Skip to Main Content
CPCC Library logo

Creative Outlets Exhibition: Educational Advocacy

This collaborative display showcases the efforts and achievements of Central Piedmont students and employees in the realms of art and advocacy over the course of six decades.

By 1972, Central Piedmont’s campus and student population began to grow exponentially. President Dr. Richard Hagemeyer quickly realized that while the campus was growing rapidly, there were still an overwhelming number of people throughout Mecklenburg County in need of an education, yet were unable to commute to campus.

Dr. Hagemeyer advocated for funding in hopes of building other campuses throughout the county. Though his requests were denied, he sought other ways to provide equitable access to education in the days before the internet. It was out of this necessity that the concept of “Distance Education” was born.

Through the Rural Renaissance Project, which utilized local newspapers, radio, television, and even the telephone, Central Piedmont created a variety of services through partnerships which provided access to educational materials for all who wished to learn.

Over time, these “analog” services evolved into the digital services our society has grown accustomed to. As a student, imagine yourself having to use the telephone to listen to your textbook passage; or using the newspaper to receive your weekly assignments for your courses.

The items on display peel back the layers of time and serve as evidence of the tenacity of Central Piedmont to provide equitable education by any means necessary.

Telephone

A handwritten draft of “The History of Mecklenburg County.” It was Program #155 in the DOLLY system.

1

The final, typed-out version of “The History of Mecklenburg County” with “155” in the top right-hand corner.

2

The DOLLY program expanded to include the DOTTY (Dial our Teletypewriter Yourself) system. It was designed to give hearing-impaired citizens the same service DOLLY provided to others. The Inside CPCC newsletter highlighted the debut of DOTTY in their December 4, 1981, issue.

3

DOLLY (Dial Our Listening Library Yourself) was a phone/tape system developed by the Distance Learning Division in 1975. It provided access to hundreds of taped programs in multiple languages to anyone who called the specified phone number. The DOLLY Catalog lists all 912 programs, from “How to Register at CPCC” to “What is Mental Health?”

4

The Program #155 cassette tape with a recorded version of “The History of Mecklenburg County.”

5

Vintage rotary telephone generously donated by Mr. Martin S. McFly.

6

Eva Hunter operating DOLLY at Central Piedmont, Fall/Winter 1976-1977.

7

Filing cabinet with cassette tapes of recorded programs and lectures.

8

  1. A handwritten draft of “The History of Mecklenburg County.” It was Program #155 in the DOLLY system.
  2. The final, typed-out version of “The History of Mecklenburg County” with “155” in the top right-hand corner.
  3. The DOLLY program expanded to include the DOTTY (Dial our Teletypewriter Yourself) system. It was designed to give hearing-impaired citizens the same service DOLLY provided to others. The Inside CPCC newsletter highlighted the debut of DOTTY in their December 4, 1981, issue.
  4. DOLLY (Dial Our Listening Library Yourself) was a phone/tape system developed by the Distance Learning Division in 1975. It provided access to hundreds of taped programs in multiple languages to anyone who called the specified phone number. The DOLLY Catalog lists all 912 programs, from “How to Register at CPCC” to “What is Mental Health?”
  5. The Program #155 cassette tape with a recorded version of “The History of Mecklenburg County.”
  6. Vintage rotary telephone generously donated by Mr. Martin S. McFly.
  7. Eva Hunter operating DOLLY at Central Piedmont, Fall/Winter 1976-1977.
  8. Filing cabinet with cassette tapes of recorded programs and lectures.

Newspaper

A Central Piedmont letter dated May 1975 introducing THE COURSE, a “locally written and directed college course where the textbook is delivered into your home via the Sunday morning newspaper.”

1

THE COURSE mailing envelope, which included the subject of the week as well as supplementary materials.

2

https://libapps.s3.amazonaws.com/accounts/324426/images/Newspaper3.JPG

3

  1. A Central Piedmont letter dated May 1975 introducing THE COURSE, a “locally written and directed college course where the textbook is delivered into your home via the Sunday morning newspaper.”
  2. THE COURSE mailing envelope, which included the subject of the week as well as supplementary materials.
  3. The first packet of THE COURSE, titled “This Unfolding Land,” which includes the objective of the project and the steps for a self-conducted tour around Mecklenburg County.

