Dr. Thurman Brock was a part of Craven Community College's story from the very beginning. His first day on the job was Aug. 15, 1961 as the inaugural Director of Vocational Education for Craven County Schools. He went on to become the College's first president, serving April 23, 1968–December 31, 1989.
To help preserve his institutional knowledge from those early years, Dr. Brock wrote an 18-part history of the College in 1984-85 for the school newspaper, "The Panther."
There were a number of personnel changes within the staff of Craven Technical Institute beginning July 1,1970. These changes were approved by the Board of Trustees in their regular summer quarter meeting held at the Bern Restaurant July 14, 1970.
Dr. Norris Bell was employed as Dean of Instructions and Robert McClanahan was employed as Dean of Students. Changes in assignment for existing personnel were Mr. James “Jim” Wrenn from Dean of Students to Business Manager and Dr. Steve Redd from Dean of Occupational Education to Dean of Education. Robert Brock was given a one-year leave of absence as math instructor to complete his doctorate degree at North Carolina State University. He has been employed at Edgecombe College since he has completed his degree at N.C. State.
Mr. John Peterson, College architect, reported that construction on the new campus was about 46 percent completed as of July 14, 1970.
Fall quarter enrollment for the 1970-71 academic year was 358 students compared to 290 the previous year, for an increase of 68 students. Of this number, 71 were graduates of New Bern High School, 37 from J.T. Barber High School, 14 from Farm Life High School, 11 each from Jones and Pamlico county high schools, four from Havelock and Jasper high schools. The remaining students were from other high schools, mostly in the greater Eastern North Carolina area. In addition, there were 976 students enrolled in various continuing education classes during fall quarter 1970-71.
One function of the Continuing Education Division was assisting the New Bern Civic Theater in securing New High School auditorium for use by the theater group. Also, two lectures from The Great Decision Series were held at the New Bern-Craven County Library during the month of March 1970, Craven Technical Institute were host to a fisheries Seminar held at the Bern Restaurant. Eleven community college institutions were represented.
In January 1971, the Board of Trustees approved request to borrow $35,000 in equipment funds from Isothermal Community College. These funds were needed to better equip the new facilities under construction on Racetrack Road. The arrangement was approved by Dr. Ben Fountain, who was state President of the Department of Community Colleges at this time. Also at this meeting, the architect reported that the new facilities were 82 percent completed and the institution was to move from the Tryon Palace. Drive location to the new campus in April 1971.
Also at the January Board meeting a motion was made by Dr. Charles Barker, second by Mr. Albert Salem, to add the college transfer program to the technical institute program. This would change the name of the College to Craven Community College. The Trustees approved the motion unanimously, but it was not until July 1, 1973, that Craven Community College became a reality.
This was the last year that the institution was to operate in temporary facilities, although the College continues to utilize rental facilities for various programs. However, the main campus was to become a reality, even though a lack of adequate building space continues today.
In April 1971, the employees of Craven Technical Institute and a number of students made the physical move from the Tryon Palace Drive location to new campus on Racetrack Road. Mr. Wrenn had borrowed a couple of trucks from the Craven County Schools and it took the greater part of three days to make the move.
We were also using classroom space at First Baptist Church on Middle Street for college transfer classes being taught by contract with East Carolina University. This contract program was the starting point for adding our own college transfer program beginning on July 1,1973. During the 1970-71 year, we had two local students by the name of David McFadyen and Tyler Harris enrolled in the co-op program with ECU. Both graduated from East Carolina, and Mr. McFadyen continued his education further in law school. We will know them locally: Mr. Harris is Craven County Manager and the Honorable Mr. McFadyen is our local district attorney.
During this period of time, Robert W. Scott was our Governor; Dr. Ben Fountain was President of the Department of Community Colleges; Dr. Dallas Herring was Chairman of the State Board of Craven Technical Institute Board of Trustees. It was great year with the institution ending the fiscal year on its new campus.