When Grays Harbor College was established in 1930, a tradition of helping our students succeed also began. Now, some 100 years later, we have assembled excellent instructors and dedicated staff, all caring individuals focused on providing the very best services to the students in the Grays Harbor and Pacific counties that we serve.
We are focused on success of all varieties – helping students as they work towards an Associate or Bachelor degree; teaching new skills that could lead to a new or improved job; or encouraging someone as they strive to earn a GED®, master English as a new language, or enroll in any one of our community special interest courses.
Grays Harbor College History
Grays Harbor College first opened for students on September 28, 1930, after a group of Aberdeen citizens organized the concept of a college and then received the charter from the State of Washington. For the first four years, the College was in the old Franklin School building on Market Street, later moving to Terrace Heights (1934-1945) and eventually to a building next to the current Aberdeen High School (1945-1955). Since that time, GHC has continuously served residents of both Grays Harbor and Pacific counties, offering academic, professional and technical courses at a reasonable cost and giving students the opportunity to learn and live close to home. Funds were allocated for purchase of the current 40-acre site overlooking the Harbor in 1955 and classes opened at this existing location in 1958. The College included classrooms, science laboratories, library, gymnasium, administrative offices and the student service facility (HUB).
GHC Today
Numerous additions, renovations and major remodeling projects have occurred over the years and kept the College vibrant and modern for students and the community. Many of the buildings and spaces on campus are named in honor of cherished longtime College faculty and administrators. The John Spellman Library, named for an honored GHC librarian, was extensively remodeled in 2003, and more recently has expanded to house TRIO Student Support Services, Running Start, and tutoring services; the Jewell C. Manspeaker Instructional Building was completed in 2006 and named for the former GHC president; the Gene Schermer Instructional Building, named for GHC’s long time chemistry instructor and administrator, opened for students Fall 2015 on the opposite corner of campus. The child care center opened in 2009 and was financed by grants and fundraising efforts spearheaded by the Grays Harbor College Foundation.
The tulalW Student Center was completed in spring 2024 on the main campus in Aberdeen. GHC’s newest building is home to gathering spaces like the Student Life Lounge and the Diversity Equity Center, alongside meeting rooms, offices, and instructional areas. During construction, GHC collaborated with local Tribal Nations to choose a culturally relevant name, culminating in President Capoeman of the Quinault Nation selecting tulalW, meaning “together”.
Since its original setting in Aberdeen, GHC has also expanded its services to bring higher education to those not in the immediate vicinity. The Riverview Education Center in Raymond and the Columbia Education Center in Ilwaco provide convenient access to Pacific County residents, and a robust offering of courses, support services and programs available fully online through eLearning, allow GHC to extend beyond our original service area.