Terra Community College's roots go back to September 1968, when the Vanguard Technical Institute opened to 78 full-time engineering and business students. The institute was a night school, using the facilities of Vanguard Vocational Center.

Today, Terra Community College sits on a 103-acre site, offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs and is a source of information and support to the entire community.

In between, the college has undergone name and location changes and a steadily changing campus. Here are some important dates in Terra's history:

• 1969 - The Ohio Board of Regents declared Vanguard Technical Institute to be a state institution of higher learning authorized to grant the Associate Degree in Applied Business and the Associate Degree in Applied Science.
• 1970 - Three new buildings were constructed on Cedar Street next to Vanguard Vocational Center.
• 1971 - Both day and evening classes were offered for the first time.
• 1973 - The college Board of Trustees officially changed the name to Terra Technical College.
• 1979 - Work began on a new campus for Terra on Napoleon Road, and Roy Klay Hall, the first building, was named in honor of Terra's founding president. Today, the Business, Social Sciences, Mathematics and Art Division is located here, along with Student Records, Financial Aid, Admissions and Student Services.
• 1980 - The Industrial Technology Building, containing classrooms and labs for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Power Technology, Welding andRobotics, was completed.
• 1984 - The General Technologies Building (GTB) was added to the campus. The GTB is home to the Kern Center for Community and Industrial Development, a student lounge, a full-service dining room, a bookstore and several classrooms. The Learning Resource Center, Learning Achievement Center, Reprographics Department, Computer Center and several faculty and administrative offices also occupy the GTB.
• 1992 - The Student Activities Building (SAC) was constructed. The SAC has become a favorite gathering place for students, and includes fitness equipment, a walking track, basketball and volleyball courts and facilities for seminars and special programs. Graduation ceremonies take place each year in the SAC.
• 1994 - Terra Technical College became Terra State Community College in the summer of 1994 when the Ohio Board of Regents gave its approval. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science were added to the degrees granted by Terra.
• 1996 - The 58,000-square-foot Engineering Building opened during winter quarter. The Technology, Science and Communications Division is located here, as are labs for chemistry, physics, plastics, robotics and computer-aided design.
• 1997 - Terra's newest addition, the Early Learning Center, was completed providing a learning laboratory and child care facility for area families and for the children of Terra students.

The completion of the Engineering Building and the Early Learning Center finalized the college's move to the Napoleon Road campus, which is recognized statewide for its exceptional facilities and innovative designs.

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