History of Wayne College

Founded in 1972, Wayne College is the only regional branch of The University of Akron and is authorized by the State of Ohio through the Ohio State Board of Regents to offer general education, including associate degrees and baccalaureate-oriented preparation; technical education programs; and continuing education experiences for those who live in the College's service area of Wayne, Medina and Holmes counties.

1970 - 160 acres bought by the Orrville University Branch Foundation and given to The University of Akron. The Orrville Campus Foundation is established to award scholarships to the students at the new College

1971 - Board of Regents awards branch campus in Orrville to The University of Akron

1972 - Wayne General & Technical College officially opens with 105 course sections and 472 students

1973 - The Continuing Education program begins.
        - First associate degree graduate - Karl Stroh

1974 - John Hedrick named first dean of Wayne General & Technical College

1979 - Hedrick leaves - Bob McElwee appointed acting dean

1980 - Tyrone Turning named first dean hired after an official search is conducted

1982 - Tenth Anniversary - Fall Enrollment - 900

1984 - William Muse named new president of The University of Akron

1989 - John Boyer Physical Education Facility completed

1990 - Name officially changed to Wayne College

1992 - Dr. Peggy Gordon Elliot named the first woman president of The University of Akron
        - Twentieth Anniversary - Fall Enrollment - 1,551

1995 - Fred Sturm becomes interim dean of Wayne College

1996 - Marion Rubel becomes 14th president of The University of Akron

1997 - Twenty-fifth Anniversary
        - Jack Kristofco named dean

1998 - Luis Proenza named president of The University of Akron

2000 - Twenty-year campus plan developed with Sasaki & Associates Architects

2001 - Library Enhancement - Smucker Learning Center addition completed, adding 14,000 square feet of new space to campus

2002 - Thirtieth Anniversary - Fall Enrollment - 1,929

2003 - The Wayne College Holmes County Higher Education Center (HCHEC) opens in Millersburg

2005 - Barnet-Hoover Farmhouse adaptive re-use project completed (wins national "Chrysalis Award")

2008 - Ground breaking for the first new separate building on campus: the Student Life Building

2009 - Student Life Building opens for fall classes.  (wins “Outstanding Design: Post-Secondary Award” from American School and University Magazine and “Citation Award” from the American Institute of Architects, Toledo Chapter) - Enrollment 2,245

2011- First bachelor’s degree is offered at Wayne College, the Bachelor of Organizational Supervision.

2011- The Saturday MBA program begins at Wayne College.  Fall Enrollment- 2,509