RCC Invites Community to Celebrate 60th Anniversary
Oct 16, 2026For 60 years, Rockingham Community College has been part of the story of Rockingham County.
It is where students discovered new possibilities, workers gained new skills, businesses found trained employees, and generations of families built brighter futures. On Thursday, Oct. 29, RCC welcomes the community to come together and celebrate that shared history as the college kicks off its year-long 60th Anniversary Celebration.
The festivities will begin at 1 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the RCC Astrolabe, a new campus landmark that will stand as a lasting symbol of guidance, discovery and opportunity.
“The astrolabe is a powerful symbol of who we are as a college. For 60 years, Rockingham Community College has helped people find their direction, discover their potential, and navigate new opportunities, said RCC President Dr. Sylvia Cox.
“As we celebrate this milestone, the astrolabe reminds us that while destinations may change, our purpose remains the same,” she continued. “We are committed to serving as a trusted guide and steadfast North Star for students, families, and our community as they chart their own path toward success.”
Located in the traffic circle near the Center for Workforce Development, the monumental astrolabe sculpture was created by Greensboro artist Jim Gallucci and commissioned as part of RCC’s 60th anniversary celebration. Inspired by the ancient navigational instruments once used to find direction by the sun and stars, the astrolabe reflects RCC’s role in helping students find their own path forward.
The astrolabe was funded through the estate of Kenneth R. Haynes, leaving a permanent tribute to education, exploration, and the college’s enduring impact on the community.
Following the ribbon cutting, guests will be invited to continue the celebration behind the Whitcomb Student Center, where live music, food, games, a photo booth and historical displays will create an afternoon designed for reconnecting, reminiscing and looking ahead to the future.
Highlighting the celebration will be a live performance by “too MUCH SyLviA,” one of the Carolinas’ most popular beach music bands. Known for energetic performances and a loyal fan following, the group has entertained audiences throughout the region for more than three decades and was named the Carolina Beach Music Academy’s 2025 Group of the Year. Their fan-favorite song “Red Sunglasses” has become a signature part of the band’s identity, with concertgoers often wearing colorful sunglasses while singing along.
In the same spirit, RCC will provide commemorative sunglasses to attendees while supplies last.
Guests will also have the opportunity to explore displays of historic campus photographs that highlight the college’s evolution through the decades. The images offer a glimpse into the people, programs and milestones that have shaped RCC and the community it serves.
A planning committee chaired by Capital Projects Manager Caleb Rorrer and RCC Foundation Executive Director Paul Farrar is coordinating the day’s events as well as anniversary activities that will continue throughout the year, including opportunities for students to be engaged through contests and activities.
A special silver 60th anniversary logo, designed by Marketing and Communications Director Gerri Hunt, will be used during RCC’s 60th year.
While RCC was chartered in 1963, classes officially began in October 1966. Since then, the college has grown alongside Rockingham County, adapting to meet changing educational and workforce needs while remaining committed to its mission of transforming lives through learning.
The Oct. 29 celebration, which is free and open to the public, is intended not only to recognize the college’s history, but also to honor the students, employees, alumni, donors, community partners and supporters who have made six decades of success possible.
As RCC begins its seventh decade, the anniversary theme is both a reflection on the past and an invitation to the future. Community members are encouraged to join the celebration, share memories, reconnect with friends and colleagues, and help launch the next chapter in the college’s story.
