City College celebrates its centennial anniversary with the publishing of a colorful 128-page book honoring the first 100 years of the college’s history: “A Century of Success: A Future of Possibilities.”

“I really enjoyed working with the college,” author of “A Century of Success: A Future of Possibilities,” Leslie Westbrook said. “It was really fun and I enjoyed the enthusiasm of [City College’s President] Dr. Serban.”

From the beginning of the book’s creation, Superintendent-President Andreea Serban has played an active role in its development.

“It’s important for future generations to know how the college was created,” Serban said. “So many great people, programs and efforts are what have made the college the great institution it is today.”

The book archives the evolution of City College from its birth in 1909 through the sixties expansion and all the way until its centennial birthday in 2009. It highlights 100 years of student life, faculty and programs through a blend of text and more than 180 photos and illustrations, many of which were collected through The Channels archives.

The book is set in historical context, relaying student housing prices and events that happened in the community during that time. It includes the college’s move to several campuses, fiscal issues and presidential visits.

Author and Summerland local Westbrook has a background in art and an extensive resume.

“I thought it would be fun and challenging,” Westbrook said. “Who doesn’t love SBCC and education?”

Westbrook was hired in June 2009, and the book was published in December 2010. Having only four months to complete 100 years’ worth of research, she spent her summer vacation digging through The Channels archives, unburying 50 years of old newspapers and reading every page.

“I’d carry five years of bound Channels newspapers at a time and read every one,” Westbrook said. “I wanted to get a flavor of college life. The students’ voices came through The Channels.”

The book was reviewed by Serban and two former Board of Trustee members, Dr. Kathryn Alexander and Desmond O’Neill.

“I would get small pieces at a time, and every draft got better,” Serban said. “The first draft sounded very alive.”

It was sponsored by Dr. Eric H. Boehm, who originally referred Westbrook as an author to Serban.

“The book was funded by a donation of $60,000 from Eric Boehm,” Serban said. That didn’t turn out to be enough so the Bookstore contributed an additional $20,000.

“This was never intended to be a money maker,” Serban said.

The proceeds from the book will first go toward paying back the Bookstore and any surplus will go to benefit the college in general, although specifics have not yet been decided.

“[Paying back the Bookstore] will probably take selling the majority of the books,” Serban said. “It’s hard to tell.”

Serban said the book continues to receive positive feedback even though there were risks involved in the project.

“If we would have included every program, it would have been a very thick book,” she said with a laugh.

The book is currently on sale at the Bookstore for $14.95. Other locations include Chaucer’s Books, The Book Den and Tecolote Book Shop in Montecito.