College celebrates rich history with new book, honors former leaders
Randolph Community College celebrated its rich history and honored former leaders during a special reception at the Allied Health Center on Thursday, March 19.
President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan said the event provided an opportunity to recognize the leaders whose dedication helped establish the College’s legacy.
Ardalan welcomes everyone in attendance.
“Randolph Community College’s story has always been about opportunity,” he said. “The leaders we are honoring helped ensure that access to education leads to success for our students and our community. Their vision laid the foundation for the work we continue today as we build RCC 2.0 — expanding on more than 60 years of progress to create new pathways for learning, workforce development, and community growth.”
Former presidents, former trustees, and their families attended the reception in recognition of their service and lasting contributions to the College. As part of the event, former presidents and Board chairs received a personalized and autographed copy of “Earning Through Learning: The Story of Randolph Community College 1957-2025,” written by Communications/English Instructor W. Clark Adams.
“This book is really about the people who built Randolph Community College,” Adams said. “Their leadership, vision, and dedication shaped an institution that continues to serve this community more than 60 years later.”
Former Presidents and Board chairs were recognized back to 1960 when the first Director/President was hired, embodying decades of service that helped guide RCC’s growth and impact across the region. Together, their leadership reflects more than six decades of commitment to expanding opportunity through education in Randolph County.
Seven current Board members were in attendance, including Chair Reynolds Lisk, representing his father, Tyler Lisk, who was Board Chair from 1996-1998.
“It was special to see so many former leaders and their families back on campus, many for the first time in years,” he said. “There was a real sense of pride as they saw how RCC has grown and how beautiful the campus has become. Most of all, they appreciated being recognized for their contributions, and it was clear how much this College has meant to them. Clark Adams did an outstanding job capturing that story and bringing our history to life.”
The book chronicles more than six decades of RCC’s history, tracing its origins from a vision of local community leaders in 1957 to its evolution into a comprehensive community college that plays a vital role in the civic, cultural, educational, and economic life of Randolph County and North Carolina.
RCC opened in 1962 as the Randolph Industrial Education Center and has remained committed to meeting community needs by providing trade and technical training, services for businesses and industry, opportunities for university transfer, and programs that help students complete high school diplomas and pursue lifelong learning.
Through historical accounts, photographs, and stories of key individuals and milestones, Adams’ book highlights the people and events that have shaped the College over the past six decades and illustrates how RCC continues to build on that foundation for the future.
“What an honor to join with other former presidents, board chairs, and family members representing former presidents and board chairs who played such a valuable role in building Randolph Community College into the great college it is today,” Former President Dr. Robert Shackleford said. “Many thanks to Clark Adams for his talent and dedication in writing a superb history of RCC and recognizing the leaders through the years who gave their best in serving RCC, its students, and its community.”
Copies of “Earning Through Learning: The Story of Randolph Community College 1957-2025” are available for purchase through the RCC Campus Store for $70. Orders may be placed at bookstore.randolph.edu, by calling 336-633-0236, or by emailing campusstore@randolph.edu.
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About Randolph Community College: Randolph Community College (RCC), under the leadership of President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan, is committed to providing relevant career training and educational opportunities. Ranked No. 1 in North Carolina by Niche.com, the College offers affordable degrees and short-term certificate programs that start throughout the year, both in person and online. To register, visit randolph.edu/register or call 336-633-0200 and expect to engage with the most competent and compassionate team of faculty and staff.