Emory & Henry College: A Legacy of Academic Excellence and Community Engagement
Emory & Henry College, now Emory & Henry University, stands as a testament to enduring commitment to higher education in Southwest Virginia. Nestled in the Appalachian highlands, the institution has offered quality education for nearly two centuries since its founding in 1836. The college's history, academic programs, vibrant campus life, and dedication to student success create a unique and enriching environment for its students.
Historical Foundations and Development
Emory & Henry College set its foundation on purchased farmland near a natural spring in 1836. The college's origins can be traced back to the Holston Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It is one of the few institutions in the South that has operated for over 187 years under the same name and with continued affiliation with its founding organization.
Four individuals were instrumental in establishing Emory & Henry: Tobias Smyth, a local farmer and Methodist layperson; the Reverend Creed Fulton, a Methodist minister; Colonel William Byars, a Presbyterian and political leader; and Alexander Findlay, a businessman from Abingdon. As a tribute to these founders, Tobias Smyth’s log house, dating to about 1770, has been preserved on the campus for use as a museum and meeting place.
From its founding until the outbreak of the Civil War, Emory & Henry enjoyed growth in enrollment, expansion of course offerings, and additions to the facilities.
The foundation for Wiley Hall was laid on September 30, 1836.
Read also: Emory University Tuition
Impact of the Civil War
The college closed in April 1861 during the Civil War and was commandeered by the Confederate States of America in 1862, operating as a hospital until 1865. During this time, the campus saw battle during the Battle of Saltville. The hospital was the setting of Lieutenant Smith's murder on October 7, 1864, by Champ Ferguson.
Post-Civil War Era and Coeducation
Immediately after the Civil War, classes resumed, but the political and economic instability of that era made the late 1800s a time of struggle for the college. Women first enrolled at Emory & Henry in 1899, and true coeducation was implemented gradually over the next three decades. In 1918, the administration of Emory & Henry was merged with that of Martha Washington College, a Methodist-affiliated, all-female school in Abingdon. When Martha Washington College closed in 1931, many of the students transferred to Emory & Henry.
Growth and Expansion
The Depression era of the 1930s provided a severe test for the college, but strict financial management implemented in the early 1940s, as well as a World War II contract to host a Navy V-12 program on campus, put the college back on sound footing. With strengthened finances and stable enrollments built partly by military veterans aided by the GI bill, Emory & Henry embarked on a massive building program during the era stretching from the mid-1950s into the early 1970s. During this time, the main campus was transformed by the construction of Memorial Chapel, Wiley Jackson Hall, the Van Dyke Center, Hillman Hall, the Kelly Library, the King Health and Physical Education Center, and other major construction and renovation projects.
A new era of construction and renovation began on the main campus in the 1990s. A new Physical Plant Building was constructed. The train depot was converted to an arts complex, with two renovated galleries. The year 2000 saw the completion of a new academic center, McGlothlin-Street Hall, and the expansion of King Athletic Center to include the new Robert Gibson III Fitness Center. Two new residence halls were built in 2006 in The Village. In 2007-2013, the college again embarked on a number of notable facilities projects. Byars Hall was renovated and expanded, and Wiley Hall was completely renovated. Designed to be “green” buildings, both Byars and Wiley received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Artificial turf, perimeter fencing, and field lighting were added to the main athletic field and the complex was named Fred Selfe Stadium. The James H. Brooks Field House was completed in 2012. A new residence hall in the central campus was constructed in 2010 and a second opened in 2013. In addition, a comprehensive master plan for future growth and expansion of the college was completed. The Woodrow W.
Transition to University Status
Emory & Henry is on track to transition from college to university in August.
Read also: Finding a Job at Emory
Accreditation
In June 2025, the university was placed on "Probation for Good Cause" status by its accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, after the accreditor's board found significant non-compliance with its standards for financial responsibility.
Campus Environment and Facilities
Located in the Virginia Highlands, the Emory & Henry central campus encompasses 168 acres (0.68 km2) and is surrounded by an additional 167 undeveloped acres in the village of Emory. With many campus buildings dating from the mid-19th century, several major academic buildings are part of a historic district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including Wiley Hall, which was built 1838 and was used as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War.
Our campus, located in the Appalachian highlands, is surrounded by the region’s picturesque mountains, forests and valleys giving students a relaxing, rural environment for studying and university life. Hundreds of students, faculty and staff make up the campus community. Our campus community and visitors can enjoy the historic buildings-each marked by year erected-and seasonal scenery by strolling through the walking trail systems. A favorite location for many is the Duck Pond, which is fed by a natural spring and attracts ducks all year round. The village of Emory, Va.
Emory & Henry boasts modern and newly renovated campus housing. Among the residence halls are the newly built Elm and Hickory halls, which feature double occupancy rooms, each with its own bathroom. In the Emory "village" students enjoy Prillaman and Linden houses, modern residences that feature single and double occupancy rooms in a home-like setting.
