College Honors Dr. W. Dallas Herring

Morganton, NC – Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) joins with the other 57 North Carolina community colleges in celebrating Dr. W. Dallas Herring Day on Wednesday, March 6.  Dr. Herring, a Duplin County native, is considered the philosophical godfather of the state’s Community College System.  As the chair of the State Board of Education in 1963, Herring was instrumental in the creation of the community college system.  He may be best known for his belief that education should be available to all and that community colleges should “….take people from where they are, as far as they can go.”



Dr. Herring was appointed by Governor Luther Hodges to chair the State Board of Education, serving from 1955-77.  In May of 1963, the General Assembly established the North Carolina Community College System.  Under the leadership of Herring, the Community College Advisory Council was established to advise the State Board of Education.  Herring was a life-long advocate for the state’s community colleges and the System’s “Open Door” philosophy – a result of Herring’s leadership during the System’s early years.

In honor of the event, all 58 community colleges and the Community College System office are holding events to honor Herring.  Many are unveiling portraits of Herring that were commissioned as part of the System’s 50th Anniversary celebration.  Shown are Jim W. Burnett, WPCC President, (l) and Ron Martin, WPCC Trustee Chair, with the College’s portrait of Dr. Herring. The portraits were sponsored by Duplin Winery and by the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation. 

Western Piedmont Community College enrolls approximately 4,000 students annually in pursuit of college transfer degrees, two year associate degrees and diplomas.  More than 10,000 students enroll each year in continuing education courses for professional development and personal enrichment. The College also provides programs for high school completion.  Western Piedmont received recognition for Exceptional Institutional Performance based on standards established by the North Carolina General Assembly.