East Central College was founded in 1968 to serve the educational needs of the people in east central
Missouri. In that same year were purchased for what is now the main campus. Classes began in rented facilities at the Union Memorial Auditorium in September 1969 with enrollment of 476 students the first semester. The Administration Building was the first facility built on campus, and it was completed in 1971. The Multipurpose Building came next in 1973, followed by the Vocational-Technical Building in 1978 and the Classroom Building in 1985. The Auditorium/Classroom facility was completed in 1998. The Health & Science Building with almost of space, was completed in January 2009. The Administration Building was completely renovated in 2011. The facility was renamed Buescher Hall and was dedicated October 30, 2011, to honor George H. Buescher, who was instrumental in the establishment of the college and served as the first president of the board of trustees. That building houses the Library, Learning Center, Student Service Center, classrooms and offices. ==Academics==