Hocking College has a rich history, dating back to 1968. Discover Hocking College's transformation and growth throughout the years.

Fall 1968

Hocking College, originally known as Tri-County Institute, opens. Tri-County Institute shared facilities with the current Tri-County Joint Vocational School and had 234 students and 28 instructors.

1969

Tri-County Institute receives a charter from the Ohio Board of Regents to grant degrees in 13 technical programs

June 1970

Tri-County Institute holds its first commencement ceremony with 117 graduates. At the time, this is the largest graduating class from any technical institute in Ohio's history.

1972

Tri-County Institute changes its name to Hocking Technical College.

1973

Hocking Technical College reaches 1,055 students and is accredited by the Ohio College Association.

January 1975

Hocking Technical College moves to its new facility on Hocking Parkway.

1975

Lang Hall, currently Hocking Heights, opens on campus, making Hocking Technical College the only two-year school in Ohio to have college-owned residence halls available to its students. "Lang" is derived from Hocking Technical College's four main service areas at the time: Logan, Athens, Nelsonville and Glouster.

1976

Hocking Technical College is accredited by the North Central Association's Higher Learning Commission.

1977

Enrollment reaches 2,250 students.

1980

Hocking Technical College Hotel/Restaurant students work the Lake Placid Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.

1981

Hocking Technical College enrollment reaches 3,240.

1982

Shaw Technical Lab is built.

April 1984

The Ohio Board of Regents grants Hocking Technical College four Program Excellence awards for Ceramic Engineering, Forestry Technology, Police Science Technology and Recreation and Wildlife Technology.

1986

Hocking Woods Nature Center opens, built with the assistance of Natural Resources students.

1987

The Day Care Connection childcare center opens on campus (now the Early Learning Center.)

1988

Enrollment reaches over 4,000 students.

The District Scholars program begins for high school graduates residing in surrounding counties (Athens, Fairfield, Hocking, Pickaway, Perry, Ross). Since its inception, the District Scholars program has sent over 6,500 local high school students to college.

February 1988

The new Student Center opens on Hocking Technical College's campus.

1990

A satellite campus is established in Perry County with 61 students and seven programs.

1991

Enrollment exceeds 5,500 students.

Hocking Technical College officially becomes Hocking College.

1992

Hocking College students travel to Europe for the first Havering College Student Exchange program.

1995

The Nursing building, currently Davidson Hall, is built.

1996

Hocking College Perry Campus officially opens as a permanent facility.

1997

Hocking College purchases Lake Snowden in Albany, Ohio from the LeAx Water District.

1998

Hocking College offers online courses for the first time.

1999

Hocking College celebrates its 30th anniversary.

The new Public Safety Services building and fire tower open.

The First Annual Hockhocking Music Festival, now the Nelsonville Music Festival, takes place at Robbins Crossing.

2001

Renovations begin on a new, .1 million recreation center.

2002

Hocking College earns reaccreditation from the North Central Association's Higher Learning Commission.

2007

The McClenaghan Center for Hospitality Training opens.

2009

The Energy Institute opens in Hocking County near Logan.

Dr. John Light retires after 42 years of serving as President of Hocking College.

Dr. Ron Erickson is hired as the new President.

2011

First year Hocking College named to the "Military Friendly School" list.

2012

Hocking College officially transitions from a four-quarter to a three-semester academic calendar.

The newly expanded Logan Campus opens, now the home to six complete degree programs.

The Visual Arts Center opens, home of the first hot glass studio in the region.

First annual Hocking College Homecoming held.