Emory and Henry College Emory & Henry College , known as E & H , Emory , or the College , is a private liberal arts college located in Emory , Virginia , United States . The campus comprises of Washington County , Virginia , which is part of the mountain region of Southwest Virginia . Founded in 1836 , Emory & Henry College is the oldest institute of higher learning in Southwest Virginia . History . Founded in 1836 , Emory & Henry College is named after John Emory , a Methodist bishop , and Patrick Henry , an American Patriot and Virginia ’ s first governor . The college was founded upon the union of faith and learning and the ideals of freedom and civic virtue by Creed Fulton , a Methodist minister , Colonel William Byars , Tobias Smyth , a Methodist farmer , and Alexander Findlay , a Methodist businessman . The foundation for Wiley Hall was laid on September 30 , 1836 . The board of trustees then hired Charles Collins ( 1838 – 1852 ) as the institution ' s first president with classes beginning in the spring of 1838 with only 60 students enrolled . The College closed its doors in April 1861 due to the Civil War and was commandeered by the Confederate States of America in 1862 operating as a hospital until 1865 . During this time the campus saw battle during the Battle of Saltville . The hospital was the setting of Lieutenant Smith ' s murder on October 7 , 1864 by Champ Ferguson . After the civil war ended , the College reopened . During World War II , Emory & Henry College was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V - 12 Navy College Training Program which offered students a path to a Navy commission . Today , the college comprises a student body population of around 900 and employs 75 full - time professors . Graduates of E & H have become scientific researchers , NASA engineers , writers , physicians , ministers , lawyers , educators and business people . Mission . According to college ' s web - site , the official mission of the college is stated as follows : " ' Increase in Excellence , ' the historic motto of Emory & Henry College , expresses the college ’ s intention to be a learning community that moves toward fulfilling every student ' s potential . Bishop John Emory , along with the founders of Methodism , symbolizes the college ’ s belief in the union of faith and learning , while Governor Patrick Henry symbolizes the college ’ s commitment to freedom and civic virtue . E & H affirms the Christian faith as its spiritual and moral heritage and encourages all of the college ’ s members to grow in faith as they grow in knowledge . E & H believes in the worth of each person ' s religious and cultural heritage , inasmuch as that heritage leads to service to others in our region and the larger world . E & H affirms the liberal arts as its intellectual foundation and believes that excellence results when everyone actively participates in the educational process . The college challenges all persons to confront historical and contemporary ideas and issues and to develop the ability to think critically about all areas of human experience . Such traditions provide the context for the college ’ s pursuit of excellence , as it engages a diverse group of well - qualified men and women in educational experiences that lead to lives of service , productive careers , and global citizenship . " Campus . Located in the Virginia Highlands , the Emory & Henry central campus encompasses and is surrounded by an additional 167 undeveloped acreage in the village of Emory . The entire central campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Register of Historic Landmarks . Buildings . With many campus buildings dating from the mid 19th century , several major academic buildings are listed on the national registry of historic buildings , including Wiley Hall which recently reopened after a multi - million dollar renovation . The current president has also undertaken a significant commitment to building new buildings or renovating existing ones . Along with a new Music addition and several new dormitories , the college is prepared to break ground on a new athletic field house and performing arts center . Residence Halls Wiley - Jackson ( MaWa ) , Elm , Hillman , Weaver , Stuart , Sullins , Carriger and Matthews Halls , The Cottage , Waterhouse , Houses 14 – 17 , Prillaman , Cambridge , Damer , Princeton , Collins Houses . Hickory Hall , a residence hall similar to Elm is currently under construction . Academics McGlothlin - Street , Wiley , Fulton - Miller , and Byars Halls Misc Memorial Chapel , King Center , Martin - Brock Student Center , Van Dyke , Emily Williams House , Tobias - Smyth Cabin ( a reconstructed log house which was home to one of the college ' s founders ; now a museum and meeting place . ) Academics . Emory & Henry College ’ s liberal arts academic program is based upon a required four - year core curriculum of history , literature , and culture . The college has more than 25 academic programs of study and offers more than 50 Bachelor degrees and offers master ' s degrees in education and community and organizational leadership . The college ' s programs in public policy and community service and international studies have been nationally recognized . The college strives to have a global perspective on education with an emphasis on undergraduate research . Students have the opportunity to study abroad or travel abroad with professors . E & H students are able to attend to a range of lectures and cultural events , called Lyceums , led by political figures , area experts , or artists . Service The College integrates education with service and citizenship . Students have opportunities to volunteer and improve the lives of others . Furthermore , volunteerism can achieved through social activism with the Public Policy and Community Service Program and the Appalachian Center for Community Service . An alleged group known as the Emorium Society is