"In the first days of the college, there were only two instructors in the Business Administration program, and we had class in the building that now houses Fortner's Insurance in Spruce Pine," remembered Mayland Community College 1973 graduate and guest speaker at Mayland's Alumni Dedication ceremony Sharon Watson. "There were no computers then, and we had to do all of our work by hand."

Watson said that there were only two classrooms in the building where Mayland first held classes, and parking, even in the beginning, was complicated.

"We had to either rent a parking spot or feed the parking meters that were in Downtown Spruce Pine at that time," said Watson. "I remember hoping the instructors would give us a break during class so I could make a mad dash to feed the parking meter."

In the beginning, Mayland Community College's first graduating class consisted of twenty-four graduates in two vocational programs, Auto Mechanics and Practical Nurse Education. Approximately forty people were also recognized for having received their High School Equivalency Diploma through the Learning Lab and Adult Basic Education. Mayland, formally known as Mayland Technical Institute at that time, held its first commencement exercises on Friday night, August 24, 1973, in the auditorium of the First Baptist Church in Spruce Pine.

"There were a lot of Veterans returning from their service and using the GI Bill to get their education," said Watson. "I was the only female in the program, and was one of the first Student Government Association Presidents for the college."

After graduating from Avery High School, Watson had intended to attend Western Piedmont Community College, but a representative from Mayland talked with her at the high school. The college had the program she was interested in, and she could stay close to home. Her first job also came as a direct result of attending Mayland.

Her current job at H& R Block continues to utilize the degree she received from Mayland.

"My degree has been a great benefit to me, and in my job now I see how this college is utilized in the community because this school is here to answer so many different needs," said Watson. "I am very thankful that this college is a part of our community."

According to Watson, she felt that her class was large, but is glad to see how the college has grown through the years.

"When we were going to class, many of us just came to get a degree, but now there are so many other possibilities that students have like transferring on to a university to continue their education," said Watson.

Beverly Ollis, a 1973 graduate of the Practical Nursing Program, said she was happy to see how the college had grown.

"I attended Mayland, then my sons, then their children so it has been a family thing," said Ollis. "The people at the college have helped so many people find what they are good at, and go on to bigger and better experiences."

Ollis and her family created a scholarship in memory of her son, Thomas L. Ollis. She used funds raised by selling raffle tickets for her quilts, and saved money to start the fund. The scholarship was set up to assist students in Mayland's nursing program out of Ollis's love for working as a nurse and her love for the profession.

The college is what it is today because the founding fathers cared about turning their dream into a place where people could get a quality education, said Mayland President Dr. Suzanne Owens.

"Mayland still holds a strong place in its service community where people can come to learn a trade or skill, start a new hobby, or begin the path to their careers," said Owens.

Mayland held the Alumni Dedication Ceremony to celebrate the past and future graduates of the college. An Alumni Association has been created for Mayland, and anyone who has taken classes at the college can find out more information on the Association at www.mayland.edu.

Donor and previous Foundation Board Member Carolyn Munro Wilson helped start the Alumni Association through her monetary and public support.

"The number of people who have joined the Alumni Association is 841 as of May 2008," said Foundation/Assessment Specialist Linda Herbst who heads up the Alumni Association. "This association exists to support the growth and development of Mayland, and intends to promote public interest in the college, is a place that creates support among graduates and former students, is a way to recognize outstanding alumni accomplishments, and provides financial assistance to current students through scholarship opportunities."

Mayland Community College celebrated the first year of the development of the college's Alumni Association on May 30, with a dedication of the new Alumni Square located at the college's Main Campus.