NCSSM-Morganton showcases growth as leaders visit campus
Kevin Baxter
Just shy of 10 years ago, I arrived in Morganton representing an audacious goal for our school and our state to extend the impact of NCSSM to a second campus in western NC. The early years were thrilling as we identified a location, crafted an educational vision, established early partnerships, and became immersed in the foothills region.
I spent a lot of that time prioritizing engagement with just about anyone who would listen and worked hard to articulate the vision and value proposition behind a second campus. I must confess that at times it felt like I was personifying some sort of amalgamation between William Davie, Harold Hill, and Walt Disney, but I never once questioned the impact that NCSSM-Morganton would deliver to this region.
Nearly 3,500 days since setting up shop in Burke County, we are celebrating two major milestones on our Morganton campus. At long last, we have just completed major construction and renovation activity as we formally unveil the UNC Health Blue Ridge Student Wellness & Activities Center.
Serendipitously, within a few days of that achievement we will welcome leadership from across the University of North Carolina System to Morganton for their April meetings and a series of special events. This visit builds on a decade of involvement, investment, and advocacy by the Board of Governors and our partners and champions throughout the UNC System that have positioned NCSSM as the No. 1 public high school in America.
The mascot of our Durham campus is the unicorn, and NCSSM is the unicorn of the UNC System, as we are the only institution to act as a direct pipeline to each of the 16 universities. As we dreamt out the possibilities of our expansion to Morganton, we leaned into this special relationship and benefited from the direct engagement of colleagues from across the system. They served on steering teams, hosted listening sessions, consulted on program design and construction, and made visits to Morganton. They celebrated alongside us at groundbreaking and grand opening events and stood shoulder to shoulder with us in confronting the uncertainty of paused state budgets and the global pandemic.
It seems only fitting, then, that they be among the very first to visit our just completed campus and reflect on the impact seeded by the NC General Assembly in the Connect NC Bond more than a decade ago.
I am grateful to our incredible partners throughout the community who are investing considerable time, talent, and treasure in this occasion. Most especially, we are grateful to the leadership at the City of Morganton, UNC Health Blue Ridge, and The Paper for their outsized support to this once-in-a-generation event. I am excited for our visitors to experience our community and trust it will leave an indelible mark that will beckon many to return for years to come.
Let’s make it a fantastic week in Morganton!
Kevin Baxter, vice chancellor and chief campus officer, NCSSM-Morganton
