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38-655: Richard Bland College of William and Mary was established as a higher education institution in 1960 by the General Assembly of Virginia under the short-lived The Colleges of William & Mary system. The college serves as the junior college of the Commonwealth and a branch campus of the College of William and Mary . Its primary mission throughout its history has been to provide higher education opportunities to individuals residing in communities located away from

76-711: A part of the Union-occupied territory and witnessed two battles—the Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road and the Battle of Globe Tavern . These battles aimed to extend the Union siege lines and capture the Weldon Railroad , crucial for supplying Petersburg . Additionally, around the time of these battles, the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln , stayed at a tavern which's remains are located in

114-520: A rural campus spanning 750 acres, which was once a dairy farm owned by the Gurley family. The campus boasts a grove of century-old pecan trees, two restored turn-of-the-20th-century farmhouses (one serving as the President's residence and the other as a guesthouse which is occupied by one of the junior college's administrators), a converted dairy barn used as a theater, and a unique koi pond. Recognizing

152-494: A strong foundation in their chosen fields. The college grants Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees in disciplines such as business, humanities, mathematics, sciences, social sciences, and visual and performing arts. Some of the prominent departments at the college include: Each department offers various undergraduate courses. Richard Bland College enrolled 2,528 students in Fall 2021. Women made up 62% of

190-628: Is Co-Ed. OCC teams have won a combined 17 team national championships across: Men's Lacrosse (12 championships), Women's Lacrosse (2 championships), Men's Basketball (1 championship), Men's Tennis (1 championship), and ESports (1 championship). Additionally, OCC athletes have won a combined 25 individual national championships across: Men's Tennis (15 championships), Men's Track & Field (4 championships), Women's Track & Field (4 championships), Men's Cross Country (1 championship), and ESports (1 championship). The Lazers newest athletics teams are men's and women's wrestling which will both begin during

228-503: Is a small-sized, residential, public two-year college, with it being the only one of its kind within the state of Virginia. It primarily serves as a pathway to a bachelor's degree at the College of William and Mary, although the junior college also contains additional programming to help students transfer to other public universities within the state. Richard Bland College offers a variety of academic programs designed to provide students with

266-831: Is a training center for the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium . In 2001, OCC started the Arts Across Campus program that showcases artists from various art fields. Each year they may have a variety of art exhibits, concerts, performances, and lectures. OCC has 19 varsity intercollegiate athletics teams, which are nicknamed The Lazers. OCC offers 8 men's sports, which are: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, track and field, and wrestling; 10 women's sports, which are: basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball, and wrestling; while also offering ESports, which

304-839: Is on West Seneca Turnpike in the hamlet of Onondaga Hill , west of Syracuse; OCC@Liverpool (formerly called the North Site) is on County Route 57 in Liverpool, New York . Onondaga Community College is a 2-year college. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and one of 30 locally sponsored community colleges throughout New York State. OCC offers numerous areas of study for career or transfer programs. Some of these areas are: Art, Design, Media & Music; Business; Computing & Applied Technologies; Education; Health; Liberal Arts; Math, Science & Engineering; Public Safety & Community Service. The college

342-555: Is split into east and west and offers landscaped grounds with a mix of modern and colonialistic-vintage architecture, pecan orchards, and historical structures, including Maze Hall, the administration building, and the remnants of when the land was under the supervision of Central State Hospital. It also features notable facilities such as the President's Home, the Guesthouse Residence, a water garden, and various maintenance facilities. Academic buildings on campus include

380-669: The Medical College of Virginia to form Virginia Commonwealth University . Christopher Newport College remained an extension of The College until becoming independent in 1977, and became Christopher Newport University in 1992. Richard Bland College remains a junior college affiliated with The College. After the dissolution of the system, Alvin Duke Chandler served as the coordinator for Christopher Newport College and Richard Bland College; however, he resigned this position after only four months. He then became chancellor of

418-555: The Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary , which it had operated since 1930. The General Assembly of Virginia passed H.B. 466 creating The Colleges of William & Mary ("The Colleges") on March 3, 1960, and it took effect immediately. The president of The College, Alvin Duke Chandler , was chosen to be the administrative chancellor of the new system, with Davis Young Paschall replacing him as president. As chancellor, however, Chandler attempted to manage

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456-438: The 2024-25 school year. The SRC Arena & Events Center is a multi-purpose facility that serves as the home of OCC's men's and women's basketball teams, and numerous NYSHPSAA section III championships for several sports. The facility possesses a six-lane track as well as three flex courts to host basketball, tennis, volleyball, and other sports. The facility is also used for community and scholastic events, and concerts. It

