The College Sage just finished up another fabulous Spring Break college road trip through the hills of Virginia. The I-81 redbuds were in full bloom and breathtakingly beautiful as we wound our way up towards Blacksburg, Roanoke and Lexington. This road trip is a particularly fun way to see four very different college experiences: military at VMI, all-girls at Hollins, small liberal arts at Washington & Lee, and a large campus at Virginia Tech. Here are some of the highlights we discovered in the area.
Washington & Lee University
Washington & Lee University offers a great blend of history and progress up on the hill overlooking the quaint town of Lexington, VA. With 1,800 students, the university’s roots date back to 1749, making it the ninth oldest institution of higher learning in the country. While some things at W&L seem distinctly old fashioned - like the honor system (student self-governance), civility (“every student must be a gentleman” per Robert E. Lee), 100% academics taught by professors, and Greek life (nearly 80% of students participate) – don’t let the building facades fool you, there is ample evidence of forward thinking, teaching, and technology within the walls. We particularly loved the 12-12-4 academic calendar which allows for an academic immersion in one topic or pursuit of a passion for the last four weeks of each year. We were impressed with Reid Hall and the Journalism majors it houses within an otherwise liberal arts entity. And did we mention idyllic Lexington? Be sure to check out The Georges for lodging, The Southern Inn for a meal and of course, pay your respects to General Lee’s Traveller when you visit.
Virginia Tech
Having just visited this campus for the first time - coincidentally on the 10th anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting that killed 32 people - we were impressed by both the ease of navigating a campus of nearly 30,000 students and the accessibility of the staff. Begun as a state-supported land-grant military institute in 1872, the university today offers 225 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and through its Corps of Cadets ROTC program, is also designated as one of six senior military colleges in the country.
Perhaps best known for its College of Engineering, whereby the undergraduate program is ranked 15th in the nation among all accredited engineering schools that offer doctorates, and sixth among engineering schools at U.S. public universities, Virginia Tech has plenty more to offer. We sat down to hear about the intriguing journalism and language programs also available, housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. But whether it’s architecture, science or agriculture that intrigues you, you can find your fit at Virginia Tech! Be sure to ask any student you see walking by “what’s a hokie”? You’ll get a standard reply – “I am”.
Hollins University
If you are looking for an intimate, female-only educational experience housed on a campus quadrangle on the National Register of Historic Places in the picturesque Virginia mountains, then Hollins is your place! Having visited Hollins as a high school student myself, this trip took me back years. The university has strong programs in English and Art. The Jackson Center for Creative Writing is home to Hollins' esteemed undergraduate and graduate writing programs, which have produced dozens of writers of national and international acclaim. How many of you don’t know Goodnight Moon by alum Margaret Wise Brown? The school oozes with traditions and secret societies. Tinker Day is the school's best known and best loved tradition, dating back to the 1880s. One day in October, after the first frost, classes are cancelled so that students, faculty, and staff can climb nearby Tinker Mountain while wearing colorful and silly costumes. Freya walks take place on nights of special events or issues. Members of this secret society walk at night to call attention to or celebrate current events. They wear black-hooded robes to protect their anonymity and carry candles to symbolize hope. Only ADA members know what the letters stand for. ADA was founded in 1907. It oversees two important Hollins traditions: zaniness and the wearing of purple on Tuesdays. For traditions, secret societies, historic spaces, excellent writing and intimate student-faculty relationships, “lift thine eyes” to Hollins!
Virginia Military Institute
VMI is the oldest state-supported military institution in the United States. Neighboring Washington & Lee on the hill overlooking Lexington, VMI enrolls cadets only and awards baccalaureate degrees exclusively. VMI cadets and alumni played instrumental roles in the American Civil War and produced many of America's commanders in World War II including George C. Marshall, the top U.S. Army general during the war. VMI is the only military college in the U.S which is nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report in the same category as the federal military academies. VMI was the last U.S. military college to admit women, having excluded women from the Corps of Cadets until 1997. The campus is referred to as the "Post," a tradition that reflects the school's military focus and the uniformed service of its alumni. A training area of several hundred additional acres is located near the post. All cadets are housed on campus in a large five-story building, called the "barracks."
And if you’re wondering how this structured environment does with outcomes, VMI has graduated more Rhodes Scholars per capita than any other state-supported college or university! It has also graduated more Rhodes Scholars than all the other senior military colleges combined!
