History of Valdosta State University Presented by Sandi Thurston

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

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 $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

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

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

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

Pinecone Annual Pinecone yearbook annual staff

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

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

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

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

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

Pinecone – Science Club These ladies represent the Science Club presidency

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

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

More changes – 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

New Buildings Brown Hall and aerial view of VSU

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

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

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