Blackstone College - Acorn Yearbook (Blackstone, VA)

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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-

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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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12 Blackstone College for Girls scholastic games of hockey, basketball, and tennis are arranged each year. A new indoo r swimming pool, completed in January, 1937, is an added feature to the Athletic Department. Students enjoy regular swimming periods supervised by Red Cross Life Savers. Contests are held each year with swimmers from other schools. Riding clubs may be organized at reasonable additional cost, and a golf course located on the campus may be used by all. Reticious LiFsr Blackstone endeavors to offer the students the strong influence of a happy Christian home. Students are expected to attend the church to which they belong. Those who are not church members will find a cordial welcome at any of the five churches of Blackstone. Chapel services are held three times a week with students, ministers from town, or visiting speakers conducting the programs, and Sunday vespers are sponsored by the student Y. W. C. A. Chapel attendance is required of all students. Prominent leaders in religious and other constructive phases of education are invited to speak to the students at convocations held’ from time to time during the year. Representative groups of students attend Leadership Training Schools each year. SociAL LIFE Every effort is made at Blackstone to provide happy, helpful social activities. Receptions and entertainments are enjoyed by both students and faculty. In the spring and fall there are hikes, picnics and swimming parties; and holidays such as Hallowe'en, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter . are celebrated with fun and frolic. Student and faculty recitals in the Department of Music, plays by the Dramatic Club, and concerts given by the Glee Club are among the delightful entertainments of the year. Other social occasions are programs given by visiting glee clubs and entertainers. Parties and — social gatherings are frequently planned by the students themselves. The College arranges for students to hear visiting artists in Rich- mond, Petersburg and near-by towns. Arrangements may also be made for trips to points of historic interest near Blackstone. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS STUDENT GOVERNMENT.—The purpose of student government at Blackstone is to develop and perfect a high sense of honor and self-