Television

The CPCC TV Telecourse Information Booklet, Winter 1979. Telecourses were courses of study provided over television, specifically on WTVI Channel 42, and offered for academic credit.

1

Maverick Inventor: My Turbulent Years at CBS by Peter Goldmark.

2

A Presentation of The National Medal of Science program from November 1977. Peter Goldmark was awarded the National Medal of Science for his contributions to the development of the communication sciences.

3

An agenda of a two-day event in July 1976 between Central Piedmont Community College and the Goldmark Communications Corporation, where Peter Goldmark presented.

4

Dr. Peter Goldmark presenting in front of an audience with Dr. Hagemeyer in the first row. Dr. Goldmark was an inventor of the Long Playing Record, which revolutionized the television industry - extending programming from 10-minute to 30-minute segments. His invention was utilized by Central Piedmont.

5

A student watching an educational video at the old Learning Resource Center (LRC).

6

Dr. Peter Goldmark featured in an article about innovative methods for making CPCC classes available off campus in a 1977 issue of The Spark, a student publication.

7

“Audio Visual Modules For Your Students,” an instructional module catalog from the North Carolina Rural Renaissance Project. Central Piedmont was a participating institution.

8

“Audio Visual Modules For Your Students,” an instructional module catalog from the North Carolina Rural Renaissance Project. Central Piedmont was a participating institution.

8

  1. The CPCC TV Telecourse Information Booklet, Winter 1979. Telecourses were courses of study provided over television, specifically on WTVI Channel 42, and offered for academic credit.
  2. Maverick Inventor: My Turbulent Years at CBS by Peter Goldmark.
  3. A Presentation of The National Medal of Science program from November 1977. Peter Goldmark was awarded the National Medal of Science for his contributions to the development of the communication sciences.
  4. An agenda of a two-day event in July 1976 between Central Piedmont Community College and the Goldmark Communications Corporation, where Peter Goldmark presented.
  5. Dr. Peter Goldmark presenting in front of an audience with Dr. Hagemeyer in the first row. Dr. Goldmark was an inventor of the Long Playing Record, which revolutionized the television industry - extending programming from 10-minute to 30-minute segments. His invention was utilized by Central Piedmont.
  6. A student watching an educational video at the old Learning Resource Center (LRC).
  7. Dr. Peter Goldmark featured in an article about innovative methods for making CPCC classes available off campus in a 1977 issue of The Spark, a student publication. Read this issue online through our digital collection.
  8. “Audio Visual Modules For Your Students,” an instructional module catalog from the North Carolina Rural Renaissance Project. Central Piedmont was a participating institution.

Audio/Radio

A reel about the “Progress in Metal Joining” in its case.

1

A student using reel-to-reel equipment at the old Learning Resource Center (LRC).

2

Central Piedmont’s Radio Advisory Committee booklet. The Radio Advisory Committee was a group selected to advise the College regarding the operation and programming of CPCC Radio, a system that provided reading and information services for the blind and visually impaired.

3

A cassette tape titled “CPCC Radio Advisory Committee Statement.”

4

Vintage tape deck player generously donated by J. Macias.

5

A CPCC Radio cassette tape labeled, “Program Guide, Spring ‘85.”

6

A Central Piedmont staff member reads the newspaper over the radio, as part of the Radio Reading Service for the Blind.

7

  1. A reel about the “Progress in Metal Joining” in its case.
  2. A student using reel-to-reel equipment at the old Learning Resource Center (LRC).
  3. Central Piedmont’s Radio Advisory Committee booklet. The Radio Advisory Committee was a group selected to advise the College regarding the operation and programming of CPCC Radio, a system that provided reading and information services for the blind and visually impaired.
  4. A cassette tape titled “CPCC Radio Advisory Committee Statement.”
  5. Vintage tape deck player generously donated by J. Macias.
  6. A CPCC Radio cassette tape labeled, “Program Guide, Spring ‘85.”
  7. A Central Piedmont staff member reads the newspaper over the radio, as part of the Radio Reading Service for the Blind.