History of Valdosta State University
Powell's background included work as a principal, college English professor, department head, and State Superintendent of Rural Schools in Georgia.
The first building on the campus, constructed between 1912 and 1913, was named in honor of William Lorraine Converse, Sr. who, as a State Representative, helped expedite the establishment of the college in Valdosta.
The Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of college in Valdosta was based on the popular style of the era, as well as Powell's personal experiences in the American Southwest.
The school opened in January 1913, but the surrounding landscape was primarily undeveloped There were no driveways or sidewalks, and the predominant wetlands at the south were only crossable at Patterson Street.
The event had a carnival-like atmosphere with student dressed in elaborate costumes performing skits and dances and the winding of the brightly colored May pole.
In 1933, the Board of Regents system-wide reorganization focused the college's mission on the liberal arts and downsized the department of education, and the training school was closed.
In addition to strengthening the school's liberal arts departments, Dr. Reade's administration paralleled a period of federally funded campus growth.
In 1939, the WPA funded construction of the Student Activities Log Cabin, which included offices for campus publications and the Young Women's Christian Association.
In the vicinity of the Camellia Trail on Georgia Avenue, the school acquired a stately southern colonial residence in 1948 for use as a new Music Studio.
In January 1950, the Board of Regents, acting on the advice of a committee which had examined the whole University of Georgia System, voted to change GSWC to a co-ed institution and rename it Valdosta State College.
The Main Campus boundary was enhanced in 1960 with the construction of a wrought iron arch, bearing the name of the college, opposite West Hall along North Patterson Street.
The density of the campus core continued to increase with the substantial west addition to Nevins Hall in 1970 which effectively doubled the building size, making it the primary classroom facility for the college.
Conceived as a new learning center for the campus, the 3-story, 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m2) building was a notable departure from the school's original Spanish Mission, and later Gothic-inspired architectural styles.
In the midst of the growing popularity of Greek activities and pageants, the signs of social change common among college campuses during the 1960s and 70s appeared at VSC.
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.
In the spring of 1978, with Dr. Martin's retirement looming in the summer and the college in the midst of a search for a new president, Converse Hall, VSC's most historic building, burned and had to be demolished.
The design of the colossal multi-purpose facility included 6,000 seating capacity for basketball, an indoor track, training spaces, and additional ball courts.
In August 1990, the Georgia Board of Regents named the Library in honor of Gertrude Gilmer Odum, a major benefactor and Professor Emeritus of English.
Also in 1993, the Continuing Education program moved into the former Georgia Power building, constructed in 1965, on North Patterson Street adjacent to downtown, and a rehabilitation project began on Powell Hall.
[9] As the Main Campus reached its capacity for development, new construction shifted to the Valdosta city blocks south of Brookwood Drive.
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.
During his tenure construction included the Blazer Boulevard pedestrian mall, the Centennial Hall dormitories, the student recreation center, a four-story $14.2 million addition off the south side of Odum library adding 95,000 square feet (8,800 m2) in 2004.
[13] It was announced in the September 8, 2010 edition of the Valdosta Daily Times that Hayden Barnes won his legal battle against past university president Dr. Ronald Zaccari.
FIRE took VSU off of their "Red Alert" list after new Valdosta State President Patrick Schloss implemented new rules in September 2008 allowing a drastic increase in free speech expression.
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.
Casey Cagle, Valdosta Mayor John Gayle and Georgia state Reps. Amy Carter, Jason Shaw, and Ellis Black.
[25] On April 25, 2011, 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.
[29][30] Valdosta State University teams have seen notable athletic success in the 2000s, appearing in 11 national title games, and winning seven, across three sports.
The Blazers defeated the Bulldogs of Ferris State University in 2018 with a score of 49–47 to win their most recent NCAA Division II National Football Championship.
[33] The Valdosta State Lady Blazers won the 2012 NCAA Division II softball championship, the first women's national title in school history, beating UC San Diego 4–1.
