Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management

Historical State Timelines
Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management

1940s

  • 1947 Department of Industrial and Rural Recreation established

    Department of Industrial and Rural Recreation established in the School of Education.

1950s

  • 1958 Department of Recreation and Park Administration

    The Department of Industrial and Rural Recreation is renamed the Department of Recreation and Park Administration.

1960s

  • 1967 Thomas Wells graduates

    Thomas R. Wells graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. He later became superintendent of the state park system in North Carolina.

  • 1967 Department of Recreation and Park Administration relocated

    The Department of Recreation and Park Administration is transferred from the School of Education to the School of Forest Resources

1970s

  • 1970 Recreation and Park Administration curriculum

    A masters' program in Recreation and Park Administration is created.

  • 1977 Department of Recreation and Park Administration receives accreditation

    The Department of Recreation and Park Administration becomes the first department of its kind in the United States to receive accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of the National Recreation and Park Association.

1980s

  • 1985 First female Faculty Senate chair

    Sondra L. Kirsch, Associate Professor of Recreation Resources Administration becomes the first woman to chair the NC State Faculty Senate.

  • 1989 Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management

    The department of Recreation and Park Administration is renamed the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management.

1990s

  • 1998 A 50 Year Salute Published

    The department published A 50 Year Salute: The Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. More historical information exists on the departmental website.