History
SUNY Adirondack was founded in 1961 as Adirondack Community College.
(We changed our name officially in 2010.)
In the late-1950s, a group of Warren County citizens, encouraged by county supervisors, raised the idea of a local community college. They met with the dean of Community Colleges of the State University of New York (SUNY) to discuss what could be done. An Action Committee was formed comprising Warren and Washington county citizens, who then surveyed local students and their parents to determine their educational needs.
In 1960, the Action Committee presented its recommendation to Warren and Washington counties' Boards of Supervisors, asking that they jointly sponsor the new college. The resolution passed, and in June, formation of the college was approved by the Trustees of the State University of New York. In fall of that year, Adirondack Community College was selected as the official name of the future college.
1961: A historic beginning
February
The ACC Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Charles R. Eisenhart as president of the college.
March
A location on Lower Main Street in Hudson Falls was selected as the temporary campus location, with physical education classes taking place in the nearby YMCA facilities.
Sept. 12
ACC opened its first day of classes with 215 students enrolled full time. (The college's Opening Convocation took place Sept. 17.)
The 1960s and '70s
1963
The Glens Falls Insurance Company gave Adirondack Community College 141 acres of land on Bay Road in Queensbury, which became the college's permanent site.
1967
The college moved to its new campus on Bay Road after the close of the summer sessions in August.
1971
The college was accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, a prestigious standing it maintains today.
Growth
1995
After two decades of offering classes in Saratoga County, SUNY Adirondack opened Wilton Center, allowing students in Saratoga County easier access to some classes. In 2012, the college moved in to SUNY Adirondack Saratoga, which in 2024 was granted campus status by the State University of New York, so degrees can be earned entirely at that facility.
2012
The Culinary Arts program moved into its own building. In 2018, the program moved again, this time into its current location at 14 Hudson Ave., Glens Falls, where they operate Seasoned, a student-run fine-dining restaurant. Also in 2012, SUNY Adirondack Saratoga moved to its current state-of-the-art building.
2013
The college opened a 400-bed residence hall, complete with residential suites, classrooms and a fitness center.