The Board of Trustees hired Charles Collins as the institution's first president (1838–1852), with classes beginning in the spring of 1838, with 60 students enrolled.

[14] Presently, the institution is proud to have a diverse academic community, encompassing a total of 1,082 undergraduate students, alongside 273 graduate scholars, and maintains a dedicated faculty comprising 97 full-time professors.

In the Emory "village" students enjoy Prillaman and Linden houses, modern residences that feature single and double occupancy rooms in a home-like setting.

The Hermesian and Calliopean rooms, which are home to the college's historic debate societies, have been restored to their early elegance.

[16] Emory & Henry University's liberal arts academic program is based upon a required four-year core curriculum of history, literature, and culture.

They may attend a range of lectures and cultural events, called Lyceums, led by political figures, area experts, or artists.

Students are involved in a wide range of long-term, meaningful projects in partnership with a variety of community groups and organizations.

The college has a unique undergraduate program in Civic Innovation that is centered around a project-based curriculum related to issues of citizenship, social change, and public activism.

Emory and Henry University's sports teams, nicknamed the "Wasps," participate in NCAA Division II in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC).

[17] The college sponsors a wide range of athletic teams, including men's teams in football, soccer, basketball, baseball, cheer and dance, golf, equestrian, lacrosse, track and field, cross country, and tennis, as well as women's teams in cross country, volleyball, basketball, softball, soccer, cheer and dance, golf, rugby, equestrian, lacrosse, track and field, tennis, and swimming.

While there are many rumored origins of the nickname, the most commonly accepted story is that Emory & Henry was first called the Wasps after the football team played its first game in Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee.

[19] Despite the Volunteers from Tennessee being heavily favored, they only held a 6-0 lead at halftime, this is due to the defensive efforts of Emory & Henry.

Often students mountain bike or hike on the numerous trails in nearby Damascus or Abingdon, or participate in rock climbing, kayaking or other outdoor sports.

[21] Notably, Emory & Henry University received the Corporation for National and Community Service Presidential Award from President Obama in March 2010.

This distinction marked a historic milestone as Emory & Henry became the first higher education institution in Virginia to receive this award for their contributions to national and community service.