The North Carolina General Assembly enacted legislation creating the North Carolina Community College System on May 17, 1963. Now, 40 years later, the Senate will pay tribute to the System and recognize the accomplishments of the 59 institutions that comprise the NCCCS.

Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight says the recognition is appropriate. "North Carolina's community colleges play a crucial role in preparing our workers and promoting economic growth," says Basnight. "Our community college system is among the best in the nation, and we look forward to recognizing its achievements over the past 40 years."

Sen. Tony Rand, who was recently named an honorary member of Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Board of Trustees, is a long-time supporter of the NCCCS. "I see first-hand the important impact community colleges have on the lives of our citizens and the economic growth of our state," says Rand. "The last 40 years have been impressive and the next 40 will be even more so."

Several members of the Senate will offer comments about the NCCCS as Board Chair James J. Woody, Jr., System President H. Martin Lancaster, and other community college supporters observe the proceedings from the Senate Gallery.

The NCCCS serves almost 800,000 students and is one of the largest community college systems in the country. The System is an open door to opportunity for enhanced job skills, literacy services, and adult education in North Carolina.

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