Historical Milestones

  • 1889

    The Alumni Association was organized. N.T. Goldsbery was elected as the Association’s first president.

  • 1889 to 1903

    Only a few intermitted gatherings and meetings were held by the Association during this period.

  • 1899

    VSU Alumna Josie P. Harris was elected the first female president of the Alumni Association.

  • 1904

    By this time, a more permanent Association had been formed.

  • 1903 to 1932

    Milton T. Bailey served as President of the Alumni Association, making him the longest serving president to this day. He served for 29 years.

  • 1914

    The Association grew in size and ambition as eight chapters located throughout the state of Virginia made up the Alumni Association. All chapters were in the State of Virginia. These chapters were:

    1. VSUAA Alexander (VA) Chapter
    2. VSUAA Smithfield (VA) Chapter
    3. VSUAA Suffolk (VA) Chapter
    4. VSUAA Richmond (VA) Chapter
    5. VSUAA Petersburg (VA) Chapter
    6. VSUAA Fredericksburg (VA) Chapter 
    7. VSUAA Norfolk (VA) Chapter
    8. VSUAA Boiling Green (VA) Chapter
  • 1919

    The Association purchased the property where Locket Hall now stands. It was supposed to be called from that date, “The Alumni Field.”

  • 1939

    The Association purchased the Memorial Bench which is located on the front of Virginia State’s campus.

  • 1943

    Alumna Amaza Lee Meredith was one of the architects of the first “Capital Campaign” for the Association. Her goal was to build an Alumni House.

  • 1949

    Under the presidency of Georgia Davis Tyler, the Association was incorporated as the Virginia State College Alumni Association. It was also during this same year that the Association’s Capital Campaign had raised enough money to purchase a site for the Alumni House and a lot was purchased for $950.

  • 1954

    The Association’s membership dues was $3.00 per year.

  • 1957

    The Association purchased the University “Mace” and presented it to the University during the 72nd Annual Commencement. It was designed by Amaza Meredith.

  • 1959 to 1962

    By this year, the Association’s Capital Campaign had raised enough money to start construction on the Alumni House. However, due to differences between the University and the Association on several pertinent issues, delays ensued. As a result of these differences and ensuing delays, by 1962, the Association’s capitol campaign had unfortunately diminished.

  • The late 1960s or early 1970s

    While no exact date or designer can be identified, the Alumni Association adopted its Alumni Logo sometime during this time as the visual symbol of its distinct identify and history.

  • 1980

    The Association purchased the remaining interest in Azurest South from Dr. Edna Colson’s estate following her death. This marked Azurest South as the official “Alumni House” for the Alumni Association.

  • 1984

    Amaza Meredith willed one half of her property, Azurest South, to the Alumni Association following her death in 1984.

  • 1986

    The Association purchased the remaining interest in Azurest South from Dr. Edna Colson’s estate following her death in 1986. This marked Azurest South as the official “Alumni House” for the Association.

  • 1992

    Under the presidency of Dr. Foster B. Miles, Jr., the Association’s First National Convention was held in Atlanta, GA. The Prince William (VA) Chapter was recognized as having the convention’s highest attendance.

  • 1993

    VSUAA JPEG FileUnder the presidency of Annie Pollard, Azurest South was listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and on the National Register of Historic Places, with the help of University Archivist and Alumnus, Lucious Edwards.

    VSUAA JPEG FileThe Alumni Association's 2nd National Convention was held in Philadelphia, PA. The Philadelphia Chapter served as host chapter.

  • 1995

    The Association's 3rd National Alumni Convention was held in Washington, DC. The Washington, DC Chapter served as host chapter.

  • 1996

    The Association's 4th National Convention was held in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Chapter served as host chapter.

  • 1997

    Under the presidency of Marvin Parker, the Association was granted its non-profit, 501 c(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.

  • 1998

    VSUAA JPEG File The Association moved its operations on campus into Azurest South to provide a more central location for the national office to operate.

     

    VSUAA JPEG FileThe Alumni Logo was modified by the Association’s Board of Directors to include a seal around the Trojan to emphasize the full name of the Alumni Association and the date of its incorporation.

    VSUAA JPEG FileThe Association’s 5th National Convention, was held in Hampton, Virginia. This marked the first convention held within the state of Virginia. The Peninsula chapter served as chapter host.

