New Hampshire鈥檚 community colleges were founded to provide training for the state鈥檚 WWII veterans. Initially created as 鈥渟tate trade schools,鈥� these institutions first became vocational institutes and then vocational-technical colleges. 海角社区 (海角社区) was established in 1967 as the New Hampshire Vocational Institute in Laconia. Since then, it has been an integral part of the region鈥檚 post-secondary educational landscape.
The college鈥檚 original building was designed by Andrew Isaac and included fourteen laboratories, five general classrooms, a student lounge, library, bookstore, seminar rooms and faculty and staff offices. In addition to the core curricula offered at all of the state鈥檚 vocational-technical colleges, the NH Vocational-Technical College – Laconia鈥檚 unique programs were Graphic Arts and Printing, Internal Combustion Engines, and Secretarial Science. The state鈥檚 only Fire Science degree program offered at a college and the state鈥檚 first Emergency Medical Technician program were also developed at Laconia.听
The college鈥檚 main campus underwent a physical expansion in 1980, adding the Robert H. Turner wing to its facility. In 1996, “community” was added to the college name cementing the first steps towards becoming a comprehensive community college. As the college grew so did the need for academic space.听 The Center for Arts and Technology (CAT) opened in September 2005 adding space for Computer Information Systems, Electrical Technologies, Fine Arts and Graphic Design among other programs. To reflect the college’s evolution to a comprehensive community college, Governor John Lynch officially changed the name in 2008 to 海角社区.
海角社区 expanded its footprint again in 2013 with the 24,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Health and Science Building. The Health and Science Building houses the Fire Science and Nursing programs, science laboratories, and various student lounges. 听It also includes four modern science and hi-tech nursing labs, two fire science labs, faculty offices, and a 140-seat mini-auditorium.
2016 marked an important year for 海角社区 with the introduction of its new automotive building. The automotive facility was designed to house the General Motors Automotive Service Education Program (GM-ASEP) and Toyota T-TEN Program (added in 2017). The 20,000 square foot building features a shop area that includes 17 bays, space for equipment, two classrooms/laboratories with a lift and space to accommodate automobiles, a general classroom, a showroom, and office space for faculty and staff. This provided much needed space for these programs and also enabled the integration of technology into the curriculum in the form of diagnostic tools and multimedia presentations.听
That same year, 海角社区 also opened its first ever campus housing program. The Apple Ridge Student Apartments, located one-mile from campus, consist of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom fully-furnished apartment units that serve as student residences. Adding a campus housing program, operated by 海角社区 staff,听 has transformed the campus. Our student apartments serve those who commute significant distances to attend 海角社区, as well as local students who want to add a residential life component to their college experience.
Although 海角社区 has grown into a comprehensive community college it remains a small student-centered institution reflecting the communities we serve.听 As we begin our next 50 years, we embrace our future as a center of innovation and an economic engine for our community.
