Leaders of Aiken County request a feasibility study for establishing a Technical Education Center in Aiken County
Feasibility Study completed and TEC is recommended
Site of ATC is selected and purchased
Ashley Little named Director & $2 million campus plan revealed
$1.3 million in funding from the Economic Development Administration, Coastal Plains Regional Commission, and the US Office of Education to establish ATC
Aiken Technical Education Center founded as a vocationally based training center; 177 students enrolled in the first class; Mr. Ashley J. Little served as the founding director (later title updated to “President”)
Current campus opened with three buildings; the construction cost was $2.3 million--$80,000 was provided by Aiken County and the remainder from federal education grants
Campus is formally dedicated. College has 11 full time degree and diploma programs and 110 evening Extension Division courses
Center receives accreditation recognizing it as a two-year technical college
Aiken Technical College Foundation was founded and awarded 30 student scholarships
Institution’s name changed to Aiken Technical College
President Ashley J. Little retires
Dr. Paul L. Blowers becomes second president of Aiken Technical College
A time capsule was buried near the flagpole in observance of the 25th anniversary of SC technical education, to be opened in 25 years.
Child Development Center was built on campus (now home of Campus Security)
Aiken Technical College’s accreditation reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
ATC expanded its mission to offer AA and AS transfer degrees and added a Continuing Education/Amphitheater/Classroom building (700/800)
College begins new basketball sports program; team is called the “Knights”
President Dr. Paul L. Blowers retired after completion of Student Center/Multipurpose gymnasium/Classroom building (900)
Dr. Kathleen Noble becomes the third president of Aiken Technical College
ATC celebrated with a 25th Anniversary Campaign that raised over $2 million
ATC purchased 183 acres adjoining the current campus as part of 25-year Master Plan
President Dr. Kathleen Noble resigns
Dr. Susan A. Winsor becomes the fourth president of Aiken Technical College
Dale Phelon Information Technology Center opened for classes
Construction of the CSRA Manufacturing and Technology Center was complete; construction cost was $3 million
ATC makes the decision to close the Child Development Center.
ATC opens the Test Center
ATC celebrates its 30th anniversary
ATC breaks ground on the Health and Science Building
ATC begins offering distance learning courses
Health Sciences Building opened; construction cost was $7.6 million
700/800 Building undergoes renovations
Outdoor student commons area created between Dale Phelon Information Technology Center, Health Sciences Building, and the Gregg-Graniteville Student Activities Center; the area was dedicated to former SC Senator Thomas L. Moore, who represented Senate District 44 from 1981 until 2007 and represented SC House District 44 as a House Representative from 1979-1980
College begins new fast pitch softball sports program; team is called the “Lady Knights”
700/800 Building reopens for classes; the renovation created multimedia classrooms, a Test Center, and Academic Success Center (now known as the Student Success Center)
New Enrollment Services Center opened; the center centralized admissions and records, financial aid, and academic advising services into one convenient location
College ends its sports programs (basketball and softball)
College broke ground for Center for Energy and Advanced Manufacturing
Dedication held for new Center for Energy and Advanced Manufacturing; To fund the $8.5 million project, the College received a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and $2.4 million from the S.C. state legislature to use along with $1.5 million of College funding. The ATC Foundation also led a $2 million capital campaign, Putting Knowledge to Work. The funding sources combined allowed the facility to be completed without debt
President Dr. Susan A. Winsor retires; is recognized as the College’s longest serving President
Dr. Forest E. Mahan became the fifth President of Aiken Technical College
New Tower and Wireless continuing education program launched in partnership with Warriors 4 Wireless
Aiken Technical College transitions to fully remote operations due to COVID-19 pandemic per executive order from SC Gov. Henry McMaster
Aiken Technical College begins a phased return to face-to-face, on-campus operations after being fully remote since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
College creates new Advancement Division, merging the following functions into one division: ATC Foundation/Resource Development; Institutional Effectiveness, Technology, and Teaching; and Marketing and Public Relations
Aiken Technical College completes the phased return to face-to-face, on-campus operations; all operations have returned to normal with COVID-19 safety precautions continued to be implemented