Classes began with 101 students and five full-time faculty, including Edwin T. "Eddy" Shell, who taught speech for more than forty years at BPCC until his death of cancer in 2008. In 1991, Shell was elected to the Bossier Parish Police Jury, the parish governing board, a position which he also retained until his death. Richard Marvin "Dicky" Parnell of Gibsland in Bienville Parish, a former English teacher at Airline High School, was also among the founding faculty of BPCC faculty. He held an Ed.D. from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches and conducted research on the writers of northwestern Louisiana and the culture of the region. The name "Bossier Parish Community College" was not established until 1973, and academic offerings were expanded in day and evening divisions. Efforts were also made to reach military personnel at Barksdale Air Force Base. In 1977, the Community Education Division began offering non-academic courses. The Northwest Louisiana Police Training Academy was created to serve ten northwest Louisiana parishes. The Respiratory Therapy Technology program began in 1978. From 1979 to 1984, BPCC was authorized to grant associate degrees in Occupational Studies. Two-year degrees were established in criminal justice, business administration, and office administration. In 1984, an associate degree in data processing was approved. The first commencement ceremony was held in 1980, when eight students received degrees. In 1983, BPCC received accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1995, Bossier Parish Community College entered into articulation agreements with Northwestern State University, Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Grambling State University in Grambling, Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas, Kilgore Junior College in Kilgore, Texas, and Louisiana State University in Shreveport to assist students in transferring credit hours to four-year institutions. In 2004, BPCC moved to a new $55 million complex on U.S. Highway 80. An associate degree in music was added. The new campus held its grand opening on February 1, 2005. A Health and Physical Education Complex and Performing Arts Theatre officially opened.
Academics
In 1996, BPCC added new associate degree programs to the curriculum in Physical Therapist Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, and Computer Drafting and Design. On July 1, 1997, BPCC became a member of the University of Louisiana System. In May 1999, new programs were added: Associate degrees in Industrial Technology and Theatre; academic certificates in Computer Aided Drafting, Pharmacy Technician, and Telecommunications. On July 1, 1999, BPCC became a member of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. In 2000, the Board of Regents approved the consolidation of associate degrees in Law Enforcement Technology and Corrections Science into a single Associate of Science in Criminal Justice. The regents also approved the conversion of the Culinary Arts non-credit program to an academic certificate program. In 2001, BPCC joined with Delgado Community College in New Orleans to implement a collaborative Pharmacy Technician program through the use of interactive video. The innovative program was inspired by new certification requirements instituted by the state in 1997. BPCC and DCC both determined that the certification requirements established a need for such a program in higher education. BPCC now allows joint enrollment with Northwest Louisiana Technical College in Minden, Louisiana.
Athletics
The Bossier Parish Community College Cavaliers and Lady Cavs are composed of 6 athletic teams, including baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country and softball. The Cavaliers and Lady Cavs compete in Region 14 of the National Junior College Athletic Association. The BPCC baseball team plays at the BPCC Baseball Field, the basketball teams play at the Health and Physical Education Complex and the softball team plays at the BPCC Softball Field.
Notable people
Mike McConathy, BPCC basketball coach, 1983 to 1999; basketball coach at Northwestern State University since 1999; son of former Bossier Parish superintendent John McConathy