said to perform random acts of service . Student Research E & H professors prepare students by providing research opportunities . Students studying biology could be collecting microbes under water . Physics majors could find themselves photographing binary stars . Students who do research for a political science class could be presenting their work to a major conferences such as the Western Political Science Association . Study Abroad The International Education and Study Abroad Program is an important part of the liberal arts curriculum . In a partnership with CIEE students have spent semesters or summers abroad , or participated in Emory abroad courses — short - term international programs led by the E & H faculty . Through active engagement , the program enhances global awareness through an understanding of cultural diversity and global interdependence . Lyceum Each year , Emory & Henry holds close to 100 concerts , lectures , theatre , dance performances , films , exhibits , and poetry readings to complete the academic experience . Of the lyceum events , the biggest are a literary festival each November and ah a Spring Forum focused on a particular social issue . Outdoor Program The College is located in the Appalachian Mountains with forests to hike , mountains for cross - country skiing , creeks to paddle , cliffs for rappelling , and caves for spelunking . The Appalachian and Iron Mountain Trails , The Virginia Creeper Trail , The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area , The Jefferson and George Washington National Forests , and the New , Nantahala , and Clinch rivers are all close by . Athletics . Emory & Henry College ’ s sports teams , nicknamed the “ Wasps , ” participate in NCAA Division III in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference ( ODAC ) . The college fields men ’ s teams in football , soccer , basketball , baseball , cross country and tennis and women ’ s teams in cross country , volleyball , basketball , softball , soccer , tennis and swimming . The E & H Wasps are credited with inventing an American football offensive formation , named in the college ' s honor , that divides the offensive line and wide receivers into three groupings of three . While it is primarily used today as a trick play , it was revived in 2007 as an integral part of the A - 11 offense , a high school football offensive scheme that was eventually banned due to the exploitation of loopholes in the high school rulebooks . The offense inspired Steve Spurrier to use variations of it as a trickplay formation at Florida and South Carolina named " Emory & Henry " , as Spurrier attended Wasps games as a child growing up in nearby Johnson City , Tennessee . The formation is featured on EA Sports ' NCAA Football 07 video game as well . The Emory and Henry football team has a long storied history claiming 11 ODAC Conference Championships ( more than any other member of the ODAC ) since the league ' s inception in 1976 , and appearing in the Tangerine Bowl ( currently called the Capital One Bowl ) during the 1949 and 1950 seasons . They have also managed to make it to the 1987 NCAA DIII Semifinal game under coach Lou Wacker before losing to now Division I Wagner College , and well as making it to the DIII playoffs numerous times . E & H also boasted the nations longest home game winning streak in 1999 at 37 games . In 2004 , Y ' all magazine listed Emory & Henry among the 40 colleges and universities in the South with the greatest football traditions . " Not to be overshadowed by neighboring Division I powerhouses . . . Winning seasons plus pride and pageantry equals one of the greatest Southern football traditions . " The Wasps football team began play in 1893 beating Virginia Tech 6 – 0 , and have won games against other Division I programs such as Appalachian State , Marshall , The University of Central Florida , and Middle Tennessee State . The Wasps oldest current football rival is Hampden - Sydney College who first played the Wasps in 1922 . Emory & Henry College has had three players drafted to the NFL over the years . The most notable being Sonny Wade ( class of ' 69 ) who went on to play several years in the CFL . The Emory & Henry Football team is currently coached by Don Montgomery who played at Mt . Union College ( Class of 1977 ) , and helped the Purple Raiders win seven DIII National Championships . Fight Song " Rah , Rah , for Emory ! " Mascot . The official Emory & Henry mascot is the Wasps . While there are many rumored origins of the nickname , the most commonly accepted story is that Emory & Henry was first called the Wasps after the football team played the first ever game in Tennessee ' s Neyland Stadium by a local Knoxville newspaper . Though Emory & Henry was beaten 27 – 0 , legend has it that the local paper declared " that those Virginia boys stung like wasps , " and the nickname has stuck ever since . The Emory & Henry basketball team ' s unofficial mascot is a dog named " Pete , " who wears an Emory & Henry jersey and is yellowish in nature . Pete is a reference to the late Emory & Henry basketball coach Bob Johnson ' s Labrador retriever ( which was also named Pete ) . Pete ( the dog ) was often seen sitting beside Coach Johnson during games at the King Center . Student activities . There are more than 70 student organizations are active on Emory & Henry ' s campus . Community service projects are also a way many students , especially Bonner Scholars , spend their free time . Often students will mountain bike or hike on the numerous trials in nearby Damascus or Abingdon , or spend time outside participating in rock climbing , kayaking or other outdoor sports . Sports such as football , basketball , soccer , baseball , and volleyball are offered as both intercollegiate and as intramural sports . Greek life . Emory & Henry allows local social fraternities and sororities only . The current recognized social sororities on campus are Alpha Beta Chi , Delta Omicron Pi , Delta Rho Delta , Kappa Phi Alpha , Pi Sigma Kappa , Sigma Upsilon Nu . The current recognized social fraternities on campus are Theta Chi Epsilon , Pi Delta Chi , Sigma Alpha Kappa , Sigma Iota , Dom - I - Necher , Phi Gamma Phi , Phi Pi Alpha , C Phi C , and Beta Lambda Zeta . Student Media . " The Whitetopper " student newspaper , established in 1921 . EHC - TV , student produced television news program . WEHC - FM 90 . 