College of Humanities and Social Sciences
1920s
Norwood (“Red”) Hicks II taught the first courses in religion. Although the courses were listed in the 1927-1928 college catalog, they were not taught before Hicks became an assistant professor in 1928.
1930s
The Basic Division replaced the School of Science and Business. It was established as an academic service division, consisting of non-degree-granting departments and offering fundamental courses to first and second-year students.
1950s
The non-degree granting School of General Studies was established. The school later became the degree-granting College of Humanities and Social Sciences. General Studies replaced the Basic Division, and initially it included the following departments: economics, English, history and political science, modern languages, philosophy and religion, physical education, social studies, and sociology.
1960s
Fred V. Cahill was appointed dean of the School of General Studies.
The formerly non-degree granting School of General Studies was renamed the School of Liberal Arts and received authorization to award degrees. Fred V. Cahill was the first dean of the new school and served in the position until 1971. The school originally contained the following departments: economics, English, history and political science, modern languages, philosophy and religion, physical education, social studies, and sociology and anthropology.
Burley Mitchell graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later became a Justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court.
NC State received its first National Science Foundation grant to create a science development plan in order to strengthen faculties in the biosciences; support materials, mechanics and electrotechnics in engineering; and support the social sciences.
Norma Wright Garcia became the first African American woman to receive an undergraduate degree after earning a BA in history.
Department of Rural Sociology merged with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, retaining the latter name.
Dr. Peebles-Wilkins was one of the first African American women to graduate from NC State's College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) with a degree in sociology.
Ann B. Goodnight graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science. She later became a businesswoman, philanthropist, and member of the UNC System Board of Governors.
In fall 1969, NC State began offering Black Studies courses. These courses included Black American literature, the Afro-American in America, Black Americans in American Politics, and Black Ideology. Previously, students were going to Shaw University and St. Augustine's College to take similar classes.
1970s
Emerson Fullwood graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later became vice president of Xerox Corporation.
Dr. Robert O. Tilman was appointed as the new dean of the School of Liberal Arts. He served in the position until 1984.
The School of Liberal Studies was renamed the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
1980s
Caldwell Hall, named for Chancellor John T. Caldwell, was designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes in collaboration with J. N. Pease. It originally housed the Dean's Offices of Humanities, the Department of Political Science, and the Japan Center.
William B. Toole was dean of the School of Humanities and Social Science and served in the position until 1995.
Terry Gannon graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. He had been a member of the "Cardiac Pack" men's basketball team that won the 1983 NCAA championship. He later became a sportscaster for ESPN, ABC and other media outlets.
Kevin Howell was the first African American to serve as student body president from 1987 to 1988. He was a political science major. After graduation, he was hired as the university's primary liaison with state and local governments.
Eight of the university's academic schools were designated as colleges.
Zach Galifianakis enrolled as a communications major. He later became a successful comedian and actor with starring roles in the movies The Hangover and The Candidate.
1990s
Margaret A. Zahn, nationally known for her studies on violence in the U.S., became dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She served in the position until 2001.
2000s
Linda P. Brady became dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Brady served as dean until 2006.
The UNC Board of Governors approved proposed master's degree programs in French and Spanish.
The Institute of Nonprofits was established in 2003 and disestablished in 2020.
The Creative Writing MFA program enrolled its first cohort of students in 2003.
Dickson "Doc" Hendley graduated with a BA degree. He later founded the Wine to Water non-profit organization.
The School of Public and International Affairs was established within CHASS and included the Department of Political Science, the Department of Public Administration, the International Studies master's program, and other initiatives.
The Department of Political Science and Public Administration divided into two departments: the Department of Political Science and the Department of Public Administration. These two departments comprised the School of Public and International Affairs within CHASS.
Toby L. Parcel was appointed dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and served in the position until 2008.
After serving as interim dean since 2008, Braden was appointed dean of CHASS.
2010s
Founded with a gift from Moise Khayrallah, the center fostered scholarship on the historical and contemporary Lebanese Diaspora, including social, political, economic, and cultural dimensions.
2020s
Deanna Dannels became dean of CHASS. She was a professor of communication at NC State since 1999.