Equine Excellence

See our favorite photos from the fall semester.

Emory & Henry College secured a strong position in the U.S. News & World Report, ranking 21st among 135 peer institutions for Best Colleges. Notable rankings also include 13th for Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs in the southern region and an upward move to 68th for social mobility.

This semester, students in the School of Business brought class lessons to life and built connections with local organizations. The operations and production management course offered students opportunities to practice teamwork and collaboration as they linked operations principles and concepts to real-world practices for deeper learning. During the fall semester students visited the Barter Theatre, Food City in Chilhowie, Strongwell, United Way of Southwest Virginia, Universal Fibers, Inc. and Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company. The purpose of the semester-long interaction was to discover how key operations decisions on process, quality, capacity,and inventory were implemented. Students examined their choices on how to improve effectiveness, efficiency, customer satisfaction, and value and presented their findings at the end of the semester.

At the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia, Emory & Henry College’s School of Health Sciences saw its largest graduating class in August with 103 students. Among them were the first cohorts of the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and the Doctor of Occupational Therapy programs, alongside others from Physician Assistant Studies and Doctorate of Physical Therapy programs. President John W. Wells praised the graduates for their resilience and dedication to earning their degrees.

In October, Emory & Henry proudly dedicated the Squire Miller Henry Residence Hall, a significant milestone in its pursuit of inclusivity and historical preservation. This hall, the first named after a Black individual, honored Dr. Squire Miller Henry’s extraordinary legacy. Dr. Henry’s legacy, rooted in resilience and community commitment, was honored posthumously in May 2023 with an honorary doctorate of divinity presented to his great-granddaughter, Marie Lampkins. President John W. Wells highlighted the event’s importance in recognizing overlooked contributors and fostering inclusivity. The dedication symbolizes the College’s dedication to diversity, celebrating voices that shape its past and future.

In October, the van Vlissingen Center for Career and Professional Development hosted its inaugural Fall Career Expo and welcomed more than 35 Tier 1 employers such as Hard Rock Casino & Resort, Eastman Chemical, Dollywood, Bristol Motor Speedway and the FBI. The event informed students about internship prospects and job opportunities. Attendees also had the opportunity to receive professional headshots.

In October, the Appalachian Center for Civic Life and the Watershed Project presented an insightful event, “A Remembrance.” The event, a result of efforts from students, faculty, staff and local citizens, aimed to memorialize individuals who contributed to building the College. It included a groundbreaking video memorial crafted during the 2023 spring semester and a panel discussion. Students meticulously analyzed the College’s original account books, deciphering 19th-century handwriting. President John W. Wells invited the College community to join in this reflective moment and emphasized the importance of acknowledging the past and connecting it to the present for a more unified future. The event offered a comprehensive view of the College’s history, underscoring its ties to the broader societal context of that era.