Valdosta State University (Campus History)

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The elaborate costumed festivals came to an end early in the s and were replaced with co-ed events. Christmas Fest ended and Homecoming replaced May Day as a "spring event. Within a few years, many of the extracurricular activities were male-led, and by male students outnumbered the women on campus.

Greek organizations were formed, first fraternities and then sororities. Inter-collegiate athletics became a part of campus life when the Rebels all-male basketball and baseball teams were formed. In , the new Gymnasium and Physical Education building opened followed in by a new dining hall named Palms Dining Center in Both structures were implemented according to the school's development plan. To accommodate the separate campuses, a bussing system was established in between Main and North Campus.

The Main Campus boundary was enhanced in with the construction of a wrought iron arch, bearing the name of the college, opposite West Hall along North Patterson Street. The project, the idea for which began in the s, was funded by the Alumni Association. In the same year, a modern addition was constructed at the rear of West Hall.

In , the Farber Health Center was constructed to serve as an infirmary for the growing student population. In , the college celebrated its 50th anniversary. In the same year, the Valdosta State University Foundation was established "to assist the University in achieving academic excellence" by attracting distinguished alumni and friends to lead the effort to raise private support and providing responsible stewardship for these gifts and other Foundation assets.

Thaxton retired for health reasons in , and Dr. Sidney Walter Martin presided over a time of physical growth and social change for the college. Although some of the construction projects had begun under Dr. Martin's tenure coincided with the biggest building boom in the college's history. In , construction was completed on the Science Administration Building later named Nevins Hall which included a occupancy planetarium.

All three residence halls were formally arranged to create small intimate quadrangles at their new sites on campus. In , construction began on the Student Union. The building replaced the former Student Center converted-gymnasium and enclosed one corner of the swimming pool. At around this same time, planning for a new school library at the southern edge of campus provokes the elimination of vehicular traffic from the main campus, beginning first with the closure of the east west street connecting Patterson to Oak Street.

Since the s, and following increased use of automobiles, the original axial pedestrian paths that ran through the center of campus had evolved into paved vehicular roads. In , construction began on Langdale Hall at the northern edge of campus and necessitated the demolition of the "House in the Woods". The 5-story dormitory became the tallest building on campus. In the following year, construction began on the adjacent Georgia Hall, a 3-story dormitory housing students.

Additional signals of the increase in admissions included the addition of two wings to the Dining Hall and the diversion of One Mile Branch Creek for the construction of a surface parking lot near Sunset Hill Cemetery. The density of the campus core continued to increase with the substantial west addition to Nevins Hall in which effectively doubled the building size, making it the primary classroom facility for the college.

In , the new Library was dedicated on the site of the former tennis courts between the College Union and Brown Hall. The building was designed in a style referred to as the New Formalism, developed in the mids as practitioners of modernism sought new modes of expression not so tightly bound by the rigid formula of the American version of the International Style. Unique to the design were the integration of the building entrance with the landscape and the use of a wide ceremonial stair which extended from the axis of Blazer Boulevard.

Valdosta State College was integrated in September Of the three hundred freshmen that entered VSC that fall two of those freshmen were black. The two students applied with about twenty other black students. Despite the challenges of those first years of integration from to , over the next decade the college continued to add African American students, faculty, and administrators.

Ill health prompted Dr. Thaxton's retirement, and Dr. Walter Martin, past president of Emory University and vice chancellor of the university system, became the new president of Valdosta State in In the midst of the growing popularity of Greek activities and pageants, the signs of social change common among college campuses during the s and 70s appeared at VSC. Students, both in support and against the Vietnam War , protested and held demonstrations on campus. Also during these years, the continued desegregation of the student body lead to the success and visibility of black scholars, athletes, homecoming queens, and artists.

Drug use appeared on campus and "streaking" caused a brief sensation. Of more lasting importance was the inauguration of women's intercollegiate sports- the Lady Blazers in At the North Campus, the former buildings of the all-male Emory College began to be developed for specialized departments. Barrow Hall, named for David C. In the following year, Thaxton Hall, named for Dr. Ralph Thaxton, the 4th President of the College, was converted from a male dormitory for the Nursing Department, and in Pound Hall, named for former president Jere Madison Pound, was renovated to house the School of Business Administration.

In the spring of , with Dr. Hugh Coleman Bailey assumed the post of presidency and arrived in the summer in the wake of the recent catastrophe. Within three years, however, a new Converse Hall opened on the site of the former building. The contemporary structure included 91 furnished apartments and expanded the original building's footprint with a four-story wing at the south. Additionally, some original brick and cast stone was recycled from the original Converse Hall. The design of the colossal multi-purpose facility included 6, seating capacity for basketball, an indoor track, training spaces, and additional ball courts.

During this period, the Blazer sports excelled with the creation of a successful football program in , and a national championship baseball team in Towards the end of the decade, the institution undertook the rehabilitation of two of the campus's signature buildings, both of which were over sixty years old. From to , the interior of West Hall was completely gutted and reconfigured. All of the building's windows were replaced, most notably those on the modern west wing addition, which was redesigned in the style of the original building.

