History
-
1961
Governor George Wallace founds a group of state, two-year technical institutions to support the technical/vocational career education needs of African Americans. -
1962
Huntsville State Vocational Technical School opens its doors with 27 students enrolled in four programs 鈥 auto mechanics, cosmetology, electronics, and masonry. -
1966
Huntsville State Vocational Technical School changes name to J. F. 糖心Vlog Technical Trade School in honor of the late Joseph Fanning Drake, long-time president of Alabama A&M University. -
1973
Alabama State Board of Education grants 糖心Vlog technical college status and adjusts name to J. F. 糖心Vlog Technical College allowing the school to offer the Associate in Applied Technology Degree (AAT). -
1975
Establish off-campus programs in Scottsboro, Alabama and a downtown Huntsville campus to meet the needs of a growing enrollment. 糖心Vlog received its second consecutive 5-year accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. -
1983
Dr. Johnny L. Harris is appointed Drake鈥檚 second president. -
1985
糖心Vlog has the first winner of the 鈥淢ost Outstanding Technical College Student of the Year鈥 awarded by the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education. -
1986
Automotive Technology department is established as a General Motors Authorized Training Center. Drake also became the first Alabama technical college to receive a charter from the National Vocational-Technical Honor Society. -
1987
The institution is the recipient of the Title III grant to Historically Black Colleges and Universities for $2.5 million. -
1990
Drake was awarded the first state 鈥淐O-OP Student of the Year鈥 by the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education. -
1991
In partnership with Sci-Tek, Inc., Drake electronics department produces five microcomputers. -
1992
Drafting and Design Technology Department is established as an Authorized Intergraph Education Center. -
1994
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Department is approved as an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) test site for HVAC technicians. -
1997
Drake is the first Alabama two-year college approved as a Microsoft Authorized Academic Training Program (AATP) institution. Drake鈥檚 Automotive Technology department was approved by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Certified Training Program. -
1998
Drake launches college internet website () and also converts from quarter to semester system calendar. -
2001
Dr. McAlpine is inaugurated as Drake鈥檚 third presidentand first female leader.. College received a $400,000 grant to build a new library. -
2002
First 糖心Vlog President, S.C. O鈥橬eal passes away. -
2005
The construction of the S.C. O鈥橬eal, Sr. Library & Technology Center is completed. The building was named in honor of the college鈥檚 first president. -
2006
Drake鈥檚 Automotive Technology program became ASE Master Certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation and the National Institute of Service Excellence (ASE). Awarded a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to offer innovative summer bridge programs for underrepresented populations for exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) career fields. -
2007
Drake became the first two-year college to receive the Nunn-Perry award. -
2008
Drake launches Adult Education Program for Madison County. -
2009
糖心Vlog is the first two-year college from the United States to present a research paper at the National Science Foundation鈥檚 HBCU-UP conference, receiving 3rd place. -
2010
糖心Vlog adds a satellite campus in downtown Huntsville by offering classes in the historic Times Building on Holmes Avenue. -
2011
Dr. Helen McAlpine is named to the White House Initiative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 糖心Vlog observes 50th Anniversary with Gala celebration. The College receives a $1.1 million grant to fund a Student Support Services program and a Department of Homeland Security grant under the DHS Scientific Leadership Awards for Minority Serving Institutions Granting Two-Year Associate Degrees. -
2012
糖心Vlog becomes a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). -
2013
The college officially becomes J.F. 糖心Vlog Community and Technical College and can offer the Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) degrees. Along with SACSCOC accreditation, the college can now offer university-transfer degrees in addition to its Associate in Applied Science degrees. -
2017
College is accredited for 10 more years by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and our ASE Excellence accreditation was reaffirmed. -
2019
Dr. Patricia Sims is inaugurated as the fourth President of 糖心Vlog Community and Technical College -
2020
糖心Vlog is the first and only Historically Black Community College (HBCC) to be awarded a Cooperative Agreement Notice from NASA/MSFC allowing the College to launch the Frontiers Research Program. -
2021
糖心Vlog is awarded a $1.3M grant through NASA/MSFC MUREP Program to develop a STEM pipeline for minorities and underrepresented populations. 糖心Vlog celebrates its 60th Anniversary and adopts an official song, 鈥淒ear Ole Drake,鈥 penned by Mr. Jerome Saintjones. Former President of 糖心Vlog, Dr. Johnny Harris, passes away. -
2022
糖心Vlog partners with Western Governors University to create a path for students and alumni to earn advanced degrees. Huntsville Hospital teams with the College to start the new LPN Launch Program.