History of McDowell Technical Community College
McDowell Technical Community College has for over 50 years serviced the academic needs of the McDowell County community. Our history spans the turning of the century, and the growth of the college mirrors the growth of population in McDowell County, which has increased by over 60% since the college first began.
Our timeline begins at the conception of the Marion-McDowell Industrial Education Center (M-MIEC) in 1064, but we encourage you to look through this fascinating collection of newspaper clippings from the 1950s and 60s, when the idea of a technical college in McDowell County was first being discussed. You can view the full archive at DigitalNC.org courtesy of the McDowell county Public Library. Click here to see the entire online collection.
Image extract courtesy of McDowell County Public Library via DigitalNC.
1964
Founding of the Marion-McDowell Industrial Education Center
McDowell Technical Community College was established as the Marion-McDowell Industrial Education Center, located in downtown Marion, N.C. near the corner of State Street and South Garden Street. M-MIEC operated as a satellite unit of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Institute until September, 1967.
1967
Independence & Recognition
M-MIEC became an independent unit of the Department of Community Colleges. The first Board of Trustees was sworn in, giving more local autonomy.
1970
Campus Move
The school moved to permanent facilities on a 31-acre site at the intersection of Interstate 40 and Highway 226 in Marion. This site still remains as the main campus to this day.
1971
McDowell Technical Institute is Chartered
The N.C. General Assembly made it possible for the school to become an independent institution. The College was officially chartered as McDowell Technical Institute.
1975
MTI Expands
A new building expansion program was completed, adding 39,322 square feet to the existing campus. Expansion included a new Auto Mechanics shop, 500-seat Amphitheatre, Learning Resource Center, Teaching Auditorium (seating 220), permanent administrative offices, classrooms and an expanded Student Commons area.
1977
MTCC Foundation Formed
McDowell Technical Institute Foundation, Inc. was created to enrich resource development and enhance the quality of college life by procurement of gifts from the private sector. Are you an alumni of McDowell Tech? We'd love to hear from you! Call Madalyn Gaitoo on 828 652 0630.
1977
MTCC Foundation Formed
McDowell Technical Institute Foundation, Inc. was created to enrich resource development and enhance the quality of college life by procurement of gifts from the private sector. Are you an alumni of McDowell Tech? We'd love to hear from you! Call Madalyn Gaitoo on 828 652 0630.
1979
McDowell Technical College
The N.C. General Assembly enacted a bill to change the school’s name to McDowell Technical College.
1984
Major Bond Campaign creates new facilities
Robert M. Boggs succeeded John A. Price as President, becoming the College’s second Chief Administrator. The College undertook a major bond campaign, which resulted in $2,400,000 for the addition of new facilities.
1987
Industrial Skills Center Completed
Construction was completed on the Industrial Skills Center, a 32,000 square foot class/lab facility, housing special industrial skills training facilities and class/lab areas for technical and vocational programs. The Day Care/Classroom building was completed, housing a day care area for children of MTCC students, Continuing Education classrooms/offices, an auditorium and faculty offices. The new facility added 11,200-square feet to existing campus facilities.
1988
McDowell Technical Community College
McDowell Technical College changed its name to McDowell Technical Community College to more accurately reflect the comprehensive educational opportunities available to the citizens of McDowell County. The MTCC Small Business Center was funded and established to provide educational opportunities and financial assistance to small businesses in the county.
1989
MTCC Career Center opens
The MTCC Career Center was established, providing students with information and help in choosing careers. The MTCC Downtown Center, located in downtown Marion at the original site of the Marion-McDowell Industrial Education Center, was established to offer Continuing Education classes.
1990
Foothills Nursing Consortium begins
MTCC, in conjunction with Isothermal and Cleveland Community Colleges, established the Foothills Nursing Consortium to begin offering an Associate Degree in Nursing Program in 1991.
1996
MTCC leads the way with the Information Highway Room
MTCC’s North Carolina Information Highway Room was certified and became operational, offering conferences and classes via live interactive video and sound.
1997
MTCC expands further
The MTCC Downtown Center moved to its new location at 35 South Main Street in Marion, where the McDowell County Schools Accelerated Learning Center and the McDowell County JobLink Career Center were also located. Construction was completed on a new 19,950 square foot classroom building, the Library was renovated and a new handicapped lift was installed in the Administrative Building. 1,000 square foot was added to the college bookstore.
