The history of Macon State College began in 1965, when the University System of Georgia's Board of Regents passed a resolution to create a public two-year college to primarily serve Bibb, Houston, Peach, Crawford, Monroe, Jones, and Twiggs counties. The voters of Bibb County approved a bond issue to fund the college.
As it was then known, Macon Junior College opened its doors in 1968 to the largest enrollment ever for a new state college in Georgia. In 1970, the Board of Regents directed Macon Junior College to serve civilian and military employees at Robins Air Force Base. The Robins Resident Center, located on the base, was then established.
In 1991, Macon State began serving Houston County and surrounding areas with the Warner Robins Center, located in the Advanced Technology Park. In 2003, with considerable help from state and local officials who helped secure funding and land, the college established a permanent Warner Robins Campus on Watson Boulevard.
When Macon State opened, many speculated it would not take long to gain four-year status. But the change was long in coming. After years of debate, during which the school's name became Macon College, the Regents in 1996 approved a change in mission and the introduction of the bachelor of science degree. Later that year, the school became known as Macon State College to indicate the new status. Both changes formally took effect in 1997. The first bachelor's degrees were awarded in May 1999.
In 2007, Macon State underwent a major academic reorganization from divisions into schools. Officially formed were the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Information Technology, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and School of Business.
The number of bachelor's degrees Macon State offered grew steadily over the years, driving dramatic enrollment increases. In 2012, the college offered 18 bachelor's degrees with 33 majors or concentrations. Between 1999 and 2012, more than 3,000 students graduated from Macon State with bachelor's degrees.
Macon State fielded intercollegiate athletic teams for only brief periods, and not at all since 1996. Recently, a resurgence of club sports drove discussion of a possible return to intercollegiate sports. In 2012, the college's first football club won the Intercollegiate Club Football Federation championship.
In 2010, the college assumed operations of a private apartment complex adjacent to the Macon Campus to offer student housing for the first time in its history. The housing initiative was part of a new residence life program that included a wider variety of student activities. In January 2013, construction began on a new recreation and wellness facility on the Macon Campus.
Macon State's fall 2012 enrollment was 5,780 students. On January 8, 2013, Macon State College was consolidated with Middle Georgia College to become Middle Georgia State College.
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