History of North Carolina State University
Encyclopedia
North Carolina State University
was founded by the North Carolina General Assembly
in 1887 as a land-grant college
under the name North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. As a land-grant college, NC State would provide a “liberal and practical education” while focusing on military tactics, agriculture and the mechanical arts without excluding classical studies
. Since its founding, the university has maintained these objectives while building on them.
After opening its doors in 1889, NC State saw its enrollment fluctuate and its mandate expand. Due to the Great Depression
, the North Carolina government administratively combined the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
, the Women’s College at Greensboro
, and NC State. This conglomeration later became the University of North Carolina
system in 1971. After World War II
, the university has constantly grown and changed.
signed the federal Morrill Land-Grant Act. This Act created endowments that were to be used in the establishment of colleges that would provide a “liberal and practical education” while focusing on military tactics, agriculture and the mechanical arts without excluding classical studies
.
During Reconstruction, North Carolina allocated its endowment to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
. For two decades, that university received $7,500 annually from the endowment. In the mid-1880s, both state farmers and business leaders claimed that Chapel Hill’s "elitist" education did not meet the mandate set forth by the Morrill Land-Grant Act. On March 7, 1887 the North Carolina General Assembly
authorized the establishment of North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. The state also budgeted money for the new college and transferred North Carolina
's land-grant endowment to it as well. R. Stanhope Pullen gave land towards the establishment of the new college in Raleigh
. Construction began on the Main Building (now called Holladay Hall) in 1888 and the college formally opened on October 3, 1889.
, the college experienced growth and expansion of purpose. Along with United States Department of Agriculture, State College created the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs in 1909 (which later became 4-H
in 1926). In 1914 the federal Smith-Lever Act
enabled the university to establish state, county, and local extension programs
. These two new programs allowed the university’s knowledge resources to directly benefit the people of North Carolina
, not just those students who walked its halls. By 1918 the college had an enrollment over 700 students and it had a new name—North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering.
By the end of World War I
, State College experienced many institutional changes and fluctuating enrollment. In the 1920s, many of the university’s educational units were organized into schools (e.g. School of Agriculture, Textile School…). In 1920 enrollment reached 1,000 and by 1929 enrollment doubled to 2,000. In 1927, the first women graduated from the university.
The Great Depression
brought many challenges to State College when economic hardships caused enrollment to suffer. To address issues institutional inefficiencies, the State of North Carolina established the Consolidated University of North Carolina in 1931. This administratively combined the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
, the Women’s College at Greensboro
, and State College. This move also brought another name – North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering of the University of North Carolina. The Consolidated University of North Carolina lasted until 1972 when it was remade into the University of North Carolina
system. By 1937 enrollment rebounded to over 2,000, but World War II
caused enrollment to drop below 1,000.
, State College experienced rapid growth due to the G.I. Bill. By 1947 enrollment was over 5,000 and the university expanded to accommodate the new students. The 1950s saw many building projects and national recognition of its academic programs. The period also saw the first admission of African-Americans.
In 1962, administrators tried to change State College to North Carolina State University, but Governor Terry Sanford
and other UNC system officials
proposed the University of North Carolina at Raleigh for consistency. Faculty, students and alumni immediately launched a bitter opposition campaign, arguing that the name would cause the university to lose its identity and to appear to be a branch of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
. The name was never adopted. Instead the General Assembly changed the name to North Carolina State of the University of North Carolina at Raleigh in 1963. Not satisfied, protest and letter writing campaigns continued until 1965 when the university received the present name North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Convention ignores the "at Raleigh" part of the name, but it is still in the official name.
In 1966 single year enrollment reached 10,000. The 1970s saw enrollment surpass 19,000 and the addition of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. NC State celebrated its centennial in 1987 and reorganized its internal structure renaming all its schools to colleges (e.g. School of Engineering to the College of Engineering). Also in this year, it gained 700 acres (2.8 km²) of land that would later become the Centennial Campus. Over the next decade and a half, NC State has focused on developing its new Centennial Campus. Over $620 million has been invested in facilities and infrastructure at the new campus with 2700000 square feet (250,838.2 m²) of space being constructed. There are 61 private and government agency partners located here as well.
Currently, NC State has over 7,000 employees, over 30,000 students, an $820 million annual budget, and a $535 million endowment. It is also widely recognized as one of the three anchors of North Carolina's Research Triangle, together with Duke University
and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
.
In 2009, NC State University spent $10,000 on the "Rally for Talley" advertising campaign. The goal of the campaign was to persuade students to approve an increase in student fees that would pay for the renovation of the Talley Student Center and the Atrium Food Court. A record turnout of 19% of the student body voted 61% against the fee increase, but the student senate and university administration overruled the students' decision and enacted the fee anyway. The renovation projects are projected to be completed in 2013, but sources close to the university agree that this date is optimistic.
