Moorpark College is a California state community college with a 150acre campus on a hillside in Moorpark, in Ventura County, California. It was established in 1967 with enrollment of 2,500 students, and enrolled 14,254 students in 2014. An Exotic Animal Training and Management center houses over 200 animals on campus.Moorpark College was ranked number 13 of more than 800 institutions in Wallethub's 2016’s Best & Worst Community Colleges rating. The ranking was based on evaluations of colleges' costs and finances, education outcomes, and career outcomes.HistoryThe Board of the Ventura County Community College District established Moorpark College in 1967. In addition to the land already owned by the District, Moorpark College expanded into a 134acre parcel of land on Moorpark's eastern boundary, donated by a local ranching family, the Strathearns.In 1965, the citizens of Ventura County passed a bond for 8 million dollars to build the first part of the college. Construction of the administration, science, technology, gymnasium, and Maintenance buildings, and the Library and Campus Center began in 1966.Moorpark College officially opened on September 11, 1967. The College's first president, Dr. John Collins, welcomed almost 1,400 students and 50 faculty members.Dr. Robert Lombardi became the College's second president in 1971. Under his direction, enrollment doubled, and the college added emphasis on preparing students to transfer to four-year schools.Dr. Ray Hearon is the longest-serving president, in office from 1974 to 1989. In 1980, the Moorpark College Foundation was formed to fund construction of an athletic stadium, amphitheater, and observatory. The 6,000 seat stadium, completed in 1985, was named after Paul Griffin Jr., a major benefactor. In 1987, the Charles Temple Observatory, the only public observatory in Ventura County, and Carlsberg Amphitheater were dedicated at the college's 20th anniversary celebration.