7 , the college ' s official radio station . ehcwired . com , online student news site . Traditions . Traditions at Emory & Henry College include : Service Plunge – the college ' s annual " Service Plunge " is a tradition and a requirement of all incoming freshman in which they must go out and perform community service for a day during the first month of school ( usually a Saturday ) . Running of the Bulls – The Running of the Bulls is a Bi - annual event in which girls who are pledging a sorority are sent running out of the front door of Wiley - Jackson ( MaWa ) and are told to run towards the sorority which they intend to pledge . The event , although short , is often attended by large portions of the student population due to its somewhat humorous nature . The Owls – Emory ' s campus and property is scattered with white spray painted owls with the initials ES . This stands for Emory & Henry ' s resident secret society , the Emorium Society , of which little is known to those outside the group . However , as of 2010 , the group has become more vocal delivering letters to the student newspaper and giving gifts to the family of school officials . Many past Student government Presidents were members as are respected faculty members . The Rock – Every athletic team that plays their games at Fred Selfe Stadium touches a giant rock taken from the late Fred Selfe ' s hometown . Coach Selfe was a long - time assistant coach for the Emory & Henry football team who died of cancer and whose saying " Trust in your teammates , trust in yourself " is painted in the football locker room . Touching the Rock is seen as not only a unifying gesture , but it is supposed to also be a " recognition of all those who wore the blue and gold before you . " The Duck Pond – Emory & Henry is known for having ducks year round at its duck pond . This is because the pond is naturally heated due to a spring ( which can be see in the corner closest to Wiley Hall in the foundations of the old well house ) . Rain , Sleet , or Snow – Emory & Henry is notorious among students for not canceling classes due to inclement weather . This is due the fact that large numbers of Emory & Henry students live on campus and since they do not have to drive to school , the College often feels little need to cancel class . It is rumored among students that the college has only been closed three times since its opening in 1836 due to inclement weather . Rankings and Recognition . In the last 21 years , 12 E & H professors have won a major state or national teaching award . The most recent recipient was Dr . Teresa Keller , a professor of Mass Communication who won the 2010 Outstanding Faculty Award given by the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia . E & H was honored with the Corporation for National and Community Service Presidential Award March 2010 , making it the first Virginia institution for higher learning to receive the award . Forbes Magazine has consistently ranked Emory & Henry among the top 100 colleges and universities in the nation . Emory & Henry was one of five Virginia institutions to make the top 100 and the only regional college or university among the 569 ( or the top 15 percent ) selected for the ranking out of the 3 , 798 institutions nationwide . Emory & Henry is ranked as the 25th safest school in the nation . " Emory & Henry doubles the talents of most of the kids it gets , and contributes to their moral development as well . It is a caring , nurturing college , and it may be unique in the way it works with parents . . . I didn ' t meet anyone who wished he ' d gotten into some other school , which is unusual , because at nearly every college , except maybe Harvard , there is a sullen cohort of rejected suitors of another institution . " – Loren Pope , " Colleges That Change Lives " . In the last 23 years , seven E & H professors have been named Virginia or U . S . Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education — a feat unmatched by any college or university in the state . In the last 12 years , five Emory & Henry professors have received the Outstanding Faculty Award given by the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia . According to measurements of student satisfaction conducted by the Student Satisfaction Inventory ( SSI ) , Emory & Henry students rate their college well above the national average for four - year institutions with regard to the quality of the instruction they receive and the effectiveness of their academic advisors . Among the many other categoriES in which Emory & Henry sharply exceeds the national average are the desire for students to enroll again and their assessment of the helpfulness of E & H staff and administrators . Emory & Henry College is one of 100 colleges from across the nation that have been named to a list recognizing their distinctive abilities to provide excellence in education and to dramatically improve the chances of success for their students . The listing , which is published by Student Horizons , Inc . , recognizes schools on the basis of student engagement , excellence in teaching and the successful outcomes for students and graduates . In 2004 , " Y ' all " magazine listed Emory & Henry among the 40 colleges and universities in the South with the greatest football traditions . " Not to be overshadowed by neighboring Division I powerhouses . . . Winning seasons plus pride and pageantry equals one of the greatest Southern football traditions . "