The Clayton State main campus increased from 163 acres to 175 acres recently with the purchase of the Atlanta Bible College property, now known as Clayton State – East.

Clayton College & State University became Clayton State University on May 18, 2005.

Clayton State’s first graduate program, the Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS), was approved by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia on November 16, 2005. Clayton State’s first class of graduate students started the MALS program in August 2006.

Dec. 4, 2007 saw the dedication of the Clayton State – Fayette instructional site in Peachtree City. Clayton State undergraduate classes started there in January 2008.

Anna Cox earned the University’s first graduate degree (MALS) in December 2008.

Clayton State University opened its doors to students for the first time as Clayton Junior College on Sept. 30, 1969.

Clayton Junior College became a four-year unit of the University System of Georgia in 1986.

The 2009/2010 academic year marks the 20th year of intercollegiate athletics for the Clayton State Lakers. The first athletic team, men’s basketball, played its first game on Nov. 12, 1990 under head coach Mason Barfield.

Laker Hall, Clayton State’s first on-campus residence facility, opened in August 2009.

The ground-breaking for Spivey Hall, the southeast’s premier small performance facility, was held in November 1988. Spivey Hall opened its doors to the public in the winter of 1991.

Dr. Thomas J. “Tim” Hynes officially became the University’s interim president on May 18, 2009.

Clayton State’s enrollment first topped 5,000 students in the fall of 1995. Enrollment topped 6,000 for the first time in the fall 2005 semester.