Fall 1965
With the change from an Industrial Education Center to a Technical Institute, RTI could award an Associate in Applied Science Degree. Students could only be granted a diploma before the change.
Fall 1965
A Technical Institute was required by law to have 12 trustees instead of the eight-member board previously needed. In 1965, Gov. Dan K. Moore appointed four new members.
January 1967
RTI trustees authorized the drawing of plans and specifications for the first major building program.
Fall 1967
The first of the College’s specialty programs, Interior Design, was initially offered. Photography and Photofinishing, Commercial Graphics and Floral Design/Commercial Horticulture followed in the next three years.
October 1967
RTI officials broke ground for the new 9,635-square-foot addition that would house administrative offices, a teaching auditorium, a library, and student and faculty lounges.
Spring 1968
The school's first organized sports team, a baseball team, is organized. It is coached by faculty members Benny Hampton and Vernon Felton.
September 1968
RTI's addition to the original building, which now serves as the main entrance to the Administration/Education Center opens.
February 1969
RTI received its charter from the N.C. Department of Community Colleges. Later that year, RTI was selected as a center for high school equivalency testing by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction in cooperation with the American Council on Education.
June 1970
RTI added college transfer courses through a contractual agreement with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The first two classes offered were English 101 and History 101.
1972 The Visiting Artist program begins.
This program is made available throughout the community college system and RTI receives a new visiting artist each year. Robert Guthrie, classical guitarist, is RTI's first Visiting Artist and is shared with Davidson County Community College. The program continues until funding dissolves in 1995.
September 1973
RTI was accredited by the State Board of Education. The accreditation meant that the institution met all academic and other standards of the State Board and that RTI graduates would be able to more easily transfer their credits to certain four-year institutions. Also, the contractual agreement with UNCG was upgraded to allow for the transfer of up to 64 semester hours of credit from RTI.
September 1974
The school added 19,620 square feet with a larger student lounge, new photography and design studios, classrooms, a campus store and two metal buildings.
March 1978
Randolph County citizens approved a $2.5 million bond referendum funding construction of a learning resources center, a vocational-technical building and a student services center.