Staying the Course...The University of the Cumberlands (KY)

Alice W. Brown's recent book, Staying The Course: How Unflinching Dedication and Persistence Have Built a Successful Private College in a Region of Isolation and Poverty is an important contribution to higher education literature.  Brown focuses on the University of the Cumberlands (UC)  in Williamsburg, KY and explores how the institution has evolved and grown over the years...in spite of characteristics commonly attributed to other institutions that have struggled or closed.  More specifically, UC serves a largely rural region of eastern Kentucky and is known for its strong Baptist heritage.

The initial chapter describes the region that UC serves and Brown then systematically covers every topic that a reader might expect from leadership, through funding, to the various constituencies that contribute to the campus culture.  Detailed statistics are provided in the appendices for enrollment, fundraising, endowment, curricular changes, and other aspects of the institution.

Brown is in many ways uniquely qualified for the task.  Her background includes 25 years of service as president of the Appalachian College Association where she was able to observe a number of institutions in the region as they all dealt in different ways with similar environmental influences.  In addition to this book, Brown has also written articles and edited a couple of other books that also have focused on smaller institutions.  Changing Course: Reinventing Colleges, Avoiding Closure was published in 2011 as part of the Jossey-Bass New Directions for Higher Education series.  This was followed in 2012 by another excellent book, Cautionary Tales: Strategy Lessons from Struggling Colleges.

Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail (VA)

The Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail offers 41 sites on a self-guided driving tour in south central Virginia. A brochure with map and brief details for each site is available as a .pdf for download.

Among the institutions of higher education there are:

• Blackstone Female Institute, 1894-1950, affiliated with Methodist Episcopal Church, South
• Farmville Female Seminary, founded in 1839, now Longwood University
• and Saint Paul's College, 1888-2013, affiliated with Protestant Episcopal Church
• Virginia State University, founded in 1882
• Hampden-Sydney College, founded in 1775
• and Southside Virginia Community College, founded in 1970

Beauvoir College (AR)

W. T. Spence's "History of Beauvoir College" is available through JSTOR.  The article was published in The Winter 1958 issue of The Arkansas Historical Quarterly.

The institution was initially founded as Drew Normal Institute and the name was changed to Beauvoir College in 1903.  J.L. Spense served as the founding president.  After the closure, he founded and served as president of  Hinemon University School in Monticello until 1909.  He then became the first president of the state's Fourth District Agricultural School, now the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

An article on Beauvoir College is also available through The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture.

Presiding Over a College's Final Days, An Interview

The Chronicle has an excellent video featuring an interview with the president of Saint Paul's College, Millard (Pete) Stith.  The video includes many images of the campus and along with insights offered by President Stith.  The institution in Lawrenceville, VA announced it will be closing in 2013.

Alum of Former Sullins College Offers Reflections and Advice (VA)

David McGee of the Bristol Herald Courier interviewed Julie Smith, an alum of the former Sullins College and his article incorporates the history of Sullins and advice for alums of Virginia Intermont College.  Both institutions operated in Bristol, VA.  Sullins College was founded in 1870 and closed in 1976.

Lexington College in Chicago Announces it will be Closing

Lexington College in Chicago announced this morning that it will be closing.  The institution was founded in 1977 and provided degrees in hospitality management for women.  There was also an explicit Catholic influence.  The College Navigator site indicates it had 10 faculty [4 FT & 6 PT] with 45 students

Editorial Explores Possible New Names for Middle Tennessee State University

A May 13, 2014 editorial by the Murfreesboro, TN Daily News Journal distills issues arising from discussions of possible new names for Middle Tennessee State University.

The institution was founded as Middle Tennessee State Normal School in 1909.  The name was changed to Middle Tennessee State Teachers College in 1926, to State Teachers College, Murfreesboro in 1929, to Middle Tennessee State College in 1941, and most recently to Middle Tennessee State University in 1965.

Edison State College Name Change Approved

Dave Breitenstein reports at News-Press.com that Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a bill changing the name of Edison State College to Florida Southwestern State College.  The change becomes effective on July 1, 2014.

The institution was founded in Fort Myres in 1961.  The name changed to Edison Community College in 1972, to Edison College in 2004 and to Edison State College in 2008.

Last Commencement for National Labor College (MD) #2

Kevin James Shay, writer for Maryland's Gazette.net notes the last commencement this past week at the National Labor College.  You can see an earlier blog from November covering the decision to close the Silver Springs, Maryland institution.

New Name for Armstrong Atlantic State University (GA)

Dash Coleman reports for the Savannah Morning News that Armstrong Atlantic State University will become Armstrong State University on July 1, 2014.  The institution in Savannah, GA opened in 1935 as Armstrong Junior College.  The name changed to Armstrong College in 1948, to Armstrong College of Savannah in 1959, and to Armstrong Atlantic State University in 1996.

Virginia Intermont College (VA) #2

Laura J. Mondul authored an interesting article after interviewing students as they react to the recent problems facing Virginia Intermont College.  Students and alumni are working to overcome financial pressures and a recent announcement that there will not be a planned merger of the institution.

David Mcgee for the Bristol Herald Courier covered an announcement of lay offs for most of the institution's employees.

A previous blog entry links to a report in February 2014 of the intended merger with Webster International University.