  • 2000

    VSUAA JPEG FileUnder the presidency of J. Otis Harris, Jr., the Alumni Association entered into the New Millennium.|


    VSUAA JPEG FileThe Association’s life membership increased from $500 to $750 dollars. The Association also renamed its life membership status to the Edward A. Ragland Life Membership in honor of the Association’s 26th National Alumni President.


    VSUAA JPEG FileThe Alumni Association's 6th National Convention was held on the campus of VSU.

     

    VSUAA JPEG FileThe Alumni Association’s first website and e-mail listserv were launched.

  • 2001

    The Association established the Alfred W. Harris VSUAA Scholarship Fund in the honor of the Founder of Virginia State.

  • 2002

    VSUAA JPEG FileAmendments to the Association's bylaws were proposed and adopted at the 2002 Annual Board Meeting to allow the Board of Directors to govern itself in the election of all Board of Director elected positions.

    VSUAA JPEG FileThe Association's 7th National Convention was held in Charlotte, NC. The Charlotte Chapter served as the host chapter.

  • 2005

    Under the presidency of Willis Gay, the Association’s National membership dues increased from $25 to $30 dollars per year.

  • 2006

    The Association's 9th National Convention was held back on the campus of Virginia State University.

  • 2007

    VSUAA JPEG FileIn 2007, VSU celebrated its 125th founding. The Association approved a gift of $10K to give at the University’s 125th Anniversary Gala celebration. A total gift from the Alumni Association to the University, which included all gifts given by varying VSUAA chapters, totaling $25K.

    VSUAA JPEG FileThe Association revamped its website to help further improve communication.

  • 2008

    VSUAA JPEG FileIn honor of Ms. Helen Virginia Mosely Games, the Association established the VSUAA/Helen V. Games Endowed Scholarship Fund from the proceeds gifted to the Association as a bequest from her estate.  A $125K contribution was made in honor of VSU's 125th Anniversary.

    VSUAA JPEG FileThe Association established the VSUAA/Alfred W. Harris Tuition Assistance Fund with a $10K gift to the VSU Foundation.  The fund was named in honor of VSU's Founder, Delegate Alfred W. Harris to help offset tuition assistance for VSU students. 

  • 2010

    VSUAA JPEG File Under the presidency of Charlene Jackson Fields, the Association voted to amend the number of prospective members needed to petition the Alumni Association to start a new local or professional Chapter from 10 to 7.

    VSUAA JPEG FileDuring the 2010 Founder's Day celebration, the Association presented VSU President Eddie N. Moore, Jr. with the Association's first honorary membership in recognition of his 17 years of presidential leadership to Virginia State University. (President Moore retired on June 30, 2010).

    VSUAA JPEG FileVirginia State University was recognized by the Tom Joyner Foundation as its school of the month. In recognition of this endeavor, the Association voted to give $10,000 toward this scholarship raising campaign.

    VSUAA JPEG FileAmendments to the VSUAA By-laws were adopted during the 2010 Annual Board Meeting. These revisions included: (1) removing the position of Parliamentarian from the list of VSUAA elected officers in accordance with the newly revised Robert's Rules of Order, (2) clarifying the language associated with the qualifications and duties of the Parliamentarian position, and (3) changing the requirement that the VSUAA annual budget be presented at the Annual Meeting for approval by the members in attendance. Instead the annual budget would be voted by the VSUAA Board of Directors and presented for information purposes only to the members in attendance at the Annual Meeting.

  • 2014

    VSUAA JPEG FileUnder the presidency of Erenest Miller, the Association’s 10th National Convention was held on the campus of Virginia State University. This marked the third time the convention was held on the VSU campus.

     VSUAA JPEG FileIn May, Franklin Johnson, Jr. was elected by the VSUAA Executive Board as the Association's youngest National President at the age of 29.

  • 2015

    The Association established two new awards - Young Trojan Award and the Orange and Blue Award - for individuals who have made a postive impact on the University, the Alumni Associaton, and the community at-large.

  • 2016

    Under the presidency of Franklin Johnson, Jr., the Alumni Association began a capital campaign in an effort to raise $100K to match the $100K gift that VSU President Dr. Makola Adbullah and his wife, Dr. Ahkinyala Cobb-Adbullah, made to VSU in February 2016.

