North Carolina State University

Once upon a time in 1887, a humble beginning was made by the North Carolina General Assembly. They set the cornerstone for what we now know as NC State, however, it wasn't christened that name to begin with. Picture a time when it was deemed the "North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts," or "North Carolina A&M", a name that was a bit of a mouthful! The institution kicked off with a focus on military tactics, agriculture, and the mechanical arts without chucking aside classical studies. From the start, it only opened its doors to white students - a painful reminder of the segregated past.

A few years down the line, in 1889, the college opened its door, welcoming students from near and afar. Undeniably, the road wasn't always smooth, enrollment was like a roller coaster, up one year, down the next, and the mandate ever-expanding. Eventually, by 1917, a fresh identity was coined, the "North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering"—or "North Carolina State" for the folks who prefer brevity.

Despite the hardships of the Great Depression, the college ceaselessly powered ahead. In 1931, under the watchful eye of Governor O. Max Gardner, an administrative amalgamation took place involving the University of North Carolina, the Woman's College (known today as the University of North Carolina at Greensboro), and NC State. This big happy family was named the University of North Carolina. A big shake-up then occurred in 1937. Blake R. Van Leer stepped in as Dean and kickstarted the graduate program for engineering.

Then came 1942, a landmark year! This was when the university warmly welcomed its first female engineering students. Thanks to Van Leer, around five women valiantly stepped into this new domain. Among them was a trailblazer named Katharine Stinson who eventually earned the title of being the Federal Aviation Administration's first female engineer.

The post-World War II era saw the university grow in leaps and bounds. Thanks to the G.I. Bill, veterans were able to attend college, and enrollment numbers rocketed past the 5,000 milestone in 1947. NC State kept expanding its academic horizons. In 1962, college officials lobbied for a name change to North Carolina State University. You can imagine the flurry of action this sparked. Letters of protest poured in, resulting in a compromise: The University of North Carolina at Raleigh.

By 1963, the institution became known as North Carolina State of the University of North Carolina. Students, faculty, and alumni weren't entirely pleased. There was a lingering yearning for the name North Carolina State University. After two more years of persistent protest, their voices were finally heard. Today, we know it as simply "North Carolina State University". Interestingly, while its official name includes "at Raleigh," this is usually left out, and hardly ever mentioned in official documents or in regular conversation.

From humble beginnings, the university grew exponentially. By 1966, it hit the 10,000 mark for single-year enrollment, and the 1970s saw the numbers reaching beyond 19,000. In the mid-1980s, NC State broadened its curricular offerings further by adding the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and celebrated its centennial in 1987 flying colors. The institution even earned a vast tract of land, 700 acres to be exact, which was then developed into Centennial Campus.

Fast forward to the present day, NC State prides itself on nearly 35,000 students, almost 8,000 employees, a $1.495 billion annual budget, and a $1.4 billion endowment. It certainly has come a long way from the "North Carolina A&M." It’s now the largest university in North Carolina and stands as a pillar of North Carolina's Research Triangle, along with Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Even after so many years, NC State continues to uphold its tradition of excellence and a commitment to progress. This institution with a deep-rooted history, stepping aside from politics, made a controversial decision in 2009 by cancelling a planned appearance by the Dalai Lama. It cited concerns over a potential backlash from China and a lack of time and resources.

All said and done, as you flip through the pages of its history and evolution, NC State stands as a testament to the power of knowledge, the will to adapt, and the spirit of unending transformation.