MCLA history

Murdock Hall (pictured above) is the oldest building on the MCLA campus, and when it was built in 1897, it was the only building here

Margaret French Cresson, daughter of Daniel Chester French, who sculpted the Lincoln Memorial statue in Washington D.C., made a portrait relief and plaque in honor of Frank Fuller Murdock in 1922

In 1932, the Normal School became the State Teachers College of North Adams, reflecting the increased importance of education as an academic discipline.

1960 - Renamed the North Adams State College, with additional degrees in liberal arts, Business Administration, and Computer Science

In 1967, the building name was changed from College Hall to Murdock Hall in honor of Murdock.

In 1997, with eyes focused on the horizon of a new century, the College assumed a unique mission (within the state university system) as Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, the public liberal arts college for the Commonwealth.

In 2004, President Mary Grant led in the creation of the Berkshire Compact for Higher Education and MCLA Gallery 51.

2008 - Governor Deval Patrick signs into law a Higher Education Bond Bill that includes $54.5 million for a new Center for Science and Innovation at MCLA

2009 - The state Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) provides MCLA $1.3 million to support energy upgrades and conservation

2010 - Professional MBA program is launched and College establishes Center for Student Success and Engagement (CSSE)

2011 - Groundbreaking begins on the Center for Science and Innovation

2012 - The College completes a $5 million renovation of Hoosac Hall

2013 - Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation opens

2015 - Bowman Hall reopens after two years of construction that transformed it into a state-of-the-art facility