History of North Carolina State University facts for kids
North Carolina State University (often called NC State) started way back in 1887. It was created by the North Carolina General Assembly as a special kind of college called a land-grant college. Its first name was North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.
Being a land-grant college meant NC State would teach practical skills like farming (agriculture) and engineering (mechanical arts), along with military training. But it also offered a good general education. Since it began, the university has kept these goals, always growing and adding more.
NC State opened its doors in 1889. Over the years, the number of students changed, and the college grew in what it offered. During the Great Depression, a tough economic time, the government brought NC State together with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Woman's College at Greensboro. This group later became the larger University of North Carolina system in 1971. After World War II, the university has continued to get bigger and change.
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How NC State Began: 1862–1889
Even though NC State officially started in 1887, its story really begins in 1862. That's when President Abraham Lincoln signed a law called the federal Morrill Land-Grant Act. This law set aside money to create colleges that would teach both general knowledge and practical skills. These colleges would focus on military training, farming, and mechanical arts (like engineering).
For a while, North Carolina's share of this money went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. But by the mid-1880s, farmers and business leaders in the state felt that Chapel Hill wasn't teaching enough practical skills. They wanted a college that focused more on agriculture and engineering.
So, on March 7, 1887, the North Carolina General Assembly decided to create the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. They gave money for the new college and also transferred the land-grant funds to it. A man named R. Stanhope Pullen even donated land in Raleigh for the new college. The main building, now called Holladay Hall, had its first stone laid in 1888. The college officially opened on October 3, 1889. That first year, 71 students enrolled.
Early Years and Growth: 1889–1945
Between 1889 and the end of World War I, the college grew and expanded its mission. Working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, NC State helped create the Boys' and Girls' Clubs in 1909. These clubs later became 4-H in 1926.
In 1914, a law called the Smith-Lever Act allowed the university to start extension programs. These programs helped share the university's knowledge directly with people across North Carolina, not just students on campus. By 1918, the college had over 700 students and a new name: North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering.
In the 1920s, the college organized its different study areas into "schools," like the School of Agriculture. By 1920, enrollment reached 1,000 students, and by 1929, it doubled to 2,000. In 1927, the first women graduated from the college.
The Great Depression in the 1930s caused problems for State College, as fewer students could afford to attend. To save money and make things more efficient, the state of North Carolina combined several universities in 1931. This group included the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Woman's College in Greensboro, and State College. This also meant another name change for NC State: North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering of the University of North Carolina. This combined system lasted until 1972, when it became the larger University of North Carolina system we know today.
By 1937, student numbers bounced back to over 2,000. However, World War II caused enrollment to drop again, falling below 1,000 students.
Big Changes and Modern Times: 1945–Present
After World War II, NC State grew very quickly. Many soldiers returning from the war could go to college thanks to the G.I. Bill. By 1947, there were over 5,000 students, and the college built many new buildings to fit everyone. The 1950s also saw the first African-Americans admitted to the college.
In 1962, leaders wanted to change the college's name to North Carolina State University. But the governor and other officials suggested University of North Carolina at Raleigh to match other schools. Students, teachers, and alumni strongly disagreed. They felt this name would make NC State seem like just a branch of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The name University of North Carolina at Raleigh was never used. Instead, in 1963, the name became North Carolina State of the University of North Carolina at Raleigh. People still weren't happy, and protests continued. Finally, in 1965, the university got its current name: North Carolina State University at Raleigh. However, most people, and even official university documents like diplomas, usually just say "North Carolina State University" or "NC State University."
In 1966, the number of students reached 10,000 in a single year. By the 1970s, enrollment went over 19,000, and a new School of Humanities and Social Sciences was added.
NC State celebrated its 100th birthday in 1987. Around this time, all its "schools" were renamed "colleges" (for example, the School of Engineering became the College of Engineering). Also in 1987, the university gained about 700 acres (2.8 km2) of land that would become the Centennial Campus.
Over the next 15 years, NC State focused on building up its new Centennial Campus. More than $620 million was spent on new buildings and roads, creating over 2,700,000 square feet (250,000 m2) of space. Many private companies and government groups also have offices there, working with the university.
Today, NC State is a very large university. It has over 8,000 employees and more than 34,000 students. Its yearly budget is over $1.2 billion. NC State is also known as one of the three main universities in North Carolina's Research Triangle, along with Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Leaders of NC State
Over the years, NC State has had different leaders, first called Presidents and then Chancellors.
Presidents
- Alexander Q. Holladay, 1889-1899
- George T. Winston, 1899-1908
- Daniel H. Hill, Jr., 1908-1916
- W. C. Riddick, 1916-1923
- Eugene C. Brooks, 1923-1934
Chancellors
- John W. Harrelson, 1934-1953 (started as 'Dean of Administration')
- Carey Hoyt Bostian, 1953-1959
- John Tyler Caldwell, 1959-1975
- Jackson A. Rigney, 1975 (Interim)
- Joab Thomas, 1975-1981
- Nash Winstead, 1981-1982 (Interim)
- Bruce Poulton, 1982-1989
- Larry K. Monteith, 1989-1998
- Marye Anne Fox, 1998-2004
- Robert A. Barnhardt, 2004 (Interim)
- James L. Oblinger, 2005-2009
- Jim Woodward, 2009-2010 (Interim)
- Randy Woodson, 2010–Present
Student Numbers Through the Years
NC State has grown a lot since it started. Here are some key moments in its student enrollment:
- In its first year (1889-1890), there were 71 students.
- By 1918-1919, enrollment reached over 1,000 students.
- In 1929, before the Great Depression, there were 1,856 students.
- After World War II, in 1947, enrollment jumped to 5,334 students.
- In 1966, the number of students went over 10,000.
- By 1974, there were over 15,000 students.
- In 1980, enrollment passed 21,000.
- By 2005, there were over 30,000 students.
- In 2018, NC State had its highest number of students ever, with 35,479.
You can learn more about NC State's history on the Historical State website, maintained by the NCSU Libraries.
Images for kids
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North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts with president Alexander Q. Holladay, faculty, and first freshman class posing in front of the college's main building (later named Holladay Hall). Date: 1890
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First freshman class at North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1889.
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The strutting wolf ("Tuffy") logo, designed by a student in the early 1970s and modernized in 2006, is widely recognized as a symbol of NC State.
