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

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Table of Contents Dedication ..... .... P age 3 The First 25 Years .... .... P age 4 Student Life .... . . . Page 10 Administration and Staff .... ..... P age 18 Faculty .... ..... P age 30 Student Mugs .... . . . Page 42 Dare County. . . . . .Page 64 Organizations .... . . .Page 70 Superlatives .... . . . Page 92 Activities .... . . . Page 94 Closing Dedication . . . . . . Page 104 Advertisements .... .... P age 106

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THE BEACGN College of The Albemarle 12.0. Box 2327 Elizabeth City, NC 27909

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This year, the Beacon Staff would like to dedicate the book to three men who helped make the College of The Albemarle what it is today. We hope this expresses our gratitude for their struggle to provide this area with a community college. Nathaniel Elton Aydlett - A consistently staunch supporter of College ofthe Albemarle from its earliest roots to the present, N. Elton Aydlett has a long history ofassociation with Nonh Carolina's community colleges. ln 1960, while serving as State Senator, he chaired the Community College Committee ofthe State Board ofHigher Education when College of The Albemarle was chartered. Twenty years later, Mr. Aydlett was appointed as a charter member of the newly-formed State Board of Community Colleges. This long-term, unending commitment to the community college concept is primary among the reasons for Mr. Aydlett's selection as a recipient ofthe College of The Albemarle Twenty-fifty Anniversary Award. A native of Currituck County, Mr. Aydlett earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina. He associated with several general law practices and, in 1928, was named Clerk ofthe Superior Court and Juvenile Judge for Pasquotank County, positions he held until 1946. Mr. Aydlett assisted in the development ofa number of planned communities and businesses, including Southern Shores, Southgate Mall, and Seventeen South Garment Company. In addition, he has served as a director of First Union National Bank since 1963, is a former trustee of East Carolina University, and was mayor of Elizabeth City from 1951 through 1955. Aside from his efforts toward the establishment of College of The Albemarle, Mr. Aydlett's accomplishments in the State Senate included the statewide expansion of UNC Television. ' A member of Blackwell Memorial Baptist Church, Mr. Aydlett was married to the late Pantha Houser Aydlett. They have one child, Mrs. Robert D. tPatriciaJ Aldridge, and two grandchildren, Robin A. Harris and Jeffrey A. Aldridge. Charles Marion Gordon - Chairman ofthe first board of trustees at College ofThe Albemarle, Charles M. Gordon was a driving force in the establishment ofthe college. While a director ofthe Elizabeth City Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Gordon chaired the chamber Education Committee from 1959 to 1960, when the idea ofa community college in Elizabeth City became a reality. He served as trustees' chairman until 1965. It is for his personal commitment and unending persistence toward the establishment of College of The Albemarle that Charles M. Gordon has been chosen as a recipient ofthe College of The Albermarle Twenty-fifth Anniversary Award. Born in Beaufort, North Carolina, Mr. Gordon attended Elizabeth City High School and High Point College. He served in the United States Navy during World War II on a South Pacific destroyer and, in 1960, was voted Man ofthe Year by the local chapter ofthe Veterans of Foreign Wars. ln 1947, he and his aunt, Mrs. Josie Thorson, established Gordon Sheet Metal, a company which continues to thrive in the business community. Mr. Gordon serves as chairman ofthe Board of Deacons of First Baptist Church and is married to Lucy Slaters Gordon. His children include a son, Charles F. M. Gordon, stepdaughters, Leland Jane and Lucy H. McGrath, and grandchildren, Kristin and William Charles Gordon. Vernon Grant James - The only charter member of the College of The Albermarle Board ofTrustees who continues to serve in that capacity, Vernon G. James is currently the vice chairman ofthe board. He has worked faithfully on behalf ofthe college since its inception, both locally and at the state level. A native of Pasquotank County, he has helped to assure adequate educational opponunities for the citizens ofthe Albemarle area. Because of his long association with the college and his support of education for the local citizenry, Vernon G. James has been selected as a recipient ofthe College of The Albemarle Twenty-fifth Anniversary Award. Mr. James, who attended Weeksville High School and North Carolina State University, is retired from his positions as president and manager of James Brothers, Inc., a family farm and produce supply business. ln 1945, he was elected by the people ofthe First District to the North Carolina House of Representatives and has served nine terms in that capacity. He chairs the House Agriculture Committee and serves as vice chairman for the commissions and, earlier this year, was the recipient ofthe Governor's Award from the North Carolina Agribusiness Council for Distinguished Service to Agribusiness. A life-long member of Salem Baptist Church, Mr. James is married to Thelma L. James. His children include John Thomas James and Vemon Grant James, J r., both deceased. 3