1942

Hattie Strong Residence Hall is built. It is funded by Hattie M. Strong, who moved to Salem and lived in the residence hall until her death in 1950.

1946

Salem Academy starts its own Alumnae Association separate from that of the College.

Men enroll at Salem for the first time as part of the national program to provide educational benefits to veterans of World War II. There were about 50 male students at the College during the 1946–47 school year. Today, men are allowed to enroll in the Fleer Center.

1949

A wash house behind South dormitory was reconstructed to include two additional stories. After the renovation, the building was named the Annie Spencer Penn Alumnae House.

1971

The Lucy Reynolds Critz building is completed to serve as expanded classroom space for the Academy. The new dormitory space named after Mary McCoy Hodges opens.

The College begins the first January Term

1972 July 17

The College Library, renamed in honor of Dale H. Gramley, begins its journey to its current location as it is moved the first 12 feet from the corner of Salem Square. Over 7 days, it is moved to its present site approximately 90 feet to the south of its original home.

1973 Jan

Salem Academy begins the first January Term program.

1973 May

Caryle Blakeney Bennet becomes the first African American graduate of the Academy.

Alma Boyd becomes the first African American graduate of the College.

1979

Shober House is reconstructed in its original location on Salem Square, where the library once stood. Today, Shober House serves as the offices of the Head of School and Admissions for the Academy.

1951

The Rondthaler Science Building is completed. It is expanded in 1960

and 1993.

1956

The Mary A. Weaver addition to the Academy is completed.

1957

Mary Reynolds Babcock Residence Hall is built.

1963 June

The North Carolina Governor’s School program, the first in the nation, begins on the campus of Salem Academy and College. Salem will host the program until 2019 when it moves to High Point University.

1982

Salem creates an adult learner program under the name The Lifespan Center, which provides a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Today it is known as The Martha H. Fleer Center for Adult Education, named after its first Dean.

The Athletics Complex opens with a new gymnasium and pool.

1989-90

Salem College starts the Graduate Education Program.

1964

Salem becomes the first private college in North Carolina to have a nationally accredited teacher education program. As early as the 1850s, Salem Female Academy was recognized as providing preparation in the teaching profession.

1965

Gramley Residence Hall is built.

The Fine Arts Center is built. Later renamed the Robert E. Elberson Fine Arts Center.

1966 Oct

Completion of the restoration and modernization of South Hall, which is converted to a residence hall for the College.

1967 Oct 4

Completion of the restoration of the Inspector’s House. Both this restoration and the restoration of South Hall are part of the program begun in 1950 to create Old Salem.

1991

Julianne Still Thrift becomes the first woman to lead Salem Academy and College as president.

1969

Salem College launches its study abroad program with a summer in Italy.