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
was founded by the North Carolina General Assembly
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
in 1887 as a land-grant college
Land-grant university
Land-grant universities are institutions of higher education in the United States designated by each state to receive the benefits of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890....
under the name North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. As a land-grant college, NC State would provide a “liberal and practical education” while focusing on military tactics, agriculture and the mechanical arts without excluding classical studies
Classical education movement
The Classical education movement advocates a form of education based in the traditions of Western culture, with a particular focus on education as understood and taught in the Middle Ages. The curricula and pedagogy of classical education was first developed during the Middle Ages by Martianus...
. Since its founding, the university has maintained these objectives while building on them.
After opening its doors in 1889, NC State saw its enrollment fluctuate and its mandate expand. Due to the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, the North Carolina government administratively combined the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, the Women’s College at Greensboro
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro , also known as UNC Greensboro, is a public university in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States and is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system. The university offers more than 100 undergraduate, 61 master's and 26...
, and NC State. This conglomeration later became the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina
Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century...
system in 1971. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the university has constantly grown and changed.
Founding: 1862–1889
Although established in 1887, the North Carolina State University story begins in 1862 when President Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
signed the federal Morrill Land-Grant Act. This Act created endowments that were to be used in the establishment of colleges that would provide a “liberal and practical education” while focusing on military tactics, agriculture and the mechanical arts without excluding classical studies
Classical education movement
The Classical education movement advocates a form of education based in the traditions of Western culture, with a particular focus on education as understood and taught in the Middle Ages. The curricula and pedagogy of classical education was first developed during the Middle Ages by Martianus...
.
During Reconstruction, North Carolina allocated its endowment to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
. For two decades, that university received $7,500 annually from the endowment. In the mid-1880s, both state farmers and business leaders claimed that Chapel Hill’s "elitist" education did not meet the mandate set forth by the Morrill Land-Grant Act. On March 7, 1887 the North Carolina General Assembly
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
authorized the establishment of North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. The state also budgeted money for the new college and transferred North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
's land-grant endowment to it as well. R. Stanhope Pullen gave land towards the establishment of the new college in Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
. Construction began on the Main Building (now called Holladay Hall) in 1888 and the college formally opened on October 3, 1889.
Early years: 1889–1945
Between 1889 to the end of World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the college experienced growth and expansion of purpose. Along with United States Department of Agriculture, State College created the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs in 1909 (which later became 4-H
4-H
4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...
in 1926). In 1914 the federal Smith-Lever Act
Smith-Lever Act of 1914
The Smith–Lever Act of 1914 is a United States federal law that established a system of cooperative extension services, connected to the land-grant universities, in order to inform people about current developments in agriculture, home economics, and related subjects. The Smith–Lever Act of 1914 is...
enabled the university to establish state, county, and local extension programs
Cooperative extension service
The Cooperative Extension Service, also known as the Extension Service of the USDA, is a non-formal educational program implemented in the United States designed to help people use research-based knowledge to improve their lives. The service is provided by the state's designated land-grant...
. These two new programs allowed the university’s knowledge resources to directly benefit the people of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, not just those students who walked its halls. By 1918 the college had an enrollment over 700 students and it had a new name—North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering.
By the end of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, State College experienced many institutional changes and fluctuating enrollment. In the 1920s, many of the university’s educational units were organized into schools (e.g. School of Agriculture, Textile School…). In 1920 enrollment reached 1,000 and by 1929 enrollment doubled to 2,000. In 1927, the first women graduated from the university.
The Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
brought many challenges to State College when economic hardships caused enrollment to suffer. To address issues institutional inefficiencies, the State of North Carolina established the Consolidated University of North Carolina in 1931. This administratively combined the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, the Women’s College at Greensboro
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro , also known as UNC Greensboro, is a public university in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States and is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system. The university offers more than 100 undergraduate, 61 master's and 26...
, and State College. This move also brought another name – North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering of the University of North Carolina. The Consolidated University of North Carolina lasted until 1972 when it was remade into the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina
Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century...
system. By 1937 enrollment rebounded to over 2,000, but World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
caused enrollment to drop below 1,000.
Expansion: 1945–present
After the end of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, State College experienced rapid growth due to the G.I. Bill. By 1947 enrollment was over 5,000 and the university expanded to accommodate the new students. The 1950s saw many building projects and national recognition of its academic programs. The period also saw the first admission of African-Americans.
In 1962, administrators tried to change State College to North Carolina State University, but Governor Terry Sanford
Terry Sanford
James Terry Sanford was a United States politician and educator from North Carolina. A member of the Democratic Party, Sanford was the 65th Governor of North Carolina , a two-time U.S. Presidential candidate in the 1970s and a U.S. Senator...
and other UNC system officials
University of North Carolina
Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century...
proposed the University of North Carolina at Raleigh for consistency. Faculty, students and alumni immediately launched a bitter opposition campaign, arguing that the name would cause the university to lose its identity and to appear to be a branch of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
. The name was never adopted. Instead the General Assembly changed the name to North Carolina State of the University of North Carolina at Raleigh in 1963. Not satisfied, protest and letter writing campaigns continued until 1965 when the university received the present name North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Convention ignores the "at Raleigh" part of the name, but it is still in the official name.
