The University's Bureau of Extension was established in 1913 with Louis Round Wilson as Director. In 1921, its name changed to Extension Division. The early division provided a number of programs and services to the state, including a speaker's bureau, public discussions and debates, correspondence courses, legislative reference aids, resources for public school teachers, continuing education for doctors, and the Good Roads Institute. In 1976, the Extension Division was reorganized and renamed Division of Extension and Continuing Education and was placed administratively under the Vice Chancellor for Development and Public Service.
From the description of Records of the Division of Extension and Continuing Education, 1931-1976. WorldCat record id: 27122225
The Bureau of Extension, organized in September 1913, was the culmination of President Francis P. Venable and President Edward K. Graham's vision of the university's role in state service. In addition to their commitment to classroom instruction and research, both Venable and Graham felt the university should involve itself in the broader area of public service through extension work. With the university's long involvement in summer teacher-training institutes as a precedent and the extension programs of the University of Chicago and the University of Wisconsin as models, Venable appointed the Committee on Extension in 1912 with University Librarian Louis Round Wilson as chairman.
In September 1913, the recommendations of the Committee on Extension were implemented by the establishment the Bureau of Extension with Wilson as director. Wilson remained director until 1921, and under his guidance the bureau's efforts were organized into nine divisions:
- 1. General Information. The bureau maintained a central clearinghouse of information on programs of the university and other agencies of state government.
- 2. Instruction by Lectures. The bureau organized a speakers' bureau using members of the faculty.
- 3. Correspondence Courses.
- 4. Public Discussion and Debate. The bureau directed the High School Debating Union.
- 5. County Economic and Social Surveys. In cooperation with the university's Department of Rural Social Economics, the Bureau of Extension conducted surveys of local conditions.
- 6. Municipal and Legislative Reference Aids. In cooperation with the the university's Department of History, the bureau provided this service until the establishment of the Legislative Reference Bureau and the Institute of Government.
- 7. Teachers' Bureau. This was a resource center for public school teachers operated in conjunction with the university's School of Education.
- 8. Good Roads Institute. Held in cooperation with the university's Department of Civil Engineering, the North Carolina Highway Commission, and the United States Geologic Survey, the Good Roads Institute aided the state's Good Roads Movement, which resulted in the passage of the 1920 Highway Act.
- 9. Medical Instruction. Operated with the university's School of Medicine and the State Board of Health, this program provided continuing education for doctors on the local level.
As time passed, the Bureau of Extension broadened its efforts. It began the Newspaper Institute in December 1916. It also issued numerous publications in the form of bulletins, newsletters, circulars, and leaflets. By 1921, the scope of the bureau's activities demanded a full-time director and support staff. In January of that year, the bureau's name was changed to Extension Division, and Chester D. Snell became its first full-time director. During Snell's seven- year tenure, the expansion of the division's on-campus and off-campus instruction was spectacular. The opening of the Carolina Inn in 1924 led to a great increase in the number of conferences and institutes held under Extension Division auspices.
In 1928, Russell M. Grumman succeeded Snell as director and served in that position until his retirement on 31 August 1956. Grumman was especially active in expanding the extension programs in the state's high schools and local communities. The succeeding directors are as follows:
1 September 1956
30 June 1959
Charles F. Milner, Acting
1 July 1959
30 June 1975
Charles F. Milner
1 July 1975
31 December 1976
Dwight C. Rhyne, Acting
1 January 1977
30 June 1986
Dwight C. Rhyne
1 July 1986
31 December 1989
William H. Heriford
1 January 1990
31 December 1997
Thomas L. McKeon
1 January 1998
31 July 1999
Norman L. Loewenthal, Interim
1 August 1999
Norman L. Loewenthal
Prior to 1976, the director of the Extension Division reported to the Office of the Provost, in the Division of Academic Affairs. On 14 April 1976, the division was reorganized and renamed the Division of Extension and Continuing Education and was placed administratively under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Development and Public Service. On 1 July 1985, it was transferred back to the Division of Academic Affairs and again placed administratively under the provost. In 1991, the name of the division changed once more, to Division of Continuing Education.
From the guide to the Division of Extension and Continuing Education of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Records, 1931-1976, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. University Archives.)
