Allegany College of Maryland, founded by joint resolution of the Allegany County Board
of Education and the Allegany County Commissioners, begins in a former school building
on Frederick Street as Allegany Community College.
Future plans to transform farmland on Willowbrook Road into a modern campus shared
with students.
Dr. Robert S. Zimmer appointed president.
Enrollment: 102 students.
1963
First commencement ceremony held in May.
1967
Dr. W. Ardell Haines named college president.
May Bolt appointed chair of the Board of Trustees, becoming the first female in ACM’s
history to hold the position.
1969
College moved to present 316-acre campus on Cumberland's eastern edge. Six original
buildings constructed.
Career programs added.
Enrollment: 839.
1975
Technology Building opened and career programs again expanded.
College’s total number of graduates: 1,120.
1978
Construction of the Continuing Education Building completed, ushering in an expansion
in non-credit courses, programs, and trainings.
1980
Dr. Donald L. Alexander appointed president of ACM.
1982
Allegany College of Maryland Foundation formed with an emphasis on providing student
scholarships.
1986
Total number of graduates: 5,326.
1990
ACM Bedford County Campus opened at Everett Area High School, relocating four years
later to a newly built, adjacent building.
1991
Campus Store and Advancement Building finalized, serving as the new home of the ACM
Foundation and other departments.
1995
Allied Health Building’s construction completed, resolving a chronic shortage of classroom
and lab space for credit and non-credit health care programs.
1996
Current name adopted to communicate comprehensiveness of programs and expanded service
region. College was previously known as Allegany Community College.
Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts programs moved to Gateway Center where a
student-run, chef-supervised Culinaire Café is launched.
2008
Dr. Bruce K. Exstrom named president.
2009
Credit-student enrollment surpasses 4,000 for first time.
2010
Dr. Cynthia S. Bambara appointed president, becoming ACM’s first female college 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 Makerspace in lower LaVale.
ACM named site’s educational partner.
2020
Thomas Welcome Center, adjacent to the Donald L. Alexander Library, opened.
Western Region Correctional Training Center, the first new building on campus in 15
years, completed and expands daytime training and course availability for regional
correctional and public safety officers.
2023
One-year, $2.75 million renovation of the Dr. Robert S. Zimmer Theatre within the
College Center, its first complete overhaul since 1969.
