The City of Roanoke and Mayor Sherman P. Lea Sr. proclaimed on Monday that Aug. 22, 2016 will be Virginia Western Community College Day in honor of the College’s 50th Anniversary. Virginia Western will celebrate its 50th Anniversary and honor the distinction of being the first institution in the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) throughout the 2016-17 academic year.
Virginia Western’s fall semester begins on Aug. 22 and registration for classes will be available until Aug. 28. Students can find the classes they need and register online at: www.virginiawestern.edu.
Virginia Governor Mills Godwin established the VCCS in 1966, financing the initiative with the Commonwealth’s first ever sales tax (for one penny). The Roanoke Extension Division of the University of Virginia and Roanoke Technical Institute, an extension of Virginia Polytechnic and State University (Virginia Tech), were merged to create the Community College of Roanoke, to be later renamed Virginia Western.
From the first class of 1,352 students, Virginia Western has grown to an enrollment of more than 12,000. The College’s main campus along Colonial Avenue in Roanoke City has changed dramatically in the past 50 years and will continue to grow with plans for a new STEM Complex and Parking Garage being refined.
In the next 50 years, Virginia Western will continue to serve its mission to provide quality educational opportunities that empower students for success and strengthen communities.
To read all of the City of Roanoke’s proclamation, view page 9 on the City Council agenda from Aug. 15, 2016: http://www.roanokeva.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/08152016-136?packet=true.
