Prince William Sound College

Prince William Sound Community College

Established	1978
Students	about 1400
Location	Valdez , Alaska
Website	PWSCC

Founded in 1978, Prince William Sound Community College (also known as PWSCC or P-Dub) is a community college located in Valdez, a town in south central Alaska.

PWSCC is comprised of three campuses, one in Valdez, another is the Copper Basin campus that can be found in Glennallen, Alaska located along the Richardson Highway, and the other Prince William Sound campus is located in Cordova, Alaska.

PWSCC is part of the University of Alaska Anchorage which is part of the University of Alaska System.

There is no out-of-state tuition, which is a major draw for its 1400 student population comprised of distance learners, international and out-of-state students.

P-Dub services approximately 44,000 sq mi which is relative to the size of Ohio.

History

Dr. John Devens founded the college in 1978. It was John’s dream to start a school, he went to the city of Valdez and asked for money. The original endowment was about $50,000 and now the city of Valdez gives about $700,000.

The buildings that make up the dormitory complex were the first buildings constructed on the new Valdez town site after the 1964 Alaska earthquake. Originally, they were Army barracks and after, low income housing until they were acquired by the college in 1977 for the price of one dollar.The current dorm buildings were fully renovated in 2010. Eventually, the college moved to its current location at 303 Lowe Street. The structure where the college is currently located was originally used as Growden Harrison Elementary School. In the 1980’s the school was closed and later purchased for one dollar by the college. The building has since undergone a handful of renovations.

PWSCC also began the Last Frontier Theatre Conference in 1993, see section below for more information.

In 1998, Maxine Whitney donated a large collection of native artifacts to the college. The collection now resides in the aptly named Maxine & Jesse Whitney Museum, located on the PWSCC campus. See section on Maxine & Jesse Whitney Museum below for more information.

Academic Programs

Baccalaureate Degrees

• Bachelor of Science in Natural Science*
• Bachelor of Art in Psychology*
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology*
• Bachelor of Business Administration**
• Bachelor of Art in Elementary Education**
• Bachelor of Human Services*
• Bachelor of Liberal Arts**
• Bachelor of Science, Technology, with Business Option*
  • *Offered in partnership with University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) via distance
  • **Offered in partnership with University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) via distance

Associate Degrees

• Associate of Arts (General Studies), AA
• Associate of Fine Arts in Playwriting, AFA
• Business Administration, AAS***
• Computer Information and Office Systems, AAS
• Disability Services
• Community Support Emphasis, AAS*
• Educational Support Emphasis, AAS*
• Speech-Language Support Emphasis, AAS*
• Fisheries Technology, AAS***
• Health Sciences, AAS***
• Human Services, AAS*
• Industrial Technology
• Millwright, AAS
• Oil Spill Response, AAS
• Safety Management, AAS
• Nursing, AAS* (requires additional clinical sequence)
• Outdoor Leadership, AAS**
  • *Offered in partnership with University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) via distance
  • **Offered in partnership with Kenai Peninsula College (KPC) via distance
  • ***Offered in partnership with University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) via distance

Certificates

• Disability Services*
• Oil Spill Response
• Safety Management

Occupational Endorsement

• Computer Information Office Systems
• Direct Service Specialist

Accreditation

PWSCC is accredited by the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities.

Facilities

Campus

The main campus is located at 303 Lowe Street where there are numerous classrooms and staff, a wellness center, student lounge with a 12 ft video screen, and a computer lab. The main campus is also home to a collection of various native Alaskan artifacts donated by Maxine Whitney. Historical photographs from the original Valdez town site taken by P.S. Hunt, who was a photographer working throughout Alaska in the early 1900‘s, are also on the main campus. Also, to be found at the main campus is two of the wooden bear sculptures carved by Peter Toth. (see Whispering Giant and Bears section).

Residence Halls

The residential complex is comprised of three historical buildings called Copper Basin Hall, Cordova Hall, and Valdez Hall. Each building is named after one of the Prince William Sound campuses. Of particular interest is the large wooden carving by Peter “The Wolf” Toth called Whispering Giant. (see Whispering Giant and Bears section).

