Timeline of Major University Milestones

1927              

September 12: First 86 students (men and women) attended Buncombe County Junior College

College was part of the Buncombe County School System and was located in the new Biltmore High School (just south of I-40 in Biltmore)

Tuition was free

1929              

Great Depression caused tuition to be charged.  College would accept vegetables, eggs, milk, and general produce to pay tuition.

First graduating class (Roy Taylor, valedictorian)

Merges with closed Asheville City College and changes name to Biltmore College

1934              

Because of the growing Depression, the Buncombe County School System withdraws financial support for the college and the campus moves to city-operated David Millard Junior High School (present site of Beverly Hanks Realtors on College Street, downtown).  City School System provides financial support for the college

Faculty turns over authority for college’s management to a Board of Trustees

1936              

College chartered as Asheville-Biltmore College to recognize new financial/administrative connection with the Asheville City School Board (still known as Biltmore College is popular parlance)

College is first accredited by the US Department of Education

1940              

Because of population pressures in the City School System, the college is forced to move to the Asheville Normal and Teacher’s School (present site of Memorial Hospital Campus on Biltmore Avenue, south of downtown)

1942              

In pursuit of its “own” campus, the college moves to the former County Home for Children (present site of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church on Merrimon Ave, north of downtown)

1947              

First parking lot built (80 cars)

Alumni Association founded under direction of first valedictorian, Roy Taylor ’29

1948              

Representative Roy Taylor ’29, introduces first state legislation to charter a state-supported college in Buncombe County

1949              

Increased enrollment forces college to move to Seely’s Castle on Sunset Mountain (just north of the expressway cut).  The castle had been a private residence for John and Evelyn Seely, E.W. Grove’s son-in-law and daughter.

New names were contemplated for the college including Castle College and Overlook College.

As a result of the move to the mountain the Asheville-Biltmore comes to be called the “College in the Sky.”

1957              

Becomes first two-year college in North Carolina to receive state funds.  Is the originator of North Carolina’s community college system.

1958              

Enrollment increase leads to exploration of new campus location.  Sites considered included the eighth floor of City Hall, the municipal golf course, and the Beaver Lake area.  Decision was made to stay at Seely’s Castle.  Asheville citizens voted solidly in favor of a bond referendum to expand the campus on the mountain.

Under the presidency of Glen Bushy, the Board of Trustees reconsiders relocation and purchases 161 acres from attorney Landon Roberts and others in Woolsey Dip on the site of the Civil War Battle of Asheville.

1959              

Groundbreaking for what would later be called Phillips Hall on the new campus.

1961              

First classes held at new campus in the Fall.

First African-American student enrolled

Humanities Program founded

1963              

Asheville-Biltmore College becomes a senior institution authorized to offer baccalaureate degrees.

1964              

Because of the move to a baccalaureate institution, there are no graduates

1965              

D. Hiden Ramsey Library dedicated. First building to be named. During dedication speech Governor Dan Moore states that it was his desire for Asheville-Biltmore to become a North Carolina’s public liberal arts college.

Only one graduate (Trudy Wong).  She is believed to be the only graduate of the short-lived 3-year baccalaureate degree program

1966              

The 66 in ’66 were the first four year graduates from Asheville-Biltmore College

First African-American graduate (Francine Delaney)

1967              

First residence halls open (later known as the Governor’s Village)

1969              

College joins the University of North Carolina System (along with UNCW and UNCC) and is chartered as The University of North Carolina at Asheville. (The other 10 joined in 1972)

1970              

First Commencement held at steps of D. H. Ramsey library.  Is the first class to receive UNC Asheville degrees.

Enrollment crosses 1000 for first time

1979              

Enrollment crosses 2000 for first time

1982             

Enrollment crosses 2500 for first time

1984              

Women’s basketball wins National NAIA title                

Honors Program Founded

1985              

UNC Asheville joins the NCAA and the Big South Conference

First fraternity (Pi Lambda Phi) and sorority (Alpha Xi Delta) chartered

1986              

UNC Asheville becomes a NCAA Division I school

1987              

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute founded

First National Conference on Undergraduate Research held at UNC Asheville

1988              

Receives first national press attention when named among “the very best” of America’s “high-quality, low-priced” colleges in Changing Times Magazine

1991              

First Masters of Liberal Arts graduate (Leah Karpen)

Last Rockmont held

1992              

Officially recognized as one of the nation’s first public liberal arts colleges

First Lawn Party held (at time known as UNCAMont)

1996              

Tenth National Conference on Undergraduate Research held at UNC Asheville

1997              

First Founders Day held

2001              

UNC Asheville’s Alma Mater is dedicated

2004              

University welcomes largest freshmen class ever 700+             

University reaches largest enrollment ever 3450+

2006              

Twentieth National Conference on Undergraduate Research held at UNC Asheville
 
2007              

University celebrates 80th anniversary