Wilkes Community College

Wilkes Community College

Type	Publiccommunity college
Established	1964
Parent institution	North Carolina Community College System
President	Morgan Francis (Interim)
Students	2,558 (April 2024)
Location	Wilkesboro , North Carolina , United States
Campus	Urban
Colors	Blue and green
Nickname	WCC
Mascot	Cougar
Website	www.wilkescc.edu

Wilkes Community College(WCC) is apubliccommunity collegeinWilkesboro, North Carolina. It is part of theNorth Carolina Community College Systemand servesnorthwest North Carolina, inAlleghany,Ashe, andWilkescounties. The college is best known as the site of the annualMerleFestmusic festival.^[1]

The main campus located in Wilkes County is 152acresand comprises 18 buildings.^[2]As of April 2024, there were 2,558 students enrolled.^[3]Wilkes Community College also has smallersatellite campusesin neighboring Alleghany and Ashe counties. WCC isaccreditedby theSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools.^[4]

In 1963, theNorth Carolina General Assemblypassed the Community College Act, creating a system of comprehensive community colleges andtechnical institutes. In September 1964, Wilkes County citizens approved the establishment of a community college through a bond vote to allow for the construction of facilities and a tax authorization for the operation of the college. Wilkes Community College was founded in October 1964 by theNorth Carolina Board of Education.^[5]The firstBoard of Trusteeswas sworn into office on January 15, 1965, and classes were first held in August 1965. The student enrollment for the college's first year was 68. The college's campus originally covered 75 acres and included three buildings; Thompson, Hayes, and Lovette halls.

The first president of WCC was Dr. Howard Thompson, who served from March 5, 1965, to June 30, 1977. He was followed by Dr. David E. Daniel, July 1, 1977 to April 2, 1989; Dr. H. Edwin Beam, interim president, April 3, 1989 to July 16, 1989; Dr. James R. Randolph, July 17, 1989 to July 7, 1995; Dr. Swanson Richards, interim president, July 8, 1995 to February 29, 1996; Dr. Gordon G. Burns, Jr., March 3, 1996 to June 1, 2014; Morgan Francis, interim president, June 2, 2014 to June 30, 2014; and Dr. Jeffrey Alan Cox, July 1, 2014 to June 1, 2023.^[6]

Morgan Francis is the current interim president of WCC, serving since June 1, 2023. Francis previously held the position in June 2014. His successor, Dr. Michael Rodgers, is expected to assume his duties on June 1, 2024.^[7]

In 1988,Grammy-winningguitaristDoc Watson, WCC horticulture instructor B. Townes, and local businessman and musician Bill Young started theMerleFestmusic festival on the campus of Wilkes Community College. Named in honor of Doc's late sonMerle Watson, MerleFest has grown into one of the largest bluegrass and folk music festivals in the United States, drawing nearly 80,000 music fans each year.^[8]The festival has become the primary fundraiser for Wilkes Community College, and has brought national publicity to the college.^[9]

• Zach Galifianakis, actor and comedian
• Eddie Settle, member of theNorth Carolina State Senate

• Official website

36°08′33″N81°10′43″W / 36.1425°N 81.1787°W /36.1425; -81.1787