Work also included the construction of a 2-story addition at the end of the western wing, also in keeping with the original Edwards and Sayward design of the building. During this project, a minor rehabilitation was also performed on Reade Hall. Following the completion of this Main Campus work, a major rehabilitation of Pound Hall on North Campus began in Lasting two years, this project also included gutting the interior of the building, replacement of the windows and reconfiguration of the floor plan.

Bailey's tenure beginning in , the school doubled in size from 4, to 9, students.

History of Valdosta State University

Through the s and early s the school upgraded existing courses and added graduate programs. With the creation of satellite locations and the expansion of academic programs, non-traditional students gained greater access to the institution. All of these efforts were part of an endeavor to make VSC a university.

On July 1, , after years of work and lobbying, VSC became Valdosta State University VSU , the second regional university in the University System of Georgia, with a special responsibility for the professional graduate needs of its service area. As a regional university in South Georgia, Valdosta State cooperates with other University System institutions to ensure that the region receives the services it needs. To expand its programmatic outreach, it develops and offers programs by distance learning and at off-campus locations throughout the region.

Also in , the Continuing Education program moved into the former Georgia Power building, constructed in , on North Patterson Street adjacent to downtown, and a rehabilitation project began on Powell Hall. In the same year, VSU received a Georgia American Institute of Architects award for the institution's "consistency in application of Spanish Mission architecture" to its campus complex.

Later in , the style greatly influenced the rehabilitation of the former Brookwood Plaza shopping center as a new University Center. The complex of buildings, which included a grocery store, Sears, and Woolworths, were converted for office, classroom, and special use facilities. As the Main Campus reached its capacity for development, new construction shifted to the Valdosta city blocks south of Brookwood Drive.

One of the most significant contributions to the definition of the campus's original Beaux-Arts plan was realized in with the completion of the new Science Building. Not since the completion of Nevins Hall had construction affected the campus's half-moon drive, created in the early s. The biology and chemistry building later named for Dr. Hugh Bailey, holds over 50 laboratories and included a sunlight atrium lined with transparent interior walls.

Valdosta State University - Wikipedia

Following the retirement of Dr. Zaccari as President in Under Zaccari, VSU updated its infrastructure to accommodate student population growth. In May , T. Hayden Barnes, a student at Valdosta State University VSU was "administratively withdrawn" for criticizing the construction of two new parking garages on campus in a manner that University President Ronald Zaccari, over the objection of other administrators, deemed to be indicative of Barnes posing a clear and present danger to the VSU campus.

In January , T.

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It was announced in the September 8, edition of the Valdosta Daily Times that Hayden Barnes won his legal battle against past university president Dr. Schloss became the President of VSU in the Summer of and was in office during the completion of several buildings that had been under development during the previous administration. Upon completion of the new Hopper Hall, the old Georgia Hall was demolished and rebuilt as a six-story facility housing students and reopened in August In the fall of , construction began on a new Student Union.

The previous Union on the campus was too small to accommodate the growth of the university and was demolished along with the gymnasium that sat adjacent to the site. The new structure offers classrooms, laboratories, clinical space, and administrative offices for the Department of Psychology and Counseling. The ground breaking for the project was held August 24, and an official ribbon cutting was held on June 23, A large Health Science and Business Administration Building consolidated several colleges into one facility.

Its proximity to South Georgia Medical Center , the largest hospital in the region, allows for the expansion of the College of Nursing and other health programs. Tim Golden, Georgia Lt. The new facility was completed by January On June 27, VSU held a ribbon cutting and officially opened the new expansion.

The 15,square-foot addition includes two seat multipurpose laboratories, two seat classrooms, and 22 faculty offices. In addition to the numerous building projects, many renovation projects had been undertaken including the total renovation of historic Reade Hall , Nevins Hall , the original portion of Odum Library — and Ashley Hall In the fall of VSU's student population reached a new record enrollment of over 12,, with almost half of its student population from the metro Atlanta area.

On April 25, Patrick Schloss announced that he had accepted a new position with the University System of Georgia as the special assistant to the executive vice chancellor for retention, progression, and graduation. Schloss' tenure finished at the end of June after three years at VSU.

The previous Student Union was too small to accommodate the growing student population at VSU and in the fall of , was demolished for construction of the new Student Union which opened in Bailey who served from to In addition, it has four greenhouses on the rooftop; 11 classrooms, including four 48 seat classrooms, and one 96 seat classroom; [22] a large auditorium which seats , and a smaller auditorium which seats ; two conference rooms and 41 offices.

The property was sold to Valdosta State in after it transitioned from an all-female school to co-educational. The buildings follow a red brick modified form of Georgian architecture. The Camellia Trail is believed to be the only such trail on a university campus in the nation.

