History         

 

	January 27, 1970	First meeting to discuss a joint venture in vocational education between Suffolk City Schools, Nansemond County Schools, Isle of Wight County Schools and Franklin City Schools.
	September 24, 1970	First meeting of the Joint committee for Control of the new regional vocational-technical Center.
	June 7, 1971	Land is donated by Peter Dewitt Pruden, Sr. as a site for the center.
	June 13, 1972	Joint Committee adopted  a name for the new school, calling it P. D. Pruden Vocational-Technical Center.
	April 16, 1974	Ground breaking ceremony and construction was begun.
	July 1, 1975	The staff assembled for the first time in the new building and began a busy summer of preparation.
	September 2, 1975	The big yellow buses pulled up to the front door and the students poured in.  The Vo-Tech dream has become a reality.
	1984	Franklin City Schools announces their decision to withdraw from participation.
	1985	Established program in Television Production and WPDP (later changed to WSPS) first aired from the Center.
	1987	Establishment of a vocational assessment program.
	1991	The P. D. Pruden Vocational-Technical Center Foundation, Inc., was established for the purpose of providing construction projects for the Center's carpentry students.
	1992	The Center for Lifelong Learning was created as a regional adult education program.
	March 19, 1996	The Joint committee for Control adopted a new mission statement.
	October, 1996	Establishment of a Strategic Planning Task Force.
	1997	Name changed to The Pruden Center for Industry and Technology. Established new programs in computer network administration, PC technology and emergency medical technology.
	1998	In partnership with the Hampton Roads Utility Heavy Contractor's Association, established a program in Utility/Heavy Construction Technology.
	2000	25th Anniversary Celebration.  Established two new programs:  Multimedia Communications and Veterinary Assistant.