When a student could not afford to pay for college, he worked with community members and businesses to help. These activities were a vital part of everyday life. Construction moved outward from the original campus, where the central green space has been protected for more than years. The merger lasted until , when, under the tenure of Charles Martin, the two schools quietly separated.
Martin presided over a time of unprecedented growth, between and , when enrollment grew from to 4, During the same time, 19 new buildings went up, and faculty multiplied by a factor of five.
Admissions standards were raised, and Martin improved faculty credentials by encouraging his teachers to pursue doctoral degrees and granting them leave to do so. Those two decades witnessed national social upheaval that was echoed on campus. President Donald Dedmon arrived in ready to embrace it. In the fall of that year, the college instantly doubled its recruitment pool by admitting male undergraduates. Dedmon instituted a groundbreaking university governance system that included student representation.
The Foundation was established to steward funds raised for student scholarships and institutional initiatives. Radford "powder plant" or Arsenal was built in to manufacture gunpowder and associated products. Three housing projects were developed in Radford to accommodate the rapid influx of people. Fairlawn, which is the area across the river from Radford to Pulaski County, was also developed at this time.
Hundreds of freight cars and no fewer than 12 passenger trains passed through Radford daily during the peak of the war time economy. The rapid population growth to 12, in necessitated change in city government as new and increased services were needed. New committees and boards were established and a fine recreation expansion and establishment of a Community Hospital and Chamber of Commerce.
Post-War Years The post-war years saw a sharp decline in population followed once again by slow increase. In , the city joined the New River Valley Industrial Commission to help attract new industries to the city. The growth of Radford College, given university status in , has influenced the character and development of east Radford. The concern for education and juvenile after-hours behavior was the basis for Radford's achieving "All American city" status.
Current Standing Radford has continued to evolve over the years. Contact Us. New River. Regional Initiatives. Crooked Road. Wilderness Road. Visit Radford. The school was to be located on 33 acres in east Radford known as the "Heth Grove. John Preston McConnell was appointed president of the institution. The first building on Radford's campus was started in , and a crew of 50 men took 14 months to complete it.
Founder's Hall, with its copper dome and ornate features, was one of the most notable structures between Roanoke and Bristol.
The building housed administrative offices, a gymnasium, auditorium, library, and classrooms and was dedicated on August 9, , just before the September 17 start of the school's first session. The students who arrived that fall had several options. Those who had come from two- and three-year high schools could complete their high school degree and earn up to a two-year Normal School Diploma.
Students who had graduated from a four-year high school could choose to pursue an "industrial" degree in the rural arts, household arts, and manual arts. Courses were designed to give students a well-rounded, teaching-focused education.
With no dormitories, the school rented two nearby buildings for student housing, Heth House and La Belle Inn. Life on campus was very strict and required the ladies to be "Southern Gentlewomen," observing Victorian values and prudence. If we work upon brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work upon men's immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles, With the just fear of God and love of their fellowmen, we engrave on those tablets something which no time can efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity.
Alma Mater Hail all Hail! To our Alma Mater Bare our heads, make the welkin ring; Hers our hearts and our fond allegiance Honors to her we bring. Hail, all Hail! To the Radford Normal Give three cheers, and then one cheer more; Let the praise of our Alma Mater Echo from shore to shore; She is ours and our loyalty will never, never fail. Hail to thee our Alma Mater, Hail, all Hail! Radford's campus continued to grow in the late teens and early '20s.
Tyler Hall, the school's first official residence hall, was built in three sections: the first opened in , the second in , and the third was completed in The Radnor , the school's first annual, was published from and discontinued due to World War I.
The successor to the Radnor , renamed the Beehive after the school seal, was first published in The Grapurchat , the first student newspaper, began in In , the school's name was changed to State Teachers College. For several years the curriculum had been undergoing revisions, high school courses had been dropped and the state had mandated that Radford focus on preparing teachers for rural school systems.
While observing state guidelines, Dr. McConnell insisted that "good teaching required good courses whether it prepares teachers for rural or city schools. Radford's first Bachelor of Science degrees had been awarded in The student teaching program had been expanded outside the city of Radford to the surrounding counties and towns.
The first sorority chapter was established at Radford in Sigma Sigma Sigma Tri Sigma was founded with 25 students and heralded the beginning of a new social era of sororities and societies at Radford. Formally founded in , the foundation stone of Radford College was laid by Bishop Cecil Warren in and the school opened its doors in with just students and 15 teachers. As a school centred on inclusiveness, community, modernity and success, it grew very quickly in size and reputation.
Today, there are students enrolled from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12, with equal numbers of boys and girls across all year groups. The College is constantly developing to make sure we stay in touch with our students and the world.
Note that a number of Radford buildings were subsequently named in honour of significant people from the Radford community. Salt of the earth people.
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