College of the Albemarle - Beacon Yearbook (Elizabeth City, NC)

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CONTENTS Introduction... Student Life... Organizations .. Academics ....... Administration Faculty 84 Staff ....... Students ................. Conclusion .............. -2 .. 3 10 30 56 80 108 126

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IBEACUN 1981 College of The Albemarle Elizabeth City North Carolina 27909 Volume 18

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In 1957, legislation was passed in the North Carolina General Assembly that enabled counties to establish their own two year institutions. Thus, the idea of a college in Elizabeth City was born, and, in November, 1960, the people of Pasquotank County voted their approval by a tive to two margin. The College of The Albemarle received its charter on December 16, 1960, the first in the state issued under the new act. The college began operations in the former Albemarle Hospital building that was originally constructed in 1914. The new Board of Trustees selected Dr. O. Robert Benson, Dean of men at Elon College, to serve as president, The first freshman class of 182 students entered the doors of the college in September, 1961. At that time the total teaching faculty consisted of five full-time instructors who offered courses in liberal arts, business, and college parallel curricula. Degrees were awarded to the first graduating class in Nlay, 1963. On July 1, 1963, a new legislative act became effective that authorized the establishment of comprehensive community colleges. On that same date, at the request of the Board of Trustees, College of The Albemarle became the hrst institution in the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges. It became the task of a new president, Dr. Robert I. Hislop, in the fall of 1963, to revise the original purposes of the college to the comprehensive concept. During Hislop's tenure, the first building program was completed with construction of a gymnasium-auditorium in 1964. Ulil ll Because of the expanded curricula to include two- year college parallel, technical, vocational, and adult education programs, the physical facilities of the college constantly required broadening, The nurses' residence, on property adjoining the site of the main structure, was converted into a library, Former Coast Guard repair shops on Riverside Avenue were used to house vocational programs. An old building, lent to the college by the First United Methodist Church, was renovated for use as an arts and crafts center. In July, 1966, Dr. B.A. Barringer, former dean of students became president. Barringe-r's administration was devoted to strengthening the college's programs and enhancing its capabilities as an openedoor institution. When Dr. S. Bruce Petteway was named president August 1, 1968, College of The Albemarle had reached a critical point in its growth and development. The number of fall curriculum students had increased over ive times that of its initial opening. Its service area extended to the citizens of seven Albemarle counties. In 1969, the Rockefellar Foundation provided a three-year grant for economic improvement through education, the hrst such grant to a two-year institution. Unemployed adults were provided intensive, short-term occupational courses. In 1970, a downtown building was leased to house these short-term programs, as well as a new program in cosmetology, drafting laboratories, and a new associate degree nursing program, The success of the program extended the Rockefellar grant an additional three years. H' Y' 'Na My '.l N I bv ' 'Tim'-' I v 1 J 'Q 'Ju 3