Belmont Technical College 
The BTC Story
For over 30 years, residents of Belmont , Harrison and Monroe counties have relied on Belmont Technical College for a superior technical education. The college provides the type of education that allows the people of our area to find and maintain fulfilling careers, become well-rounded citizens and realize their full potential.
In addition, BTC has provided many benefits to businesses and industries. The college has offered training programs to groups such as banks; manufacturing, construction and retail businesses; publishing agencies; health care facilities; fire and emergency squads; law firms; governmental entities and schools.
Read more about what our students have done: view now!
While keeping its technical emphasis and mission, the college has expanded into a collegiate model where students learn to think critically and creatively. Helping students to engage in active lifelong learning is a priority. In recent years, the technical curriculum has been expanded to include courses that emphasize skills such as the ability to communicate effectively.
More and more students are enrolling with the goal of transferring to other institutions of higher education. In order to meet this need, BTC has established agreements to seamlessly transfer credits with 15 institutions of higher education and more are being planned.
Our history:
The college's story began in 1965 when funds were granted to the Belmont County High School District by the Appalachian Regional Commission to construct a postsecondary technical Institute. This Institute, according to its Document of Philosophy and Purpose statement, was "dedicated to providing quality, post high school level education for para-professional occupations".
The first classes at what would become Belmont Technical College were taught in temporary facilities located in St. Clairsville , Ohio , during the winter of 1969-70. Full-time instruction began the fall quarter of 1970 under a state charter, which allowed Belmont Technical Institute to serve Belmont, Harrison, and Monroe counties. Enrollment included 54 day and 127 evening students for a total of 181.
A grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funded the cost to construct and equip the college's current main facility. In 1971-72 classes were held at the newly-constructed Main Campus in St. Clairsville. That year, enrollment climbed to 362 day and 425 evening students for a total of 787.
The tiny institute took a giant step in its evolution on December 21, 1971, when the Ohio Board of Regents formally established Belmont Technical College to serve Belmont, Harrison, and Monroe counties. Supported by the research and guidance of an advisory group comprising local business and industry leaders, the Board of Regents approved the college's initial offering of applied associate degrees in 10 technologies.
The college experienced significant growth in the 1980s in enrollment, programming, and student placement services. In the early 1990s, the college combined general education courses with technical courses in the academic programs.
Throughout its history, the college has extensively served under-prepared students from all age and demographic groups. Had the college not existed, many of the 30,000 individuals who have attended BTC would have missed the opportunity to experience the benefits of a college education.
For the last complete academic year, the college enrolled 2,468 students in its degree and certificate programs. Of that number, approximately 1,330 students were enrolled full-time. The college enrolled 1,564 students in its non-credit community interest courses and served 234 people through its customized training programs for local business and industry.
The BTC Timeline
Here's a look at Belmont Technical College through the years:
1965 - Appalachian Regional Commission grants funds to the Belmont County high school district to construct a post-secondary technical institute.
1969-70 - First classes are taught in the evening at temporary facilities in St. Clairsville.
1970 - Full-time instruction begins in fall quarter.
May 21, 1971 - Belmont Technical Institute receives state charter to serve the three-county area of Belmont, Harrison and Monroe counties. Later that summer, construction on the college's main building is completed.
May 28, 1971 - First Board of Trustees is sworn in.
Dec. 21, 1971 - The Board of Trustees changes the Institute's name to Belmont Technical College .
1974 - The Board of Trustees approves the formation of a Charitable Trust for the purpose of receiving, adding, administering and disposing of property, for the benefit of the college. This Charitable Trust remained active through the 1970s.
1999 - The Board of Trustees approves the formation of the Belmont Technical College Foundation.
Aug. 31, 2001 - The state of Ohio officially recognizes the incorporation of the Foundation.
