Fort Valley State University

The Fort Valley High and Industrial School, chartered in 1895, and the State Teachers and Agricultural College of Forsyth, founded in 1902, were consolidated in 1939 to form Fort Valley State College. It became Fort Valley State University in June 1996.

The only 1890 land grant school in Georgia, Fort Valley State University is a comprehensive institution providing an educational experience of exceptional quality. The university is located in the town of Fort Valley in Peach County, the original site of the nation’s peach industry. Its 1,365-acre campus is the second largest (in acreage) public university in the state.

The university’s 2,500-plus students represent 130 of Georgia’s 159 counties, more than 30 states and about 10 international countries. Ninety-four percent of the student body is African American. The average age is 24 for undergraduates and 33 for graduate students. About one-third of students live on campus, and 85 percent attend college full-time.

The university offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 50 majors - education, business administration and agriculture are particularly popular - as well as master’s degrees in education and counseling. An education specialist degree also is available. In an effort to accommodate our graduate and non-traditional students, external degree program courses are also being offered at off-campus sites in Macon, Warner Robins, Cochran and Dublin.

Fort Valley State’s Cooperative Developmental Energy Program (CDEP) is the only one of its kind in the nation, preparing students for energy-industry careers in science and geology.

Outreach services include Fort Valley’s Cooperative Extension Program, where extension specialists operate in 42 counties, and the Pettigrew Conference Center, which hosts more than 500 courses and events for 51,000 patrons each year.

Students have several opportunities for extracurricular involvement at the university, including the marching band, concert choir, Baptist Student Union Choir and cheerleading. There are more than 70 clubs, sororities, fraternities and social organizations on campus. Athletic opportunities include intramural sports and intercollegiate men’s and women’s track and basketball teams. The championship football team, a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, has produced many notable professional sports figures and Olympic champions.

1895-1920

• 1895 - Founding of the institution at Fort Valley
• 1902 - Mr. John W. Davison elected first principal
• 1903 - The institution of Forsyth founded by Mr. William Merida Hubbard
• 1904 - Miss Anna Jeanes donated money for the construction of Jeanes Hall
• 1908 - Mr. Collis P. Huntington donated money for the construction of Huntington Hall
• 1919 - The institution became affiliated with the American Church Institute of the Protestant Episcopal Church

1921 - 1940

• 1925 - Carnegie Foundation provided funds for the construction of the Carnegie Library
• 1926 - Mr. Royal C. Peabody provided funds for the construction of the Peabody Trades Building
• 1929 - Academic Building built with funds contributed by the General Education Board and friends
• 1930 - Ohio Hall built with funds contributed by the Episcopal Church of the State of Ohio
• 1931 - Mr. Henry Alexander Hunt awarded the Springarn Medal
• 1932 - Mr. Samuel Henry Bishop donated funds for the construction of the dining hall
• 1934 - Original college infirmary built and dedicated to Mrs. Florence Hunt
• 1937 - Robert W. Patton Home Economics Building built
• 1938 - Mr. Henry Alexander Hunt died October 1
• 1939 - Dr. Horace Mann Bond elected first President

1941 - 1960

• 1941 - Cooperative houses built and named in honor of William Merida Hubbard
• 1945 - Dr. Horace Mann Bond resigned from the presidency
• 1945 - Dr. Cornelius V. Troup appointed second President
• 1946 - Veterans Unit constructed
• 1947 - Designated the 1890 Land-Grant College for Negroes by the Board of Regents
• 1948 - John W. Davison Hall dedicated
• 1949 - Officially designated a Land-Grant Institution for Negroes by the Georgia Legislature
• 1951 - Miss Catherine Hardy, an outstanding Fort Valley State College track star, established a new world record for the women’s 50-yard dash at New York City. She also participated in the 1952 Olympic Games at Helsinki, Finland.
• 1952 - Henry Alexander Hunt Memorial Library dedicated April 29
• 1953 - The Home Management House for Home Economics, Maintenance Warehouse for the Buildings and Grounds Department, General Purpose Barn, Farm Equipment Shed, and Deep Well for the Division of Agriculture made available for college use.
• 1954 - Alva Tabor Agriculture Building opened for occupancy on October 10
• 1957 - Football stadium constructed
• 1957 - The college received full membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, among the first of the HBCUs to be admitted.
• 1957 - Graduate Division begun in the Fall
• 1959 - George N. Woodward Health and Physical Education Building dedicated December 11

1961 - 1970

• 1963 - Isaac Miller Science Building dedicated November 24
• 1964 - Sophia Moore Dormitory dedicated October 10
• 1965 - Anthony D. Watson Dormitory dedicated November 21
• 1966 - Henrietta Walden Myers Hall opened for occupancy
• 1966 - William Madison Boyd Hall opened for occupancy
• 1966 - Dr. C. V. Troup retired as President June 20
• 1966 - Dr. W. W. E. Blanchet appointed third President
• 1967 - Lottie M. Lyons Student Union Building opened for occupancy
• 1968 - Agricultural Mechanics Building opened for occupancy

