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60 years ago, in cadence with a statewide movement to expand access to affordable education, workforce training, and transfer opportunities to four-year institutions, Lehigh Carbon Community College opened its doors to a world of opportunities for hundreds of thousands of students—and counting—close to home.
And when you factor in the multiplier effect of ideas sparked, goals realized, and futures charted since 1966, it’s beyond inspiring—because LCCC’s living mission to empower learners is best measured by dreams achieved.
Just ask sitting president Dr. Ann Bieber about her most special memory, and she’ll tell you about a single dad who 110% embodies the spirit of LCCC's motto: Start Here. Go Anywhere.
The student said he dreamed of becoming a lawyer. He knew it would be a challenge. He knew it would entail night school. But most importantly, he knew LCCC would be there to support his passion and his path forward.
Years later, he emailed Dr. Bieber from his new law office to tell her he had just passed the bar exam.
“He said in the email that he wanted to thank LCCC for giving him the courage to believe he could achieve,” says Bieber. “For me, that email is a living, breathing testament to LCCC’s legacy. It’s a banner that declares: A dream is never too big to start.”
A Foundation Focused on Possibilities
Dr. John Berrier, LCCC’s first president and namesake of Berrier Hall, was instrumental in founding Pennsylvania’s first community college in Harrisburg in 1964 before moving to the Lehigh Valley to help plan LCCC. In the early years of community colleges, enrollment numbers were counted by the hundreds. A foundation focused on possibilities and investments to support a diversity of community needs would see LCCC evolve and grow in the way of programs and partnerships, as well as accessibility—via bricks and mortar and technologies. Across six decades and five presidents, there was a singular vision: maximize each student’s potential.
Adapting, Expanding, and Remaining Ever Relevant
Dr. Robert Barthlow was proud to build upon Berrier’s strong foundation. Barthlow, too, had community college roots. He held leadership positions with community colleges in Illinois and Michigan before working alongside Berrier in 1971.
Barthlow grew academic programs from 14 to 73, introducing nursing, early childhood education, aviation, robotics, auto technology, and more.
His tenure also included decentralizing the institution’s leadership structure; adding foreign language offerings, summer enrichment programs for children, and training partnerships with local companies; and creating the Committee on Multiculturalism.
Barthlow’s leadership helped more students, including working adults and those retraining during economic downturns, access affordable education close to home.
He says, “Since 1966, LCCC has supported the people and the economy in the Lehigh Valley, and it’s adapted to the changing needs of the community to stay current.”
Six decades later, Barthlow is more assured than ever that the local decision by local leaders to establish a local college was indeed a wise one. Read More
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