smith Gallery on the main campus in January and February.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The 50th Anniversary Gala, a formal ticket event, is Saturday, April 16, in the new Mel Lindbloom Student Union on the main campus. Information regarding tickets will be available this fall. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n The anniversary celebration wraps up with the college\u2019s 50th commencement ceremony on Friday, June 10. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n