  • 2017

    The Association established its first Alumni Return To Serve Day to allow alumni to come back to campus to share their valuate professional and personal experiences and expertise with current VSU students to help prepare them for life after graduation.

  • 2019
    The Alumni Association completed its $100K capital campaign in support of VSU student scholarships, matching the $100K gift given to the University by VSU President Dr. Makola Adbullah and his wife, Dr. Ahkinyala Cobb-Adbullah in 2016.
  • 2020 - 2022
     The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many aspects of the Alumni Association and its relations with VSU alumni.   Due to the risks of COVID-19, traditional opportunities for alumni engagement had to be cancelled.   However, many chapters experimented with new ways to engage and connect with alumni via virtual chapter meetings and virtual social events.    These new digital engagement strategies, among others, were met with incredible results.    
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VSU Women's LeadHERship Institute Announces National Conference For Women Leaders at HBCUs

VSU recently announced that its Women's LeadHERship Institute has curated a two-day national summit on Monday, June 24 and Tuesday, June 25 to refresh, applaud, and unite women leaders at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The conference's theme, "Women Leaders @ HBCUs Conference 2024 – Straightening Our Crowns to Cultivate Transformative Leaders: Unsung Heroines of HBCUs," will illuminate the transformative leadership and indomitable spirit of women trailblazers within HBCUs. Through collaboration, celebration, and candid dialogue, the goal is to inspire leaders of today and tomorrow to straighten their crowns and elevate the legacy of excellence and resilience inherent in the HBCU community.

READ MORE 

 

VSU Makes History As The First HBCU In The Country Selected To Host A General Election Presidential Debate

VSU has been chosen by the Commission on Presidential Debates to host a 2024 Presidential Debate.   

Virginia State University is proud to announce that it has been chosen by the Commission on Presidential Debates to host a 2024 Presidential Debate. This is a momentous occasion for VSU, as it is the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) ever selected to host a General Election U.S. Presidential Debate. The debate, scheduled for October 1, 2024, is the second of three scheduled general election presidential debates.   

“We are honored and grateful to have been chosen as a host for a 2024 Presidential Debate,” said VSU President Dr. Makola M. Abdullah. “This is a historic moment for our university and for HBCUs nationwide. Our university mantra is “Greater Happens Here,” and we look forward to welcoming the candidates, the Commission on Presidential Debates, and the entire nation to the GREATER at VSU.” 

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VSU Alum, General (Ret) Dennis L. Via Appointed To The VSU Board of Visitors

Virginia State University Alum and retired Army General Dennis L. Via has been appointed to the VSU Board of Visitors. Governor Glenn Youngkin made the announcement on Friday, November 10.  Via is a native of Martinsville, VA. He attended Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA, where he graduated in May 1980 as a Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps.

He retired from the U.S. Army as a 4-Star General and is currently an executive vice president with Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, Virginia. In this role, he leads firmwide corporate engagement in the Office of the CEO.

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Alumni Weekend 2024

VSU Alumni Weekend 2024 is scheduled for May 9 through 11, 2024 on the campus of VSU.  The VSU classes ending in 4 and 9 will be in reunion.  The Golden Class of 1974 will be celebrating their 50th year as a VSU graduate. 

Register Now

Become A VSU Class Coordinator

The VSU Class Coordinator Program comprises a loyal group of alumni representing their individual class years. Class Coordinators are considered University ambassadors who help build a strong connection between classmates and the University.
Class Coordinators are some of the most valuable volunteers for the University. Job requirements are simple: a minimal time commitment and the interest to keep in touch with VSU classmates and friends. Being a class coordinator is a great way to remain involved after graduation, and you can be as active as your schedule allows.
Class Coordinators work with the VSU Alumni Office to:
  • Communicate regularly with classmates via letters, calls, emails, or social networking Websites.
  • Keep classmates up-to-date on VSU events and news.
  • Encourage and increase participation in alumni activities such as regional events and reunions.
  • Brainstorm additional ways to keep your class connected.
  • Serve as a reunion planning committee member in your special reunion years.
  • Promote class giving and participation 
  • Provide the University of Institutional Advancement with updated contact information for classmates
If you want to become a class coordinator, please get in touch with the VSU Alumni Relations Office at (804) 524- 5045 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
(If you don't see your class year represented, please consider becoming a coordinator)



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