Alberta in Brunswick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Southside Virginia Community College
Alberta, Virginia
— Brunswick County —
Southside Virginia Community College has two campuses: the Christanna Campus in Alberta, which opened in 1970, and the John H. Daniel campus in Keysville, which opened in 1971. The college is part of the statewide system of community colleges created in 1966 by the Virginia General Assembly. This two-year institution of higher education provides Southside Virginia residents University Parallel degrees, Associate degrees and career and job training skills. Satellite campuses are in Emporia, Fort Pickett, Halifax and other locations.
Community colleges began in the early part of the 20th century to offer access to higher education for people of all economic and social conditions. They received a great boost when President Truman’s Commission on Higher Education recommended that higher education be available to everyone. In the 1950s and 60s community colleges doubled in numbers and enrollment due to the widespread need for a more highly trained workforce, as well as a more economical approach to the first two years of college. Today, all across America community colleges provide a chance for people to attain goals that were previously beyond their reach. They also serve as a source of cultural enrichment for the community.
Erected by Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail® . (Marker Number 38.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #33 Harry S. Truman series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 36° 50.368′ N, 77° 55.011′ W. Marker was in Alberta, Virginia, in Brunswick County. Marker could be reached from Campus Drive (County Route 378) near Chritanna Highway (Virginia Route 46). Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 109 Campus Drive, Alberta VA 23821, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Southside Virginia Community College (here, next to this marker); Fort Christanna (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nellie Pratt Russell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Brunswick Courthouse (approx. Ľ mile away); Rev. Jesse C. Byrd D.D. (approx. 2.1 miles away); Oak Grove School (approx. 2.1 miles away); Saint Paul’s Chapel School (approx. 2˝ miles away); Danieltown (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alberta.
Regarding Southside Virginia Community College. On the left panel are three photos with the captions:
"(Top Left) SVCC’s first student, Bill Steed (left) with the college’s first president Dr. Kenneth Dawson."
"(Center Left) A Biology class underway on the Christanna Campus during the mid-1970’s."
"(Bottom Left) Dr. John J. Cavan (left), SVCC president since 1983, congratulates a graduate during a college commencement ceremony."
On the bottom center is a map of the CRIEHT locations.
On the right is a photo with the caption, "(Above) Governor Linwood Holton (left) is greeted by SVCC math professor Johnnye Thompson during the Christanna Campus Dedication Ceremony held October 23, 1970."
All photos courtesy of SVCC archives.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "Southside Virginia Community College".
Also see . . . Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC). (Submitted on May 19, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 770 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 19, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.