Catawba Valley Community College
Encyclopedia
Catawba Valley Community College is a public community college
in Hickory, North Carolina
. The college, established April 3, 1958, is part of the North Carolina Community College System
. On December 1, 1987, the school's name was changed officially to Catawba Valley Community College, having previously been known as Catawba Valley Technical Institute and Catawba Valley Technical College.
The main campus covers 120 acre (0.4856232 km²) and includes 11 buildings. In addition, the college operates a Cosmetology Center in downtown Newton, the CVCC Alexander Center for Education in Taylorsville, and East Campus where continuing education and business & industry services are provided. Specialty programs include the Manufacturing Solutions Center where US manufacturers are provided assistance to increase sales, improve quality and improve efficiency. A 28000 square feet (2,601.3 m²) Regional Simulated Hospital is scheduled to open in 2011.
In July 1963, the General Assembly of North Carolina enacted into law G.S. 115A which provided for the establishment of the present North Carolina System of Community Colleges. On January 9, 1964, Catawba Valley Technical Institute was among the original seven institutes chartered by the Department. At that time, CVTI established its own Board of Trustees and began operation as a member of the Department of Community Colleges. Thus, it was in August 1964, that the College awarded its first Associate Degree in Applied Science.
It was during the transition from an Industrial Education Center to Technical Institute that great strides began in expanding educational programs, increasing student enrollment, developing quality instruction, adding facilities, and increasing community acceptance and service. On September 1, 1979, the name of the institution was changed to Catawba Valley Technical College by the Trustees and commissioners of Catawba County. On December 1, 1987, the State Board of Community Colleges officially approved CVTC to become Catawba Valley Community College and the College Transfer program was approved. The College continues as a publicly supported coeducational institution.
attended Catawba Valley Community College in 1991.
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
in Hickory, North Carolina
Hickory, North Carolina
Hickory is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina. Hickory has the 162nd largest urban area in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 341,851, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. The city's population was 37,222...
. The college, established April 3, 1958, is part of the North Carolina Community College System
North Carolina Community College System
The North Carolina Community College System is a statewide network of fifty-eight public community colleges. Each college has a distinct governance system and policies. In total, the system enrolls over 800,000 students, and is the third largest community college system in the nation...
. On December 1, 1987, the school's name was changed officially to Catawba Valley Community College, having previously been known as Catawba Valley Technical Institute and Catawba Valley Technical College.
The main campus covers 120 acre (0.4856232 km²) and includes 11 buildings. In addition, the college operates a Cosmetology Center in downtown Newton, the CVCC Alexander Center for Education in Taylorsville, and East Campus where continuing education and business & industry services are provided. Specialty programs include the Manufacturing Solutions Center where US manufacturers are provided assistance to increase sales, improve quality and improve efficiency. A 28000 square feet (2,601.3 m²) Regional Simulated Hospital is scheduled to open in 2011.
History
Through the concerted efforts of concerned Catawba County citizens and North Carolina educational leaders, on April 3, 1958, Catawba Valley Community College was established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as the ninth school of its kind in the state. Construction of the original facilities began in 1959. The 40000 square feet (3,716.1 m²) building costing approximately $500,000 was completed in August 1960. An initial enrollment of seventy-seven (77) students began classes in September of the same year. From 1960 to 1963, the College operated under the jurisdiction of the Catawba County Board of Education. During this time the College was known as the Catawba County Industrial Education Center.In July 1963, the General Assembly of North Carolina enacted into law G.S. 115A which provided for the establishment of the present North Carolina System of Community Colleges. On January 9, 1964, Catawba Valley Technical Institute was among the original seven institutes chartered by the Department. At that time, CVTI established its own Board of Trustees and began operation as a member of the Department of Community Colleges. Thus, it was in August 1964, that the College awarded its first Associate Degree in Applied Science.
It was during the transition from an Industrial Education Center to Technical Institute that great strides began in expanding educational programs, increasing student enrollment, developing quality instruction, adding facilities, and increasing community acceptance and service. On September 1, 1979, the name of the institution was changed to Catawba Valley Technical College by the Trustees and commissioners of Catawba County. On December 1, 1987, the State Board of Community Colleges officially approved CVTC to become Catawba Valley Community College and the College Transfer program was approved. The College continues as a publicly supported coeducational institution.
Free Speech Controversy
In October of 2011, Catawba Valley Community College suspended a student for complaining on his Facebook about the new policy that required students to sign up for a debit card to get their student ID and grant money. CVCC decided that the comments were 'disturbing' and a 'threat', and used that reasoning to suspend the student. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education took the side of the student and pending a final outcome he has been allowed back in class.Notable alumni
Actor and comedian Jon ReepJon Reep
Jon Reep is an American stand-up comedian and actor, known as the "That thing got a Hemi?" guy in Dodge commercials, and more recently as the winner of the fifth season of Last Comic Standing on NBC.-Early life:...
attended Catawba Valley Community College in 1991.