Wilkes Community College

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Coordinates: 36°08′33″N 81°10′43″W / 36.1425°N 81.1787°W / 36.1425; -81.1787
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Wilkes Community College
Type
President
Morgan Francis (Interim)
Students2,558 (April 2024)
Location
Wilkesboro
,
North Carolina
,
United States
CampusUrban
ColorsBlue and green    
NicknameWCC
MascotCougar
Websitewww.wilkescc.edu

Wilkes Community College (WCC) is a

public community college in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. It is part of the North Carolina Community College System and serves northwest North Carolina, in Alleghany, Ashe, and Wilkes counties. The college is best known as the site of the annual MerleFest music festival.[1]

The main campus located in Wilkes County is 152

acres and comprises 18 buildings.[2] As of April 2024, there were 2,558 students enrolled.[3] Wilkes Community College also has smaller satellite campuses in neighboring Alleghany and Ashe counties. WCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[4]

History

In 1963, the

Board of Trustees
was sworn into office on January 15, 1965, and classes were first held in August 1965. The student enrollment for the college's first year was 68. The college's campus originally covered 75 acres and included three buildings; Thompson, Hayes, and Lovette halls.

The first president of WCC was Dr. Howard Thompson, who served from March 5, 1965, to June 30, 1977. He was followed by Dr. David E. Daniel, July 1, 1977 to April 2, 1989; Dr. H. Edwin Beam, interim president, April 3, 1989 to July 16, 1989; Dr. James R. Randolph, July 17, 1989 to July 7, 1995; Dr. Swanson Richards, interim president, July 8, 1995 to February 29, 1996; Dr. Gordon G. Burns, Jr., March 3, 1996 to June 1, 2014; Morgan Francis, interim president, June 2, 2014 to June 30, 2014; and Dr. Jeffrey Alan Cox, July 1, 2014 to June 1, 2023.[6]

Morgan Francis is the current interim president of WCC, serving since June 1, 2023. Francis previously held the position in June 2014. His successor, Dr. Michael Rodgers, is expected to assume his duties on June 1, 2024.[7]

MerleFest

In 1988,

Grammy-winning guitarist Doc Watson, WCC horticulture instructor B. Townes, and local businessman and musician Bill Young started the MerleFest music festival on the campus of Wilkes Community College. Named in honor of Doc's late son Merle Watson, MerleFest has grown into one of the largest bluegrass and folk music festivals in the United States, drawing nearly 80,000 music fans each year.[8] The festival has become the primary fundraiser for Wilkes Community College, and has brought national publicity to the college.[9]

Notable Alumni

References

  1. ^ "MerleFest Festival Information". MerleFest Festival Information. MerleFest. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  2. ^ "Wilkes Community College History". Wilkes Community College (WCC). Wilkes Community College (WCC). Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  3. ^ "College Foundation of North Carolina". CFNC. College Foundation of North Carolina. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  4. ^ "Wilkes Community College Accreditations". Wilkes Community College (WCC). Wilkes Community College (WCC). Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  5. ^ "Wilkes Community College History". Wilkes Community College (WCC). Wilkes Community College (WCC). Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "Wilkes Community College History". Wilkes Community College (WCC). Wilkes Community College (WCC). Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  7. ^ "The Wilkes Record". The Wilkes Record. The Wilkes Record. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  8. ^ "MerleFest sees bump in attendance".
  9. ^ "EDC hears statistics on MerleFest".

External links

36°08′33″N 81°10′43″W / 36.1425°N 81.1787°W / 36.1425; -81.1787

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