History of Dalton State College in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 29, 2026

Dalton State College, located in Dalton, Georgia, is a public college and a member of the University System of Georgia. Established in 1963 as a junior college, it transitioned to a four-year institution in 1998. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

1963: College Founded

In 1963, Dalton State College was founded as a junior college as part of the University System of Georgia.

1967: Roadrunner Mascot Chosen

In 1967, the roadrunner was chosen as the Dalton State mascot by the first men's basketball head coach, Melvin Ottinger. The mascot was inspired by the Warner Bros. cartoon character.

1976: Addition of a Technical Division

In 1976, a technical division was added to Dalton Junior College, enabling the school to offer certificate and associate degree programs.

1987: Name Change to Dalton College

In 1987, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia removed the word "Junior" from the college's name, and it became Dalton College.

1998: Dalton College Upgraded to Four-Year Status

In 1998, Dalton College was upgraded to four-year status as Dalton State College and authorized to offer bachelor's degrees. The first bachelor's programs, in business and technology, began that year.

1998: Became a Four-Year Institution

In 1998, Dalton State College transitioned from a junior college to a four-year institution.

2003: Conference Name Change

After the 2003–04 school year, the Georgia–Alabama–Carolina Conference (GACC) was renamed to the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC).

2009: Extended Campus and On-Campus Housing Opened

In 2009, Dalton State opened an extended campus in Ellijay called the Dalton State Gilmer County Center. In 2009, Dalton State also opened its first on-campus residential housing, Dalton State at Wood Valley.

2009: On-Campus Housing Offered

Since the fall of 2009, Dalton State College has offered on-campus housing.

January 2010: Business Programs Receive Accreditation

In January 2010, the C. Lamar and Ann Wright School of Business programs received initial accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

2012: Competed as an NAIA Independent

From 2012-13 to 2013-14, Dalton State competed as an NAIA Independent within the Association of Independent Institutions (AII).

April 2014: First Men's Fraternity Established

On April 7, 2014, Alpha Kappa Lambda became the first men's fraternity on the Dalton State campus when it received its charter.

2014: Athletics Program Begins

In 2014, Dalton State College began an athletics program.

2014: Joined Southern States Athletic Conference

Since the 2014-15 academic year, Dalton State is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC).

2015: Men's Basketball Team Wins NAIA National Championship

In 2015, the Dalton State men's basketball team won the NAIA National Championship in their second season.

2015: Delta Chi began colonizing

In fall 2015, Delta Chi began colonizing on the Dalton State campus, becoming the second IFC fraternity.

2016: New Dormitories Opened

In fall 2016, Dalton State opened new dormitories. Mashburn Hall, with 363 beds, replaced the Wood Valley complex, which previously housed 160 students.

2016: Alpha Sigma Tau Chartered

In spring 2016, Alpha Sigma Tau was chartered as the second sorority on the Dalton State campus.

2017: Athletics Program Reorganized

In 2017, the Dalton State athletics program was reorganized to comply with Title IX requirements and reduce costs. This resulted in the elimination of volleyball, men's cross country, and men's and women's tennis, while women's track and field was added.