Wilkes Community College
Encyclopedia
Wilkes Community College (WCC), a member of the North Carolina Community College system, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany counties and beyond. The college is located in the city of Wilkesboro, North Carolina
in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains
and the Brushy Mountains
. The college is probably best known as the site of the annual MerleFest
music festival.
(SACS). Like most of North Carolina's community colleges, WCC has an "open-door" admissions policy, which means that any adult with a high-school diploma can be admitted. The college pledges itself to "quality education, training and retraining for the workforce, including basic skills education, occupational, technical and pre-baccalaureate programs." In addition to offering associate's degrees in the technical, business and medical fields, the college also offers a university-parallel college transfer program, which provides the first two years of courses towards a bachelor's degree
. Students who complete this program can transfer to a four-year college or university. The current president of Wilkes Community College is Dr. Gordon Burns; in 2006 the North Carolina Community College System presented him with its annual "President of the Year" award.
Lowes Hall, the newest building on the campus opened in spring 2007 and is four stories. A gym renovation and new fitness room is under construction in Randolph Hall and is planned to open in late 2011. And, a capital campaign is underway to build an Automotive Technology Complex.
, 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 festival in the United States, drawing nearly 80,000 music fans each year. The festival, the primary fundraiser for Wilkes Community College, has brought national publicity to the college. As of 2011, MerleFest has raised $9 million for WCC.
Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Wilkesboro is a town in and the county seat of Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,159 at the 2000 census, and it is the second largest municipality in the county. The 2010 Census listed the town's population at 3,044. The town is located along the south bank of the...
in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
and the Brushy Mountains
Brushy Mountains (North Carolina)
The Brushy Mountains are a mountain range located in northwestern North Carolina. They are an isolated "spur" of the much larger Blue Ridge Mountains, separated from them by the Yadkin River valley...
. The college is probably best known as the site of the annual MerleFest
MerleFest
MerleFest is an annual "traditional plus" music festival held in Wilkesboro, North Carolina on the campus of Wilkes Community College . The festival, which is held the last weekend in April, is hosted by Grammy Award winner Doc Watson and is named in memory and honor of his son, Eddy Merle Watson,...
music festival.
History
Wilkes Community College was founded in October 1964 by the North Carolina Board of Education. The first 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.The College Today
Wilkes Community College currently has a 151.7 acre (0.613908662 km²) campus and 14 buildings in Wilkesboro, N.C. The student enrollment is typically around 3,500 students for curriculum, 8,900 for continuing education, and 1,600 for basic skills. The college also has campuses in nearby Ashe and Alleghany counties. WCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and SchoolsSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
(SACS). Like most of North Carolina's community colleges, WCC has an "open-door" admissions policy, which means that any adult with a high-school diploma can be admitted. The college pledges itself to "quality education, training and retraining for the workforce, including basic skills education, occupational, technical and pre-baccalaureate programs." In addition to offering associate's degrees in the technical, business and medical fields, the college also offers a university-parallel college transfer program, which provides the first two years of courses towards a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
. Students who complete this program can transfer to a four-year college or university. The current president of Wilkes Community College is Dr. Gordon Burns; in 2006 the North Carolina Community College System presented him with its annual "President of the Year" award.
Lowes Hall, the newest building on the campus opened in spring 2007 and is four stories. A gym renovation and new fitness room is under construction in Randolph Hall and is planned to open in late 2011. And, a capital campaign is underway to build an Automotive Technology Complex.
MerleFest
In 1988 legendary, Grammy-winning guitarist Doc WatsonDoc Watson
Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson is an American guitar player, songwriter and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues and gospel music. He has won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Watson's flatpicking skills and knowledge of traditional American music are highly regarded...
, WCC horticulture instructor B Townes, and local businessman and musician Bill Young started the MerleFest
MerleFest
MerleFest is an annual "traditional plus" music festival held in Wilkesboro, North Carolina on the campus of Wilkes Community College . The festival, which is held the last weekend in April, is hosted by Grammy Award winner Doc Watson and is named in memory and honor of his son, Eddy Merle Watson,...
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 festival in the United States, drawing nearly 80,000 music fans each year. The festival, the primary fundraiser for Wilkes Community College, has brought national publicity to the college. As of 2011, MerleFest has raised $9 million for WCC.