Supported by community leaders and under the direction of Craven County Board of Education Director of Vocational Education Thurman E. Brock, Craven Community College was created as an extension of Lenoir Community College by the 1965 North Carolina General Assembly and began operation July 1, 1965. The college was granted independent status as Craven Technical Institute after approval by the State Board of Education in 1966 and the N.C. General Assembly in 1967. Craven County residents provided the wherewithal for development, passing a $500,000 bond referendum on December 5, 1967. The College continued to operate under the direction of Dr. Brock in the historic Harvey House in downtown New Bern while land was procured and facilities started. In spring 1971, College employees and students moved the campus to its new location - 100 acres on the outskirts of New Bern on Racetrack Road (now South Glenburnie Road and part of the New Bern City Limits). With two buildings and a little more than 350 curriculum students, the institute was granted community college status in 1973. The College opened an office in the Joint Education Center, Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station. The college has grown to ten buildings on its New Bern campus, with enrollment of approximately 5,000 curriculum students and over 25,000 continuing education students.