College celebrates 30 years in Alleghany

Wilkes Community College and Alleghany County celebrate a double anniversary this year. Wilkes Community College marks 40 years since its inception and Alleghany marks 30 years since the college began a permanent presence in this county. Alleghany Campus coordinator, Jayne Phipps Boger, invites residents and former teachers and students to the college at 115 Atwood Street Thursday, Dec. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. as it hosts Chamber Business After Hours as part of their anniversary celebration.

Everyone is invited to tour its new campus in the renovated former home of Troutman Shirt/Basset-Walker manufacturing. It shares space with the Blue Ridge Business Development Center and JobLink. The college has 16 classrooms, offices for staff and a solarium that provides space for eating and informal gatherings.

“We want to celebrate our progress and hope that old friends will make a special effort to attend,” Boger said. Light refreshments will be served.

From humble beginnings, the college has grown significantly. Establishment of Wilkes Community College was approved in 1964 and Dr. Howard Thompson was hired as its first president. Stokes Pearson was one of the first college employees. After 20 years, he retired from full-time work as dean of continuing education. He spent another 18 years as a part-time teacher before his final retirement last May. “In 1965, Dr. Thompson and a skeleton crew were located over the Northwestern Bank building,” Pearson recalled. The first students came in 1966 and they were taught in churches and whatever vacant buildings could be found. Pearson said at one time they had students in 22 different locations throughout Wilkes County.

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News! Back