North Carolina School for the Deaf Bears

The purpose of this booklet is to be an accessible one: an attempt to give the alumni of the North Carolina School for the Deaf at Morganton a vehicle for instant reference to his/her “time” while a student. To accomplish this, a chronological type of historical “narrative” was selected.
In addition to the purpose mentioned, information that might be of interest to other readers, such as parents, students, friends of the school, and legislators, was “worked in” where appropriate.
The history of the Morganton school is a small part of the historical picture. This made it necessary to present the section titled: “A Chronology of North Carolina State Supported Schools Serving The Deaf and the Blind.” The background was compounded by the social structure of Southern society during pre-integration times, with its requirements for separate schools for whites and blacks. Over-all there have been ten such schools since 1845. The Morganton school is fifth on the list.
This booklet is “heavy” on sports championships, which is very dear to the hearts of the alumni. Sports are also an indication of what the general public usually sees/hears/reads about a residential school for the deaf. The gymnasium of any school for the deaf is the most “visited” building on any campus.
Local sources utilized to research the material used here are spread around a bit. The time for serious cross referencing of the material was not present. Left out are two areas: a listing of every student who ever attended NCSD (a listing of all graduates was the best that could be done) and a listing of every teacher and dormitory counselor who worked at the school. This is a future challenge.
Today’s educational programs at NCSD are mandated by the State of North Carolina and spell out what any student in North Carolina must accomplish in order to be granted a diploma. NCSD has the basics to go forward and meet this educational challenge… or any challenge… over the next 100 years.
Special note: The basic sources for this publication are the bound volumes of past NCSD school papers: The Kelly Messenger 1895 - 1903; The Deaf Carolinian 1903 - 1948. The North Carolinian 1948 - 1944.

Enrollment 642. (This continues to be the highest enrollment figure of NCSD)
SUPERINTENDENTS

1894 - 1937
Edward McKee Goodwin

1937 - 1955
Carl E. Rankin

1955 - 1970
Ben E. Hoffmeyer

1970 - 1990
Charles L. Henderson

1990 - 1991
William M. Simpson
Acting Superintendent

1991 - 1999
Elmer L. Dillingham, Jr.
1999 - 2005
Kent Mann
2005 - 2008
Dr. Linda Lindsey
2008 - present
Janice McDaniels

Goodwin Hall now houses a community based adult day activity program (ADAP) which is supported by federal and state monies.
Joiner Hall houses a federally funded program for pre-school low income children called "Head Start."
Superintendent's Residence is now an adult day care center for aged adults needing day care.
Hoffmeyer Hall no longer houses residential male students. For the past three years these students have been residing in Main Building, just like in the first years of the school.
Hoffmeyer Hall now houses two service groups: (1) a developmental evaluation center for children managed by the public school system. (2) a family resource center for families of deaf/hard of hearing children seeking help, counseling services, and appropriate educational placement for their children. This center, called Beginnings, is a service provided by the Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing.
Northcott Hall has a different twist in its vocational offerings. NCSD and Freedom High School jointly offer a computer assisted drafting course in this building. The same joint offerings can be found in the graphic communications classes ("print shop") in Crutchfield Hall

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu