NCSU Timelines

1920s

5/11/1923 Frank Thompson Gymnasium named
The new gymnasium on campus is named after Frank Thompson (Class of 1910), a former athlete at State College who was killed during service in WWI.
Thompson Gymnasium, with Reynolds Coliseum under construction in the background
1923 Department of Physical Education established
The college first offered physical education classes, and it established a Physical Education Department, which had its early home in Frank Thompson Gymnasium.

1952 School of General Studies established
The non-degree-granting School of General Studies was established (it 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.

11/17/1962 Carmichael Gymnasium dedicated
Carmichael Gymnasium was named for William Donald Carmichael, a World War I Veteran and advocate for the completion of Reynolds Coliseum. The Department of Physical Education was one of the early occupants of the building.
Carmichael Gymnasium
1963 School of Liberal Arts
The formerly non-degree granting School of General Studies is renamed the School of Liberal Arts, and receives authorization to award degrees. Fred V. Cahill was the first dean of the new school (he served in the position until 1971). Liberal Arts originally contained the following departments: includes Economics, English, History and Political Science, Modern Languages, Philosophy and Religion, Physical Education, Social Studies, and Sociology and Anthropology.

1997 Department of Physical Education became part of the Division of Student Affairs

2012 Department of Health and Exercise Studies
The university changed the name of the Department of Physical Education to the Department of Health and Exercise Studies.
7/1/2015 University College established
With the creation of University College, the following departments and programs moved under it: Music, Health and Exercise Studies, ROTC, and the Environmental Science BS. Also, the First Year College became the Exploratory Studies Program and the following departments.