In 1992, as part of the celebration of its 25th anniversary, Beaufort County Community College buried a time capsule on its campus in front of Building 1. Now as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, the college invites the public, alumni and retirees to witness as the contents from 25 years ago are revealed Oct. 11 at noon.

Dr. Ronald Champion was the college president in 1992. The alumni association, chaired by Lou Stout, presented the time capsule to the college at the time. On Oct. 11, exactly 25 years after the college buried the 3-foot capsule near the flags in front of Building 1, current President Dr. Dave Loope and BCCC Foundation Executive Director Serena Sullivan will unseal the capsule to reveal its contents. The college plans to bury a new capsule in 2018.

BCCC will have a limited edition T-shirt, available that day for attendees, which reads, “I’m Making History.”

On Aug. 23, 1968, 39 graduates received their diplomas at BCTI’s first graduation. Almost 50 years later, BCCC conferred 190 degrees, diplomas and certificates on the class of 2016, including 45 associate degrees in nursing.

In 1969 a permanent site for BCTI was purchased, and construction of the school’s campus on U.S. Highway 264 began. After being housed in temporary locations throughout the county, including a former prison farm and in space above what was then the local fire department, BCTI moved to its current location in the spring of 1971.

The campus sits on the former Woodrow Sheppard farm, which was sold to the BCTI Board of Trustees by Fred and Mary Sheppard. Vandalia Sykes sold another tract to the college. The last land purchase was from Linda Byrd and Roger Woolard in 2015.

With more than 400 employees, 2,100 students enrolled in its curriculum programs and 4,400 in continuing education, BCCC is a driving force in the economic development of the region. Under the leadership today of Dr. Dave Loope, BCCC’s sixth president, the college constantly initiates collaborative efforts with community and government agencies, provides innovative technology and builds strong relationships with business and industry.