Allegany College of Maryland Timeline

 

1961

• Allegany Community College founded by joint resolution of the Allegany County Board of Education and the Allegany County Commissioners. 
• Dr. Robert S. Zimmer appointed college president.
• Classes begin in September in the former George Washington Carver School on Frederick Street in Cumberland.
• Plans to transform farmland on Willowbrook Road into a modern campus shared with students.
• Enrollment: 102 students.

1963

• First commencement ceremony held in May.

1967

• Dr. W. Ardell Haines appointed college president.
• May Bolt appointed chair of the Board of Trustees, becoming its first female chair.

1969

• College moved to current location on Willowbrook Road.
• Original six buildings include College Center, Humanities, Science, Library, Technology, and Physical Education.
• Career programs added.
• Enrollment: 839.

1975

• Technology Building opened. Career programs again expanded.
• College’s total number of graduates: 1,120.

1978

• Continuing Education Building completed, ushering in an expansion in non-credit courses, programs, and trainings. 

1980

• Dr. Donald L. Alexander appointed college president.

1982

• Allegany College of Maryland Foundation formed with focus on providing student scholarships.

1986

• Total number of graduates: 5,326.

1990

• ACM Bedford County Campus opened at Everett Area High School, relocates four years later to a new, adjacent building.

1991

• Campus Store and Advancement Building opened.

1995

• Allied Health Building completed.

1996

• Current name of Allegany College of Maryland adopted to communicate expanded service region. 

2001

• Willowbrook Woods student housing opened.
• Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts programs moved to Gateway Center and Culinaire Café launched. 

2008

• Dr. Bruce K. Exstrom appointed college president.

2009

• Student enrollment surpasses 4,000 for first time.

2010

• Dr. Cynthia S. Bambara appointed president.

2013

• Allegany County Opportunity Scholarship established.

2015

• ACM ranked among the top 20 community and technical colleges in the nation by the Brookings Institution.

2019

• Select workforce programs moved to Western Maryland Works Training Center and Makerspace. ACM named site’s educational partner. 

2020

• The Thomas Welcome Center opened to host guests, campus tours, and college and community meetings. 
• ADD 2021
• Western Region Correctional Training Center building opened to expand daytime training courses for regional correctional and public safety officers.
• $13.5 million renovation of the Technology Building completed.  

2023

• One-year, $2.75 million renovation of the Dr. Robert S. Zimmer Theatre completed, its first full overhaul since 1969.

2024

• Western Maryland Works Training Center and Makerspace purchased by ACM.
• Allegany College of Maryland Foundation named Nonprofit of the Year by Allegany County Chamber of Commerce.   
• Mr. David R. Jones appointed college president.