In 1966 single year enrollment reached 10,000. The 1970s saw enrollment surpass 19,000 and the addition of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. NC State celebrated its centennial in 1987 and reorganized its internal structure renaming all its schools to colleges (e.g. School of Engineering to the College of Engineering). Also in this year, it gained 700 acres (2.8 km²) of land that would later become the Centennial Campus. Over the next decade and a half, NC State has focused on developing its new Centennial Campus. Over $620 million has been invested in facilities and infrastructure at the new campus with 2700000 square feet (250,838.2 m²) of space being constructed. There are 61 private and government agency partners located here as well.
Currently, NC State has over 7,000 employees, over 30,000 students, an $820 million annual budget, and a $535 million endowment. It is also widely recognized as one of the three anchors of North Carolina's Research Triangle, together with Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
.
In 2009, NC State University spent $10,000 on the "Rally for Talley" advertising campaign. The goal of the campaign was to persuade students to approve an increase in student fees that would pay for the renovation of the Talley Student Center and the Atrium Food Court. A record turnout of 19% of the student body voted 61% against the fee increase, but the student senate and university administration overruled the students' decision and enacted the fee anyway. The renovation projects are projected to be completed in 2013, but sources close to the university agree that this date is optimistic.
Presidents
- Alexander Q. HolladayAlexander Q. HolladayAlexander Quarles Holladay LL.D. was a United States lawyer, state senator and college administrator from Virginia.-Life:The son of Alexander Richmond Holladay , a lawyer and former U. S...
, 1889-1899 - George T. WinstonGeorge T. WinstonGeorge Tayloe Winston was an American educator and university administrator.-Early years:Winston was born at Windsor, North Carolina, to Patrick Henry Winston and Martha Elizabeth Byrd, and the brother of Francis D. Winston. He attended the University of North Carolina from 1866 to 1868, where he...
, 1899-1908 - Daniel H. Hill, Jr., 1908-1916
- Wallace C. Riddick, 1916-1923
- Eugene C. BrooksEugene C. BrooksEugene Clyde Brooks was an American educator. He was educated at Trinity College , where he earned an A.B. degree in 1894. He also earned a Litt.D...
, 1923-1934
Chancellors
- John W. HarrelsonJohn W. HarrelsonJohn William Harrelson was born in Double Shoals, Cleveland County, North Carolina, USA, on 28 June 1885. He was educated at North Carolina State University, where he earned a B.A. in engineering in 1909 and an M.S. in mechanical engineering in 1915...
, 1934-1953 (as Dean of Administration until 1945) - Carey Hoyt BostianCarey Hoyt BostianCarey Hoyt Bostian was an American educator. He was educated at Catawba College, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in 1928, and at the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a Master's Degree in 1930 and a Ph.D. in 1933....
, 1953-1959 - John Tyler Caldwell, 1959-1975
- Jackson A. RigneyJackson A. RigneyJackson Ashcroft Rigney was born in 1913 in La Mesa, New Mexico. He was educated at New Mexico A&M College where he earned a B.S. in 1934. He earned an M.S. from Iowa State College in 1936....
, 1975 (Interim) - Joab ThomasJoab ThomasJoab Langston Thomas was born on February 14, 1933 in Holt, Alabama. Thomas grew up in Russellville, Alabama. His father was the town's superintendent of education, his mother was a music teacher...
, 1975-1981 - Nash WinsteadNash WinsteadNash Nicks Winstead was born in Durham County, North Carolina in 1925. He was educated at North Carolina State College, where he earned a B.S. in 1948 and an M.S. in 1951. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1953....
, 1981-1982 (Interim) - Bruce PoultonBruce PoultonBruce Poulton was born in Yonkers, New York in 1928. He was educated at Rutgers University, where he received a Ph.D. in endocrinology in 1956....
, 1982-1989 - Larry K. MonteithLarry K. MonteithLarry King Monteith is a North Carolina electrical engineer and academic leader. He retired from North Carolina State University following a distinguished career of leadership positions, culminating with service as the university's eleventh chancellor from 1989 to 1998.In 1960, Monteith graduated...
, 1989-1998 - Marye Anne FoxMarye Anne FoxMarye Anne Payne Fox is a physical organic chemist and university administrator. She was the first female chief executive of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. In April 2004, Fox was named Chancellor of the University of California, San Diego.-Early years:Fox was born in...
, 1998-2004 - Robert A. BarnhardtRobert A. BarnhardtRobert A. Barnhardt was born in West Pittston, Pennsylvania in 1937. He was educated at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science where he earned a B.S. in textile engineering in 1959. He later served as the college's chairman of the Department of Textiles. He earned a M.S. from the...
, 2004 (Interim) - James L. Oblinger, 2005-2009
- Jim Woodward, 2009-2010 (Interim)
- Randy WoodsonRandy Woodson-Early Life:Dr. Woodson earned a Bachelor's Degree in horticulture from the University of Arkansas, and a Master's Degree and Ph.D. from Cornell University. Prior to accepting the position as Chancellor at NCSU, he served as the Provost of Purdue University....
, 2010-Present