About Us
Founded in 1963, Crowder was established as a Community College serving the Junior College District of Newton and McDonald Counties. The name Crowder College is intended to honor General Enoch Crowder, a prominent Missourian, soldier, and statesman – as well as the veterans of World War II, who received their training at Fort Crowder. The Longwell Museum, located in the Crowder College Elsie Plaster Community Center, has many displays and artifacts from the Fort Crowder days, when over 50,000 soldiers were stationed here. Crowder College began with a student body of about 250 students, less than 1/10 of the present enrollment.
Recognition
Crowder has achieved worldwide recognition for its innovative Alternative
Energy program, under the direction of Art Boyt. Crowder designed and
built the first solar powered vehicle to successfully complete a coast
to coast journey across the U.S. in 1984. Since then Crowder has continued
to distinguish itself in world and national solar energy competitions,
most recently the Solar Decathlon in Washington D.C., where the Solar
House entry from Crowder was selected as the “People’s Choice”
and placed 6th overall in the competition. Crowder was the only community
college in the competition, and competed against some of the most prestigious
universities in the nation. This award winning house is now located on
the Crowder campus. Coming attractions in alternative energy will include
a new wind powered electrical generator and a new Crowder College entry
in the next Solar Decathlon.
Enrollment
Over 2,900 students enrolled at Crowder College in the fall of 2006. Crowder
enrollment has increased by 65% since 2000, making us one of the fastest
growing state-assisted colleges in Missouri. With all of this growth,
Crowder has maintained an average class size of 17students. An excellent
faculty/student ratio helps make instructors more accessible, and Crowder
has a tradition of providing students with the type of friendly atmosphere
we describe as the “Crowder Family.” Crowder students enjoy
the personal attention that small class sizes and caring instructors provide.
At Crowder College your instructors will know you by name.
Accreditation and Affiliation
Crowder College is accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education and the Coordinating Board for Higher Education.
The College is also fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission,
a member of the North Central Association, and utilizes the Academic Quality
Improvement Project as its accreditation approach. Program accreditations
are in the Missouri State Board of Nursing, Teacher Education Certification,
through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the
National Institute for Automotive Excellence (ASE).
Graduates of the Associate of Arts programs are admitted without examination
to junior standing in all public universities and colleges in Missouri
and many outside the state of Missouri. Crowder is an active member of
the Missouri Community College Association and the American Association
of Community Colleges.