494-667: The Board of Visitors of The College of William and Mary in a resolution conveyed in November 2022. However, the House Appropriations Committee of Virginia blocked the college's independence in February 2023. Richard Bland College of William and Mary has a campus spanning over 700 acres, situated in both Prince George and Dinwiddie Counties, adjacent to the city limits of Petersburg. The rural, park-like campus

532-636: The Board of Visitors were opposed; there had been a vote of the Board against the dissolution of the system in December 1961. The dissolution became official with the passage of H.B. 156, signed into law by Governor Albertis Harrison on February 16, 1962. It specified that the system would be abolished as of July 1, 1962. Upon its independence, the Norfolk College became Old Dominion College, now known as Old Dominion University . RPI remained an independent state school until 1968, when it merged with

570-524: The College of William & Mary, an honorary position that dates back to the founding of the College. Onondaga Community College Onondaga Community College ( OCC ) is a public community college that serves Onondaga County and Central New York . It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. OCC's 280-acre main campus is located in the Town of Onondaga , which borders

608-745: The McNeer Building, which serves as the main science and technology hub, and Pecan Hall, the SSHE (Social Studies, Humanities, and English) Building, housing liberal arts and humanities classes. Ernst Hall, another academic building, is home to classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, the Academic Computer Lab, and the Division Chair's office. The campus also encompasses the Barn Theatre, a converted dairy barn serving as

646-505: The Mentally Retarded before closing in 1959. Under the guidance of retired Colonel James M. Carson, the former hospital and training facility were transformed into Richard Bland College, with classes commencing in 1961. The campus expanded with the addition of Ernst Hall, a Student Center/Library building, and a gymnasium in the late 1960s. Colonel Carson served as the founding President until 1973 when Dr. Cornelis Laban took on

684-414: The Norfolk College each having their own Boards of Visitors and with Richard Bland College and Christopher Newport College remaining under the control of the Board of Visitors of The College of William & Mary. The bill for the dissolution of the system was introduced by Delegate Russell Carneal of Williamburg at the urging of some of the members of the Board of Visitors. However, other members of

722-519: The administration building, is home to various administrative offices, including those of the President, Provost and Dean of the Faculty, Dean of Administration and Finance, and Director of Institutional Advancement. Statesman Hall houses the gymnasium, locker facilities, a weight training center, a racquetball court, aerobics classrooms, and faculty offices for physical education and health courses. It also accommodates Instructional Technology Services on

760-579: The city of Syracuse, New York . Onondaga Community College welcomed its first class of students in the fall of 1962 and its first graduating class in 1964. The first classes occurred in the college's downtown Syracuse location, the now-demolished midtown area. In 1970 the college moved to its new and current location in the Town of Onondaga. Residence halls were opened in 2006, and a new Arena began hosting intercollegiate, scholastic, and community-based events in 2011. The college has two campuses. The main campus

798-594: The college at No. 13 out of 64 for overall value in Virginia and ranked it as the 22nd-best college in the state. Overall, College Factual ranks the school No. 778 out of 2,241 schools in the United States, with it ranking above various four-year institutions. The official mascot of Richard Bland College is the Statesman Eagle. The college's athletic teams are known as the Statesmen, a nickname that reflects

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836-651: The day-to-day operations of all five branches of The Colleges and, by doing so, began to alienate the presidents who served under him. The presidents of The College, RPI, and the Norfolk Division were originally to have more autonomy under the new system than they had had in the past. However, Chandler did not allow that to happen. For example, Chandler required Lewis Webb, president of the Norfolk Division, to seek his approval in matters of hiring faculty and staff, granting leaves of absence, reviewing scholarly publications, and budget requests. Chandler also referred to

874-549: The earliest published defense of the colonial stance on taxation. Additionally, Bland served in the Continental Congress and was highly regarded as a political leader and historian of Virginia. The present campus of Richard Bland College holds historical significance as well. Prior to the American Civil War , the property was a plantation owned by the Gurley family. During the war, the campus became

912-507: The five college system as his "empire," reflecting his idea of his role at the top. He also maintained an office on the campus of The College, saying that he could not see how "the college chancellor possibly could conduct business away from the campus." In addition, the Norfolk Division was granted accreditation in its own right from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a four-year college in December 1961 and

950-513: The forested foliage of the modern-day campus. In the early 1900s, the Hatcher-Seward family established a dairy farm on the former Gurley property, and a grove of pecan trees was planted, which would be an iconic part of the scenery for the future Richard Bland College. The land later served as a work camp for conscientious objectors during World War I . In 1932, the Commonwealth of Virginia authorized Central State Hospital to purchase

