History
In July 1971, State Senator Frank. H. Patterson and House Representative Richard Lane Brown, III, guided legislation through the North Carolina General Assembly to create Stanly Technical Institute. Now, more than 50 years later, Stanly Community College (SCC) sits on a beautiful multi-acre campus that includes impressive, state-of-the art facilities. In 2003, SCC expanded its campus with the construction of the Crutchfield Education Center, a 33,000 square-foot facility home to Allied Health programs and the highly-recognized Carolina Auction Academy.
When SCC first opened its doors, Dr. Charles H. Byrd was president. During his 18-year tenure, SCC offered 24 technical, six vocational, two certificates and one general education program. During this time, the college also began its first full-time evening program designed to help working students continue their education.
1970's
| 1971 |
Board of Trustees appointed on September 27th; Annie Ruth Kelley elected as chair, becoming the first woman to chair a North Carolina community college board. Officially opened on December 1st when Stanly Adult Education Center became Stanly Technical Institute. |
| 1972 |
Fall classes begin in eight degree areas with eight full-time faculty. |
| 1973 |
Student Government Association (SGA) organized in February. 50 acres purchased in the spring for new Albemarle campus. |
| 1974 |
Official groundbreaking for the Albemarle campus along College Drive held in September. Phi Beta Lamda chapter chartered in November as the first student organization. First formal graduation ceremony, honoring 55 graduates held in December. |
| 1975 |
Classes held on College Drive campus beginning in November. |
| 1978 |
College Foundation was established, with E.J. Snyder, Jr. as Board of Directors Chair. |
| 1979 |
Institution's name changed from Stanly Technical Institute to Stanly Technical College
in June. |
1980's
| 1981 | Kelley Building opened. |
| 1986 | First Associate Degree Nursing class. |
| 1987 | Eddins Building opened. |
| 1989 | Dr. Jan Crawford became President. |
1990's
| 1990 | Stanly Technical College became Stanly Community College. |
| 1996 | Dr. Michael Taylor became President in July. |
| 1997 | Snyder Building opened in March. |
| 1999 | Whitley Technology Building opened in May. |
| 1999 | First online courses offered in the fall. |
2000's
| 2003 | Crutchfield Education Center in Locust opened in September. |
| 2006 | Stanly Early College opened with 46 ninth graders. |
2010's
| 2011 | Brenda Kays began as President in August. |
| 2016 | Dr. John Enamait named as fifth college president in August. |
| 2018 | Morton-Moffitt Cosmetology Center opens. |
In May 2022 Richard Lane Brown, III, passed away. It was his vision, and that of Frank Patterson, who turned the dream of Stanly Community College into a reality. In his last remarks about SCC he said:
“SCC has turned into one of the finest institutions in the North Carolina Community College System. Fifty years from now, at the centennial of Stanly Community College, another generation will have taken the reins and there will be a different board of trustees, but the mission for this College will remain unchanged from its original mandate. With continued state and local support, I foresee another half-century of measured steady program.”