Looking Back: 2010-2025

College employees on basketball court with Knight the Panther mascot in 2010s

Looking Back: 2010-2025

2011

Mark Best is named the NC Community College System Staff Person of the Year.

The Craven CC Foundation’s inaugural Community Fabric Awards event is held in April.

Panthers baseball players pose with old Knight the panther in 2010

 

Dr. Brock points to Harvey Mansion painting in board room in 2011
Hazmat students in 2011
Craven sign around 2015
Dr. Catherine Chew speaking with stakeholders by branded helicopter on Havelock campus in 2010s

2012

The first cohort of Mechanical Engineering Systems students in the NC State Engineering – Havelock program graduate in May.

A unique partnership between Craven CC and NC State University allows students to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering without leaving the Havelock campus. Students also have the option to transfer to NC State after completing the first two years.

 

Encore! singing ambassadors group in 2010s
IT instructor and students in 2010s
Dr. Catherine Chew with Knight the Panther mascot and students in 2010s
Cosmetology student puts rollers in mannequin's hair in 2010s

2013

Students in Craven’s first Barbering Concepts program graduate.

Female barbering student sets up her gear
Instructor and students working on aircraft in 2010s
Former library director Cathy Campbell and Knight the Panther in 2010s
Student Bryan Mayer singing with guitar in 2010s

2015

The College celebrates its 50th anniversary on July 1 with the theme, “The Beat Goes On.”

Dr. Ray Staats becomes the College’s fifth president on July 20.

Craven employees celebrate Community Day in 2015
Craven CC President Dr. Ray Staats and mascot Knight the Panther
Three male students playing guitars in the courtyard in 2010s
Knight the Panther and students in First Stop in 2010s

2017

The renovated Godwin Memorial Library & Testing Center opens on the second floor of Barker Hall on the New Bern campus.

Veterans Memorial Park is dedicated on the Havelock campus on Nov. 9.

flags outside the Havelock campus
Barbering instructor and students in 2010s
students sitting around outside fountain
Students sitting in Havelock STEM Center in 2020

2018

Hurricane Florence makes landfall Sept. 14, causing catastrophic damage throughout the region. The College is closed for three weeks as students, faculty, staff, and the community begin recovery efforts.

Craven CC student and Phi Theta Kappa member Paige Fike sets out donations for the food pantry and supply closet as part of a college-wide effort to assist Craven CC faculty, staff and students affected by Hurricane Florence.

2019

The renovated Student Services “First Stop” opens in Barker Hall in March.

The Volt Center, Craven’s first campus dedicated to workforce development training, opens its first building in May, and the first classes begin.

Exterior of Volt Center main building
Students playing video games during PantherFest 2017
Male student walking into Volt Center door in 2019
Students at booths during PantherFest 2018

2020

The STEM Center is dedicated as the fourth building on the Havelock campus in January.

Craven CC closes for two weeks beginning March 14 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Curriculum courses transition to online classes for the rest of the semester.

The College conducts the 2020 and 2021 Commencement exercises as “drive-through” events during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Small Business Center relocates from the New Bern campus to the Volt Center.

Exterior of the STEM Center on the Havelock campus

 

Female graduate participates in drive-thru graduation in 2020
Female graduate participates in drive-thru graduation in 2021
exterior NB campus sign
Advisor Bill Bondurant meets with a student while all wearing masks

2021

The College opens the Diesel Garage and Law Enforcement Simulator buildings at the Volt Center.

Diesel systems student works on parts in diesel garage

2022

Greg Singleton, director of community workforce development, is named the NC Community College System Staff Person of the Year.

Craven’s Associate Degree in Nursing and Practical Nursing programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing, Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation.

The Volt Center Kitchen opens in August.

Nursing students in 2010s

 

ADN graduates in 2015

2023

The Student Center is dedicated in February as “Ward Hall” in honor of David L. Ward, Jr.’s 52 years of service as the College’s first General Counsel.

The Craven County Commission and the College sign 40-year lease of 30 acres at the Craven Industrial Park for a new Public Safety Training Center campus.

The NC General Assembly’s biennial budget includes a $12 million special allocation to fund initial construction. The Associate Degree in Nursing program admits the first spring cohort, doubling the program’s student capacity.

David L. Ward, Jr. is honored with an unveiling of the new signage for Ward Hall during a dedication ceremony on Feb. 21. The longtime Craven CC supporter served as the college's general counsel for over 51 years. Pictured L-R: Craven CC Trustee Bill Taylor, Trustee Chair Whit Whitley, past Trustee Carol Mattocks, Craven CC President Dr. Ray Staats, David Ward, past Craven CC President Scott Ralls, and Trustee Kevin Roberts.

 

Pictured L-R: Senator Jim Perry, Craven CC President Dr. Ray Staats, State Representative Celeste Cairns, and State Representative Steve Tyson.

2024

The Business & Information Technology building is dedicated as “Bate Hall” on Feb. 20 in honor of the Harold H. Bate Foundation’s generosity over the past 30 years.

The Small Business Center Generator and Heavy Equipment Operations buildings open at the Volt Center.

The NC State Engineering – Havelock program enrolls the first cohort of Electrical Engineering Systems students for the fall semester.

Blaze the Panther mascot holds a bow and plunger arrow during PantherFest in 2023
Dr. Ray Staats finds out the new mascot's name with Blaze the Panther in 2023
NC State Engineering student and faculty member in 2024

2025

The College’s 60th Anniversary “Deep Roots, Strong Future” celebration will culminate on July 1.

Three employees stand in front of banners of Craven's history

Check out other periods of Craven CC history

Craven CC 60th anniversary logo

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