Sinclair Community College is named for David A. Sinclair, a Scottish immigrant and secretary of the Dayton YMCA (1874–1902), who founded the adult training school that eventually became Sinclair College in 1948. Under the leadership of Dr. David Ponitz, who served as president from 1975 to 1997, Sinclair became a model institution for community colleges by pioneering new approaches in technology and business curricula. The David H. Ponitz Sinclair Center (Building 12) is named after him. As of 2009, Sinclair is an accredited member of The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.