NC State University Timeline, 1950-1980

Historical State Timelines
NC State University Timeline, 1950-1980
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1950s

1953 Atlantic Coast Conference formed

NC State athletics teams withdrew from the Southern Conference and joined the newly formed Atlantic Coast Conference.

9/5/1953 Nuclear reactor went into operation

The R-1 reactor was the first non-government-run nuclear reactor in the world and the first designed, built, and operated by an academic institution. Design and construction began in 1950. It was the first of four reactors operated at NC State. More information on the nuclear reactor program can be found on the departmental website.

Burlington reactor, 1950sBurlington reactor, 1950s
9/7/1956 First person married in Danforth Chapel

Jim Stewart, former president of the YMCA, was the first person to get married in State College's Danforth Chapel.

Danforth ChapelDanforth Chapel
1958 WVWP became WKNC

The campus radio station changed its call letters from WVWP to WKNC.

1960s

5/1960 First African American undergraduate degree conferred

Irwin Holmes earned a BS in electrical engineering, making him the first African American undergraduate to receive a degree at NC State. Further documentation of Irwin Holmes's life exists at DigitalNC.

11/4/1961 Harrelson Hall opened

Named for former chancellor John William Harrelson, Harrelson Hall opened to the public for the first time as part of the School of Agriculture's Open House. At the time, the building seated 3,429 people.

Harrelson HallHarrelson Hall
1964 Fraternity Court opened

Fraternity Court opened with new buildings to house Greek organizations on campus.

11/10/1964 Compulsory ROTC service abolished

Faculty Senate voted to abolish compulsory ROTC. Prior to this date, all male students were required to take military training.

NC State ROTC unitNC State ROTC unit
1965 Name changed again

North Carolina State of the University of North Carolina was renamed the North Carolina State University at Raleigh.

2/22/1965 Pullen Hall destroyed by fire

The original Pullen Hall was destroyed by a fire, which a former student later admitted to setting. The music department lost everything, including over 300 band instruments, four pianos, and $15,000 worth of sheet music. The fire also destroyed the department's facilities. Pullen Hall was built in 1902 and was the center of campus activities in the early twentieth century. It was located on the site of present-day Peele Hall parking lot. A few years later, ... More

Pullen Hall, firePullen Hall, fire
11/10/1965 Rolling Stones performed

The Rolling Stones performed at Reynolds Coliseum and were joined by Patti LaBelle for the show.

1966 Enrollment passed 10,000

10,203 students entered NC State in the fall of 1966. Tuition was $357 for in-state and $782 for out-of-state students. There were over 1,000 women enrolled.

Technician, Vol. 71 No. 3 [Vol. 47 No. 2], September 16, 1966Technician, Vol. 71 No. 3 [Vol. 47 No. 2], September 16, 1966
12/16/1967 Liberty Bowl victory

The NC State football team defeated the University of Georgia in the Liberty Bowl, 14-7. This was NC State's first bowl game win.

Liberty Bowl trophyLiberty Bowl trophy
3/7/1968 University Plaza "Brickyard" dedicated

University Plaza, called "The Brickyard," was designed by landscape architect Richard C. Bell. It was conceived as a public gathering place in the European tradition and was described as reminiscent of Saint Mark's Square in Venice.

Aerial view of University Plaza (the Brickyard)Aerial view of University Plaza (the Brickyard)
1969 First African American student senate president

Eric Moore became the first African American student senate president.

Chancellor John T. Caldwell posing with North Carolina State University student government officials, including Eric N. Moore, at Memorial Bell TowerChancellor John T. Caldwell posing with North Carolina State University student government officials, including Eric N. Moore, at Memorial Bell Tower

1970s

5/5/1970 First woman elected student body president

Cathy Sterling was elected student body president and became the first woman to hold a major student elective post. During her presidency, Sterling led the student body in a retreat to protest the invasion of Cambodia. Her report, "Due to Circumstances Beyond Our Control," resulted in a greater student role in the spending of student fees. Sterling said of her decision to run for student body president, "A few weeks before the election, a few ... More

Cathy Sterling, first woman student body president at North Carolina State UniversityCathy Sterling, first woman student body president at North Carolina State University
8/1970 Lee Hall became NC State's first co-ed dorm
Lee Residence Hall, front viewLee Residence Hall, front view
1972 UNC System created

The UNC System was created with NC State as one of the constituent campuses. A Board of Governors was established at the system level, and a new Board of Trustees was instituted at NC State to oversee matters specific to the university.

6/1972 Talley Student Center opened

The Talley Student Center opened in June 1972 (shown here before the installation of the fountain and courtyard). It replaced the Erdahl-Cloyd building, now the west wing of D.H. Hill Jr. Library, as the campus student center.

Talley Student Center front viewTalley Student Center front view
3/25/1974 Men's basketball won NCAA championship

NC State defeated Marquette, 76-64, in the finals of the NCAA Basketball tournament in Greensboro, NC, to win the 1974 National Championship. Junior forward David Thompson was named Tournament MVP. The Wolfpack also received key contributions from Tom Burleson, Monte Towe, Tim Stoddard, and Mo Rivers during the championship run.

David ThompsonDavid Thompson

1980s

1980 Enrollment passed 20,000

Despite new caps to stay within budget, enrollment continued to climb steadily.

Technician, Vol. 61 No. 14, September 24, 1980Technician, Vol. 61 No. 14, September 24, 1980