Washtenaw Community College Celebrates 60 Years with Free College Week

The college wrapped up its annual community event with campus tours, hands-on demos, and activities for all ages.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:38pm

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration featuring a grid of brightly colored, neon-hued Volkswagen Thing cars, capturing the retro-futuristic energy of the college's community celebration.Washtenaw Community College celebrates 60 years of serving its local community with a vibrant showcase of vintage and electric vehicles.Ann Arbor Today

Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan, celebrated its 60th anniversary by hosting its annual Free College Week, featuring over 100 free virtual classes and a community celebration on campus to close out the week-long event. The on-campus festivities included a car show, a Teddy Bear Clinic, youth literacy activities, and an esports tournament.

Why it matters

Washtenaw Community College's Free College Week is an important annual event that provides no-cost educational opportunities to the local community and celebrates the college's role as a hub for lifelong learning. The 60th anniversary milestone underscores WCC's longstanding commitment to serving its residents through affordable, accessible higher education.

The details

During Free College Week, WCC offered over 100 free virtual classes covering a wide range of topics, from technology to the arts. The on-campus celebration on April 18th featured hands-on demonstrations, activities for all ages, and special exhibits like a vintage Volkswagen Thing that transportation technologies students plan to convert to an electric vehicle. Highlights included a Teddy Bear Clinic, youth literacy programming, and an esports tournament for teens.

  • Free College Week ran from April 13-18, 2026.
  • The on-campus celebration took place on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The players

Washtenaw Community College

A public community college located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that is celebrating its 60th year of serving the local community through affordable higher education and workforce training programs.

Alpha

The mascot of Washtenaw Community College who hosted a youth literacy and storytelling session during the on-campus celebration.

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What they’re saying

“Free College Week is an important annual event that provides no-cost educational opportunities to the local community and celebrates the college's role as a hub for lifelong learning.”

— Washtenaw Community College

The takeaway

Washtenaw Community College's commitment to accessible, affordable higher education is exemplified through its annual Free College Week, which offers the community a chance to explore diverse learning opportunities and celebrate the college's 60-year legacy of serving local residents.