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History

Celebrating our History

RDC has been a leader in education for more than 50 years.

1963 Red Deer College established by Order-in-Council and housed at Lindsay Thurber Composite High School. Margaret Parsons (shown), Harold Dawe, Lil Scott and Bob Jewell are key to its inception.
1964 Red Deer Junior College opened in Lindsay Thurber Composite High School, and Red Deer Junior College Kings and Queens athletics teams are established.
1964 - 1966 Peter Raffa (shown) becomes first Dean of the College. 119 full and part-time students, 5 staff and 10 instructors make up the College. Planning begins for a permanent campus.
1967 Red Deer College campus is officially opened.
1968 -1970 Programs in Nursing, Business Administration, Social Service and Secretarial Science are added. RDC becomes first college in Alberta to offer second year transfer programs.
1971 -1973 Enrolment rises to 831 students. Extensive facility additions are opened and the new Art and Design program is launched.	$RDC in the \'70s$
1974 -1976 Six new diploma programs introduced. The Red Deer College permanent art collection is established.
1977 -1978 RDC Kings and Queens athletics teams take the Canadian College Athletics Association (CCAA) Championships by storm.	$RDC students \'70s$
1979 -1980 Two new academic wings are opened and the Students’ Association opens their new building. Nine apprenticeship programs are introduced.
1981 -1983 Enrolment stands at 2,065. Red Deer College decides to pursue a ‘comprehensive’ core mission. Apprenticeship and Technology wings and new residential housing opens.
1984 -1987 The Margaret Parsons Theatre and Arts Centre opens. The Kings and Queen’s volleyball, curling and badminton team continue to dominate at C.C.A.A. championships.
1988 -1990 Enrolment stands at 5,000. The Red Deer College Alumni Association is formed. RDC receives the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Supremacy Award for the 14th time in 15 years.
1991 -1994 Automotive Service Technician and Locksmith Apprenticeship Program launched. First class of collaborative B.ScN graduates.
1995 -1997 Library introduces access to over 5000 international databases and the internet. Train Station Fitness and Lifestyle Centre opens. RDC teams up with the U of A to offer B. Ed.
1998 -2000 Ron Woodward becomes President. RDC offers its first internet based course in Communications. An RDC film, “Naked Frailties”, is nominated for five A.M.P.I.A. awards.
2000 - 2002 Construction begins on new Library Information Commons. Residence expanded and Bookstore renovations completed. Motion Picture Arts Applied Degree begins.
2003 - 2006 International Education Office opens- 25 international students attend RDC. The College celebrates its 40th Anniversary. CollegeSide opens- Canada’s first college-based care, supportive living and learning community. Financial Services Diploma program is launched.
2006 - 2009 Kings Volleyball team break records by winning 8th straight national title. RDC launches a new brand. Donald School of Business is announced. Four new Centres - trades, innovation in manufacturing, corporate training and visual arts are opened adding 200,000 square feet.
2010 – 2013 Downtown Donald School of Business and Welikoklad Event Centre open. RDC and Mount Royal University sign agreement for new Bachelor of Business Administration Collaborative degree. Kings Hockey team returns, and RDC is named one of Alberta’s Top 25 Most Innovative Organizations by Alberta Venture Magazine.