Virginia State University





































































Virginia State University
VSU seal.png
Former names
Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute (1882–1902)
Virginia State College for Negroes (1902–1946)
Virginia State College (1946–1979)
Motto "A Transformative Experience"
Type
Public
Land-grant
HBCU
Established March 6, 1882 (1882-03-06)
Endowment
$47.4 million[1]
President Makola M. Abdullah
Academic staff
300
Students 7,100
Location
Petersburg
,
Virginia
,
U.S.

Campus
Suburban, 236 acres Main Campus, 413 acres Off Campus site (95.5 ha)
Colors Orange and Blue
         
Athletics
NCAA Division II – CIAA
Nickname Trojans
Affiliations

  • APLU

  • TMCF

  • ORAU

  • SURA

Website www.vsu.edu

Virginia State University (VSU), also known as Virginia State, is a historically black public land-grant university in Ettrick, Virginia. Founded on March 6, 1882 (1882-03-06), Virginia State developed as the United States's first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for black Americans. The university is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.




Contents






  • 1 History


  • 2 Main campus


  • 3 Residence halls


  • 4 Academics


  • 5 Demographics


  • 6 Athletics


  • 7 Student activities


    • 7.1 Greek life


    • 7.2 Marching band


    • 7.3 Cheerleading


    • 7.4 Concert choir




  • 8 Notable people


    • 8.1 Alumni




  • 9 References


  • 10 External links





History




University entrance


Virginia State University was founded on March 6, 1882, when the legislature passed a bill to charter the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute. The bill was sponsored by Delegate Alfred W. Harris, a black attorney whose offices were in Petersburg, but who lived in and represented Dinwiddie County in the General Assembly. A hostile lawsuit delayed opening day for nineteen months, until October 1, 1883. In 1902, the legislature revised the charter act to curtail the collegiate program and to change the name to Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute.


In 1920, the land-grant program for Blacks was moved from a private school, Hampton Institute, where it had been since 1872, to Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute. In 1923 the college program was restored, and the name was changed to Virginia State College for Negroes in 1930. The two-year branch in Norfolk was added to the college in 1944; the Norfolk division became a four-year branch in 1956 and gained independence as Norfolk State College in 1969. Meanwhile, the parent school was renamed Virginia State College in 1946. Finally, the legislature passed a law in 1979 to provide the present name, Virginia State University.


In the first academic year, 1883–84, the University had 126 students and seven faculty (all of them Black), one building, 33 acres, a 200-book library, and a $20,000 budget. By the centennial year of 1982, the University was fully integrated, with a student body of nearly 5,000, a full-time faculty of about 250, a library containing 200,000 books and 360,000 microform and non-print items, a 236-acre campus and 416- acre farm, more than 50 buildings, including 15 dormitories and 16 classroom buildings, and a biennial budget of $31,000,000, exclusive of capital outlay.


The university is situated in Chesterfield County at Ettrick, on a bluff across the Appomattox River from the city of Petersburg. It is accessible via Interstate Highways 95 and 85, which meet in Petersburg. The university is only two and a half hours away from Washington, D.C. to the north, the Raleigh-Durham- Chapel Hill area to the southwest, and Charlottesville to the northwest.


The first person to bear the title of President, John Mercer Langston, was one of the best-known blacks of his day. Until 1992, he was the only black ever elected to the United States Congress from Virginia (elected in 1888), and he was the great-uncle of the famed writer Langston Hughes. From 1888 to 1968, four presidents - James H. Johnston, John M. Gandy, Luther H. Foster, Robert P. Daniel served an average of 20 years, helping the school to overcome adversity and move forward. The next twenty years, 1968-1992, saw six more presidents—James F. Tucker, Wendell P. Russell, Walker H. Quarles, Jr., Thomas M. Law, Wilbert Greenfield, and Wesley Cornelious McClure. On June 1, 1993, Eddie N. Moore, Jr., the former Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia, became the twelfth President of Virginia State University. Dr. Keith T. Miller became Virginia State University's 13th president from 2010 to 2014. In 2015, Dr. Pamela V. Hammond became the first woman to lead Virginia State University in 133 years. She was appointed as interim president on January 1, 2015. On February 1, 2016, President Makola Abdullah, Ph.D., was named as the 14th president of Virginia State University. Dr. Abdullah previously served as provost and senior vice president at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla. President Abdullah is a Chicago native who is the youngest African American to receive a Ph.D. in engineering. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard University in civil engineering and a Master of Science in civil engineering from Northwestern University.