The trail was a Christmas gift to the University from the late Mr. The Valdosta State campus features six metal sculptures as part of an expanding outdoor art collection. Hook's "Fenris" located outside the north entrance Odum Library, was added in June Valdosta State is organized into five Colleges offering 56 undergraduate degree programs and over 40 graduate programs and degrees. Valdosta State University offers undergraduate work leading to the following degrees: New baccalaureate and graduate degree programs are added from time to time to meet the needs of the population served by the University.

Valdosta State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, bachelor's, master's, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees. There are over recognized student organizations offered at VSU. Opportunities for students include VSU's student radio station The Student Recreation Center provides students with facilities such as an indoor pool, track, racquetball, volleyball and basketball courts, weight rooms, a cardio area, rock climbing wall, and more.

Valdosta State University offers seven traditional residence halls and two apartment-style buildings located throughout the campus. Valdosta State University's Greek Fraternities and Sororities have approximately 1, members, representing more than 10 percent of the student community.

The Spectator is the independent student newspaper of Valdosta State University, published every Thursday morning during each Fall and Spring Semester. The Spectator began in as the Campus Canopy but changed its name to The Spectator some years later. It contains latest campus news, local news, opinions, features, entertainment, and sports. Omnino is an online undergraduate research journal of Valdosta State University. It is published bi-annually and accepts substantial research from all disciplines. The word "Omnino" is Latin for "altogether. The journal was founded in the Spring of by student's in an "Editing for Publications" course.

The station broadcast throughout the year as is possible with a volunteer student and faculty staff. The station first signed on the air in July , and operated out of the old Student Union building. With the replacement of that building the station moved to the south side of campus. The Valdosta State Blazers compete in football, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf and cross-country. The school's team was previously known as the Rebels until the name was changed to the Blazers in the s. Valdosta State's first national championship was in baseball in The men's tennis has won two national titles and and also played for the national championship in three other seasons , , and The Lady Blazers softball team won its first national championship in after falling in their first title match appearance in Fans nominated towns and cities across the country based on their championship pedigree.

A panel reviewed the nominees and fan voting in May determined the 20th finalist. SportsCenter visited each city in July, and fan voting July 23—27 determined the winner. Valdosta State's numerous national, conference, and division titles in multiple sports were a major reason the city of Valdosta won the vote to be named "TitleTown, USA".

In May , T. Hayden Barnes, a student at Valdosta State University VSU was "administratively withdrawn" for criticizing the construction of two new parking garages on campus in a manner that University President Ronald Zaccari, over the objection of other administrators, deemed to be indicative of Barnes posing a clear and present danger to the VSU campus. In January , T. Lukianoff offered an example of an administrator deliberately running down a student with his car, and stated this is no different. He added until administrators understand they have skin in the game, they will continue to violate student's rights if they believe the university and its insurers will take the brunt of the fall-out.

George, a day after he sent a follow-up letter to state officials critical of the state of Georgia funding Confederate History Month , confederate events, and memorials. In June , George had sent a similar open letter to Governor Nathan Deal and all of the state legislatures through his university email account.

Professor George was also the long-time director of the Mary Turner Project, a program dedicated to raising awareness of the lynching spree in Lowndes County which included the death of Mary Turner. The funds for the Mary Turner Project were frozen at the same time of the deletion of George's email.

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After initially supporting George's actions under freedom of speech, McKinney was instructed by Thomas Daniel of the University System of Georgia's External Affairs to remove George's access to university email. It is the position of VSU that George's action violated rules against using university materials for a political agenda.

It's not like the Confederate Army went down there and hung him. George has since voluntarily left VSU for a job elsewhere. It is the position of Mark George that the shut-down of his email was politically motivated. John Cooper Hall Jr, claims that George's email being shut-down was as a result of personal attacks against Hall.

McKinney is refusing to comment on the matter until the independent investigation is complete. As of January 28, , Mark George is considering legal action against Valdosta State University and disputes the findings of the investigation. All funds are supposed to go to the Valdosta Early College Academy. Tickets to the event sold out within three days of the announcement of the event.

Carson's conservative positions, his consideration of running for president in , and the long list of other Republican politicians at the event have drawn questions as to whether or not the event will harm VSU's reputation and if it is a policy violation. The head of minority recruitment for the Georgia Republican Party has been reported as having reserved twenty seats for the event. It is of the opinion of VSU that since Carson has not officially announced his candidacy for any political office, the event is not a policy violation. Carson has stated that he will decide whether or not to run for president depending on the results of the mid-term elections.

On April 17, , Air Force veteran Michelle Manhart was taken into custody for removing an American flag from a student protest at the university. The protest by an unnamed student group involved walking over the flag repeatedly as a symbol against racism. Manhart was detained after she refused to return the flag to the student group, but was later released with a criminal trespass warning.

On April 24, , Valdosta State University campus police discovered a black bag belonging to student protester Eric Sheppard. A loaded handgun was found to be inside the bag, arousing fears that the student protesters belonged to a violent, anti-American group. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Valdosta State University Former names. History of Valdosta State University.

Buildings at Valdosta State University. Valdosta State Blazers football. List of Valdosta State University People. Archived from the original on

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