DALTON, Ga. — When Dalton Junior College opened in 1967 with donated land from four founding families and a $1.8 million bond issue financing the construction of the school’s five original buildings, Mike Hurtt said it was the people who made it special. 

Fifty years later, he said the college — now a four-year school — has grown, but the people are still what make it special.  

“The thing that stays the same is the people,” said Hurtt, a local attorney who went on to the University of West Georgia after graduating from Dalton Junior in 1969. “They were fantastic — from the staff to the professors — and when I went to West Georgia it just didn’t have that friendly feel. Even though I graduated from West Georgia, I have always identified more closely as an alumni of Dalton State. And it still has that intimate, friendly feel.”

That intimate, friendly feel was certainly on display Monday night as students and faculty members — both past and present — were joined by community members to pack the school’s bell tower quad to celebrate with food, fun, music and fireworks as the school recognized its 50th anniversary. Hurtt said it was a very fitting place to be. 

“This is fantastic with the turnout, and it is a perfect place to do it,” he said. “Standing right here, you are surrounded with what this college really is with the original buildings and many of the original people. The core of it all is the people.”

The celebration marked another milestone of growth and longevity for the college, which now boasts associate’s and bachelor’s degrees as well as certificates of training for an enrollment which is more than 5,000. That is a far cry from the 524 students and 54 faculty and staff members the college started with five decades ago. Harlan Chapman can remember those numbers exactly as the school’s original registrar. 

“We were so excited to get started, and I can remember hand-counting each one of those students,” Chapman said. “We had to make sure the classes were all balanced. I had always hoped the campus and the college would grow, and I am so excited it did.”

Class of 1988 member David Elrod is now director of the Dalton State Foundation, and he said the growth and improvements the college has experienced will only continue. But more than that, he said the impact on the community by the college will only grow deeper. 

“We have been waiting 50 years to have this party, and this is a celebration of 1967 and all the people responsible for making this college what it is today,” Elrod said. “But more than anything, this is a community celebration. We couldn’t be happier with the turnout and the promise of the future.”