The History of Virginia State University

AARP Virginia and Cheryl Mango, associate professor of history at Virginia State University (VSU), presented an online event that described the rich history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Virginia. Mango, founding executive director of the National HBCU Studies Data Collection and Research Center at VSU, talked about the founding and history of the university as well as the broader impact HBCUs have in their communities.

HBCUs have played a major role in the education and economic empowerment of the African American community. These institutions have not only given Black people access to higher education but also nurtured talent, leadership, and cultural pride. Among the prominent HBCUs, VSU stands out for its rich history and determination to fight for equality in education.

Mango gave an extensive overview of the historical events that culminated in what we currently know as VSU. Located in Petersburg, Virginia, it was founded on March 6, 1882, as the first public Negro college. Additionally, it was the first state supported four-year institution of higher education for Black people. Mango pointed out that the school’s name had changed five times, significantly reflecting its progression to excellence in the field of higher education VSU is known for today. The names are listed below:

• Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute (1882-1902)
• Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute (1902-1923)
• Virginia State College for Negroes (1923-1946)
• Virginia State College (1946-1979)
• Virginia State University (1979 to present)

The first time the name changed was due to mission expansion of the school. The initial mission established in 1882 was to train African Americans to become teachers in response to the great need for well qualified teachers in segregated schools. In 1902, as the curriculum evolved to include a more comprehensive and diverse range of vocational and academic training,, the name was changed to Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute.

As the curriculum became known for its academic excellence and cultural contributions abounded, the name was changed again. In 1923, it was renamed to

Virginia State College for Negroes. During this era, the school became recognized as a springboard of intellectual and cultural life for many African Americans.

Virginia State College became the new name from 1946-1979. By expanding courses and degree options as well as research capabilities, it achieved university status; thus, the name was changed to Virginia State University.

Mango discussed the role of native Americans in VSUs history. VSU sits on Fleet Hill where Powhatan of the Appomattoc tribe was defeated in 1676 by Captain Henry Fleet. After slavery ended, Alfred Harris, a Black attorney who graduated from Howard University, founded VSU. At that time, Harris was a delegate that represented Dinwiddie County in the General Assembly. As Harris gained power in the Virginia Legislature, he advocated for bills to be passed for education and mental health facilities in Virginia. As a result, VSU was established for education and Central State Hospital became the world’s first asylum for Black people.

Harris stated in the bill that VSU must be a solely Black school, with board members, the presidents, students and staff all being Black. From its inception to the present time, VSU has always had a Black president. John Mercer Langston was the first president of VSU and only served one year. John Manuel Gandy was the longest serving president (1914 – 1942) who made VSU a land grant institution and gained approval to award 4-year degrees. Makola Abdullah, its current president, has been serving VSU since 2016.

Norfolk State College started out as a satellite campus of VSU in 1944. It became an independent college in 1969 and granted university status in 1979.

VSU has also fostered academic excellence, and commitment to student success can be seen in many of its alumni. William H. Lewis attended VSU in 1890 and he was a former U.S. Assistant Attorney General. Herman Branson from the class of 1936 became a notable physicist. Reginald F. Lewis founded TLC Beatrice Group in 1983. By 1992, the company had sales of over $1.8 billion annually, making it the first Black-owned business to generate a billion dollars in annual sales. The African American Museum in Baltimore is named after Lewis. Another notable graduate of VSU was Ora Brown Stokes Perry, an educator who took leadership roles in the women’s suffragist movement in the Richmond, Virginia area. She chaired the Colored Women's Section, National Defense of Virginia, and organized the National Protective League for Negro Girls. Later, she became the founder of the League of Women Voters in Virginia. She was also an advisor to Mary McLeod Bethune. Another distinguished alumnus is Samuel DeWitt Proctor, an outstanding American who wore many hats. He was known as a prominent

minister who led churches throughout Virginia and New York, as well as mentoring Martin Luther King, Jr during the Civil Rights Movement. Proctor also served as president of two other HBCUs, Virginia Union and North Carolina A&T State University.