Mayo State Vocational College
On July 26, 1938, Kentucky's Lieutenant Governor Keen Johnson officially accepted the deed to the old Mayo Estate property from owner E. J. Evans. The ceremony in Paintsville attracted more than 10,000 people and m,arked the beginning of what is now Mayo Vocational and Technical College, one of the most advanced and effective vocational/technical schools in the nation.
As early as 1930, area and regional newspapers began promoting a junior college at Paintsville. A bill to make John C. C. Mayo College a junior college under the University of Kentucky was introduced in the General Assembly in 1930 and 1932 but failed of passage both years. Paintsville gas and oil developer E. J. Evans soon began a movement for the creation of what he called "a practical college - one that will teach men and women how to live and enjoy life."
In January 1938, State Representative J. B. Mollette introduced a bill to create an industrial school at Paintsville on the Mayo site. His bill was followed by an unprecedented demonstrtation of local support. Mollette's bill called for creation of a school to be named Mayo State Vocational School. The bill passed the State Senate 25-0 and the House of Representatives 86-3. A delegation of local civic, business and educational leaders were present when Governor A. B. Chandler signed the bill on April 14, 1938.
Within four months, Mayo State's first director, A. L. Pigman, could announce that more than "one hundred students had enrolled and applications were being received each week."
By 1942 Mayo State was deeply involved in training for war production, especially in radio communications for the military. New building were built, enrollment expanded and post-secondary vocational training was a huge success. During World War II Mayo trained aircraft workers in woodworking and metalworking for employment at Wright Patterson Field in Dayton, Ohio. Welders for the Jefferson Boat Company in Indiana and U. S. Army Signal Corps were taught communications.
With the passing years came the purchase of surorunding property and more new construction. High school students were included in Mayo State's program and a regional network of vocation/technical schools received state support. Course offerings expanded to include business, land surveying, auto mechanics, nursing and cosmetology, among others.
Among those who succeeded A. L. Pigman in guiding Mayo State's destiny since 1938 were J. Milburn Taylor, C. W. Mathis, James Patton, George L. Ramey and Jess Conley.
