Keysville in Charlotte County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Southside Virginia Community College
Keysville, Virginia
— Charlotte 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 29.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • 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.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 2.037′ N, 78° 27.477′ W. Marker was in Keysville, Virginia, in Charlotte County. Marker was at the intersection of Tech Lane and Lunenburg Highway (Virginia Route 40) on Tech Lane. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 200 Daniel Road, Keysville VA 23947, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Southside Virginia Community College (here, next to this marker); Campaign of 1781 (approx. 0.9 miles away); Keysville (approx. 1.4 miles away); Early Exploration (approx. 2 miles away); Four Locust Farm (approx. 2.2 miles away); Charlotte County / Prince Edward County (approx. 3.1 miles away); Old Briery Church (approx. 3.7 miles away); Joseph Morton (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Keysville.
More about this marker. 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 . . .
1. Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. Virginia Crossroads PDF (Submitted on May 22, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. Southside Virginia Community College. College website homepage (Submitted on May 22, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,584 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 22, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.