The residence halls were completely renovated in 2010 and can house up to 44 students. The rooms are apartment style and are comprised of 3-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms, 1-bedroom, and studio. In the dormitory complex there is a student lounge and a computer lab; each building also has its own laundry room. The residence halls also have hard-line and wireless internet connections. As an added bonus, the residence halls are located right across from the local grocery store.

Wellness Center

The Wellness Center has a variety of cardio and resistance equipment, free weights, and a variety of fitness classes. There is also other various pieces of equipment: stairs, body balls, jumping ropes, punching bag and boxing pads. The facility also has showers, lockers and towel service. The cardio areas also have cable TV.

The Student Wellness Alliance Network (SWAN) contributes to a program that allows the Wellness Center to loan out X-Country Skis and Snowshoes which can be used on the various trails and back country in Valdez.

Library

The Valdez Consortium Library serves both the Prince William Sound Community College and the community of Valdez. The library is located at 212 Fairbanks St. The library has three levels, with elevator access available to the downstairs. The main level is home to two Alaskan murals painted by local artists.

The online library catalog contains the combined holdings of the Valdez Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage libraries and Anchorage Public Libraries. Services provided by the Valdez Consortium Library includes Public internet access with wireless, Inter Library Loan, access to database and articles, reference assistance, Listen Alaska(digital e-books and audio book collection), Mango Languages and more.

All students, staff, and faculty are eligible to receive library cards from the Valdez Consortium Library. PWSCC ID cards also serve as library cards, and can be activated at the library. More information about the Valdez Consortium Library can be found on the Library’s web site and the PWSCC Library Services page.

The Whispering Giant and Bears

Located at the dormitory ,the Whispering Giant (Indian Head) is the 40th statue created by Peter “Wolf” Toth and was completed in October 1981 This work was carved from a mammoth Sitka Spruce and stands 30ft high by 10ft wide, weighing in at approximately 85,000 pounds. There are two bears, both standing at 12ft tall located on the main campus, these were also carved by Mr. Toth.

Peter “Wolf” Toth is a humanitarian who travels creating sculptures honoring the American Indian. His work can be found in all 50 sates, Canada, and his native homeland, Hungary. To date, Mr. Toth has completed 67 Whispering Giant works venerating the American Indian. Exemplifying his commitment to this cause, he returned in 2007 to Valdez and completed a restoration project of the Whispering Giant and bears for conservation and to extend the longevity of the works.

Student Life

As of November 2011, there are a handful of clubs at Prince William Sound Community College: PWSCC Game Club, Phi Theta Kappa, PWSCC Student Association, PWSCC Film Club, Archery Club, and the Multicultural Club.

The college is also host to various concerts and fundraisers.

The theatre department produces a couple of plays a year; the actors are made up of students and the local community.

Last Frontier Theatre Conference

The Last Frontier Theatre Conference is an annual event started in 1993 hosted by PWSCC in Valdez, Alaska. The two week event centers around American Theatre with an emphasis on playwriting. The conference involves theatrical productions, panel discussions, symposia, and workshops.

The three basic parts of the Last Frontier Theatre Conference are the Play Lab, various workshops and panel discussions, and lastly, the evening performances. The evening shows are comprised of works from attendants both past and present and are performed by imported and Alaskan theatre companies.

Plays are submitted from playwrights, then selected plays are read by actors to audiences. After the reading, the play is critiqued by academics, theatre professionals and the viewers, thus allowing development and growth for those involved. Participants are given the opportunity to work and study under award winning members of the theatre community.

Along with the Play Lab, some of the events include: The Fringe Festival, The Ten-Minute Play Slam, The Monologue Workshop, and Acting for Singers (co-produced with Anchorage Opera). On the closing day there is a gala dinner.

The Last Frontier Theatre Conference has received the Jerry Harper Service Award and The Sue Nims Distinguished Playwriting Award.