Chemeketa Community College

Chemeketa Community College is a community college located in Salem, Oregon, with smaller campuses in McMinnville, Dallas, Brooks, and Woodburn, and the Northwest Viticulture Center in Eola. Chemeketa serves approximately 50,000 students each year in a district that covers 2,600 square miles in Marion, Polk, most of Yamhill, and part of Linn counties. Chemeketa's history began in 1952, when the Salem School District started the Salem Technical-Vocational School to provide training for the unemployed. In 1969 the college district was formed, and a competition was held to name the new college.... The winning entry came from dental assisting student Susan Blum, who wrote in her submission that the term "Chemeketa" means "a peaceful gathering place." In December 1969, the Board of Education approved the name Chemeketa Community College. In addition to the campuses and centers listed above, the college's Center for Business and Industry in downtown Salem houses the Small Business Development Center and operates classes and programs benefiting area businesses.
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