Main campus




Library


The university has a 231-acre (0.93 km2) main campus and a 412-acre (1.67 km2) agricultural research facility known as the Randolph Farm. The main campus includes more than 50 buildings, including 11 dormitories and 18 academic buildings. The main campus is located close to the Appomattox River in Ettrick, Virginia.[2]




Campus 2006



Residence halls



  • Branch Hall

  • Byrd Hall

  • Eggleston Hall

  • Gateway 2

  • Langston Hall

  • Moore Hall

  • Quad Hall (buildings I&II)

  • Seward Hall

  • Whiting Hall

  • Williams Hall

  • University Apartments (off-campus)[3]



Academics


This is a list of the departments within each college:[4]




  • College of Agriculture

    • Agriculture Business and Economics

    • Agricultural Education

    • Animal Science

    • Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Medicine

    • Aquatic Science, Environmental Science

    • Plant and Soil Science



  • The Reginald F. Lewis College of Business

    • Accounting and Finance

    • Management Information Systems

    • Management and Marketing



  • College of Engineering and Technology

    • Electrical and Engineering Technology

    • Mechanical Engineering Technology

    • Computer Engineering

    • Information and Logistics Technology

    • Manufacturing Engineering

    • Computer Science



  • College of Natural Sciences

    • Biology

    • Chemistry and Physics

    • Mathematics

    • Psychology



  • College of Education

    • Professional Education Programs

      • Graduate Professional Education Programs

      • Center for Undergraduate Professional Education Programs



    • Health, Physical Education and Recreation



  • College of Humanities and Social Sciences

    • History and Philosophy

    • Languages and Literature
      • English


    • Mass Communications

    • Military Science

    • Music, Art and Design

    • Political Science, Public Administration and Economics

    • Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice



  • Bachelor of Individualized Studies

  • College of Graduate Studies, Research, and Outreach (offering master's degrees in):

    • Biology (MS)

    • Computer Science (MS)

    • Counselor Education (MS, MEd)

    • Criminal Justice (MS)

    • Economics (MA)

    • Education (MEd)

    • Educational Administration and Supervision (MS, MEd)

    • Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS)

    • Mathematics (MS)

    • Media Management (MA)

    • Psychology (MS)

    • Sport Management (MS)






Demographics


The 2017–2018 student body was 57.4% female and 43% male. It consists of 69.7% in-state and 30.3% out-of-state students.[5] 97.2% of students live on campus and 2.8% off-campus.[5] 91.1% of students self-identify as Black/African American, while 4.0% are White, and 4.0% are racially unreported.



Athletics




Student activities



Greek life


Virginia State University has a very active National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) along with six other non Pan-Hellenic fraternities and sororities which include the following active fraternities and sororities:




  • Alpha Phi Alpha (Beta Gamma)


  • Alpha Kappa Alpha (Alpha Epsilon)


  • Kappa Alpha Psi(Alpha Phi)


  • Omega Psi Phi (Nu Psi)


  • Delta Sigma Theta (Alpha Eta)


  • Phi Beta Sigma (Alpha Alpha Alpha)


  • Zeta Phi Beta (Phi)


  • Sigma Gamma Rho (Alpha Zeta)


  • Sigma Alpha Iota (Mu Beta)


  • Iota Phi Theta (Eta)

  • Pershing Rifles

  • Pershing Angels


  • Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Sigma Zeta)


  • Kappa Kappa Psi (Zeta Psi)


  • Tau Beta Sigma (Epsilon Rho)



Marching band


The Virginia State University Trojan Explosion is composed of instrumentalists, Essence of Troy Dancers, Satin Divas Flag, and Troy Elegance Twirlers.


