Martin Community College

The N. C. General Assembly initially authorized Martin Community College as Martin Technical Institute during the 1967 session. Exercising authority given by state lawmakers, the State Board of Education contracted with the Martin County Board of Education to establish a unit of the N.C. Community College System. This action was fi nalized on September 7, 1967. Martin County Commissioners and the local Board of Education then appointed an eight-member board of trustees for the college. The trustees selected and appointed the college’s fi rst president with approval coming from the State Board of Education. An administrative staff was appointed, and extension courses were initiated during the 1968 summer quarter. That same year, vocational and technical curriculum programs were started during the fall quarter. Administrative headquarters and classrooms were temporarily located in Everetts in an old public school building remodeled for that purpose. In June 1969, a favorable county-wide vote enabled the institute to apply for independent status. The change was completed a month later on July 21, and the original contract with the county Board of Education terminated. Local and federal funds were secured to construct new facilities on a 65-acre tract just west of Williamston. The facilities were to be completed April 1, 1971. The college moved into its new home the week of May 24, 1971, and an open house and graduation exercises were held just days later on Sunday, May 30. A bond election was held November 7, 1972, and a million dollars of matching funds for construction was approved.