North Carolina State University Historical Sketch
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North Carolina State University is a national center for research, teaching, and extension in the sciences and technologies, in the humanities and social sciences, and in a wide range of professional programs. Founded March 7, 1887, by the North Carolina General Assembly under the provisions of the national Land Grant Act, the University has marked more than an century of service to the state and nation. Sharing the distinctive character of Land Grant universities nationwide, NC State has broad academic offerings, national and international linkages, and large-scale outreach, extension, and research activities. NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY HISTORICAL SKETCH On March 7, 1887, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the act which authorized the establishment of the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. The Watauga Club of Raleigh and the statewide farmers’ movement had convinced the legislature of the need to transfer the funds received by the state under the provisions of the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862 from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill to a new land grant college in Raleigh. The cornerstone of A. and M. College was laid in August 1888, and its doors were officially opened on October 3, 1889. Alexander Q. Holladay, the college’s first president (1889-1899), and a faculty of five offered courses in agriculture, horticulture, pure and agri- cultural chemistry, English, bookkeeping, history, mathematics, physics, practical mechanics, and military science. The first freshman class num- bered about fifty students. By the end of the institution’s first decade, the resident enrollment had reached 300. During the administration of George T. Winston (1899-1908) a new curriculum in textiles was developed and normal courses were offered in the summer for public school teachers, both men and women. The Agricultural Extension Service was established during the administration of Daniel H. Hill (1908-1916) and enrollment grew to more than 700. In 1917, during the administration of Wallace C. Riddick (1916-1923), the institution’s name was changed to North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering. The introduction of the word ‘engineering’ was intended to reflect the increasing emphasis on the professional and theoretical as well as the practical aspects of technical education. In 1923, a major reorganization of the administration of the college began, and President Riddick resigned to become the first dean of the new School of Engineering. Eugene Clyde Brooks (1923-1934), the fifth president of State College, continued the reorganization with the creation of the School of Agriculture (later named the School of Agriculture and Forestry), the School of Science and Business, the School of Education, the School of Textiles, and the Graduate School. Resident enrollment rose to nearly 2,000 in 1929 before the Depression caused enrollment to drop to approximately 1,500 in 1933. The first women graduates of State College received their degrees in 1927. In the midst of the Depression the General Assembly of 1931 attempted to promote economy and prevent unnecessary duplication among the three leading state institutions of higher education by establishing a single consolidated administration for the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering, and North Carolina College for Women in Greensboro. Dr. Frank Porter Graham, president of the University of North Carolina, was elected president of the consolidated university, and Dr. Brooks, with the title of vice president, continued as chief administrative officer at State College. Among the consequences of consolidation were the phasing out of the School of Engineering at Chapel Hill and the School of Science and Business at Raleigh. A general college, later called the Basic Division, was established to provide two years of basic courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences as a foundation for students in the var- ious degree-granting technical and professional schools. Colonel John W. Harrelson (1934-1953), Class of 1909, was the first alumnus to become administrative head of State College. Under the con- solidated organization his title was Dean of Administration; later it was changed to Chancellor. During Harrelson’s administration, the institution experienced the beginning of extraordinary growth in the aftermath of World War II. Two new schools were established: the School of Design and the School of Forestry. A multimillion dollar expansion program was completed during the administration of Carey H. Bostian (1953-1959), and the program of student activities was greatly enlarged as the enrollment passed 5,000. The faculty and student population more than doubled during the administration of John T. Caldwell (1959-1975) and another new school was organized: the School of Physical Sciences and Applied Mathematics (now Physical and Mathematical Sciences). The School of General Stud- ies, the successor to the Basic Division, was renamed the School of Liberal Arts and was authorized to offer a full range of bachelor’s and mas- ter’s degree programs in the humanities and social sciences. The name of the institution itself was changed in 1965 to North Carolina State University, signifying its new role as a comprehensive university. NC State’s enrollment rose to 20,000 during the administration of Chancellor Joab L. Thomas (1976-1981). The School of Veterinary Medicine was established, the name of the School of Liberal Arts was changed to School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and North Carolina State University was recognized as one of two major research universities within the statewide University of North Carolina system. Bruce R. Poulton (1982-1990) became chancellor in the fall of 1982. A major expansion of the University’s research budget, the establishment of a substantial endowment to provide enlarged resources for research equipment and endowed professorships, and the addition of the 1,000 acre Centennial Campus occurred during this administration. All of the schools were renamed colleges except for the School of Design and The Graduate School. In addition, the School of Education became the College of Education and Psychology. In 1990, Larry K. Monteith, an alumnus and former Dean of the College of Engineering, became chancellor and NC State’s eleventh chief administrative officer. Among his early initiatives were the creation of the Division of Undergraduate Studies and the First Year Experience Pro- gram. In 1992, the College of Management was established, and plans for a freshman college were formalized. An Institutional Advancement Division, now known as University Advancement, was organized to include alumni relations, university relations, development, and advancement services. A Board of Visitors was created, comprised of nationally prominent scholars, and business leaders, to advise the chancellor and Board of Trustees. The College of Textiles and ABB (Asea Brown Boveri), NC State’s first corporate partner, moved to Centennial Campus in 1991. Since then, the Centennial Campus celebrated its 10th anniversary and surpassed the $100 million mark in construction. The Engineering Grad- uate Research Center is the newest building on that campus. In 1994, NC State was authorized to establish the Zeta Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. 5 On August 1, 1998, Dr. Marye Anne Fox, a chemist and member of the National Academy of Sciences, became NC State University’s 12th chancellor to assume the duties of the top post at the state’s leading science, engineering and technology university. Chancellor Fox is focused on building the campus community, promoting partnerships, and adopting a business model that works. She co-chaired the first National Acad- emy of Sciences symposium ever held at NC State and encourages further growth on the university’s Centennial Campus. Since her arrival, Chancellor Fox has traveled more than 3,000 miles within the state to visit the hometowns of NC State students. She engaged business and community leaders and NC State alumni to learn more about the citizens’ needs and the vial role of NC State in North Carolina’s economic growth and success. MISSION OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY* The mission of North Carolina State University is to serve its students and the people of North Carolina as a doctoral, research-extensive, land- grant university. Through the active integration of teaching, research, extension and engagement, North Carolina State University creates an innovative learning environment that stresses mastery of fundamentals, intellectual discipline, creativity, problem solving, and responsibility. Enhancing its historic strengths in agriculture, science, and engineering with a commitment to excellence in a comprehensive range of academic disciplines, North Carolina State University provides leadership for intellectual, cultural, social, economic and technological development within the state, the nation, and the world. *Approved by the North Carolina State University Board of Trustees on April 19, 1996. CAMPUS NC State University is located west of downtown Raleigh on 2,240 acres. The campus acreage includes Centennial Campus on 1,130 acres and West Campus at 400 acres. The College of Veterinary Medicine and the stadium/arena complex are located on the West Campus. Nearby are research farms; biology and ecology sites; genetics, horticulture, and floriculture nurseries; and forests that comprise an additional 2,700