Delta College is celebrating its 65th anniversary of serving Michigan’s Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties since opening its doors in 1961.
Delta College has a long history of leading the charge in shaping the community college mission, including expanding access to a college degree and offering workforce training to meet employer hiring needs. In the late 1950s, Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties came together to plan and actualize the vision of establishing a community college to represent multiple counties—a first-of-its-kind initiative that required a change to state law. To ensure the diverse needs of each community were met, 100 representatives from each county formed the Committee of 300, which planned all aspects of the new entity, including the selection of its centralized location.
Since opening its doors in 1961, Delta College has continuously expanded to meet the everchanging needs of its students and the communities it serves. The first major expansion project occurred in 1962 with the addition of the J Wing to provide more classroom and administrative office space. The most recent project concluded in December 2025 with the expansion of the K Wing to create a more collaborative learning environment for computer science, information technology and business administration programs. Over the years, the college has grown from its original 331,000 square feet to nearly 1 million square feet of academic space. And that’s not counting the construction of the three downtown centers in Bay City, Midland and Saginaw.
Delta’s continuous growth reflects its long-standing commitment to innovation. In 1968, Delta College became one of just 12 founding members of the League for Innovation in the Community College, a distinction it honors through an ongoing seat on the League’s Board of Directors. Throughout its history, Delta embraced change when it is made in the best interests of the students, employees and the communities it supports.
One key factor behind Delta’s sustained innovation is the longevity of its executive leadership and their shared dedication to the advancement of educational opportunities for all the region’s residents. According to an article published by the International Journal of Educational Leadership and Management, the average tenure of a college president is under six years. In contrast, over the past 65 years, Delta College has been led by just five presidents: Samuel D. Marble (three years), Donald J. Carlyon (28 years), Dr. Peter D. Boyse (12 years), Dr. Jean Goodnow (16 years) and Dr. Michael H. Gavin (five years).
A recent study shows that in fiscal year 2023-24, Delta College generated $469.7 million in added income for the regional economy. This impact supports around 6,318 jobs in the region, meaning one out of every 33 jobs is supported by Delta College.
Delta College will commemorate its 65th anniversary throughout the year with celebrations honoring its history, impact and future. Below is a small collection of historical photos, which offer a glimpse into Delta’s past.
