As early as 1946, a group of area citizens sought to establish a two-year college in northeastern Connecticut to meet educational needs of returning World War II veterans. Their vision finally became a reality in 1965 when the state organized the community college system. In 1969, Connecticut legislators authorized the establishment of a community college in Danielson. Under the leadership of President Robert E. Miller, the College began offering classes on September 27, 1971, at Harvard H. Ellis Technical School and Killingly High School with 215 students, eight full-time professional employees, and a few office support personnel. Within a few years, the state acquired 68 acres of land on Upper Maple Street, and Quinebaug Valley Community College welcomed students to its new campus in 1983. ("Quinebaug", a native American word meaning "crazy river", refers to the meandering river that flows through northeastern Connecticut.) Three years later, QVCC opened a center in Willimantic to better serve residents in southern Windham County.