During the 1964 session, the General Assembly of Virginia passed legislation providing for the establishment of two-year technical colleges in the Commonwealth. The plan called for a partnership between the state and the local cities and counties to sponsor a technical college in their region. Only two years later, the General Assembly expanded the legislation to include the development of not only technical education but also adult education and freshman and sophomore courses for transfer to four-year colleges and universities.
Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, colleges began to open in communities across Virginia. Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) was one of these institutions. Named after Thomas Lord Fairfax VI, LFCC opened its doors in September 1970. In 1747, Lord Fairfax established his residence, Greenway Court, at nearby White Post and was a respected force in the formation of the new America
Located in Middletown, Va., on a 120-acre tract in the northern Shenandoah Valley, the College consisted of one large building that included classrooms, laboratories, administrative and faculty offices, a business office, the William M. Dietel Bookstore and the Fredy and Klara Kummli Student Center. At its formation, the institution served a total of 577 students. Two years later, LFCC held its first graduation ceremony, with 92 students receiving their degrees. Later that same year on December 18, 1972, the College received accreditation from the Southern Association of Community and Junior Colleges.
Further construction did not begin until 1985, when LFCC built a technology center on the Middletown Campus. This added a special events center, computer labs, classrooms and faculty offices. The technology center was dedicated in 1993 and officially named the Alson H. Smith, Jr. Technology Center.
In December 1988, expansion continued when Fauquier County Executive Bob G. Sowder donated 2.5 acres of property to establish a second campus. The renovated barn on the property became the Fauquier Campus of LFCC. Now with two campuses, the College was able to better meet the needs of individuals in the communities it served.
The mid-1990s saw further construction. In 1994, the Learning Resources Center was completed and dedicated in honor of benefactor Paul Wolk. This new space provided students and community members access to thousands of books and resources such as journals, video recordings, DVDs, compact discs, computer programs, newspapers, electronic books and a host of other print-based materials.
In 1996, the General Assembly appropriated $7.2 million to construct additional facilities on the Fauquier Campus. Over the next three years, a 60,000-square-foot classroom and administrative building was constructed. The Wolk Hall classroom and administration building was dedicated on October 22, 1999, and named in honor of Paul and Sheila Wolk.