In January of 1913, South Georgia State Normal College opened in Valdosta, Georgia, with three students who paid $10 a year for tuition and $12 per month for food and board. Colonel W.S. West donated land for the campus to the state, the Georgia Senate allocated $25,000 to the school, the city of Valdosta raised $50,000, and Richard Holmes Powell was chosen as the school's first president. From this early ambitious endeavor to educate the traditionally underserved students of South Georgia grew a college that has served not only as an institution of higher learning but also as a valuable resource for citizens all over the region. Known as Georgia State Womens College (1992–1950) and Valdosta State College (1950–1993), Valdosta State University boasts a long and distinguished history. What was once a training school for teachers now offers a wide variety of undergraduate programs and awards masters and several doctorate degrees. Within these pages, the colorful characters, cherished traditions, memorable social and sporting events, and picturesque campus of VSU are all brought to life. Photographs taken from the Valdosta State University Archives date back to the school's beginnings, before the student body became co-educational. View the early May Queens and their courts parading on school grounds and the Old English Christmas Feast; step back to the days when men first arrived on campus, bringing a variety of new social, civic, and athletic organizations with them; and discover the remarkable beauty of the school's Spanish Mission-style campus.
