For nearly half a century, Richard Bland
College (RBC) has proven itself to be a stepping-stone
to the future for tens of thousands of young Virginians.
As the states only Junior College, RBC, an arm of the College
of William and Mary, offers a traditional curriculum in
the liberal arts and sciences leading to the associate
degree and other programs appropriate to a junior college.
The curriculum is intended to allow students to acquire
junior status after transferring to a four-year college
or to pursue expanded career opportunities.
Recently, in a groundbreaking move, the College broke ground
for the construction of a residence facility. Groundbreaking,
in that Richard Bland College is set to become the only non-four-year-college
in the state with residential facilities.
While the idea of such a facility has been circulating for
more than twenty years, a recent feasibility study of all
public and private high schools in Virginia, led RBC to the
conclusion that there was, indeed, a high demand for a residential
two-year college. Students from Chesterfield, the greater
Richmond area, Northern Virginia and Tidewater were particularly
interested in residence halls, knowing a degree from Richard
Bland College would be a great stepping stone to a four year
institution.
The Residential Village is being constructed on a 16.5-acre
parcel of land, which the state is leasing to the Richard
Bland College Foundation. The two residence halls (the first
phase of the building project) will each be four stories
tall and house approximately 130 students. Both buildings,
featuring suite-style units with kitchen facilities and meeting
spaces, are expected to be completed by summer of 2008, at
a cost of $20 million.
“Groundbreakings are special,” said Michael Powell,
rector of the William and Mary Board of Visitors. “They
are days of promise. Whether you turn the dirt by shovel
or by plow, it opens up hope.”
Ultimately, the Residential Village at RBC is expected to
include five residence halls, offering a variety of living
arrangements in various-sized apartments. A second phase
of the building project is expected to begin in 2010.
To cover the expenses of such an ambitious project, and to
fund other projects and scholarships, as well, the school
has recently instituted its first Campaign for the Future
of Richard Bland College with a goal of $5 million. To date
Richard Bland College has $1.8 million in commitments and
the support of the members of The College of William and
Mary Board of Visitors, members of The Richard Bland College
Foundation, senior staff of Richard Bland College, community
leaders, alumni, and several foundations and grants.
“Richard Bland College strives to attract and retain
highly motivated and successful students,” says Dr.
James B. McNeer, president of the college. “Merit
scholarships provide an opportunity to award exceptional
students for their work. Such scholarships facilitate a quality
college education for deserving students who otherwise could
not afford it.”
The Campaign for the Future of Richard Bland College is addressing
this need through increasing the College’s Scholarship
Endowment. The Richard Bland College Foundation currently
awards 71 Presidential Merit Scholarships of $1,000 each
to full-time, first-year Virginia residents who have earned
a 3.50 high school grade point average. The scholarship is
available for returning full-time students who have attained
a minimum 3.50 grade point average during their freshman
year.
For more information as to how Richard Bland College can
provide a stepping-stone to your future or the future of
your son or daughter, visit the RBC web site at www.rbc.edu
or call the college’s admission office at 804-862-6139. |
