West Virginia State University - Arch Yearbook (Institute, WV)

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FEATURE | FEATURE |» - FEATURE FEATURE EDITOR (0 ISSAC BRIDGEFORTH =) CAMPUS. ‘J. HOWIE CARNIVALS M. ALSTON CLUSTER M. ALSTON COMMENCEMENT D.GUTHRIE COMMUNITY — J. HOWIE DEDICATION D. GUTHRIE DIRECTORY S. NICHOLS HOMECOMING M. ALSTON MEMORIAM I. BRIDGEFORTH SPIRITS — D. GUESS

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A Few Highlights of the Wallace Years at State Twenty years have passed since Dr. William J. L. Wallace took the oath of office for the presidency of West Virginia State College. The era has been an exciting and. significant one in the history of the college as well as higher education in the United States. It has been an era in which the institution has thrived under his leadership; greatly expanding its role in terms of enrollment, service to the nation and world, physical plant facilities and quality education for those students it serves. Elected as the sixth president of the College on May 7, 1953, Dr. Wallace guided the institution from an all Negro facility to a true “living laboratory of human relations”, where members of all races live and learn together. Following the U.S. Supreme Court desegregation decision of 1954, the College opened its doors to students of every race, who were eager to be admitted to an institution enjoying a reputation of academic excellence. West Virginia State College and the world benefited as enrollment grew from 837 to nearly 3,000 by 1966. Today, some 3,600 students receive their education each semester at “State’’, an increase of over 400 per cent. This increase is even more significant when tied to the improvement of the standard of academic achievement and curriculum at “‘State”’. Additional measures of growth under the leadership of Dr. Waliace can be seen in terms of the physical plant at “State”. New educational facilities brought to the campus during the Wallace tenure included: the ROTC building; the College Union; John W. Davis Fine Arts Building; High Rise co-educational dormitory; the nine- story PEM classroom building; Maintena nce and Stores building; Lakin Field Athletic Stadium; numerous faculty homes; improved campus roads and extensive parking areas. Perhaps the largest single contribution made by Dr. Wallace can be seen in the area of academics. ‘State’ has expanded its services to the point that “A Plan for Progress” published by the West Virginia Board of Regents, points out: “WVSC offers an unusually wide range of baccalaureate programs, associate degree level offerings and a large number of evening classes for the many part-time students enrolled.” ‘State’, under the guidance of Dr. Wallace, has grown into a true community college, providing the people and area it serves with low-cost, quality higher education.