Blackstone College - Acorn Yearbook (Blackstone, VA)

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10 Blackstone College for Girls culture to enable them to enter directly upon life’s duties. For other students, these two years at college help in the discovery of abilities that will lead to more advanced work in either a liberal arts or a pro- fessional school. There are many who, when they finish high school, have rather definite ideas as to the four-year college or university in which they wish to complete their work. At Blackstone College such students can atrange to take courses which will prepare them for the particular university they wish to enter. History Blackstone was founded in 1892. The school is the property of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and receives financial help from the Virginia Conference. Other church denominations are largely represented both in faculty and student body. Inno sense is Blackstone Nafrow Of sectarian in its views or teachings. A new building was erected in 1900 and in 1906, through the liber- ality of Mr. Andrew Carnegie and other friends, another building was added to accommodate the increasing number of students applying for admission. In 1920 and 1922 fires destroyed practically all of the College buildings, which have since been replaced by modern fire-proof structures. In 1926 an annex was erected, providing a beautiful auditorium, gymnasium, and commodious quarters for the School of Fine Arts. LocATION The College buildings are located in the town of Blackstone, Virginia, on the main line of the Norfolk and Western Railway, about sixty miles from Richmond. The Colonial and Piedmont Trails pass through the town, giving good bus connections to all points. Black- stone is in the heart of Southside Virginia, where begin the foothills of the beautiful Piedmont section, and is a typical old Virginia town noted for the culture and hospitality of its people. The climate is. mild and healthful. GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS A campus of about thirty acres offers abundant room for recreation. The buildings are located on the crest of a knoll and the campus in spring and autumn presents a very attractive view with its many trees, shrubs and flowers. All of the buildings which are constructed of stone, brick and Ee

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Blackstone College for Girls 9 BLACKSTONE COLLEGE Forty-five years ago Blackstone received her first student body. Before these students came she had set for herself very definite ideals. Scholas- tically Blackstone seeks to give her daughters thorough instruction and to prepare them for life's duties. She endeavors to inculcate an attitude of faithfulness, reverence for the spiritual, and appreciation of the beautiful in life. Democracy, loyalty, personal honor, good sportsman- Ship and courtesy have become a very part of the spirit of Blackstone. CRO STANDARD JUNIOR COLLEGE (UR present life with its changing economic conditions and require- ments has necessitated modifications in our educational system. The Junior College is recognized as one of the most vital branches in the entire program. There are now over six hundred Junior Colleges offering their particular advantages to American youth. Blackstone is a Junior College. It is sometimes difficult for a student just leaving high school to be sure that she wishes to take the time for or spend the money on a four- year college course. The Junior College with the definite goal of graduation in two years offers the opportunity for this decision to be made wisely and without any loss of time. It gives the chance under most favorable conditions to develop personality and ability. The student is not overshadowed in these crucial first years of her college life by upper classmen. She has the opportunity from the very first to participate in extra-curricular activities and can find her place of leadership in college life. Fields of service are at once open to her in dramatics, music, literary work and in the finest type of co-operative citizenship. In the matter of curriculum, the small Junior College like Blackstone offers personalized service. It is not a matter of ‘going through the mill,’’ but with kindly supervision the student’s individual problems receive careful attention. Blackstone College also offers the oppor- tunity to enrich experience, to acquire poise, and to form some of life’s finest friendships. With the advance in high school preparation, the added two years of college life give many girls adequate training and

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Blackstone College for Girls 11 reinforced concrete are fire-proof. They are also connected, thus obviating the necessity of exposure to disagreeable weather. Main Buitpinc.—In the main building are located the dining hall, laboratories, classrooms, business offices, reception room, and the Vincent Library which was named in honor of liberal contributors to the original building. The upper floors of the main building are used exclusively for rooms of teachers and students. The rooms are well atranged and comfortable. Each room has hot and cold water and a large closet. ANNEXx.—The auditorium, studios, and practice rooms for the Fine Arts Department are on the first floor of the annex. On the mezzanine floor is located the lounge. This room has a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty and is used for social gatherings. Chapters of national sororities represented in the College have their rooms on this floor. On the third floor are the gymnasium and additional studios and practice rooms. HEALTH Our climate is mild and invigorating and there are few days when walks and games cannot be enjoyed out of doors. The water supply of the College comes from its own artesian well 336 feet deep, thus insuring the purity of the water. The heating and ventilating systems of the buildings are modern. The food is healthful and carefully prepared. The officers of the school, the director of physical education, the school physician, and our own resident graduate nurse make every effort to keep all of the students in good health. In case of illness the student receives treatment in a modern infirm- ary. Our registered nurse has her rooms in this apartment together with her office, diet kitchens and bedrooms. We have had no serious epidemics or illness in our student body for many years. The general health of the group has been very good and in many cases there has been great improvement in the physical condition of the students. ATHLETICS Unless excused by a physician’s certificate all students are required to take the regular work in Physical Education. Modified and cor- rective exercises will be given those who cannot take the regular course. The nature of these exercises will be determined by the recommendation of the College physician. Intramural games of basketball, tennis, hockey, swimming, and other sports give all interested students a chance to play. Inter-