RC.edu - 50th Anniversary

Historic Milestones

Rochester College is built upon a firm foundation laid by hundreds of individuals over the past five decades. Certain events stand out as historical milestones in the college's progress.

1950's

1954	Board of Directors formed
1957	Maxon estate purchased for a campus site
1958	First lectureship conducted
	Otis Gatewood named first president of college
1959	Associates Campus Center completed
	Associates organized
	College opens as North Central Christian College

1960's

1960	First addition to greenhouse completed for science classes
	Palmer Hall completed
1961	Name changed to Michigan Christian Junior College
	Second addition to Science Building completed
	Barbier Hall completed
	Men's Club organized
	Cafetorium completed
1962	Third addition to Science Building completed
1963	First Homecoming held
	Gymnasium completed
	State accreditation achieved
1964	Gold Room completed
	Lucien Palmer named second president of college
	Alumni Association formed
	Gierok farm purchased
1965	Muirhead Center completed for student center and library
1966	Lower level of bookstore completed
	NCA correspondent status achieved
1969	NCA candidate status achieved
	First conference title won by men's basketball team

1970's

1970	Gatewood Hall completed
	Men's baseball added
1971	Don Gardner named third president of college
1972	First Partnership Dinner held in gymnasium
1973	Autumn formed to assist with student recruitment
	NCA accreditation achieved
1975	Over 300 students enrolled for first time
	Cross country team organized
1976	Men's residence halls renovated
1977	Associates millionth dollar donated
	Accreditation reaffirmed
	First Celebration in Song produced by student body
	Third-year Bible program added
	Associate in Applied Science degree added
1978	Westside Auditorium completed
	Upper level of Bookstore completed for student center
	Walter Gilfilen named fourth president of college
	Bachelor of Religious Education degree approved by state
	Name changed to Michigan Christian College
1979	Gymnasium annex completed
	New campus master plan unveiled

1980's

1980	Milton Fletcher named fifth president of college
	Bachelor of Religious Education degree approved by NCA
1981	Women's softball team organized
	Autumn restructured for contemporary Christian music
1983	Business programs added at associates degree level
	Accreditation reaffirmed
1984	Company formed to assist student recruitment
1986	Women's volleyball added
1987	Women's basketball team organized
	Men's soccer added
	Second millionth dollar donated by Associates
1989	National championship captured by men's basketball team
	Accreditation reaffirmed
	Counseling major added to B.R.E. program
	First national title earned by cross country team

1990's

1990	Preschool opened in new church building
	Second national title earned by cross country team
1991	Ken Johnson named sixth president
1992	Music Center renovated by alumni volunteers
1993	Bachelor of Business Administration degree approved
	Third millionth dollar raised by Associates
1994	Warrior Cafe opened
	Second national title captured by men's basketball team
1995	Campus connected to Internet
1996	Bachelor of Science degree approved
	First national title earned by men's soccer team
1997	Name changed to Rochester College
	First classes offered by Center for Extended Learning
	Ferndale/Hoggatt Hall and Dearborn Commons completed
	College website launched
1998	Over 500 students enrolled for first time
	First national title earned by women's volleyball team
1999	Second national title earned by women's volleyball team
1998	Macomb Center satellite campus established

2000's

2000	Barbier Hall renovated
	Mott Community College satellite campus initiated
	Enrollment records broken with over 800 students
2001	Isom Atrium and Associates Plaza completed
	GEO international studies program initiated
2002	Bachelor of Arts degree approved
	Specs Howard satellite campus established
	Ham Library completed
	Women's soccer added
	Bookstore moved to new location
2003	Over 1,000 students enrolled for first time
2004	Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) opened
	Third national championship achieved by men's basketball
	Michael Westerfield named seventh president of college
	Richardson Center completed
2005	Campaign for athletic center launched
	Fourth national championship captured by men's basketball
	Master of Religious Education approved
2006	College authorized to recommend teachers for certification