​Celebrated Past. Boundless Future.

Discover the history of Santa Ana College. As we celebrate our centennial, take a journey through our long and storied history.

1940

The football team defeated Santa Rosa Junior College 34-6 to cap off its 11-0 season before being named National Champions.

1942

The football team went 9-0, including a season-ending 13-12 victory over rival Fullerton College, to claim its second National Championship.

June: John McCoy, assistant to Director Hammond and long-time journalism instructor, was appointed as the second SAJC director. He kept the college going during the difficult war years and served in that capacity until 1947.

June 11: The college’s 26th annual commencement marked the first time Associate of Arts degrees were granted. In past years, two-year certificates were awarded.

1943

October 12: The first “Don Letter-of-the-Month” was published and mailed to some 1,300 former SAJC students and 25 faculty serving in World War II.

1945

January: The board authorized the purchase of a site for a post-war campus on the southwest corner of 17th and Bristol streets.

October 15: The last “Don Letter-of-the-Month” was published. 

October 30: A special bond issue secured funds for the construction of new campus buildings. The Allison C. Honer Company, a well-recognized contractor, was given the $816,318 contract.

1947

Herbert O. Russell, longtime SAJC physics instructor, was appointed SAC interim director and would serve until 1949.

March: A formal groundbreaking ceremony was held and the new campus was opened in time for the 1947-48 school year. Ten acres of orange groves were cleared from the property to make way for new buildings. Ten barrack buildings were relocated from the Santa Ana Army Air Base and converted to classrooms ready for the September opening.

July: The name of the college was changed from Santa Ana Junior College to Santa Ana College.

1949

Dr. Daniel C. McNaughton was appointed SAC president and would serve until 1957.