An Evolution in Excellence: Emory & Henry University
As of August 1, 2024, Emory & Henry College is Emory & Henry University.
The Brave and Bold Minds
Emory & Henry has stood in the mountains of Virginia as a brave and bold institution since 1836. It has seen strife, economic struggles, wars, happiness, friendships, teaching, and learning come to life. Thousands of successful graduates have walked across its stage equipped not only with diplomas but a sense of connection rooted in a place that is unique and distinctive. A place that changed their lives.
E&H students want to be part of something bigger in life. They understand our ever changing world and how connections can unite and how simply being present, can add a whole new perspective to life of wonderment and service.
Our alumni impact our world as difference makers and change agents; leaders and followers; connectors and mentors; philanthropists; employers and friends. They are the problem solvers, the critical thinkers, the ones with unique perspectives who persevere.
Together, we belong and support each other to engage. Together, we are thought leaders and experts in our crafts worldwide. Together, we are kind and compassionate. Together, we are Emory & Henry - a place to be bold, be brave and be ourselves.
The Commitment to Increase In Excellence
Together, we think boldly to see excellence in all we do and how to take it a step further. Since our founding, we knew by being brave in 1836, a college could grow near a spring of water and later grow 45 miles north and south on the 1-81 corridor from Marion to Bristol, Virginia. By elevating in excellence, we knew that by adding to our undergraduate degrees with master’s and doctorate programs, new schools such as business and nursing, and evolving from DIII athletics to DII, we would someday evolve to university status. In 2023 the Board of Trustees agreed our status had reached that of a university and ensured the the values and traditions of the college would remain embedded in the culture to pass through future generations. U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges had already tapped E&H in the Top 25 of Regional Universities (South) for the past two years based on its comprehensive offerings with a liberal arts foundation as well as the Carnegie Classification. University status represents the shoulders we’ve stood on for over 187 years and we celebrate.
“Today’s world calls for the kind of forward-looking approach to higher education that Emory & Henry has always embraced, educating citizens to make an impact in our communities. Emory & Henry is taking the transformational step of announcing its status as a private regional comprehensive university while continuing its commitment to serve the Appalachian Highlands with a diverse curriculum, service learning and professional preparedness,” —Provost Michael Puglisi.
The Heart of Givers and Supporters
Together, our hearts are united by all the good that can be achieved through generous donors and friends of the college. Significant gifts through the decades have resulted in bold outcomes seen throughout the institution including new scholarship opportunities, new and renovated buildings, new and enhanced academic programs, inspirational changes in athletics and the arts.
The Network Shaped Through Core Beliefs
Together, Emory & Henry have been shaped by a strong moral compass and one of commitment to a greater good and service to others. The core values of the institution that were established years ago - still stand today. Those values have led to traditions and beliefs the campus holds dear but also leaves space for even more boldness and bravery as it enters into a new era of higher education re-imagined. One that is innovative, market savvy, adaptable, and committed to solid outcomes for its graduates. To see that 96% of our students from the class of 2023 had jobs or were in graduate school after six months of commencement, is the story we want to continue to tell. Our value and investment in our students and world matters. Our core beliefs guide our daily actions that lead to a lifetime of successful actions from our graduates.
Status Transition to University Q&As
Emory & Henry has grown to become a university - with degree offerings from bachelor’s to doctoral - all with a comprehensive liberal arts base; and now has three campus locations in Emory, Marion and Bristol, Virginia.
We offer three schools with traditional in-person, online and hybrid learning.
School of Arts & Sciences
School of Health Sciences
School of Business
The transition to Emory & Henry University optimizes our name to who we are today and who we continue to strive to be as a successful educational institution in the future.
We market the E&H brand internationally where most students understand and interpret the term “university” in the same way many American students interpret the term, “college”, a four-year, post-secondary institution. Similarly, the international audience understands the term, “college” to be a high school.
By Fall 2024 we anticipate being in full Division II status with the NCAA and South Atlantic Conference with greater regional and national exposure.
In 2022, we were classified as a “Best Regional University” (South) in theU.S. News and World Best Colleges Ranking report and were listed as #20 out of 101 institutions. This was based on the Carnegie Classification with our status changing based on the institution’s offerings and growth.
Of the 13 institutions in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) - three are Colleges and the remainder are Universities. In the past five years, many regional colleges that we compete against for local students have transitioned to university status, including King University, Milligan University, Bluefield University and Lynchburg University.
No, we are refreshing, elevating and optimizing our brand to represent all that E&H now offers and has grown into over the years. We will continue to elevate academic offerings, student success, career networking, job and graduate school placement, expand our diversification and inclusion efforts, focus on sustainability and be fiscally responsible for generations to come. We want more people to understand our value in the higher education and professional landscape while remaining true to our traditions and place in Southwest Virginia.
We will officially refer to Emory & Henry as University starting August 2024.
This will give us time to transition materials and be considerate of our budget. In the meantime, reference can be made to Emory & Henry or Emory & Henry College until we officially transition to Emory & Henry University.
Now through the status update to go into effect in Fall 2024, avoid committing to the use of “College” on any material that is long-lasting. Use “Emory & Henry” and related logos or use “Emory & Henry College”.
The official logo of the institution will not change in the future. The transition will only impact the use of the word “College” which will be replaced by the word, “University”. E&H has made significant strides in its brand value over the past several years and we want to maintain our identity in the region.
Logo, stationery, envelopes and business cards will transition in Summer 2024.
The website will transition on August 1, 2024.
Email will be transitioned to the extension, “emoryhenry.edu” in Summer 2024.
Celebration at May 6, 2024 Commencement – The final class to graduate with “College” on diploma.
Summer orientation for incoming students 2024–25 – Welcome to E&H University and Division II.
Fall 2024 welcome back for faculty, staff and students to E&H University.
Fall 2024 Homecoming – Celebrates E&H University and Division II status.
Graduates in the Class of 2025 will receive the inaugural Emory & Henry University diplomas.
Yes, you graduated from Emory & Henry College. Should you wish to receive an updated diploma with “Emory & Henry University” on it in the future, please reach out to mgraham@emoryhenry.edu.
You may use “Emory & Henry College” or change to “Emory & Henry University” if you wish.
Great! It will be retro and pay homage to our 187-year-old history. They will be classics!
Of course, you are encouraged to wear all E&H gear to support your alma mater and let your Blue & Gold spirit fly high! College or University, we are Emory & Henry!
No. We are Emory & Henry.
No, we hope to keep them the same to pay homage to our traditions. The Alma Mater and The Fight Song will remain the same.
No. We are the only higher education institution in the country with a Wasp insect as a mascot. “Stinger” was recently featured onAmerica’s Funniest Home Videos Animal Editionin 2022 which aired internationally for its uniqueness.Read the history of the name at www.gowasps.com.
No, they will remain WEHC. The “C” will represent “community”.
Yes. We will work with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) on a plan for signage transitions.
The intimacy of our main Emory campus will stay intact with the beautiful greenspace and warm experiences we’ve grown accustomed to loving and enjoying during events like Homecoming and Commencement. We anticipate much of our planned growth will take place at Exit 26 off I-81 to support the visibility and location of E&H in Southwest Virginia.
Please contact Jennifer Pearce, Vice President for Enrollment and External Affairs,jpearce@emoryhenry.edu (276) 944-6968
Please contact Dr. Michael Puglisi, Provost and Executive Vice President,mpuglisi@emoryhenry.edu(276) 944-6122
Saturday, March 25, 2023 University Status Approved by E&H Board of Trustees
Monday, March 27, 2023 Announcement to the campus community at Van Dyke Center Announcement to the public online
