In 1965, the New Hampshire Technical Institute was founded with just a handful of buildings and around 250 students, all concentrating in one of the three majors offered at that time. When the surviving founders return on Oct. 3 to help celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary, they will scarcely recognize the place they left behind.
Now the sixth-largest college in New Hampshire, NHTI boasts a beautiful, 240-acre campus, and over 100 full-time faculty and countless adjuncts. The college offers over 70 academic programs in a wide range of disciplines to nearly 6,000 students annually. Around 600 NHTI students graduate with associate degrees each year, while many more graduate from certificate programs.
For 50 years, NHTI has helped thousands of people transform their lives through higher education. Many graduates of NHTI were the first people to ever attend college in their families. Single parents, people with full-time jobs, veterans returning from war, high school graduates, adults who lost jobs in the recession and immigrants and refugees from countries across the globe have all “Started Here.” NHTI alumni have gone on to pursue their bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees, and found success in careers like engineering, business, education, healthcare, human services and information technology.
On Oct. 3, NHTI invites its faculty, staff, students, alumni and members of the community to come celebrate its 50 years of service and success. A full day of events is scheduled on campus; stop by any time and join the fun! All events and activities are open to the public, and most are free.
Start the day right with a 5K road race. Go back to class and find out what’s happening in the fields of engineering, health care, robotics, criminal justice and many more. Cheer the NHTI athletic teams in intercollegiate match-ups in softball, baseball, cross-country, volleyball and soccer. There will be an old-school “field day” for families and children of all ages including games such as a three-legged race, a hula hoop contest and an egg-and-spoon relay race. Enjoy some BBQ and a beer at the beverage tent. We are even hosting an ice cream social.
Everything culminates with the 50th Anniversary Gala, starting at 6 p.m. Witness the unveiling of our commemorative book and companion video, “Fifty Years of History.” There will be delicious food, drinks, live music and cake. Dance through the decades to the music of The Crush.
All daytime activities (except the beer and BBQ) are free. Tickets to the gala are $30 per person.
For more details, a complete schedule, and to order tickets visit nhti.edu/50th or contact Lee Ann Lewis at llewis@ccsnh.edu or 271-6484, ext. 4239
Doug Schwarz
