Newspapers / Wilkes Community College Student … / Aug. 28, 1995, edition 1 / Page 2
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Thirty Years Ago - A Vision, A Dream Became A College Thirty Year Anniversary Wilkes Community College celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of its existence with au open house on Sunday, July 30th, from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. The public was invited to attend this special occasion and see how the college had grown from a "mud hole" to a unique, comprehensive community college. Dr. Howard Thomp.son, the first president of the college, stated that he was proud of the fact that we started from mud and made a college. From the first three buildings, the college has grow n into one of the largest campuses in the 58 community college and technical school system. Presently, there are 10 buildings where classrooms and office spaces are located. The visitors at the campus on July 30th were greeted by campus security force members and other students who directed them to the focus of the open house in Thompson Hall. There visitors received a brochure of the activities and events which took place on the campus. Then, visitors were given guided tours of their choice of events. Some of the tours led them to the beautiful flower gardens on campus, as well as the walking trail that leads from the outdoor Merle Watson stage. F.very building and every educational department had exhibits, shows, demonstrations, displays, and di-scussions with question and answer periods on every area of study and work the college is involved in. Some of the open house events included: slide and video presentations of the college and how it has changed and grown during the past 30 years; the new physical education weight room equipment; a video on the drama students' "Big River” musical production; artwork in progress by art stu dents; a car show at the Automotive/Power Mechanics building; displays of road diesel tractors; a 19% Kenworth truck; a 1996 International truck; a robotics demonstration; an electronics display; a presentation on the Inter net', blood pressure checks by Allied Health faculty and nursing students; displays of materials showing the history of the college; and visitors had the opportunity to meet the new baseball coach and other instructors. The.se are just some of tlie sixty-plus events wliich took place. Along with these activities, administrators, staff, and instructors dis cussed the curriculum programs, courses, and gave out material on the college. Throughout the campus, there were refreshments and tree mat erials for visitors. REMEMBER TO RESERVE YOUR COPY Wilkes Community College Cougar Cry s PURCHASE includes photos of wee Students Jact4tty and YOUR WCC VIEWBOOK IN THE BUSINESS /tctivity Shots etubs Sports Selected staff OFFICE FOR $6.00 Campus Scenes From The Editor To begin wkh. I would like to express how grateful I am to have been the editor o/The Cougar Crv for the past year. It was an honor and privi lege to have served such an admirable college. J hope everyone*s summer was gratifying and rewarding. I wish the best to everyone enrolled this fall and to those who have moved on to new things with their lives. Also, much gratitude goes to all of the previous and current jour- nalism staff We hope that the paper was informative, as well as enjoyable to read. Have a wonderful and productive year at Wilkes Community College. Thank you Editor-In-Chief1994-95 Brian Keith Elledge Thirty Year History The college became a reality after the Wilkes County commissioners approved a bond vote for the issuance of $500,000 on May 4, 1964. Fol lowing this, a delegation from Wilkes went before the NC State Board on June 30, 1964, and asked for its approval to proceed with a special election on the bond issue. After a sixty-page report on Wilkes County, its resour ces, its people, and its need for a community college was submitted to tlie NC State Board of Education on July 2, 1964, approval was given for the county to have an election for approval by the people for a college. The county held the election on September 26, 1964. The results w ere 5.5 to I in favor of a college, with 4,891 to 898 in favor of the bond issue. These election resiJts led to tlie final approval by the State Board of Education on October 1, 1964. After the final approval, the first Board of Trustees was selected. They consisted of Judge Johnson J. Hayes, Judge Robert M. Gambill, Mr. Gordon Rhoades, Dr. Seth M. Beale, Mrs. Fred Lovette, Mr. Robert Strickland, Mr. Richard B. Johnston, Mrs. John Andrews, Mr. I,.P. Somers, Jr., Mr. I-ewis Hill Jenkins, and Mr. Milton J. Ingram. Their first meeting was held in the Federal Building in Wilkesboro, January 15, 1964. At the Board's second meeting, the trustees decided that the college would be located on sixty acres on the western side of Moravian Creek in Wilkesboro. On March 5, 1965, the trustees unanimously selected Dr. Howard E. Thompson as the college's fu^t president. The first programs the college offered were the Licensed Practical Nurs ing Program and the Adult Basic Education Program. These began in the early spring and summer of 1965. In August 1%5, other classes in English, history, mathematics, business, biology, and agricultural technology began. These classes were held at different locations, including Wilkesboro Baptist Church, Wilkesboro Methodist Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, East Wilkes High School, Wilkes Central High School, Blue Ridge Electronics, Wilkes General Hospital, and the service center at Holly Farms (now Tyson). After conducting classes in these various locations, the faculty, stair, admini-stration, and students moved into the first three buildings on the present campus. The first building was named the Howard E. Thompson Hall, the second the Johnson J. Hayes Hall, and the third the Charles Fred Ixvette Hall. The Power Mechanics and the Technical Arts buildings were completed in 1977; the James l,arkin Pearson Library in 1982; and the John A. Walker Community Center in 1984. In 1989, Daniel Hall was completed. Satellite college campuses were extended into Ashe and Alleghany counties in the early 1970's. Dr. David Eson Daniel was .selected by the Board of Trustees to assiune the position as second president after Dr. Thompson's retirement. Dr. Daniel was sworn in on August 31, 1977. On July 17, 1989, Dr. James Randolph became the third president of Wilkes Conunimity College. Dr. Ed Beam was interim president from April 1989 to July 1989, and Dr. Swanson Richards accepted the duties of Interim President on July 8, 1995, and will hold this position until the fourth president is chosen by the Board of Tnistees. The college acquired an additional 22 acres of land, thus bringing the size of the campus to its present 140 acres. With a Visitors Center, a garden of the senses, walking trails, a pond, tennis courts, llower gardens, a community center, and new programs of study, Wilkes Community College holds a vital position in the political, economical, cultural, and educational life of Wilkes County. Graduates from the college have distinguished themselves in the county, state, and the nation. RUN FOR OFFICE!! You can make a difTerence! SGA is a great way (o represent student interest, plan activities and events, build friendships, and HAVE FUN! SGA travels to conferences togetiier and participate in leadership activities! So get ready to run!! Petitions will be available in September, TH-216 - Student Activities Office.
Wilkes Community College Student Newspaper
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Aug. 28, 1995, edition 1
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