Gaston College

Motto "Opportunities for Life."
Type Community College
Established 1963
President Dr. Patricia Skinner
Location Dallas (Main Campus), Lincolnton, and Belmont, North Carolina, USA
Campus Suburban
Accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Colors Green and White
Website www.gaston.edu

Gaston College is a comprehensive community college located in Dallas, North Carolina.

Serving Gaston County and Lincoln County, Gaston College enrolls over 5,000 students each term in curriculum programs and about 16,000 students in continuing education programs. As part of the statewide North Carolina Community College System, Gaston College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate Degrees.[1]

History

Gaston College was granted a charter by the State of North Carolina in 1963 and began its first classes in temporary headquarters in September 1964. The college moved to its permanent campus on Highway 321 between Dallas and Gastonia two months later. The college opened with a single campus and has since expanded to three campuses serving approximately 30,000 students each year through over 100 programs leading to degrees, diplomas and certificates.

Gaston College is an open-door public community college, located in Gaston and Lincoln counties, that promotes student success and lifelong learning through high caliber, affordable, and comprehensive educational programs and services responding to economic and workforce development needs. Courses are offered in four curriculum areas: Arts & Sciences; Health Education; Business & Information Technology; and Engineering & Industrial Technology. It also offers Economic & Workforce Development services in six areas: Corporate Education; BioEd Center; Small Business Center; Life Skills; Community Education; and Public Safety. It is the 9th largest of 58 institutions in the North Carolina Community College System and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

More information on the history of Gaston College can be found in "BUILDING A FUTURE FROM THE PAST: THE HISTORY OF GASTON COLLEGE 1964-1999," a commemorative book written in celebration of college's 35th Anniversary. Copies of this book are available in the reference section at all three campus libraries.

Campus locations

Gaston College has three campuses and one regional training center:

Twelve buildings comprise the Dallas Campus and contain approximately 450,868 square feet (41,887.0 m2). There is an efficient road system and parking for more than 2,000 cars. College facilities are available for public use. Gaston College is a commuter institution and does not have dormitories or housing for rent.

The Lincoln Center of Gaston College was opened in August 1969. In 1987, it was relocated to the Lincoln County School of Technology in Lincolnton. The former Lincolnton High School was renovated by Gaston College to become the current Lincoln County Location. Classes were first held at Lincoln Campus in Spring 1999. The second Lincoln Campus building, Cochrane Science and Technology Building, was completed in January 2009. The lower level expansion was completed fall of 2011. The school of cosmetology became operational January 2012.

The North Carolina Vocational Textile School was approved in 1941 and began operation in 1943 in Belmont. It was later renamed the North Carolina Center for Applied Textile Technology. In 2005, the center was transferred to Gaston College and became the East Campus and Textile Technology Center. The Textile Technology Center offers new and sample product development, product testing, training, and consulting for the textile industry. Currently numerous continuing education and a few curriculum classes are offered on the campus.

The Regional Emergency Services Training Center is a five-story training facility used by fire, police, and emergency medical organizations. On surrounding grounds, there are nine propane and flammable liquids pits. The center gives Gaston College the opportunity to offer specialized training previously unavailable in the region.

Gaston College is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout the 2014-2015 academic year, a calendar of activities are scheduled to commemorate a half-century of commitment to Gaston and Lincoln counties. The signature sponsor of the College’s Golden Anniversary Celebration is CaroMont Health. Learn more

College Information

References

  1. ↑ Online Logistics Program

External links

Coordinates: 35°18′41″N 81°11′24″W / 35.3114061°N 81.1899071°W / 35.3114061; -81.1899071

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