Virginia Polytechnic Institute - Bugle Yearbook (Blacksburg, VA)

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m B - f ii Approach to the World War II Memorial from the Mall World War II, was forced on the consideration of the Administration. During the period between wars there was a steady increase in the enrollment at V. P. I. A study of this steady increase reveals it would have been sufficient to bring the student body to its present size even if there had not been a war resulting in educational benefits for the vet- erans The Administration, after studying this in- crease in enrollment and surveying the potential college students in the state, concluded that V P I. must expand sufficiently to accommodate 6000 students by 1955. As a result of its findings, the Board of Visitors, in 1946, engaged Alfred Hopkins and Associates to study and report on a plan for growth. The Hop- kins Plan, which calls for further development of the oval scheme, has not been approved in its entirety, but its basic suggestions have been adopt- ed and will be used in future developments. One feature of the plan which transcends all others is the erection of the War Memorial at the campus terminus of the Memorial Hall. Another firm of architects working with the alumni on the memorial also selected this focal point as the logical loca- tion of the monument. The Hopkins Plan divides itself naturally and prop- erly into groups located so as to provide facilities as conveniently as possible Imagine yourself

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Virginia Polytechnic Institute, was established, a plan which called for the erection of the old brick group of academic buildings and barracks was adopted. The buildings and landscaping called for in this plan were completed before the first world war. After World War I the alumni initiated a move- ment to erect a memorial in the form of a gym- nasium. The Administration approved the build- ing and commissioned Warren P. Manning to study the campus, select the site for the memorial build- ing, and offer his plan for the future development of the college ' s physical plant. The Manning Plan, the basis for the expansion of V. P. I. for all time, was submitted and adopted in the early 1920 ' s. Manning ' s plan called for a break with the old quadrangle scheme and the adoption of the present oval, with the gymnasium and stadium on the minor axis. Opposite the War Memorial Building on the same axis an administration build- ing was to be erected sometime in the future. The plan also showed tentative future developments which are now represented by the stone dormitories, dining hall, agricultural group, Davidson Hall, Patton Hall, and the Mineral Industries Building. In a period of twenty years the plan for all time has been completely carried out and V. P. I. is not yet equipped to grant admission to all qualified applicants. The Manning Plan did not anticipate a school of 6000 students, which, by the end of The World War II Memorial Viewed from the Parade Ground

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standing in the doorway of the gymnasium looking toward Burruss Hall. You will see, in the future, on the left of Burruss Hall the applied science group including Davidson Hall and the Academic Science Building. At the far left, radiating from the oval, will be living quarters and the extended agricultural group. On the right of Burruss Hall will be Patton Hall, McBryde Hall, and the com- pleted Mineral Industries Building comprising the engineering group. At the far right on the major axis of the oval will be the memorial On rising ground behind the memorial you will see the Graphic Arts Building. To the right of the mall will be the new library in the same location as the - 7 ' v Agricultural Unit Number Four will connect the General Science Building and the Agricultural Engineering Building 2M if j|- p.-- ii-i|l ; mJt ' « - 1 1 1 sbBi .iist ' isis ■ ' in ' . I oaaS ' USiK ' ' . ! f. m -,ii|: iw ft! h i I w ■ m r. ' Above is shown the Building which will connect the New Agriculturol Hall and the General Science Building present structure. Beyond the old quadrangle there will be new dormitories and the necessary dining facilities. As V. P. I. is a state institution the proposed buildings must be financed through the State Budgetary System, Thus, plans can be adopted and buildings designed but nothing may be erected until appropriations have been made by the Gen- eral Assembly Prior to 1948 partial appropriations have been made for the completion of the agri- cultural group and engineering laboratory, addi- tions to the infirmary, and erection of an academic science building. The money for the other develop- ments has been requested but as yet has not been approved. The expansion of Virginia Tech ' s physical facilities will not change the institution ' s primary aim; rath- er it will strengthen her position and increase her usefulness. V. P. I. will continue to serve the stu- dents, the state, and the nation in the fields of teaching, research, and extension Virginia Tech will continue to operate as a tech- nical professional college serving Virginians first . ' ., ' ,.! ' ■ Irtri 1 ' « The Soils Laboratories will be housed in the Agronomy Lab, shown above