Bellevue College: A History of Growth, Mascot Evolution, and Community Engagement

Bellevue College (BC), formerly known as Bellevue Community College (BCC), has a rich history of serving the educational needs of the Eastside community near Seattle, Washington. From its humble beginnings in portable buildings to its current expansive campus, the college has continually evolved to meet the changing demands of its diverse student population. Simultaneously, Bellevue East High School, while not directly affiliated with Bellevue College, presents an interesting case study in mascot evolution and community dialogue, particularly concerning its "Chieftain" mascot.

The Genesis of Bellevue College

The seeds of Bellevue College were sown in the early 1960s. Educators from the Bellevue School District's adult-education program recognized the need for accessible post-secondary education at the community level. This vision aligned with a nationwide movement to expand educational opportunities. In 1962, area voters demonstrated their support by approving a $575,000 levy for a junior college. The following year, land was acquired for the new school, paving the way for its establishment.

On January 3, 1966, Bellevue Community College (BCC) officially opened its doors. The initial cohort comprised approximately 450 students and 40 faculty members. Classes were held in temporary portable buildings located on the campus of Newport High School. In June 1966, Merle Landerholm was appointed as the college's first president, setting the stage for its future development.

Expansion and Technological Advancement

In the fall of 1969, BCC reached a significant milestone when 2,200 students began classes at its new, permanent home on 148th Avenue SE in Bellevue. This marked a period of growth and expansion for the college.

BCC also embraced new technologies to better serve its students. Automated registration systems and electronic teaching aids were introduced in the 1970s, streamlining administrative processes and enhancing the learning experience. In the 1980s, the college further expanded its reach by offering telecourses and distance learning programs, providing flexible learning options for students with diverse schedules and needs.

By 2001, Bellevue Community College had established three campuses: its main campus, a location at Factoria Center, and the North Campus on Northup Way in Bellevue. This multi-campus presence allowed the college to serve a wider geographic area and cater to the specific needs of different communities. By 2010-2011 the school was enrolling 38,000 students annually. Its main campus comprised 100 acres and included 12 buildings.

Bellevue College Today

Bellevue College (BC) stands as a comprehensive educational institution, offering a wide array of programs and services. The institution offers transfer associate degree programs, bachelor's degree programs, professional-technical degrees and certifications, a continuing education program, pre-college programs for high school students, basic education for adults, parent education, and workforce development. Most classes at BC have a 22:1 students to faculty ratio. BC's service district includes the public school districts of Bellevue, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Skykomish and Snoqualmie Valley. BC Residence Hall hosts up to 400 students to live on campus. It provides suites and apartments style and amenities such as community space, laundry facility, Wi-fi access, food services as well as free cultural and academic activities to help students build communities. BC operates an FM radio station, KBCS, from its campus. The Watchdog is the student newspaper for BC.

Mascot Controversies: A Parallel Narrative at Bellevue East

While Bellevue College's history focuses on academic growth and adaptation, the story of Bellevue East High School's "Chieftain" mascot offers a parallel narrative about community identity, cultural sensitivity, and the evolving understanding of representation.

The Enduring Presence of the Chieftain

The Chieftain has been the mascot of Bellevue East High School since its founding. Starting off every school day with “Good morning, Chieftain Nation!”. Chieftain imagery is everywhere at Bellevue East, whether people recognize it or not. Some say the mascot is a way to honor native heritage, while others believe it is degrading to Native Americans. The Chieftain, pictured above in a mural by the A-wing, has been the mascot of Bellevue East since its founding.

Student Perspectives and Community Dialogue

Student surveys conducted by the Tom Tom, Bellevue East's student newspaper, reveal a complex and evolving range of opinions regarding the Chieftain mascot. In October 2015, a survey indicated that 87% of the 258 respondents did not support changing the mascot. However, a similar survey in April 2024, showed a shift in opinion, with 66.1% of the 130 respondents against changing the mascot. Thirty-three percent of Bellevue East students say the mascot has encouraged them to learn about Native history, according to a student survey conducted by the Tom Tom.

“I think we should keep the mascot,” junior Lucas Roumpf said.

Arguments For and Against the Mascot

Arguments in favor of retaining the Chieftain mascot often center on the idea of honoring Native American heritage. Some believe that the mascot serves as a reminder of local Native American history, including figures like Omaha Chief Big Elk. Carozza said the mascot is a way to remember local Native American history, including Omaha Chief Big Elk. According to the Sarpy County Museum, Chief Big Elk, also known as Ong-pa-ton-ga, was widely regarded as a strong leader and excellent speaker. He aligned with the United States in the War of 1812 and traveled to Washington D.C. “[The mascot] helps us to do some research and remember, you know, what was the origin of Bellevue,” Carozza said. “It was of course the Omaha Tribe and Chief Big Elk being a strong leader. “I like the Chieftain mascot… The term Chieftain means leader of the people, and so I think it’s a very honorable image,” community member John Carozza, whose three daughters attended Bellevue East, said.

Conversely, opponents of Native mascots argue that they can perpetuate negative stereotypes and contribute to the dehumanization of Native Americans. “The Native American mascots supported by the Bellevue Public Schools perpetuate negative stereotypes in the community psyche, enabling discrimination, inequity, and continued injustices towards Native Americans,” Ventura said. A 2010 study by Chu Kim-Pietro et al. Opponents of Native mascots argue that they enforce stereotypes of Native Americans being “savage” or “uncivilized.” While Native mascots typically do not intend to stereotype or negatively portray Native Americans, research shows that they may influence subconscious biases. As a Native American myself, it’s very degrading. It’s very upsetting to see it every day when it’s such a grotesque image,” Bullie said. Many community members believe that Bellevue East has permission from the Omaha Tribe - also known as Umoⁿhoⁿ - to use the Chieftain as a mascot. Superintendent Dr. Jeff Rippe stated that the Omaha Tribe has not given Bellevue East permission to use the Chieftain mascot because the tribe does not own the rights to Chieftain imagery.

Edward T notes: “There is no honor in Native American mascots as non-Natives do not honor the Native American truth-the true history that includes many acts of attempted genocide, betrayal, and broken treaties as well as the generational trauma and ongoing racism Native Americans experience to this day".

The Broader Context of Native American Mascots

The debate surrounding the Chieftain mascot at Bellevue East reflects a broader national conversation about the use of Native American imagery in sports and education. In 2006, the Nebraska Department of Education encouraged schools to reconsider the use of Native American mascots. Several local schools have moved away from Native mascots- for example, the University of Nebraska Omaha retired its Native mascot in 1971, and Millard South moved from the Indians to the Patriots in 2000.

Financial Considerations

Cost is a factor that many point to when considering changing mascot imagery. The Denver Post reported that one high school in Colorado spent around $350,000 on rebranding their mascot. A bill introduced to the Nebraska state legislature in 2022 would have provided schools with up to $200,000 to change Native mascots. While the bill never passed, there are other efforts to help with the cost of mascot changes.

Ongoing Dialogue

Bellevue Board of Education President Maureen McNamara said that she and the school board consider many opinions when discussing an issue such as the Chieftain mascot. “We’ve had a couple of speakers at our school board meetings that are really passionate either way about the mascot,” Bellevue Board of Education President Maureen McNamara said.

Conversations about the Chieftain mascot will likely continue to evolve.

tags: #bellevue #college #mascot #history