College of Design

Historical State Timelines
College of Design

1940s

  • 1941 First branch library

    The Architecture Library opened as the first branch library, with Grace Sims Dalton as the first librarian. This was part of Library Director Harlan Brown’s goal to eliminate autonomous departmental libraries in favor of centrally controlled branch libraries (The Architecture Library was renamed the Harrye B. Lyons Design Library in 1968).

  • 1946 Division of Architecture and Landscape Design established
  • 5/23/1948 School of Design established

    The School of Design is established, with the Division of Architecture and Landscape Design incorporated into the curriculum. Henry Kamphoefner from the University of Oklahoma becomes the first dean of the school (he serves in the position until 1973).

  • DefaultDean Henry L. Kamphoefner

1950s

  • 1951 Eduardo Catalano Joined Faculty

    Eduardo Catalano (1917-2010) of Argentina came to NC State as the head of the Department of Architecture in the College of Design. On the faculty here until 1956, Catalano later taught at MIT, retiring in 1995, His design achievements included construction of his own house in Raleigh (named House of the Decade by "House and Home" magazine in 1955), the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, and the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. In 2007 NC State ... More

  • DefaultEduardo F. Catalano portrait
  • 5/29/1953 Student success in the School of Design

    A popular myth that there is a "high academic mortality rate" for School of Design students is debunked. Of the 629 students enrolled in the School of Design, only 12 received flunking grades, a 2% mortality rate - much less than the rumored rate of 10%.

1960s

  • 1968 L. Franklin Bost graduates

    L. Franklin Bost graduated with a Bachelor of Product Design degree. He later became executive director of masters, Biomedical Innovation and Development program, Georgia Tech University; and CEO of Spheringenics.

  • 1968 Masters degree in Landscape Architecture first offered
  • Fall 1968 Masters degree in Urban and Regional Design first offered
  • Fall 1968 Masters degree in Architecture first offered.
  • Fall 1968 Masters degree in Product Design first offered.

1970s

  • May 15, 1971 Arthur J. Clement, First African American Graduate from the College of Design

    Arthur Clement graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture.

  • 1972 Richard Curtis graduates

    Richard Curtis graduated with a Bachelor of Product Design degree. He later became managing editor for graphics and photography at USA Today newspaper.

  • 1972 Curt Fentress graduates

    Curt Fentress graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture. His firm has designed such buildings as the Denver International Airport passenger terminal, Incheon International Airport in South Korea, Arraya Tower in Kuwait City, National Museum of the Marine Corps, and Terminal 2 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. He became a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

  • 1973 Claude E. McKinney becomes dean

    He serves in the position until 1988, when he becomes Special Assistant to the Chancellor for the Development of Centennial Campus

  • DefaultClaude McKinney portrait
  • 1975 Philip Freelon graduates

    Philip Freelon graduated with a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture degree. Signature buildings his firm has designed include the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture in Charlotte, the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture in Baltimore, and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National ... More

1980s

  • 1984 David Evans graduates

    David Evans graduates with a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Product Design degree. He later became creative director and executive producer, and photographer for the National Geographic Society.

  • 1988 Deborah Dalton becomes interim dean

    She serves in the position until 1990.

  • DefaultDeborah Dalton portrait

1990s

  • 1990 J. Thomas Regan becomes dean

    He serves in the position until 1993.

  • DefaultJ. Thomas Regan, Dean of the College of Design
  • 1994 Marvin J. Malecha becomes dean

    He serves in the position until 2015.

  • 1997 School of Design 50th Anniversary

    Among the many events celebrating its golden anniversary, the school published Reflections and Actions: An Inspiration for the Future, A Summary History of the School of Design, NC State University. A print edition exists in the library.

2000s

  • 2000 School of Design renamed the College of Design
  • 2001 Art2Wear

    The Art2Wear student-organized runway show debuted in 2001. The event presents fashion, costume and wearable sculpture created by the students of the College of Design and the College of Textiles at NC State University. This annual event is organized and hosted by the College of Design’s Art + Design department in partnership with the College of Textiles to display juried examples of student work each Spring.

  • January 2005 Prague Institute opens

    The Prague Institute, which established a year-round study abroad destination for Design students, opened in January of 2005. Its name was later changed to the NC State European Center in Prague.

  • 2007 College of Design History

    Roger H. Clark completed the book started by Robert Burns titled School of Design: The Kamphoefner Years 1948-1973, Reflections and Recollections. A print edition exists in the library.

2010s

  • 2016 Art Rice becomes interim dean
  • 2016 Mark Hoversten becomes dean