With the first classes starting in October 1971, Volunteer State Community College is marking its 50th anniversary in 2021.
The goal is to engage the entire community in recognizing the accomplishments of Vol State students and the growth of the institution. The college is encouraging graduates and former students to post their memories and old pictures on the college Facebook page at www.facebook.com/volstate.
The college has come a long way. The very first classes were held even before the completion of the Gallatin campus.
Administrative offices were in the Cordell Hull building in downtown Gallatin and classes were held wherever space could be found in Sumner County.
The college has awarded more than 30,000 associate degrees and certificates in the past 50 years. How many students have attended since 1971, is more difficult to ascertain, but estimates are more than 175,000.
Academic offerings now span more than 100 areas of study in six divisions: Humanities, Health Sciences, Business and Technology, Math and Science, Nursing, and Social Science and Education.
The main campus in Gallatin has expanded to 18 buildings, including the recent additions of the Wallace Health Sciences and Steinhauer-Rogan-Black Humanities buildings.
For a timeline of the college history visit: www.volstate.edu/50th
