After conferring with the staff and athletes, it is with sadness that Copper Mountain College…
Copper Mountain College is marking a major milestone this year, its 25th anniversary as an independent community college in California. This yearlong celebration honors not only the institution’s growth and achievements but also the deep connection it has built with the hi- desert community that helped establish it.
The festivities officially begin on Saturday, June 14, with a special event titled Shining Through: Reflections of Success.
“This celebratory dinner, organized by the Copper Mountain College Foundation, will highlight the legacy, development, and future vision of the college. That kind of kicks things off for the year,” said Steve Brown, Public Relations and Event Specialist for CMC, who is closely working with the Foundation on the anniversary planning.
The celebration doesn’t stop there. A wide range of events is scheduled throughout the year. On September 27, CMC will host a Latinx cultural event featuring Nacho Bustillos, a talented and well-loved musician known for his dynamic performances and community support. He’ll bring his full band for a three-hour performance under the stars in the 300 quad, complete with food, drinks, and a full light and sound show. A DJ will keep the music going during the band’s intermission, promising an high energy evening of music and culture.
Then, on October 11, the campus will host Howlin’ at the Mountain III, bringing back Ed Kabotie, a Hopi/Tewa singer, songwriter, activist, and visual artist.
“He comes from a long line of well-respected Hopi artists,” Brown shared, noting that Kabotie’s grandfather painted the Hopi creation story mural found in the Desert View Watchtower on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Kabotie’s presence will honor indigenous traditions and environmental activism, central themes of the event.
A central feature of this milestone celebration is an ongoing oral history project telling the story of both the college and the community that built it and supports it. Brown invites current and former students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and community members to share their CMC stories through audio and video interviews, photos, and more.
“This college was built by the community,” Brown emphasized. “It’s touched a lot of lives.”
These stories will be compiled and edited into a multimedia presentation to be unveiled during the closing anniversary event in June 2026.
Anyone with a CMC story to share is encouraged to participate. Interviews will be conducted in the college’s relaxed and welcoming media studio.
“Don’t stress. It’s not a big deal,” Brown assured. “We’ll make sure you’re happy with the final result.”
To share your story, contact Steve Brown at stevebrown@cmccd.edu or call 760-366-3791 ext. 5310 and leave a message.
CMC isn’t just a place for academics it’s also a living part of the desert ecosystem. The college grounds include a native desert plant garden maintained by the college’s landscaping staff, and a desert tortoise preserve. Brown welcomes input from botanists, gardeners, and anyone passionate about desert life who have stories that touch on the CMC experience as a desert college.
As the college continues to grow, its roots remain grounded in the people and culture of the hi-desert. The 25th anniversary is not just a celebration of the past but a launchpad into the future built on community, sustained by stories, and lit by the passion of those who call CMC home.
– from the Cacti Chronicles, story by Jeremy Quinones.