SAC Timeline
Founded in 1925, San Antonio College has a long and rich history of serving the community. Read the below factoids to learn more about SAC's amazing history and watch the SAC Timeline Video created to celebrate the College's 90th Anniversary.
1925 |
San Antonio College is founded as University Junior College under the administration of the University of Texas at Austin. Located at 203 Romano Street, the College has 232 students and 45 faculty members.
1926 |
The college is renamed San Antonio Junior College and relocates to the 400 block of South Alamo Street.
The Ranger student newspaper is born.
1927 |
In addition to other sports, such as football, the first girls' basketball team is organized.
1932 |
A precedent is set in Texas, allowing student credits earned at junior colleges to transfer smoothly to senior institutions.
1941 |
James Loftin becomes President of the College.
1945 |
The San Antonio Union Junior College District is formed.
1946 |
San Antonio Union Junior College District assumes control of the College.
1948 |
San Antonio Junior College's name is changed to San Antonio College.
1950 |
McCreless Hall is the first building constructed at the new San Pedro Avenue campus.
1951 |
San Antonio College moves to its present location on San Pedro Avenue.
1952 |
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools grants the College accreditation.
1954 |
Loftin Student Center is constructed.
1960 |
San Antonio College becomes a comprehensive community college by expanding offerings in occupational and technical courses.
1966 |
San Antonio College boasts the first community college radio station in Texas, KSYM 90.1 FM.
1986 |
The college helps found the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
1996 |
San Antonio College begins offering online courses.
2006 |
The college's online program becomes the 6th largest nationwide in awarding online degrees.
2008 |
San Antonio College is awarded a rating of of "exemplary" by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in 11 academic programs.
2009 |
The College is named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
2010 |
Enrollment grows to 25,000. San Antonio College is named as one of the top 100 degree-producing institutions in the nation.
2012 |
The Travis Early College High School at San Antonio College graduates its inaugural class with many students earning an associate degree.
The Academic Instruction Center (AIC) is renamed the Oppenheimer Academic Center (OC) to honor Susan R. and Jesse H. Oppenheimer.
2013 |
SAC opens the Tobin Lofts at San Antonio College, a 585-bed student-housing complex for SAC and local college/university students.
Renovations of the Moody Learning Center, the tallest, most iconic building on campus, are completed, and the Moody Cafe is created on the 2nd floor.
2014 |
College president, Dr. Robert Zeigler retires after 43 years of service, and hands over the reigns to Dr. Robert Vela who becomes SAC's 12th president.
The William R. Sinkin Eco Centro building and community center, named after SAC Alumnus Bill Sinkin, officially opens to the public.
Construction of the Scobee Education Center, which encompasses the Challenger Learning Center and Scobee Planetarium, is completed. The Center honors Outstanding Former Students Frances "Dick" Scobee, Flight Commander of the ill-fated Challenger mission, and Dr. June Scobee Rodgers.
2015 |
SAC breaks record at the 2015 May Commencement Ceremony where 1,009 students cross the stage to earn a certificate or associates degree.
The Gnome Ranger, SAC's new spirit figure, escapes from the basement of the Koehler House, and mischievously begins wreaking havoc while spreading school "spirit."
The official address of the College changes to 1819 N. Main Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78212.
SAC's newest innovation, the Tino & Millie Duran Welcome Center, is created to provide prospective and returning students a convenient location to enroll and register for classes.
2016 |
Opened the SAC Tech Store on campus. SAC is the first community college in Texas to be an Apple Authorized Campus store offering select Apple products including iMacs, MacBooks, iPads, iPods and Apple accessories.
San Antonio College is ranked #9 in Community College Week's 2016 Top 100 Associate Degree Producer's List as a top producer of Associate Degrees for Hispanics.
2017 |
Travis Early College High School at San Antonio College earned the prestigious Blue Ribbon designation by the U.S. Department of Education citing Travis as one of the nation’s high-performing high schools.
2018 |
SAC was named the in the Top 150 community colleges in the nation by The Aspen Institute.
The SAC Victory Center, serving veterans and active duty military personnel, opened to the public. The new Center serves the nearly 3,000 students who qualify for veteran and military benefits.