History of Valdosta State University

1. History of Valdosta State University Presented by Sandi Thurston

2. The Beginning • Valdosta State University opened in 1913 as a women-only normal college • Now VSU offers degrees from Associate to Doctorate • Covers more than 41 counties in Georgia and Alabama that includes 31% of the land area • Students attend from 48 states and 50 countries

3. The History • 1906 – Local legislatures wanted to establish a college named South Georgia Agriculture, Industrial, and Normal College • Colonel W. S. West and other legislators led the way through Georgia senate • 1911- $25,000 in funds were appropriated by Georgia Senate and Valdosta raised another $50,000 • Colonel donated the land where the main part of the campus sits today

4. 1913 • Richard Holmes Powell declared first president of Valdosta State University • School opens in 1913 and is named South Georgia State Normal College (SGSNC)

5. First Students • SGSNC students were required to wear an uniform • Students paid $10.00 per year for tuition • They paid an additional $12.00 per month for food and board • However, each student had provide their own fork, knife and spoon

6. First Students • 1922 SGSNC changed its name to Georgia State Women’s College (GSWC) • There were 402 students enrolled in the education program • An additional 108 enrolled in a pre-education program

7. Pinecone Annual - 1925 • Pinecone yearbook annual staff - 1925

8. Activities • Student activities revolved around things women liked • These included: • May Day Festival • May Queen • May Pole Dancing • Old English Christmas feast • Click on the link below to read about the feast May Queen 1925 C:\Documents and Settings\galileo57\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\O5O1YXOR\quee25-l[1].jpg

9. War and Depression Years • Students helped roll bandages during World War I • During the Depression, the school was ordered to close by the Chancellor • However, the school was turned into a 4-year liberal arts college • Teacher training was deemphasized

10. Dean Frank Robertson Reade • Dr. Read helped the school to grow from three buildings to seven buildings • The seven buildings include Powell Library, dedicated by Eleanor Roosevelt

11. 1943 • America now faces another war, therefore Valdosta State University turns its educational emphasis to politics and science • The University added a Bachelor of Science degree

12. War Effort • During World War II the women of Valdosta State University took a more active role in the war effort • They created projects to aid the war by starting • Scrap metal drives • USO dances • War bond campaigns • Red Cross activities

13. Pinecone – Science Club - 1943 • These ladies represent the Science Club presidency

14. Dr. Ralph Thaxton • In 1948, Dr. Thaxton became the next President of Valdosta State University • Declares Valdosta a co-educational school • The name is changed to Valdosta State College • Men arrive on campus

15. Changes • The arrival of men means the end of women’s functions • The festivals disappear and are replaced with: • Co-ed events • Beauty contests • Christmas festivals • Sports – male oriented • New educational programs are added • Pre-med • Pre-dentistry • Pre-pharmacy

16. More changes 1963-1966 • 1963 – Valdosta State College peacefully integrates • Dr. S. Walter Martin is named new President of Valdosta State College • The school continues to expand with the addition of: • Odum Library • Find Arts Building • College Union • 6 dormitories

17. New Buildings • Brown Hall and aerial view of VSU

18. !978 • Hugh Coleman started the concept to make Valdosta State College a university • Instituted off-campus sites • Initiated Federal grant money

19. Current History • Ronald M. Zaccari is President of Valdosta State University • Created programs with state and federal funds that make Valdosta State University a 21st century learning institution

20. Bibliography • Davis, Deborah Skinner. Valdosta State University, The College History Series. Arcadia Publishing, Charleston: 2005, 7-9