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Home > Office of the President > President's Greeting

Welcome to Valdosta State University!

Valdosta State University is a premier residential university, characterized by outstanding instruction, a wide range of student life opportunities, and a close connection to the community.

OUR HISTORY
Established in 1906, the institution was named South Georgia State Normal College when it began providing courses for young ladies in 1913. In 1922, a legislative act changed the name to Georgia State Womans College and authorized a four-year program leading to a bachelor’s degree. The Board of Regents made the college co-educational in 1950 and changed its name to Valdosta State College. VSC became a regional university within the University System of Georgia on July 1, 1993 and serves 41 counties in South Georgia.

OUR MISSION
The mission of VSU is to prepare students to meet global opportunities and challenges through excellence in teaching and learning; to expand the boundaries of current knowledge, and explore the practical applications of that knowledge, through excellence in scholarship and creative endeavors; and to promote the economic, cultural, and educational progress of our community and our region, through excellence in service outreach. VSU seeks to accomplish this mission in a dynamic, student-centered learning environment marked by a respect for diverse abilities, backgrounds, and contributions by all members of the university community.

OUR CAMPUS
Valdosta State University offers the best of both worlds—the extensive academic, cultural and social opportunities of a major university, and the small classes and close personal attention found at smaller institutions. Students are attracted to the close-knit community where learning occurs in a supportive environment and faculty members challenge each student’s potential.

Located “among the stately pines” in the heart of beautiful Valdosta, Georgia, the university boasts 172 acres, 18 miles north of the Florida border and equal distance from Atlanta and Orlando, with two picturesque campuses less than one mile apart.

VSU has a legacy as a major provider of education services for Georgia. The beauty and consistency of its Spanish Mission architecture are indicative of its dedication to serving the region’s heritage while developing programs and services to enhance its future. The Georgia Association of the American Institute of Architects has honored VSU for its commitment to quality campus design; and specifically, for its dedication to preserving the institution’s unique Spanish Mission style of architecture.

Since 2004, VSU has experience its greatest transformation with more than $200 million in construction. Students today enjoy new suite-style and fully renovated residence halls; expanded dining services, including Starbucks and Chick-fil-A; and a new Student Union, described as the “campus living room,” which houses a movie theatre, food court, ballroom, student organization offices, a game room and much more.

OUR STUDENTS
With approximately 13,000 students representing 49 states, two U.S. territories and more than 76 countries, Valdosta State students are engaged in the academic, cultural, and social benefits of the campus. The Valdosta State philosophy embraces the concept that the measurement of a student’s success in college goes beyond the classroom.

Students can choose from a wide array of opportunities to become involved including more than 200 active student organizations, Greek fraternities and sororities, faith-based ministry groups, a variety of intramural teams, and many service and academic clubs.  Outlets for both fitness and outdoor recreation can be found at the Student Recreation center, which boasts a comprehensive intramural program, club sports, outdoor trips, fitness consulting, aerobics, an Olympic-sized indoor pool, an expansive weight room and a 27-foot climbing wall.

Varsity “Blazers” compete in football, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf and cross-country. “Lady Blazers” compete in basketball, softball, tennis, volleyball, cross-country and soccer. VSU is a NCAA Division II member institution and competes in the Gulf South Conference, the largest conference in the country. The VSU Blazer Football Team won the 2004 and 2007 NCAA Division II National Championships, and the VSU Men’s Tennis Team won the 2006 and 2011Division II National Championship. Blazer teams hold many other regional and national titles and each year student athletes are honored for their hard work and commitment on the court and in the classroom.

OUR ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Through its five colleges (the College of the Arts, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration, the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education, and the College of Nursing), the Division of Social Work, and the Library and Information Science program, VSU offers 73 undergraduate degrees (including bachelor’s, associate, certificates and endorsements) and 59 graduate degrees (including masters, education specialists, endorsement, certificates and doctoral degrees).

VSU also strongly supports its distance learning programs, which allow traditional and non-traditional students, who are limited by both time and location, to continue their education. Online courses are offered through the Georgia ONmyLINE (GOML) academic franchise program.  Valdosta State continues to lead other University System of Georgia institutions in the number of students taking GOML courses.  In addition to GOML programs, Valdosta State offers a variety of online graduate programs including master’s level education, education specialist’s degrees, and a Doctor of Public Administration.  Earlier this year, Valdosta State announced its undergraduate online degrees in Office Administration and Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Science in Organization Leadership. Learn more about Valdosta State’s online degrees at http://www.valdosta.edu/distance/online_degrees.shtml.

Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, nationally accredited programs include applied and clinical sociology, art, athletic training, business, chemistry, communication disorders, education, library, marriage and family therapy, music, nursing, psychology, public administration, public relations, social work, and theatre.

VSU offers a highly successful Freshman Year Experience (FYE) program through the Office of Academic Student Instructional Support. The program places students into living-learning communities and provides the support necessary to lead freshmen through a successful first year, ultimately improving retention.

The Center for International Programs provides central coordination for VSU’s comprehensive range of services and activities in the area of international education. Study abroad and exchange opportunities at institutions around the world give students exceptional opportunities for learning. Closer to campus, VSU offers internships and experiential learning opportunities to expand students’ horizons.

We invite you take a virtual tour of our campus and see what all awaits at Valdosta State University.