History

The history of South Plains College is the unfolding of an idea with two elements:  the impulse and capacity of the individual to learn and produce, and the community dependent on the enlightened and productive individual.  In some sense, this history begins when the local community begins, for the community has always understood that its nature is, in part, to learn and teach, and it has always provided good public education for its children.  But in the early 1950's a few prominent citizens of Hockley County realized that the local education should no longer be limited to children, and that Hockley County required a greater role in the educational system of Texas.  Consequently, these citizens twice petitioned the State Board of Education, once in 1951 and again in 1956, for permission to establish a junior college in Levelland.  Given permission to hold an election, the citizens of Hockley County voted approval on April 9, 1957.

In 1958, the college opened its doors primarily as a two-year academic transfer institution, the first such college in Texas in over ten years.  (South Plains College opened the door to the expansion of community colleges in Texas, arguably the most significant development in Texas higher education of the last half of the twentieth century.)  Fruitful changes began almost immediately.  In 1959, Whiteface Independent School District became a part of the district, which was redesignated the South Plains Junior College District.  In the early 1960's, the district developed a clearer notion of community college  and rapidly incorporated technical and vocational education, continuing education, and educational counseling and other student support services.