The college officially opened on January 20, 1968, with 40 members of the faculty."Higher Education Comes to Navajoland". Arizona Republic. January 19, 1969. There were 340 students enrolled during its first semester, which was the limit of its capacity."First Reservation College Established By Navajos". El Paso Times. July 19, 1969. More than 3,000 other applicants had to be turned away because of the lack of space. The college added 23 evening classes because there was so much more demand for evening classes than for daytime classes."Navajo College Adds 23 Night Courses". Arizona Republic. February 7, 1969. p. A8.