1999
Dr. Boggs Retires
Dr. Robert Boggs retired after 15 years of service to the College. Dr. H. Edwin Beam became Interim President and the Board of Trustees began the search for a new President. Today, McDowell Technical Community College offers Associate Degrees, Diplomas, and/or Certificates in more than 30 curriculum programs. The College also offers classes in many areas of Continuing Education. MTCC currently serves more than 6,800 students per year with some type of education and training.
2000
Dr. Virginia R. Mitchell
Dr. Virginia R. Mitchell became third president of the College. Instructor Jan Alms designed the first College Seal, which was incorporated into the College’s Presidential Medallion, vested upon Dr. Mitchell during inaugural ceremonies in May.
2004
Dr. Bryan W. Wilson
Dr. Bryan W. Wilson succeeded Dr. Virginia R. Mitchell as president of the College after she retired in December 2003.
2005
Ford Miller Complex
Mr. Ford Miller, local businessman, made the largest private donation the college had ever received when he gave MTCC the former Marion Mills Office Building on Baldwin Avenue. Trustees named the building The Ford Miller Employment and Training Complex. Plans were begun to convert the building to a combination office and classroom building to house MTCC staff and students, the McDowell County JobLink Career Center and associated partners, and the McDowell County Employment Security Commission. The Ford Miller Employment and Training Center was completed and began operations in late September of this 2009.
2008
W. Harold Smith Building & Trust
The W. Harold Smith Building was completed and named for Harold Smith, a local businessman who left his estate to further educational opportunities for young adults from McDowell County. A trust established in his name has donated over $825,000 to the college during the last decade, including well in excess of $100,000 for this building. Scholarships from this trust have also benefitted individual students attending curriculum classes at the college.
2010
Academic resource Center (ARC) opens
The Academic Resource Center (ARC) 11 opened on the upper level of the Library adjacent to the Student Enrichment Center to offer students tutoring, computer access, instructional support, test proctoring and a variety of other academic resources. Printers and study tables are also available.
2014
Universal Advanced Manufacturing Center (UAMC)
Dr. Bryan W. Wilson, President, and the Board of Trustees, in conjunction with the McDowell County Board of Commissioners, dedicated the Universal Advanced Manufacturing Center (UAMC), providing new and enlarged classrooms and shop areas for Machining, Electrical/Electronics, Welding, Industry Training and related programs.
2016
Dr. John Gossett becomes President
Dr. John Gossett, who had been serving as the college’s Vice-President for Learning and Student Services, was appointed President in May and assumed his new duties on August 1.
2017
50thAnniversary Celebrations
Throughout the 2017-2018 academic year, the College celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its establishment as an independent institution of what is now known as the North Carolina Community College System. A special celebration was held in conjunction with the SGA’s Fall Festival in October and included the opening of a historical photo exhibit in the main administration building.
2020
Dr. Gossett resigns
Dr. John Gossett resigned when he was named the new President of AB-Tech in Asheville, NC. Mr. Ryan Garrison, VicePresident for Finance and Administration at McDowell Tech was named MTCC’s Interim President.
2021
Dr. Brian S. Merritt takes charge
In January, 2021, Dr. Brian S. Merritt became the sixth president of McDowell Technical Community College.
2023
Dr. Brian S. Merritt takes position in Raleigh
Dr. Brian S. Merritt resigned in August to become Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at the North Carolina Community College System in Raleigh. Ryan Garrison, Senior Vice-President for Finance and Administration, was named Interim President.
2024
Dr. James "JW" Kelley becomes President, MTCC Stands "Tech Tough" against Helene
In July, the college welcomed Dr. James (J.W.) Kelley of Wendell as the college’s seventh president. Kelley had previously served as associate vice president for student services at the North Carolina Community College System Office in Raleigh.
In September, parts of McDowell County experienced significant storm-related damage from Hurricane Helene and the college closed for several days. During the aftermath the college was a beacon of help for the community, with faculty and staff being deeply involved with caring for those in the devastated areas. The School became a temporary hub for local state and federal relief efforts, and offered a safe place fo rthose without power to communicate.
A ribbon-cutting for the college’s new Workforce Education Center in Old Fort, originally scheduled for early October, was postponed due to significant damage and destruction in Old Fort.
2025
Old Fort Workforce Education Center opens
In late January, a ribbon cutting was held for McDowell Tech’s new Workforce Education Center in Old Fort after a delay of almost four months due to damage from Hurricane Helene.