Eastern Arizona College

Eastern Arizona College (EAC) is a community college located in Graham County, Arizona, United States. The main campus is in Thatcher, with additional locations in Gila County and Greenlee County. EAC is special because it is the oldest community college in Arizona and is the only one in the state that has a marching band. This college offers many opportunities for students to learn and grow in a supportive environment.

History

Eastern Arizona College began in 1888 when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chartered it. The first classes started in 1890 in Central, Arizona with 17 students, called the St. Joseph Stake Academy. In 1891, classes moved to Thatcher, Arizona for better space and location.

Over the years, the school grew and changed names many times. In 1933, Graham County residents helped fund the school, and Arizona took it over, naming it Gila Junior College of Graham County. It later became Eastern Arizona Junior College in 1950 and finally Eastern Arizona College in 1966. In the 1960s, the college expanded by buying nearby farmland.

In 2012, Eastern Arizona College began offering its first bachelor's degree programs with help from Arizona State University, including nursing and business.

Ownership

Eastern Arizona College is supported by the state and is guided by the state of Arizona.

Campus

The main campus of Eastern Arizona College is located in the Upper Gila River Valley, with beautiful views of Mt. Graham and the Gila River nearby. The campus has simple buildings, and the grounds are kept very neat with green grass, trees, and flowers all year.

In 2007, the college added a Bell Tower near the main administration building, connecting the north and south parts of the campus.

Housing

Eastern Arizona College offers special homes called dormitories for students who live alone and are not married. The college has four types of housing: Mark Allen, Wesley Taylor, Nellie Lee, and three tall buildings called residence towers.

Married students cannot live in these college homes, but they can usually find apartments nearby. The college also has a housing office that helps students find places to live both on and off the college grounds.

Academics

Eastern Arizona College has nine areas of study, including Business, Communicative Arts, Fine Arts, Health and Physical Education, Industrial Technology Education, Liberal Studies, Mathematics, Science and Allied Health, and Social Sciences.

Besides common two-year degrees and certificates, the college also offers a few four-year degrees. These include a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership (starting fall 2026), a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. The college began offering four-year degrees in fall 2024 with Health Sciences and Music Education programs. The Organizational Leadership program will start enrolling students in advanced courses in fall 2026, once it receives approval from the Higher Learning Commission.

Museum

Eastern Arizona College houses the Mills Collection, gathered by amateur archaeologists Jack and Vera Mills. From the 1940s to the 1970s, they explored many ancient sites in southeastern Arizona and western New Mexico. They carefully fixed many old pots and collected more than 600 whole pots and over 5,000 other old objects. They gave their collection to the college so that everyone can see it on display.

Mascot

The mascot of Eastern Arizona College is named "Gila Hank." It is based on the Gila monster, a special kind of lizard that lives in the area.

Notable alumni

Eastern Arizona College has had many successful graduates who have gone on to achieve great things in different fields. Some well-known alumni include H. Verlan Andersen, a leader in a religious organization, and Nick Nolte, a famous actor. The college also counts several professional football players among its alumni, such as Mike Bellamy, Christo Bilukidi, and Mark Gastineau. Other notable graduates include Spencer W. Kimball, a religious leader, and Nolan Richardson, a college basketball coach.