1971 - 1980

• 1971 - The college became accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• 1972 - Food Service Center erected
• 1972 - First regionally televised football games - ABC Television (FVSC vs Fisk University at Wildcat Stadium)
• 1973 - Dr. W. W. E. Blanchet retired as President; received Emeritus status.
• 1973 - Dr. C. W. Pettigrew appointed fourth President
• 1974 - First acquisition of property on State College Drive
• 1975 - Annex to Sophia Moore Hall completed
• 1975 - New Florence Hunt Infirmary opened for occupancy
• 1976 - The new Henry Alexander Hunt Memorial Library opened for occupancy
• 1976 - Horace Mann Bond classroom building dedicated
• 1977 - Dr. C. V. Troup died May 9
• 1978 - Animal Health Technology Building completed and opened for occupancy
• 1978 - The college became accredited by the Engineering Council for Professional Development/Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ECPD/ABET)
• 1979 - The Plant Operations and Maintenance Building named The Albert T. Wilson-Timothy Roberts Building
• 1979 - The Agricultural Mechanics Building named for Dr. Cozy L. Ellison
• 1979 - The Leroy Bywaters Business Building opened for occupancy
• 1979 - Perimeter Road named Memorial Drive
• 1979 - The college became accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Medicine
• 1980 - Fort Valley State College’s first Fact Book was produced

1981 - 1990

• 1981 - The circle at the front entrance of the campus was named College Circle
• 1982 - Dr. C. W. Pettigrew died June 11
• 1982 - Dr. Walter W. Sullivan appointed Acting President and continued to serve as Dean of Academic Affairs
• 1982 - The C. W. Pettigrew Endowment Fund was initiated
• 1982 - The Learning Resource Center initiated the Homie Regulus Collections
• 1983 - Dr. Isaac Crumbly founds the Cooperative Developmental Energy Program, a pipeline to provide energy companies with minority and female employees
• 1983 - Dr. Luther Burse was appointed fifth President, October 1
• 1985 - Fort Valley State College appeared on ABC TV’s “Good Morning America,” May 16
• 1986 - Fort Valley State College received approval to offer the Bachelor of Science Degree in Veterinary Science
• 1986 - The Academic Honors Program was initiated
• 1987 - Fort Valley State College received approval to offer computer science courses at Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Georgia
• 1987 - The C. W. Pettigrew Farm and Community Life Center was dedicated
• 1987 - The Georgia Small Ruminant Research and Extension Center, under the auspices of the Agricultural Research Station, became fully operational.
• 1988 - Dr. Melvin E. Walker, Jr. was appointed Acting President for Fort Valley State College
• 1990 - Dr. Oscar L. Prater was appointed sixth president, August 9

1991 - 2000

• 1994 - Centennial Inauguration and Founders’ Day Celebration, November 3
• 1995 - The Computer Technology Mathematics Building was opened for occupancy on August 18
• 1995 - FVSC was changed from a Level III to a Level IV School by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
• 1996 - Fort Valley State College became Fort Valley State University, A State and Land-Grant University, June 12
• 1996 - Opening Convocation for displaying the new University seal and for the new access road, named University Boulevard, October 1
• 1998 - Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Meat Technology Center, College of Agriculture, Home Economics and Allied Programs, April 21

2001 - 2010

• 2001 - Dr. Kofi Lomotey was appointed as the seventh president, October 15.
• 2001 - Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Evans Building
• 2002 - The African World Studies Institute was established
• 2002 - Ms. Alma Bass donated money to repair the historic clock tower at Founders Hall
• 2002 - The first African World Film Festival held
• 2002 - The Lady Wildcats capture the SIAC title for the third year. First time in SIAC history for a “three-peat.”
• 2002 - John W. Davison Lecture Series initiated.
• 2003 - Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Fort Valley State University in Warner Robins held on October 26.
• 2003 - Fort Valley State University received approval to offer a dual degree program in Food and Nutrition/Hotel Administration.
• 2003 - The American Meteorological Society’s (AMS) Online Weather Studies Diversity Program: WeatherNet Program was established.
• 2004 - Fort Valley State University received the 2004 Trumpet Award for Higher Education Institution of the Year.
• 2004 - Fort Valley State University received approval to offer degrees in Liberal Studies and African World Studies.
• 2006 - Dr. Larry E. Rivers was named the eighth president February 8 and took office on March 14, 2006.
• 2007 - Wildcat Commons housing complex opens
• 2008 - Ribbon-Cutting for the Agricultural Technology Conference Center, originally built in 1917 as a home and restored