Charles Duncan McIver, the leading crusader for the creation of the institution, served as the first president at a salary of $2,250.00 a year.

The ten-acre campus consisted of Main Building (now Foust), Brick Dormitory, Wooden Dormitory (later called Midway and Guilford), President McIver's House, a laundry shed, and a rough barn. The first infirmary on campus was a room in Brick Dormitory.

October 5 - Mary Dail of Snow Hill, North Carolina was the first student to register when the School opened.

Total annual expenses were $128.00 ($40.00 for tuition, $64.00 for board, and $24.00 for fees).

Fifteen faculty members taught in three areas: commercial, domestic science, and pedagogy.

Miriam Bitting, MD was appointed the first campus physician. Bitting was the second woman physician in North Carolina.

The one year Commercial Department was established.