Buildings C, D, and E, the three main buildings of the campus at its inception were originally named for Horace Mann, the founder of America's modern educational system;  social reformer and pacifist Jane Adams, and world renowned scientist, Louis Agassiz. 

Dr. Armen Sarafian Superintendent-President from 1965-1976,   Sarafian presided over many changes at PCC while president, including the completion and dedication of five new buildings on campus.  

Howard E. Marvin  Brilliant mathematician, award winning artist, pioneer software executive and developer  

Dr. Catherine J. Robbins  Robbins began her 42 year affiliation with the campus as a teacher and ended in 1965 after serving ten years as the campus president.   At that time she was one of only two female community college presidents in the country.   In 1959 she was named by the Times as "Woman of the Year in Education." 

John W. Harbeson   Serving as the campuses longest-serving principal from 1927-1950, Harbeson guided the college through the Depression, the 1933 earthquake, and World War II.  It was also during his tenure that the college band became of official band of the Tournament of Roses Parade.  In addition to reconstructing the buildings damaged in the 1933 quake, Harbeson directed the building of the college's Observatory, which was dedicated by Albert Einstein.   

Westerbecks—Robert Westerbeck was an alum of PCC and his wife Adrienne taught music on the campus until 1971.  In 2011 the family trust implemented the bequest of the  Westerbecks and donated $4 million dollars to the PCC Foundation.   This was the largest single donation ever received by the campus. 

Dr. George Boone (1923-2008), An alum of PCC, dentist, and major philanthropist, the  Boone family contributed the bulk of the funds for the Boone Sculpture Garden.   The garden which stands on ground where their family home once stood, was named his parents, George Sr. and Fern Boone. “   The Art Gallery also bears the family name but have yet to determine their contribution to the project. 

Jameson – possibly the JW and Ida M. Jameson Foundation of Sierra Madre but pure speculation at this point.

Sexson—John A. Sexson was the superintendent of schools in Pasadena from 1929 to 1948. 

Creveling—Louis Creveling was in the first Junior College class and was the first student body president in 1924.  He went on to build a clothing manufacturing business in Los Angeles and according to an L.A. Times article from 1986 he's quoted as saying  "I can't account for my fascination with PCC,"  this from a man who has befriended every PCC president for more than 20 years, headed its Alumni Assn. and donated to many of its funds.

He said that he has no idea how much money he has given to the college, "but it's one of my favorite charities, if you could call it a charity."

Robinson named facilities were all named for athletes Jackie and Mack Robinson.