Department of Sociology and Anthropology
1920s
The Department of History and Sociology formed when rural sociology curriculum was separated from the program. A separate Department of Rural Sociology was also created.
The first PhD was conferred to Jesse Mowry who received a degree in the rural sociology.
Virginia F. Harris became the first woman to earn a master's degree in rural sociology.
1930s
The Rural Sociology Department merged with the Agricultural Economics Department. The result of this merger was the creation of the Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology Department.
The Department of History and Sociology divided into two departments: the Department of History and Department of Sociology.
1950s
The Department of Sociology was renamed the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
1960s
Dr. Mayo became the head of the Department of Rural Sociology (now the Department of Sociology and Anthropology) in 1960 and retired in 1981.
Selz C. Mayo portraitDorothy Williams became the first African American instructor with faculty ranking in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
Dorothy S. Williams, NC State University FacultyDepartment of Rural Sociology merged with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, retaining the latter name.
Dr. Peebles-Wilkins was one of the first African American women to graduate from NC State's College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) with a degree in sociology.
1970s
NC State published "In a Black Perspective." This pamphlet totaled the university's black community at nine professors and 222 students (out of a total 13,809). The publication listed courses focusing on black history and culture: two in political Science and one on race relations in sociology.
