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Dedicated to the proposition that all minds should be free.
Founded in 1889: Now a Living History Lesson
1889
The Georgia Normal & Industrial College which would become Georgia College is chartered as a two-year college
1891
Classes officially begin in the “Old Governor’s Mansion” and “Penitentiary
Square,” where Sherman had kept Confederate prisoners and the site of today’s main campus. In all the campus totaled 22 acres.
1906
J. Harris Chappell, first president of the college, dies of tuberculosis. 1917
The entire cost of a year’s attendance came to “about $130, not counting books, clothing, railroad fare, and incidental expenses.” That same year the college received authority to grant four-year degrees.1922
Georgia Normal & Industrial College changes to Georgia State College for
Women. Primarily as a teacher’s college, courses include psychology, home economics, English, math, art, science, recreation and music 1934
The first student government association is formed at the college. Compulsory uniforms are abolished soon afterwards. 1938
Student numbers peaked at 1,500.1942
The college is designated as a “Key Center,” one of three in the state to help disseminate information about the war and “boost civilian morale.” 1942
Mary Flannery O’Connor, as fellow students called her, enters as a freshman and graduates three years later. She later becomes a “literary giant.” Her works are housed in the Special Collections area of the GCSU Library and Information Technology Center.1949
The enrollment count sinks to 828 and then to its worst, 585, in 1953.1957
The college begins its first graduate program, a Master of Education degree.1961
Georgia State College for Women was officially renamed The Women’s College of Georgia.1964
Funds were appropriated for the first adequate restoration of the Governor’s Mansion. The work was completed in 1967.1967
The Women’s College of Georgia became coeducational and receives the new name Georgia College at Milledgeville. In the fall, 185 men join the campus of 1,216 women.1968
In intercollegiate athletics, the college adopts the team name of “Colonials.”1971
Georgia College at Milledgeville is shortened to Georgia College.1975
Total enrollment grows to 3,770.1981
The college begins a five-year plan to become a multi-campus university which included a commitment to the “computer era.”1987
An educational exchange is established with the People’s Republic of China. This begins, in part, a revival of international interaction through study abroad and exchange programs.1989
The college’s centennial events is marked with the opening of the Centennial Center, which serves the campus as a wellness center and gym.1996
The Georgia Board of Regents officially name Georgia College as “Georgia’s public liberal arts university.”2004
Major dormitory construction is completed as five new buildings opened near the main campus to serve more than 1,100 students. In addition, West Campus, where the athletic fields are located, becomes home to Bobcat Village, an apartment complex for upperclassmen and women.2005
The newly expanded and renovated Library & Instructional Technology Building is dedicated. 2007
Today, Georgia College serves more than 5,500 students in four schools with a faculty that exceeds 300.Presidents
1889-1905 – J. Harris Chappell
1905-1926 – Marvin McTyeire Parks
1926-1934 – J. Luther Beeson
1934-1953 – Guy Herbert Wells
1953-1956 – Henry King Stanford
1956-1967 – Robert E. Lee
1967-1981 – J. Whitney Bunting
1981-1997– Edwin G. Speir, Jr.
1997- 2004 – Rosemary DePaolo
January 1, 2004-Present - Dorothy Leland
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Milledgeville, GA 31061 | (478) 445-5004 | 800-342-0471 | webmaster@gcsu.edu