Academic buildings include McGlothlin-Street Hall which includes Emory & Henry's science programs as well as programs in education, political science, business and history. Historic Byars Hall was recently expanded to include classrooms, rehearsal spaces and office space for the Division of Visual and Performing Arts. The Hermesian and Calliopean rooms, which are home to the college's historic debate societies, have been restored to their early elegance.
Read also: Emory's Chemistry Department
The Van Dyke Center’s Dining Hall has rotating menu items that fit every student’s dietary needs for every meal. The dining hall offers buffet-style dining, and food can either be enjoyed at the table inside the building or grabbed on the go.
Our campus is growing! We have plans for additional facilities that will provide additional campus living and learning opportunities for students. Our 96-person apartment-style housing community is under construction in the nearby community of Meadowview, Va.
Academics and Programs
Emory & Henry University's liberal arts academic program is based upon a required four-year core curriculum of history, literature, and culture. The college has more than 25 academic programs of study, offers more than 50 bachelor degrees, and offers master's degrees in education and community and organizational leadership.
Emory & Henry College has a required four-year core curriculum of history, literature, and culture, offering undergraduate course majors in: accounting; art; athletic training; biology; chemistry; civic innovation; economics; English; environmental studies; equine studies; French; geography; health and human performance; history; management; mass communications; mathematics; music; philosophy; physics; politics, law, and international relations; psychology; religion; sociology; Spanish; sports management and theatre.
Student Success plays a crucial role in Emory & Henry’s tradition of academic excellence.
Student Life and Activities
Approximately 86% of a student’s time is spent outside of the classroom. On our campus, we make it count! Emory & Henry provides options for student housing based on a student’s individual needs or special interests. As a residential campus, most of our students live on campus. Squire Henry House (P.E.A.C.E.
The Office of Student Activities strives to provide a connection for students through extracurricular activities around campus. Emory & Henry has more than 85 active student clubs and organizations so you can stay connected-even outside of class. Greek Life at Emory & Henry offers students opportunities for fellowship, service, and social activities. The majority of the Greek organizations on campus are local and unique to Emory & Henry. The Student Government Association is the student-led governing body of campus. Students at Emory & Henry have a long and proud history of involvement in the governance of Emory & Henry.
Emory & Henry’s student media allows students to share the latest news to campus with print, radio, television and streaming media. Student publications include The Sphinx and The Whitetopper. The Emory Activities Board (EAB) brings fun and exciting campus-wide events for students such as concerts, movies, games and more. The Office of Access, Impact & Student Engagement values its vibrant and engaged campus where all students feel supported in their academic and personal journeys. Every year, AI&SE hosts the Block Party and Fall Festival.
Traditions
Volunteering is one of the key student activities and it is enshrined in one of the college’s many traditions - the annual "Service Plunge" where all incoming freshmen carry out community service for a day during the first month.
- Running of the Bulls - The Running of the Bulls is a bi-annual event in which girls who are pledging a sorority are sent running out of the front door of Wiley-Jackson (MaWa) and are told to run towards the sorority which they intend to pledge.
- The Rock - Every athletic team that plays their games at Fred Selfe Stadium touches a giant rock taken from the late Fred Selfe's hometown. Coach Selfe was a long-time assistant coach for the Emory and Henry football team who died of cancer and whose saying "Trust in your teammates, trust in yourself" is painted in the football locker room.
- The Duck Pond - Emory and Henry is known for having ducks year round at its duck pond.
Athletics
The official Emory & Henry mascot is the Wasp. While there are many rumored origins of the nickname, the most commonly accepted story is that Emory & Henry was first called the Wasps after the football team played its first game in Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee. Despite the Volunteers from Tennessee being heavily favored, they only held a 6-0 lead at halftime, this is due to the defensive efforts of Emory & Henry. The local Knoxville newspapers described the college team as the "Wasps" because of the tenacious and swarming defense they displayed, akin to the persistence of wasps in protecting their nest.
Visit GoWasps.com for the latest Athletics updates, team rosters, schedules and ticket purchasing.
Emory & Henry College to Join South Atlantic Conference; Will Begin Competition in 2022-23.
Community Engagement
There are more than 70 student organizations active on Emory and Henry's campus. Community service projects are also a way that many students, especially Bonner Scholars, spend their free time. Often students mountain bike or hike on the numerous trails in nearby Damascus or Abingdon, or participate in rock climbing, kayaking or other outdoor sports.
Alumni and Recognition
People love supporting the students of Emory & Henry! Alumni and visitors come from all over to watch athletic events and attend community events happening on the Emory campus. The Emory Mercantile sells E&H merchandise, apparel, books by faculty and alumni authors, school supplies and snacks.
Notable alumni range across the arts, politics, science, the military, business and sport and include: Joe L.
In 2010,the then President Obama awarded Emory & Henry with the Corporation for National and Community Service Presidential Award.
Current Status
Currently, Emory & Henry University enrolls over 1,000 undergraduate students, almost equally divided between men and women, along with a growing number of graduate students both on the main campus and Health Sciences campus in Marion.
tags: #emory #henry #college #history #academics #campus
