Portsmouth in Scioto County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Progress in Education ⎯⎯⎯ Shawnee State Expansion ⎯⎯⎯ Vern Riffe
Floodwall Murals, 2000 Feet of History/2000 Feet of Art
Photographed by Craig Doda, January 7, 2021
1. Progress in Education / Shawnee State Expansion / Vern Riffe Marker
Inscription.
Progress in Education, also, Shawnee State Expansion, also, Vern Riffe. Floodwall Murals, 2000 Feet of History/2000 Feet of Art.
Progress in Education. The mural depicts every phase of growth in education in the Portsmouth Area. Here we see the steady progress from one room schoolhouses and the various elementary and high schools to the establishment of Shawnee State University. Examples of various school buildings in the area are shown as well as examples of changes in clothing, activities and specialized education that have occurred over the years. The first graduating class of Portsmouth High School was in 1860, with five students graduating. The next graduating class was in 1867, with five more students graduating. By 1900, the city had twelve school buildings.
Shawnee State Expansion. This mural represents the elevation of Shawnee State from a two-year community college to a four-year university. Higher education was first offered in Portsmouth in 1945 through extension classes from Ohio University, Athens. In 1974, Ohio University Portsmouth merged with Scioto Technical College to form Shawnee State General and Technical College. Legislature changed its name to Shawnee State Community College in 1977. After considerable growth in student enrollment and the addition of several new buildings Shawnee State University emerged in 1986.
Vern Riffe. Vernal G. Riffe Jr. (considered by many citizens the benefactor of Shawnee State University) believed that students from southern Ohio deserved an opportunity to further their education close to home. The creation of Shawnee State University is the result of his vision. Vem Riffe was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1958. He served in the house for 36 years with a record-breaking 20 years as Speaker of the House.
Progress in Education
The mural depicts every phase of growth in education in the Portsmouth Area. Here we
see the steady progress from one room schoolhouses and the various elementary and
high schools to the establishment of Shawnee State University. Examples of various
school buildings in the area are shown as well as examples of changes in clothing,
activities and specialized education that have occurred over the years. The first
graduating class of Portsmouth High School was in 1860, with five students graduating.
The next graduating class was in 1867, with five more students graduating. By 1900,
the city had twelve school buildings.
Shawnee State Expansion
This mural represents the elevation of Shawnee State from a two-year community
college to a four-year university. Higher education was first offered in Portsmouth in
1945 through extension classes from Ohio University, Athens. In 1974, Ohio University
Portsmouth merged with Scioto Technical College to form Shawnee State General and
Technical College. Legislature changed its name to Shawnee State Community College
in 1977. After considerable growth in student enrollment and the addition of several
new buildings Shawnee State University emerged in 1986.
Vern Riffe
Vernal G. Riffe Jr. (considered by many citizens the benefactor of Shawnee State
University) believed that students from southern Ohio deserved an opportunity to
further their education close to home. The creation of Shawnee State University is the
result of his vision. Vem Riffe was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in
1958. He served in the house for 36 years with a record-breaking 20 years as Speaker
of the House.
Location. 38° 43.852′ N, 83° 0.324′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Ohio, in Scioto County. It is at the intersection of Front Street and Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling west on Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 Jefferson St, Portsmouth OH 45662, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance
Photographed by Craig Doda, January 7, 2021
2. Progress in Education / Shawnee State Expansion / Vern Riffe Marker
(was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Craig Doda, January 7, 2021
4. Shawnee State Expansion and Vern Riffle murals
Photographed by Craig Doda, January 7, 2021
5. Shawnee State Expansion mural
Photographed by Craig Doda, January 7, 2021
6. Shawnee State Expansion mural
Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 481 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 4, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
