HAMLET - Richmond Community College’s Cole Auditorium was the appropriate scene of a festive yet reverent event on the evening of Saturday, April 14th.
It could not have been any more so as the honoree, J.C. Lamm of Rockingham, has probably spent more time in association with the college than everyone else in attendance combined.
Mr. Lamm was the third person hired at what was then Richmond Technical Institute (RTI) in August of 1965, almost 53 years ago. He served as the director of student services for over 17 years, retiring in 1983, only to move on to serve on the school’s Board of Trustees for an additional two decades.
Chartered in 1964 as a result of Governor Bob Scott’s vision of ensuring basic educational provisions for the greater population of North Carolina, RTI was one of the original 65 campuses across the state.
But it really wasn’t much of a “campus” when J.C. Lamm reported for duty as the school’s first director of student services in that summer of 1965.
“We had the largest campus in the country,” said Lamm, “because we stretched from Anson County all the way to Robeson County – we held classes wherever we could find a place.” “But of course we struggled to get students, initially signing up people at the old Rockingham High School because we did not yet have a building for them to come to at RTI.”
Indeed, in large part due to the efforts of Lamm and his fellow aggregate of that original RTI staff, the vast expanse of a college “campus” soon evolved into a real building with real classrooms and real students.
The first group of students was comprised of 24 licensed practical nursing (LPN) students only, but by the next year RTI boasted a full student body of over 120, enrolled in several different curricula.
J.C. Lamm had already served his country, seeing military action in the Pacific during World War II, and then re-entering active service during the Korean conflict.
Upon returning to civilian life, Lamm matriculated at Appalachian State University for his bachelor of science degree, then went on to obtain two master’s degrees as he gradually moved toward a career in education-related capacities.
Joined by his family and friends, Lamm articulated his appreciation for the recognition as he received the “Distinguished Citizen of the Year” trophy from RCC Foundation Chairman Bobby Sue Ormsby, RCC President Dale McInnis, and other RCC dignitaries.
Following the focused ceremonial procedures, the attendees were treated to an elegant reception, complete with plentiful food, a continual flow of select beverages, and a band concert by the Fabulous Shakers.
The $50 per person tickets were sold for a good cause; proceeds from the event will go directly toward funding the Working Student Scholarship Program at RCC. Congruent with the spirit and original intent of community colleges in general, the scholarship provides aid for college students who are simultaneously employed but ineligible for other types of financial aid.
