Isothermal Community College

Founded in 1964, Isothermal Community College serves Rutherford and Polk counties in the beautiful foothills of western North Carolina. Isothermal, so-named because of the region's steady climate, is a comprehensive, two-year public institution and is a part of the North Carolina Community College System. Isothermal's mission is to "improve life through learning."

The college offers 87 programs of study, including college transfer, vocational, and technical programs leading to a two-year associate degree, or one-year or less certificate or diploma. Isothermal also provides training for area business and industry, personal enrichment courses, adult basic education, adult high school programs and developmental courses.

The institution is accredited to award associate degrees by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. As of Fall 2012, 2,510 students were enrolled in curriculum courses at Isothermal. Thousands take part in the college’s wide range of continuing education programs each year.

The main campus is on approximately 181 acres in Spindale. The Polk campus is in Columbus. The Spindale campus, perched on the shore of an 11-acre lake, is home to The Foundation Center for the Performing Arts, the area's premier venue for the arts and other special events.

The campus is also home to Rutherford Early College High School, a collaboration with Rutherford County Schools that allows students to obtain a college degree while attending high school. Isothermal also offers a variety of online courses and has various joint programs with Gardner-Webb University, Appalachian State University, Western Carolina University and several other four-year institutions.

In 2009, The Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary. During its first decade, the venue has hosted scores of wonderful performances by acts as varied as the National Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, Charlie Daniels, Merle Haggard, the North Carolina Dance Theater, Mickey Rooney, the Acting Company, Loretta Lynn and Doc Watson. The Foundation has also hosted national touring shows including "State Fair" and "Gentleman Prefer Blondes." In addition, The Foundation hosts a variety of meeting and banquet functions ranging from weddings and proms to trade shows and corporate retreats.

The college also owns and operates WNCW 88.7 FM, an award-winning public radio station that can be heard in parts of five different states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia.

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