North Carolina State Visitor Guide - 2025 - Magazine - Page 11
Welcome to NC State
History
7
Over the Years
Over
191
910s
0s
The passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914 enabled
land-grant colleges to establish state, county and local
extension programs to further support their existing work.
These new programs allowed the university's knowledge
resources to directly benefit the people of North Carolina.
By 1918 the college had an enrollment of over 700
students and a new name: North Carolina State College of
NC State baseball team, 1900
Agriculture and Engineering, or more commonly known
as State College.
920s
1920s
1
In the following decades, State College continued to
expand its curricula, creating schools of design, forestry,
physical science and mathematics and humanities and
social sciences. During these years of growth, the name
was changed again—this time to North Carolina State
University at Raleigh.
1970s - 1980s
1970s
Belltower under construction,
circa 1924
During the 1970s and 1980s, NC State experienced
major academic growth and a surge in school spirit.
The university expanded its programs and solidified its
reputation as a leader in research and public service. On
the national stage, NC State captured two NCAA men’s
basketball championships, first in 1974 and again in 1983.
These moments united the Wolfpack community and
remain legendary in school history.
Today
T
oday
Today NC State honors its rich history through 10 official
Hallowed Places—landmarks across campus marked by
plaques. These sites, including historic brick walkways
Students strolling by the
Belltower, 1980
and iconic green spaces, reflect decades of campus life
and tradition. They serve as lasting reminders of the
university’s evolution and the generations of students
who helped shape its story. Learn more at go.ncsu.edu/
see-hallowed-places.
