Dalton State College will commemorate 25 years of offering baccalaureate programs at a reception on Thursday, Sept. 26, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Gignilliat Hall.
“The introduction of bachelor’s degree programs to support the region’s academic and workforce needs marked a transformative moment in the college’s history,” John Fuchko, president of Dalton State, said. “With a focus on providing accessible, high-quality education, Dalton State is an outstanding college that is on a positive trajectory as we continue to focus our efforts to support the development and growth of northwest Georgia.”
The college’s enrollment was 4,908 this past fall—61 percent more than fall 1999, and the U.S. Department of Education has ranked Dalton State in the top 10% of public four-year institutions in the nation for affordability. Last year, the Wall Street Journal ranked Dalton State number one in the nation for Student Experience based on campus facilities, a diverse student body and the college’s sense of belonging.
The degree programs that started in fall 1999 – the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Operations Management, the Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems, and the Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Management – were designed to address specific workforce needs of the flooring industry. The first baccalaureate degrees were awarded in spring of 2001.
The college now offers 24 bachelor’s degrees and seven associate degrees in a range of disciplines including business, education, health professions, STEM, and liberal arts fields.
Mike D’Itri, retired professor of supply chain management at Dalton State, was the first faculty member hired to teach courses for the new bachelor’s programs.
“Almost all of the students were graduates with two-year degrees from Dalton State College or Dalton Junior College, and the community was behind the whole venture,” D’Itri said. “Most students worked for the carpet industry, and they knew that good things were in store once they earned their four-year degrees.”
What began as three programs has evolved into the C. Lamar and Ann Wright School of Business, which offers seven bachelor’s degrees and associate degrees. In 2010, the school earned the prestigious AACSB accreditation, a high standard of excellence. Guests attending the reception on Sept. 25 can tour the Wright School of Business.
“The impact of Dalton State’s bachelor’s degree programs extends far beyond the confines of the campus, enriching the local economy and driving innovation in key industries,” Marilyn Helms, dean of the Wright School of Business, said. “In particular, graduates of the business programs have gone on to assume leadership roles in corporations, start new ventures and serve as catalysts for economic growth and development.”
Fernando Garcia, who was an early graduate of the school’s business program and is now an associate professor and endowed chair of management in the Wright School of Business, said the program has come a long way since its inception.
“Today, the program has grown significantly, with a diverse range of courses and majors, and a talented pool of students and faculty,” Garcia said. “The program’s emphasis on small classes, personalized attention, supportive environment, great student-faculty relationships, and preserving community values has prepared countless students for successful careers in business and beyond.”
He added that the quality of the program brought great value to his career.
“The skills and knowledge I gained at Dalton State have been invaluable in my professional and academic journey, and I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to apply them in real-world settings,” he said.
Dalton State College serves students at its campuses in Dalton and Ellijay and online.
