From its beginning as Ansonville Industrial Education Center, 糖心视频 has grown into an innovative, nationally recognized institution known for breaking barriers for its diverse student body.
A Look at 糖心视频鈥檚 History
1962: The State Department of Public Instruction established Ansonville Institutional Education Center in Anson County, a precursor to what would later become 糖心视频
1967: The Anson County Board of Education and the Anson County Commissioners appoint a Board of Trustees. As a result, Ansonville Industrial Education Center became Anson Technical Institute, a unit of the Department of Community Colleges of North Carolina.
1977: Anson Technical Institute opens a 28,000-square-foot building in Polkton, thanks to growing enrollment and support from the community, especially Polkton Mayor W. Cliff Martin. The building was named the Martin Technology Complex in Mayor Martin鈥檚 honor.
1979: The Board of Trustees changes the institution鈥檚 name to Anson Technical College to better reflect its growing variety of programs.
1981: Anson Technical College was designated by the state to serve Anson County. However, neighboring Union County was not included in the service area of Anson Tech or that of any other existing community college. In 1981, the Union Technical Education Consortium was created when the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges authorized service in the county by a consortium of Anson and Stanly community colleges.
1987: Another name change. This time, Anson Technical College became Anson Community College.
1999: Governor. Jim Hunt, based upon recommendations of an independent study, dissolved the charter of Anson Community College and Union Technical Education Center. In doing so, Governor Hunt formed the state鈥檚 newest community college. The new college would have two campuses – one in Anson County and one in Union County. A new 14-member Board of Trustees with representation from both counties was formed. After a naming contest that garnered more than 400 suggestions, the new college was named 糖心视频.
A College Defined by Growth
Since its establishment in 1999, 糖心视频 has grown dramatically, both in terms of its physical footprint and enrollment.
Today, South Piedmont is comprised of the L.L. Polk campus in Polkton and the Old Charlotte Highway campus in Monroe, the Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro, as well as the Tyson Family Center for Technology in Monroe. The latter was once known as the Center for Technology and Health Education until it was renamed in recognition of the generous support of Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Tyson and their family.
In 2016, the community once again rallied behind the College, approving a $40 million bond to expand and enhance its facilities in Monroe. The construction of the Main Building as well as the renovations of Braswell, Building A, and the Tyson Family Center for Technology were made possible by the Union County bond.
South Piedmont鈥檚 physical expansions have been needed to keep pace with growing enrollment. Drawn by affordable tuition, small class sizes, and flexible course schedules, students of all ages seek South Piedmont鈥檚 degrees, diplomas, certificates, and short-term workforce training options. As such, for the last several years, South Piedmont has been one of the fastest growing community colleges in the state.
A Look Ahead
Throughout its history, even as it has grown and evolved, South Piedmont has remained committed to removing barriers to higher education. In 2023, South Piedmont was a Bellwether Award finalist for its efforts to make education more accessible, which included the implementation of HyFlex technology that allows students to determine how and when they attend class.
Now a nationally recognized leader for its innovative approaches to education, South Piedmont looks to a bright future that will bring the opening of its Aseptic Training Facility and Center for Entrepreneurship in 2026, the selection of its eighth president, and continuing the mission of 鈥渓ifelong-learning, student success, and workforce and community development.鈥