Northwest College is commemorating its 80th anniversary in Powell this year with open houses and celebrations across campus recognizing the college’s history in the community.

Beginning as the University of Wyoming Northwest Center through an agreement between the University of Wyoming and Park County School District 1, the college was established in September 1946, the second oldest in the state just behind Casper College. It operated with UW funding and support until 1950 before changing its name to Northwest Community College and becoming fully autonomous in 1953.

“Obviously, we’re not an East Coast school that’s at 300 years and counting, but 80 years is still nothing to sneeze at either,” said Northwest College President Lisa Watson while reflecting on the school’s role in the community.

“Our elders definitely had a good vision and a desire to provide quality education for people in their community. We’re diligently working to keep the college healthy and continue to provide and expand the opportunities we historically have.”

Following the reopening of the Orendorff Building at the beginning of the fall semester, an open house was hosted on Oct. 13, where refreshments, giveaways and tours were provided by college administrative personnel and NWC Student Ambassadors.

The Orendorff Building was one of NWC’s first permanent structures, having been constructed in 1955 and later having been renamed in honor of the college’s longest-standing president, SinClair Orendorff, who served from 1967 to 1988.

The building was closed last summer for upgrades to its mechanical electric plumbing system, electrical and fire suppression systems and renovations to restrooms to meet ADA guidelines. The remodel was completed just in time for the beginning of the school year.

“It’s nice to see a building like that get renewed and not lost. It’s fun to know that we’re here at the college and we’re good stewards of the community, we’re here to support the community and we want to stay here,” Watson said. “We have a really good college and we should be proud of it.”

The Orendorff Building wasn’t the only open house featured on Oct. 13, as the photography department hosted one on the second floor of the student center later in the evening. In honor of the photo program’s 50th anniversary this year, a gallery was installed along the mezzanine featuring landscapes taken by NWC students between 2007 and 2026 as part of an annually offered seminar class that takes students to Yellowstone.

“It’s about being present and being able to build something out and provide a service that people in our community need,” Watson said. “The Big Horn Basin is a pretty sheltered area geographically, and if we aren’t here, then who else would serve the communities in a way that supports them, their families and their businesses to be healthy?”

The college will be hosting a Veterans Day open house and rededication of the veterans lounge on the second floor of the student center on Nov. 11 from 1-3 p.m. Members of the public are encouraged to participate and support the college’s veterans. For more information, visit Northwest’s newsdesk on their website at nwc.edu/news/.