Adams State was founded in 1921 as a teacher's college. Billy Adams, a Colorado legislator who would later become a three-term governor of Colorado, worked for three decades before obtaining the authorization to found Adams State Normal School in 1921, to provide higher education opportunities for teachers from remote and rural areas of Colorado, such as the San Luis Valley, and see them work in those same areas. In 1926, Harriet Dalzell Hester became the university's first graduate. She became the school's first librarian and an Alamosa County school superintendent. In 2012, the institution's name changed from Adams State College to Adams State University. The university gained some national attention in 2016 when its online classes came under scrutiny. The university's regional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, placed the university on probation. In 2018, the probation was lifted and the university's status was restored to "Accredited." The university also came into the national spotlight when it placed president Beverlee McClure on leave after employees lodged complaints about her "caustic behavior." Dr. Cheryl D. Lovell, PhD was named the interim president and appointed to serve a 12-month term beginning July 1, 2018.
Presidents
Presidents have been:
Ira Richardson
William Newson
Fred J. Plachy
John A. Marvel
Milton Byrd
Marv Motz
William M. Fulkerson, Jr.
J. Thomas Gilmore
Lee Halgren
Richard A. Wueste
David Svaldi
Beverlee J. McClure
Matt Nehring
Cheryl D. Lovell
Campus
Adams State University's campus is located in the heart of the San Luis Valley. All of the university's academic and residential buildings are located on its contiguous 90-acre campus.
Academic buildings
The main administration building and oldest building on campus is Richardson Hall, named after the school's first president, Dr. Ira Richardson. The home of the math and science curriculum, Porter Hall, is named for alumnus William A. Porter, the creator of E-Trade and a major benefactor of the school. McDaniel Hall, named for donor and emeritus faculty member Dr. John McDaniel, is the main venue for English, psychology, history, sociology, and teacher education classes. Campus edifices for the performing arts include the Adams State University Theater, the Music Building and the Leon Memorial Concert Hall.
Athletic facilities
There are two gyms and an indoor pool. The Rex Activity Center for student recreation includes weights, exercise bikes, rock climbing wall, and racquet ball courts. Plachy Hall includes the gym and indoor pool and field house as part of the Athletics Department. The Rex Stadium has undergone major renovation including the addition of the Residence at the Rex. The new complex includes suites for game viewing. The new residence hall provides one of the most impressive views, with a view of Mount Blanca to the east and overlooking the track and football field to the west. A new $750,000 video-tron screen displays action and replays at one end of the field.
Residences
There are currently six on-campus apartment complexes that include private bedrooms for two to three students, a kitchen/living room and private bath, in addition to three traditional dormitory halls. Most entering freshmen are housed in Coronado and Girault Halls. The main cafeteria, La Mesa Dining Hall, in the Student Union Building is newly renovated.
Athletics
The school's sports teams are now called the Grizzlies and were formerly known as the Indians. They participate in the NCAA's Division II, and in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Athletic groups include:
