Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management

Historical State Timelines
Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
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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 woman Faculty Senate chair appointed

Sondra L. Kirsch, Associate Professor of Recreation Resources Administration, became the first woman chair of 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.