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Archives & College History: Site History & Construction

Documenting and Preserving the History of Truckee Meadows Community College

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) is situated on the traditional homelands of the Numu (Northern Paiute), Wašiw (Washoe), Newe (Western Shoshone), Nuwu (Southern Paiute) peoples. These lands have been a place of gathering for Indigenous Peoples and we honor the original caretakers. We recognize their deep connections to these places and extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live and learn in this space.

1969-1979

  • 1969: The Nevada State Legislature establishes the community college system.
  • 1971: Governor Mike O'Callaghan dedicates "Western Nevada Community College" (WNCC) as one of three community colleges in the Community College Division of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Classes are held in Carson City and at Stead Air Force Base in Reno. (Phase I)
  • 1976: The first of the multi-phases of construction for a permanent campus in Reno is completed. WNCC North, which would later be named the TMCC Dandini Campus, becomes the central hub for staff, programs and students. (Phase II)
  • 1979: The Board of Regents splits Western Nevada Community College, and establishes Truckee Meadows Community College. TMCC becomes the fourth community college within the Nevada System of Higher Education.

1980-1989

  • 1980: Phase III construction - Approximately 100,000 sq. feet are added to existing space to accommodate expanding health occupations, business, trade and industry occupations, liberal arts, and community service programs.
  • 1986: Phase IV groundbreaking ceremonies for a 42,000 sq. ft. addition to TMCC are held on July 10. New facility added to the existing Red Mountain Building includes southern expansion and a separate building (housing auto, diesel and HVAC labs), as well as expansion to the existing library and 300 additional parking spaces.
  • 1988: TMCC's Learning Resource Center renamed "Elizabeth Sturm Library" honoring Elizabeth Sturm for her years of service to Nevada libraries.
  • 1989: In addition to expanding the Dandini Campus, the College establishes a new building to house industrial technology programs, and begins leasing classroom space in Reno's Old Town Mall.

1990-1999

  • 1991: TMCC Phase V Construction begins on two buildings: the E.L. Cord Foundation Child Care Center and a classroom building (the Vista Building) containing 42,358 sq. ft. of space to accommodate over 1,000 students. Parking facilities for 339 cars in the new south lot are also made available.
  • 1994: TMCC's south entrance named "Raggio Parkway" in honor of Senator Bill Raggio.
  • 1995: Ground is broken for the new "Advanced Technology Center" (Sierra Building).
  • 1996 (January): New 33,000 sq. ft. Library is completed on the Dandini Campus. (Phase VI-a)
  • 1996 (October): Construction is completed on the Advanced Technology Center (Sierra Building). The 73,500 square foot building provides students with additional computer availability and class offerings. (Phase VI-b)
  • 1997: Work begins on an 83,000 sq. ft. facility, referred to as the "Technical Education Center" (on Edison Way) for advanced and applied programs of technology.
  • 1998-99: The new Technical Education Center (Applied Technology Center) becomes available for occupancy and is renamed the IGT Applied Technology Center.

2000-2009

  • 2000: Redfield Campus partners break ground in south Reno on a collaborative campus of UNR, TMCC and WNC. (The new Redfield Campus will be completed and ready for students in 2005.)
  • 2003: Classes begin at a new space in Reno's Meadowood Center for classes previously held at the leased Old Town Mall space.
  • 2002-03: Ten-year lease approved by the Board of Regents for former Keystone Theater space in Reno; performing arts classes begin at the leased space now known as the Nell J. Redfield Foundation Performing Arts Center.
  • 2004: Grand opening of the V. James Eardley Student Center on the Dandini Campus in the Red Mountain Building. This $12 million project includes 45,000 sq. ft. of new construction, in addition to 65,000 sq. ft. of renovated space. Includes new culinary arts center, Golden Frog restaurant, bookstore, art gallery, physical education facility, cafeteria, career services, academic advisement, disability resources, and campus starting point.
  • 2005: The Redfield Campus is completed; UNR occupies Building A and TMCC occupies Building B, known as the TMCC High Tech Center at Redfield.

2010-2019

  • 2015 (September): In accordance with the decision approved by the Board of Regents, the site formerly known as the IGT Applied Technology Center is now known as the Applied Technology Center.
  • 2015 (October): TMCC's High Tech Center (Building B at Redfield Campus) is renovated and renamed as the William N. Pennington Health Science Center at Redfield. This new addition houses the Maxine S. Jacobs Nursing Program, the Radiologic Technology Program, the Veterinary Technician Program and the Certified Nursing Assistant Program. The Health Science Center now includes a leading-edge nursing lab, four simulation rooms with two standard patient rooms, biology preparatory lab, nursing computer lab, help desk for IT and the library, conference room and faculty offices.
  • 2016 (August): TMCC begins offering classes for the first-ever Bachelor of Applied Science degree programs, including Logistics Operations Management, and Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Also, the Wizard's Warehouse food pantry opens at the Dandini Campus and Meadowood Center.
  • 2017 (April): The Frank N. Bender Center for Applied Logistics Management (CALM) opens in the Meadowood North building. In addition, the Adopt A Vet dental clinic, located in the TMCC Dental Hygiene Clinic, opens via a partnership with Northern Nevada Dental Health Programs.
  • 2017 (September): TMCC Announced Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Designation.
  • 2018 (August): The East Parking lot opens at the Dandini Campus, and the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program moves to the Meadowood North building.
  • 2019 (February): The Learning Commons, housing the Elizabeth Sturm Library and the Tutoring and Learning Center, celebrates a grand re-opening.
  • 2019 (May): The Nell J. Redfield Performing Arts Center celebrates its final performances before the location closes permanently.
  • 2019 (August): The soccer field is completed, and the Mighty Lizards Men's and Women's Soccer teams begin their first season.