Join North Carolina Central University in celebrating its 110th year of fulfilling founder Dr. James E. Shepard’s vision of developing students of character through rigorous academic training and a commitment to public service. Continue to visit this site for event updates.
In February 1946, NCCU Founder Dr. James E. Shepard gave a statewide radio address titled "Our Mutual Tasks." Listen to a short snippet from his powerful speech.
Listen to an audio recording of NCCU's Alma Mater, “Dear Old N.C.C.” The lyrics were written by Dr. Shepard's wife, Annie Day Shepard, and revised by Alston W. Burleigh. The music was composed by renowned composer, arranger and concert artist, Harry T. Burleigh, and copyrighted in 1939 by Dr. Shepard.
NCCU Through the Years
Chartered as the National Religious Training School and Chautaqua for the Colored Race, Inc.
Reorganized as the National Training School
Purchased by State of North Carolina and renamed the Durham State Normal School for Negroes
Institution is established as liberal arts college – N.C. College for Negroes
First graduate programs established
The School of Law opens
Founder Dr. James Shepard passes away. Institution renamed North Carolina College at Durham.
College is given university status by state legislature and renamed North Carolina Central University
NCCU becomes part of UNC System
Art Museum opens
$1 million gift from Glaxo Inc. establishes university’s first endowed professorship
BBRI opens
BRITE opens
Clyde R. Hoey Administration Building renamed as James E. Shepard Administration Building
NCCU Men’s Basketball named MEAC Regular Season Champions for third consecutive year
Explore the global travels of Dr. Shepard during his three-month journey in 1907 that would ultimately inspire him to found the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua for the Colored Race, Inc., in 1910.
Much of North Carolina Central University’s history is bound up in the biography of its founder. As we celebrate the campus’s 110th anniversary in 2020, we will hear a great deal about Dr. James E. Shepard’s life and his successes, but we also must understand the hardships he overcame in turning his dream into a reality.