Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-04

chester was the home Of the
Medical College of Virginia.
Winchester residents backed
their desire to have a community
college by pledging $257, 900 in
the last IL months.
I'VE have been the only large
community in Virginia without
an institution of higher learn
ing" declared James wilkins,
who heads the Chamber of Com
merce College Committee. Con-
struction plans. which provide
for facilities to handle 500 stu
dents by 1868, call for adminis-
tration and classroom buildings,
dormitories. conservatory and
auditorium, chapel and gymna-
SUM.
The current two-year academic
program will be expanded to four
in the liberal arts field. The
colleges title will be shortened
after it is moved but the music
training facilities will be re-
tanned. The college is the only
accredited music, school in Viz
GINA, according to Mr.. Wilkins.
The move 20 transfer the in
stitution got under way in 1855
when the Winchester Chamber
of Commerce listed the action as
its principal project for the fol-
lowing two years.
Enrolment of 100
I'VE knew the college was not
prospecting at its present loca-
ton, because there are four
bigger colleges in the vicinity"
Mr.. Wilkins said. He listed
Bridgewater and Eastern Mem
MONTE Colleges in Bridgewater.
Mary Baldwin College in Staun-
ton and Madison College in
Harrisonburg. Shenandoah COL
lege couldn't draw enough day
students. who bring in the profit
for an institution" he declared.
Present enrolment at Shenan-
doah College is $50 students.
Mr.. wilkins and other BUSH
nessmen drummed up commu-
nifty interest by addressing serv.
ice and civic clubs. After a five
month search, committee com.
posed of Mr.. wilkins, Hoye Riley,
Lee Grant, Marvin Gore and
Voyne Omps successfully asked
the city council to donate q
$4,000 site in the city park, in
the southeast section.
Pledges began pouring in. The
committee has about $500 on
hand. with the remainder. of the
$257 900 pledged expected with
in 80 months. The EUB church
has authorized its officers to Dor
row another $25O,000 and raise
$4,000 from alumni. The par
ent church's educational fund
will release another 100000.
Plan to Borrow \.
Winchester businessmen are
planning to borrow $500, 900
from private sources and the
Federal Government, to be re-
paid over a 50-year period.
Preliminary site plans have
been approved. A contract will
be issued in two weeks to the
architects firm Of Haddox &
Williams of Winchester and
Bethesda.
The community now has four
trustees on the college board and
plans to be eventually repre-
scented by 10, or one-fourth Of
the board. The current local
members are Mr.. wilkins, presi-
dent Of Shoe Center Stores, Inc:
Frank Armstrong. president Of
the National Fruit Products
Corp; Mr.. Omps. a funeral d.
rector. and Ben Belchic. CO.
owner Of a mems clothing store.
The church's board of bishops
recently agreed to transfer finan-
cial support of its members in
the State Of West Virginia from
Otterbein College in Ohio to
Shenandoah College, when it
moves to Winchester. Mr.. viii
kins noted with satisfaction.
This college will provide
training at home for our inereas-
ing number Of college-age chill.
dren as well as attract talented
young people from elsewhere"
he said.