The famed “Marching 110,” was built during the leadership of Dr. F. Nathaniel Pops Gatlin and Dr. Claiborne T. Richardson. In 1984 the marching band was renamed the “Trojan Explosion” under the direction of Harold J. Haughton, Sr. and the music department began to grow. In 2013, Professor James Holden, Jr. became Director of Bands. In addition to serving as Director of the world renowned VSU Gospel Chorale, Professor Holden has served as Assistant Director of Bands since 1984. Arguably one of the top arrangers in the country, Professor Holden is known throughout the musical world as an exquisite saxophonist.


The renowned Trojan Explosion Marching Band is a captivating show style band executing high intensity, musicality and showmanship on and off the field. The Trojan Explosion has been selected to attend the Honda Battle of the Bands 9 consecutive years. In addition to numerous accolades and achievements, the drum line performed at the White House for President Barack Obama during the signing of the HBCU Funding Bill.The Trojan explosion Dawn's blue and orange for home games and blue,orange,and white for away games.




The Woo Woos in 1977...



Cheerleading


Originally led by head coach Paulette Johnson for 35 years, the Woo Woos are a nationally recognized cheerleading squad known for original, up-tempo and high energy performances. The 30 member squad is composed of young women from all over the country. The squad focuses on community service as well as promoting school spirit. Tryouts are held annually during the spring semester for VSU full-time students. Instructional camps and workshops are offered throughout the state.




... and in 2017


In 2001, the university granted the Woo Woo Alumni chapter its initial charter. The organization has a rapidly growing membership that is actively involved in the promotion of the squad and its individual members. Shandra Claiborne, a former Woo Woo, led the team for one year following the retirement of Johnson. The squad has been under the leadership of former Woo Woo Cassandra Artis-Williams since 2013.



Concert choir


The Department of Music had a recording Concert Choir. In 1974, This choir recorded an album entitled The Undine Smith Moore Song Book a recording in the series of Afro-American heritage in songs.[6] This recording was third in the series, which aspired to produce a recording each year of the works of this black composer who was a former faculty member and co-director of the Black Man in American Music Center.[6] The choir also performed selections from this series in Baltimore at Bethel AME Church," including songs from a group of gospel selections arranged by VSC students Larry Bland, Janet Coleman, and Roger Holliman."[6] Several graduates of VSC were living in Baltimore, and came to join the choir at the end of the program as they sang the Evening Song.



Notable people



Alumni


This list includes graduates, non-graduate former students and current students of Virginia State University.














































































































































































































































Name
Class year
Notability
Reference(s)

Trenton Cannon
2017

NFL running back for the New York Jets


Gaye Adegbalola
1978
Blues singer and civil rights activist


James Avery

Actor


Misster Ray
2006 & 2017
BET College Hill and Vh1 Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood


Deshauna Barber
2011

Miss USA 2016, Top 9 in Miss Universe 2016
[7]

Clara Byrd Baker

Educator, civic leader, and suffragette
[8]

Aline Elizabeth Black

Educator and the focus of a civil rights suit


Joe Bonner

Jazz pianist
[9]

Herman Branson
1936
African American physicist, best known for his research on the alpha helix protein structure
[10]

Rovenia M. Brock

Nutritionist, lecturer, health reporter, entrepreneur, and author
[11]

Al Bumbry

Major League Baseball
[12]

Larry Brooks
1971
Former NFL defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams and current assistant coach of the Virginia State Trojans football team


James Brown

Former NFL player


Pamela E. Bridgewater

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and current U.S. ambassador to Jamaica


Rufus Crawford

Former NFL and CFL player


Rosalyn Dance
1986
Politician, Member of the Virginia House of Delegates

from the 63rd district


[13]

