History of Pitt Community College
In March, 1961, Pitt Community College was chartered and designated by the State Board of Education as an industrial education center. The College began its operation as Pitt Industrial Education Center during the same year. Dr. Lloyd Spaulding served as the director of the center. The programs developed and expanded, and in 1964, the school was designated a technical institute by the State Board of Education. The name was changed in July, 1964, to Pitt Technical Institute, and it opened in its new facility, the Vernon E. White Building, in September, 1964, with nine curricula and 96 students.
Dr. William E. Fulford served as the institution's president from 1964-'84. During those twenty years the institution experienced many changes and much growth.
In 1970, a second building, the Robert Lee Humber Building, was completed, providing an additional 31,458 square feet to serve the citizens of Pitt County.
In 1975, an addition was made to the Vernon White Building, adding a new student lounge with various recreational facilities. This addition also provided facilities for the Business Computer Programming curriculum. In recent years the White Building has become the College’s Administrative Center.
The summer of 1979 brought about two important changes to Pitt Technical Institute. The Kay V. Whichard Building, a 26,000 square foot classroom/shop facility, was completed on campus. Also, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted a bill that changed Pitt Technical Institute to Pitt Community College. The change brought about the addition of the two-year University Transfer programs.
Dr. Charles E. Russell was named President of Pitt Community College in 1984 and served as the College’s third president until 2003.
The Learning Resources Center (LRC), the Clifton W. Everett Building, was opened in 1987. The facility provides approximately 33,000 square feet of space for library, audiovisual, and media production services and for Individualized Instruction Center services.
A vocational education classroom and lab/shop building, the A.B. Whitley Building, was opened in February, 1990. The 32,300 square foot facility provides space for the following programs: Machining Technology, Electronic Servicing, Electronic Engineering Technology, Architectural Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, and Industrial Construction Technology. The Industrial and Construction Technology Division office is located in the Whitley Building. The Planning and Research Department is also located in the building.
The William E. Fulford Building, a 44,500 square foot classroom/lab building, was opened in January 1993. This facility provides space for the following programs: Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting Technology, Associate Degree Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Phlebotomy, Radiation Therapy Technology, Radiography, Cardiovascular/Vascular Interventional Technology, Computed Tomography & Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CT/MRI) Technology, Respiratory Care, Therapeutic Massage, Medical Diagnostic Sonography, Echocardiography, and Nuclear Medicine. The Health Sciences Division office is located in the Fulford Building.
The Welding/Masonry Building, a 10,750 square foot facility, was opened in April, 1993. This building includes the John Roberts Welding Lab.
The G. Henry Leslie Building, the college’s center for Economic and Community Development (Continuing Education), was opened in November 1996. The Leslie Building includes the Burroughs Wellcome Auditorium and the Economic and Community Development Division.
The Edward and Joan Warren Building and the Charles Coburn Center opened in January 2000. This building includes the Admissions Counseling Center, Testing Center, SGA office, Student Activities Director office, and the gymnasium.
The 44,716 sq. ft. Raymond Reddrick Building was completed and opened in the Spring 2004. This building includes general classrooms and offices. The Arts and Sciences Division office and Distance Learning Division office is located in the Reddrick Building.
The JobLink Career Center, a collaborative effort of 12 local agencies which provide job-seeking and training assistance to citizens, and qualified job applicants for employers opened in January 1997. The center assists the college in meeting its objectives for workforce development. The JobLink Career Center is located in the Community Square Shopping Center adjacent to the Pitt Community College campus.
In the Fall of 1997, Pitt Community College, as well as the entire North Carolina Community College system, converted from a quarter system to a semester system. Today, Pitt Community College offers 44 associate degree programs, numerous certificate programs, 22 diploma programs, and 18 University Transfer programs. The College has expanded its instruction to include more than 200 classes via the internet, classes via the NC Information Highway, telecourses, and community-based classes. During Fall semester 2003, 5,848 curriculum students and 4,234 continuing education students were enrolled.
Dr.
Dennis Massey was selected to serve as the college’s fourth
president in May 2003. Dr. Massey began his tenure on August 1, 2003.
He has over 34 years of experience in higher education in Oregon,
Wisconsin, Japan, and Illinois. Prior to joining the PCC Administration
he served as the interim president of McHenry Community College in
Crystal Lakes, Illinois.
