![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.nashcc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/DallasHerring-Portrait_02.jpg\" "\\"DallasHerring")
<\/a>Pictured from left, NCC President Emeritus Dr. J. Reid Parrott, Jr., NCC Student Government Association President Jordan-Justice Stallings and NCC President Dr. Bill Carver assisted in the unveiling.\n
Nash Community College, along with all 58 of North Carolina\u2019s community colleges, celebrated the legacy of Dr. W. Dallas Herring on Wednesday, March 6, 2013.\u00a0 Herring, the former Chair of the North Carolina State Board of Education, was an innovator and visionary who made significant contributions to the establishment, development, and expansion of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS). As a result of his resolve, he has often been referred to as the \u201cfather of the NCCCS\u201d. “Dr. Herring was a remarkable man. He believed in total education. Herring was not one who sought attention but when he spoke everyone listened,” NCC President Emeritus Dr. J. Reid Parrott, Jr. shared during the ceremony.<\/p>\n
As the chair of the State Board of Education in 1963, Herring was instrumental in the creation of the community college system.\u00a0 He may be best known for his belief that education should be available to all and that community colleges should \u201c\u2026.take people from where they are, as far as they can go.\u201d 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.\u00a0 Herring was a life-long advocate for the state\u2019s community colleges and the System\u2019s \u201cOpen Door\u201d philosophy \u2013 a\u00a0 result of Herring\u2019s leadership during the System\u2019s early years.<\/p>\n
Nash Community College administrators, faculty, staff and students celebrated Herring\u2019s legacy by unveiling a portrait in the college library that was commissioned in his honor as part of the System\u2019s 50th Anniversary celebration. Portraits at each North Carolina community college were sponsored by Duplin Winery and the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation. At its last meeting, the State Board of Community Colleges also passed a resolution, naming its regular meeting room the Dr. W. Dallas Herring State Board Room.<\/p>\n
The implementation of Herring’s vision resulted in the North Carolina Community College System gaining a worldwide reputation in higher education programming. He devoted his life to opening the doors of opportunity and learning for all North Carolinians. Herring was born in Rose Hill, North Carolina in 1916 and passed away on January 5, 2007. His words penned in June 1964 reflected his belief in the right of accessible education and lifelong learning. The Open Door Philosophy still holds true today for every North Carolina citizen. Nash Community College recently celebrated its 45th Anniversary and this year is celebrating the North Carolina Community College System’s 50th Anniversary.<\/p>\n
\u201cDallas Herring was a visionary who understood that education could be a defining factor in a person\u2019s life,\u201d says Dr. Scott Ralls, NC Community College System President.\u00a0 \u201cHis legacy has brought us to where we are today \u2013 one of the most comprehensive community college systems in the nation, educating people of all ages, training the state\u2019s workforce and providing college transfer opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n