Celebrate 80 Years of Education & Impact

Join Us & Celebrate BHC

You’re invited to celebrate 80 years of opportunity, innovation and community at Black Hawk College! Join us for a fun, 1980s-themed evening bringing together alumni, friends, families and the community to celebrate this milestone.

Enjoy live music featuring ’80s favorites and more, food and a cash bar, family-friendly activities and plenty of fun. Plus, meet the newly-announced official BHC mascot. Bring your family and friends and celebrate 80 years of Black Hawk College!

Whether you attended Black Hawk College, work here, support our students or are simply part of the community, you’re part of the BHC story.

This milestone marks 80 years since Black Hawk College started as Moline Community College in 1946, first offering higher education to World War II veterans at Moline High School. It became Black Hawk College in 1961 and has since expanded its programs, facilities, and reach across northwestern Illinois. Read more

Today, Black Hawk College offers over 140 career and transfer programs and serves more than 8,000 students each year across a district that covers 2,200 square miles and nine counties.

A Lasting Regional Impact

The College’s impact goes beyond the classroom. Black Hawk College brings an estimated $291 million to the regional economy, and 98% of its students stay in the area after leaving the College.

President Dr. Jeremy Thomas sees the anniversary as a celebration of both the people who have shaped the region and the College itself.

“For eight decades, BHC has helped students build better lives while strengthening the communities we serve,” Dr. Thomas said.

Throughout our 80th year, Black Hawk College will invite alumni, friends and community members to reconnect, celebrate its legacy and help create opportunities for future generations.

The September 10 celebration is a great way to honor the past and look forward to the future.