FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW BOOK ON DCC HISTORY

UNVEILED FOR 40th ANNIVERSARY           Click Here for Information About the Author, Marie Harris

DANVILLE, VA, March 21, 2006 -- How do you tell the history of one college that evolved from six

 other institutions? Easy, just ask Marie R. Harris, author of the newly- released, The History of Danville Community College: A Link to the Past, A Bridge to the Future. Harris and DCC President Dr. Carlyle Ramsey recently presented the first copies of the book to the DCC College Board and the DCC Educational Foundation in time to mark DCC’s 40^th anniversary this year.

Harris says it took her three years of research, resulting in 396 pages, to compile the story of Danville Community College. According to Harris, the local community college envolved from Danville Male Academy (1829-1860), Danville School for Boys (1908), Danville Military Institute (1861-1863), Danville Presbyterian School (1934), Danville Technical Institute (1921), Danville Branch of Virginia Polytechnic Institute  (1946) to the present day, Danville Community College (1966).

“Indeed, Professor Harris has captured the history and the achievements of several thriving precursor institutions of higher learning…,” said Ramsey. “Harris has also brilliantly described the passion and feelings of the visionaries who helped launch the aforementioned institutions.”

Harris begins her account of the DCC history in the 1804’s. By 1840, young men in Danville at that time studied in primitive, hot second-story conditions in the fall or icy conditions in the winter - but they came to school because education was important-almost 40 came. In the 1860s, young men left school for the battlefields with their teachers accompanying them. During the 1890s, young men watched their first new school, a gothic structure three stories high, rise at the edge of Kemper Road.  They entered Danville Military Institute in 1890 as cadets under Colonel Isaac Saunders before the structure was complete.  By the beginning of the twentieth century, DMI had been in existence 10 years making education a major force in Danville.  Secondary and higher education’s evolution is the focus in The History of Danville Community College, A Link to the Past, a Bridge to the Future.  Beyond that focus are the stories of the region, its economies, the people, the state and the nation.

Wars would change the local educational scene.   A flu epidemic would decimate families.  German War prisoners would occupy Danville Military Institute.  Tobacco would influence the college.  Good times, numerous graduates and bankruptcy would all impact the school.  Individuals throughout the region would support education, seek to carry it forward, seek to thwart the bankruptcy. 

Harris says one of those supporters was G.L.H. Johnson, then-superintendent of schools, who dreamed of technical education, as well as eventual liberal arts education beyond high school.  With the help of Dan River Mills, Johnson saw his dream of higher education begin to emerge.  Others such as O.T. Bonner and T. Edward Temple continued Johnson’s dream.  Danville Technical Institute became the place for Danville’s youth as they trained for careers. 

Then Virginia Polytechnic Institute became a part of the educational complex on Kemper Road.  By 1946, there were two institutions of higher education on the campus.  The community was proud of both institutions.  That pride led to turmoil in 1966 as Virginia’s community college system was born.  In the ensuing years, the college’s mission added vitality to a region, drawing not only high school graduates but individuals from throughout the community. The college also expanded its mission to workforce training and met needs in multiple areas.  Its leadership, headed by four different presidents, sought answers to citizens’ needs whether it involved two years preparatory, remedial education, supplementary classes or technical programs. 

Danville Community College became a vital force in the economic development of the region as its programs remained state-of-the-art in training areas.  From a beginning of 40 students, the college now serves over 6,000 students annually with projected campus improvements over the next decade.  The DCC story is the story of the American Dream being made available to all citizens.  Its history spans not just 40 years, but because of its connection to Danville Technical Institute and VPI-Danville, its history is connected to the distant past while it continues to reach toward the future.

The book is available for $38.95 in hard bound and $28.95 in soft-bound. They can be ordered on a first-come, first-served basis through the DCC Bookstore. For more information, contact the DCC Bookstore at (434) 797-8426, or the DCC Educational Foundation at 434.797.8437.

“As we try to imagine the next forty years, we are sanguine about the prospect of Danville Community College carrying on its grand tradition of preparing the region’s citizens for better jobs, greater opportunities and more satisfying lives. DCC remains a vital link to the past and a bridge to the future,” Ramsey said.