988-409: The fourth (and first female) President of the junior college after a decade of experience as President of Onondaga Community College , a part of the State University of New York system . Starting in 2014, there have been discussions regarding the establishment of an independent board of visitors for Richard Bland College, separate from The College of William and Mary. These efforts gained support from

1026-753: The institution's connection to its parent university, The College of William and Mary. The junior college's athletic fields are located on the east side of campus and the Statesmen participate in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), at the Division I level and within Region 10. They compete in a variety of sports, with men's sports including basketball, soccer, and golf, and women's sports including volleyball, softball, and soccer. The Colleges of William %26 Mary The Colleges of William & Mary

1064-639: The land, leading to the establishment of the Petersburg Training School and Hospital for African-American Youth . Over the years, the institution underwent several name changes (including: Petersburg State Colony for the Negro Insane , Evergreen Training School , Petersburg Training School , and Petersburg Training School and Hospital ) ultimately becoming the Southside Virginia Training Center for

1102-588: The main campus in Williamsburg, Virginia . The affairs of Richard Bland College have historically been overseen by the Board of Visitors of the College of William and Mary, which is appointed by the Governor of Virginia . The day-to-day administration and academic programs of the college are led by a president appointed by the Board. The college derives its name from Richard Bland , a prominent Virginia statesman and advocate for public rights. Richard Bland, who

1140-417: The need for residential facilities, the college added campus housing in 2008, becoming the only two-year college in Virginia to offer this accommodation. Richard Bland College has a diverse alumni network comprising more than 18,000 individuals worldwide. Moreover, the college plays a vital role in bolstering the economy of Petersburg, Virginia, and the surrounding regions. In 2012, Dr. Debbie L. Sydow became

1178-422: The role of Acting President until 1975. Dr. Clarence Maze succeeded Carson as President, overseeing the expansion of academic programs and the promotion of international awareness and travel opportunities. In 1996, Dr. James B. McNeer became the third President and played a pivotal role in restructuring the college to fulfill its responsibilities to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Today, Richard Bland College occupies

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1216-475: The second floor. The campus library offers essential services. The campus provides housing options in buildings such as Commerce, Freedom, and Patriot Halls. Commerce Hall (formerly the Humanities and Social Sciences Building) is characterized by its arcade walkway and grassy courtyard, which formerly accommodated classrooms and faculty offices for the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences. After 2008, it

1254-681: The student body and men 38%. 32% of students at the college are first-generation students and 57% are students of color. The junior college was the only two-year college within the state of Virginia to grow in enrollment after the COVID-19 pandemic , with its enrollment increasing by 21% compared to the 14% drop that the two-year colleges of the Virginia Community College System suffered. College Factual in 2023 ranked RBC No. 236 out of 1,330 nationally for associate degree-granting colleges. The publication also listed

1292-411: The venue for Richard Bland College Players' annual theater productions involving students, faculty, staff, and community members. The Campus Center is a significant hub, housing the library, a snack bar, dining area, student lounge, and bookstore. The Center for Student Affairs hosts offices and services related to admissions, financial aid, student activities, and other student support services. Maze Hall,

1330-581: Was educated at The College of William and Mary, represented the area where the college now stands during his time in the House of Burgesses and the House of Delegates . Known for his defense of Virginia's rights, Richard Bland played a significant role in the colonies' struggle against taxation imposed by external powers. He authored An Inquiry into the Rights of the British Colonies , which became

1368-541: Was renamed the Norfolk College of the Colleges of William & Mary . RPI had been accredited in its own right since 1953. As four-year schools with their own accreditation, the presidents of each began to resent the level of influence Chandler had in their day-to-day affairs and began to look for ways to change it. The General Assembly decided to split the system into three parts, with The College, RPI, and

1406-548: Was repurposed as a student dorm. Freedom and Patriot Halls, on the other hand, offer apartment-style living accommodations. These halls collectively house approximately 500 students, and residents are required to maintain a 2.5 GPA to promote an academic atmosphere. The campus layout also features a Crim Dell inspired bridge connecting the athletic fields to the Residential Village, offering convenient access for students residing in that area. Richard Bland College

1444-583: Was the name of a short-lived educational system in Virginia . It included The College of William & Mary , the Richmond Professional Institute , the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary , Christopher Newport College , and Richard Bland College . In 1960, The College of William & Mary ("The College") had two branch campuses, the Richmond Professional Institute (RPI), which it had operated since 1925, and

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