Das EFX
attended
Rap group


Silas DeMary
1993
Arena Football League player
[14]

Wale Folarin

DC Rapper (transferred to Bowie State University)


Roger L. Gregory
1975
Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
[15]

Aaron Hall
attended
Member of the Music Group Guy


Damion Hall
attended
Member of the Music Group Guy


Delores G. Kelley
1956
Member of Maryland State Senate, representing Maryland's District 10 in Baltimore County, Maryland


Kelvin Kinney

Former NFL player


Reginald Lewis
1965
Businessman; owner of TLC Beatrice International


William H. Lewis
c. 1890
Former United States Assistant Attorney General


Naomi Long Madgett
1945
Teacher and an award winning poet, she is also the senior editor of Lotus Press, which is a publisher of poetry books by African-American poets
[16]

Thomas Miller

Prolific graphic designer and visual artist, whose best known publicly accessible work is the collection of mosaics of the founders of DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago, Illinois.
[17]

Héctor Martínez Muñoz

First member of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico


Jim Mitchell

Former NFL player


Ora Brown Stokes Perry
1900
clubwoman, community organizer in Richmond
[18]

James H. Stith
1963
African-American physicist and current professor of Physics at Ohio State University
[19]

Roslyn Tyler

Politician, Member of the Virginia House of Delegates

from the 75th district




Billy Taylor

Jazz musician


Dennis L. Via
1980
Four Star General, U.S. Army, Retired, 18th Commanding General United States Army Materiel Command (AMC)


Camilla Williams
1941
First African-American to receive a contract from a major American opera company


Benjie E. Wimberly

Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
[20]

Avis Wyatt
2007?
Professional basketball player




Alumna Camilla Williams, first African American to get a contract from a major American opera company (namesake of Taylor-Williams Hall at the university)




References





  1. ^ http://hbcumoney.com/2016/02/02/2015-hbcu-endowments/


  2. ^ "About VSU". Virginia State University. Retrieved 1 July 2013..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}


  3. ^ "Residence Halls". Virginia State University. Archived from the original on May 29, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.


  4. ^ Schools Archived September 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine


  5. ^ ab "General Characteristics of Headcount Enrollment" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 17, 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-21.


  6. ^ abc "VSC Concert Choir Completes Recording". Charlottesville-Albemarle Tribune. December 5, 1974.


  7. ^ http://www.vsu.edu/news/news/2016/06/vsu-graduate-crowned-miss-usa.php


  8. ^ "African–American History Month at the Library of Virginia". lva.virginia.gov. Library of Virginia.


  9. ^ "Joe Bonner at All About Jazz". allaboutjazz.com. Archived from the original on 2011-04-16. Retrieved 2011-01-26.


  10. ^ "The Protein Papers". pnas.org. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved 2011-01-26.


  11. ^ "Everything Dr Ro". everythingro.com. Retrieved 2011-01-25.


  12. ^ "Al Bumbry Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved November 6, 2012.


  13. ^ "Rosalyn Dance Virginia House of Delegates". state.va.us. Retrieved 2011-01-25.


  14. ^ "Silas Demary". www.arenafan.com. Arena Fan. Retrieved August 28, 2012.


  15. ^ "Roger L. Gregory". Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2016-02-09.


  16. ^ "Poet Laureate Naomi Long Madgett". naomilongmadgett.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2011-01-26.


  17. ^ "Thomas Miller Biography". thehistorymakers.com. Retrieved 2011-01-26.


  18. ^ "Virginia Normal Adds Mrs. Stokes to Faculty" Chicago Defender (December 24, 1921): 5. via ProQuest


  19. ^ "James Stith Physicist of African Diaspora". math.buffalo.edu. Retrieved 2011-01-26.


  20. ^ "Football: New Hackensack coach Benjie Wimberly to juggle range of positions". NorthJersey.com. March 1, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2013.




External links






  • Official website













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