In 1891, William Waugh Smith chose Lynchburg, Virginia as the home for his vision—“a college where our young women may obtain an education equal to that given in our best colleges for young men and under environments in harmony with the highest ideals of womanhood.”
Today, 125 years later, much has changed at the College. But the heart of the institution remains its close-knit community of faculty, staff, and students, who are dedicated to pursuing a broader understanding of the world. More importantly, Randolph College is still committed to providing women—and now men—a strong, liberal arts education that prepares them to live the “life more abundant.”
During 2016, Randolph College will celebrate its rich history as Randolph-Macon Woman’s College while looking forward to the vibrant promises of tomorrow.
Randolph College faculty, students, and staff will mark the 125th anniversary of the founding of the College. Following the ringing of the Conway Bell by Associate Dean of the College Paula Wallace, Dennis Goff, the Charles A. Dana Professor of Psychology and co-chair of the 125th Anniversary Celebration Steering Committee, will reflect on our history and share thoughts on the importance of this anniversary.
The Founders' Day observance, with roots in the annual Ivy Day of years past, will feature the annual planting of rose bushes along the Red Brick Wall in celebration of the lyrics, “where roses tumble along sunny walls,” from the College song. The event will conclude with the traditional senior-sophomore serenade at the Sundial.
Join the College community for Commencement exercises as we celebrate the Class of 2016. Jolley Bruce Christman '69, trustee emerita, will serve as keynote speaker for this ceremony that will celebrate the College’s past, present, and future.
The College will mark the 125th Anniversary with this formal ceremony, which will feature an academic procession recognizing graduation classes through the years. More information.
Plan now to attend Randolph’s 125th Birthday Party! Bring a guest, enjoy delectable birthday desserts, and dance the night away under the stars. More information and RSVP to attend.
Author and Senior Lecturer Emerita at the University of California, Berkeley
Honoree: 2016 Pearl S. Buck Award
How the Humanities Allow us to Learn About Other Cultures
April 20, 2016
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Author and Sydenham Clark Parsons Professor Emerita at Smith College
Keynote Speaker: Alumnae and Alumni Council
"Ought Women To Learn the Alphabet?": Exploring the History of Women’s Higher Education
September 17, 2016
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Author, President of the Society of the Four Arts, and former President of Kalamazoo College
Keynote Speaker: 125th Anniversary Convocation
The Liberal Arts
October 8, 2016
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The 125th Anniversary edition of Randolph Magazine tells the story of the College through photos, quotes, facts, and statistics from 1891 to present day.
Flipbook | PDF | www.randolphmagazine.com
Photo Gallery
Magazine staff combed through thousands of photos to create the commemorative edition. Too good to keep locked away, we've created a digital archive for all to see.
View hundreds of archival photos online