EPCC Mourns the Passing of Joe Foster

El Paso Community College (EPCC) is mourning the loss of one of its founding fathers, Joe Foster.  Mr. Foster was the first Chair of the EPCC Board of Trustees, serving from 1969-1977.

On June 28, 1969, voters in El Paso County approved the creation of EPCC without the funding.  Mr. Foster’s tireless work over the next few years saw the opening of the college in the fall of 1971 with evening classes in high schools around the area.   Under his leadership, EPCC leased space at the Logan Heights area of Fort Bliss to house the first campus in 1972, as well as expanding to the Rio Grande campus in 1975.

Joe Foster may be best remembered for leading EPCC during a case before the United States Supreme Court to overturn the decision of a bond election.  The overturning of the 1975 election paved the way for the Valle Verde and Transmountain campuses to be funded.  The case would change laws nationwide that allowed only landowners to vote for tax and bond elections.

A memorial service will be held for Mr. Foster at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 15 at the Trinity First United Methodist Church, 801 N. Mesa.