YMCA Volunteers Say It Best... Working with the children and the student volunteers had a great impact on my life...the Y always supported my ideas and gave me the chance to organize [the After-School Program], which helped me to grow personally. -Delia The History of the YMCA at Virginia Tech 1873 - Present Through working with [the Elementary School Tutoring Program], I developed more confidence in myself and my ability to work with other people. I appreciate the Y staff for not only looking out for the program s success but also caring for my personal success. -Melinda I just wanted to thank [the YMCA] for my first real look at development through the alternative Spring Breaks trips to Ivanhoe and Tijuana. Thank you for teaching me more about service. -Emily It is so rewarding knowing you are contributing something good to someone s life while learning so much yourself. -YMCA Volunteer It is important to know [when volunteering for Head Start] that you are there as a role model for young kids that may or may not have that kind of influence. -Kristen Original YMCA Buidling 403 Washington St., SW Blacksburg, VA 24060 (540)231-6860 ymca@vt.edu www.vtymca.org 403 Washington St., SW Blacksburg, VA 24060 (540)231-6860 ymca@vt.edu www.vtymca.org
1. Introduction to the YMCA at Virginia Tech The Mission of the YMCA at Virginia Tech The YMCA at Virginia Tech serves our community by promoting lifelong learning, social awareness, and leadership through unique programs and activities which connect diverse individuals and groups. Timeline of Y History at Virginia Tech 10. 1966 First African American female enrolls at Virginia Tech 1969 First YMCA Crafts Fair 1970 Emily Stuart becomes Director of the YMCA ; International Programs founded 1971 YMCA Open University Program founded; Y Hikes founded; Soup and Substance Program founded 1975 YMCA Thrift Shop opens 1986 Project Home Repair founded 1987 Barbara Michelsen becomes Executive Director of the YMCA; Ecocycle founded YMCA Student Leaders of the Past Virginia Tech and the YMCA: A Shared History of Growth Today, the campus YMCA at Virginia Tech is one of the most respected and flourishing campus YMCA programs. This is, in large part, because of the long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship that exists between the YMCA and Virginia Tech. In the early years of Virginia Tech s history, the YMCA performed almost all non-academic functions of the university, consistently working to improve and enrich the lives of Virginia Tech students. In fact, the YMCA published the first Student Handbook and held the first student orientation. The YMCA opened the doors to its first oncampus building in 1902, signaling the commencement of an era in which the YMCA served as the center of campus life. For most of the century, the YMCA has focused its energy on the religious, social, physical, and intellectual well-being of Virginia Tech students. 1989 Lucy Lee Lancaster gives the YMCA its new home on Washington Street; After School Program founded 1992 Buddy Program founded 1993 Head Start Helpers Program founded; Native American Program started 1994 Community Pet Program founded 1997 Barbara Holcomb becomes Executive Director of theymca 1998 21 campus YMCA s remain nationwide 1999 Civic Connections starts 2000 Y Zone after-school program founded Tech students at the YMCA Thrift Shop
9. Timeline of Y History at Virginia Tech Introduction to the YMCA at Virginia Tech 2. Key Moments in History for the ymca at virginia tech 1844 YMCA founded in England 1851 YMCA comes to America 1872 Virginia Tech opens 1873 The Christian Association forms, focusing on religious extracurricular activities for students 1882 The Christian Association becomes affiliated with the YMCA 1892 71 out of 177 students are members of the YMCA 1893 The YMCA publishes the first Student Handbook for Virginia Tech. 1899 The cornerstone for the first YMCA building is laid The 1970 s marked a radical change for the YMCA as the Student Union movement grew and Virginia Tech took over many of the responsibilities the YMCA previously assumed. The YMCA responded willingly, using its relationship with Virginia Tech to enhance and expand its service to the community. The key to the successful relationship between the YMCA and Virginia Tech has been the YMCA s ability to adapt to the changing needs of Virginia Tech students and the surrounding community. Currently, the YMCA at Virginia Tech continues to work for the New River Valley and Virginia Tech students. YMCA International programs at the Cranwell International Center, YMCA Open University programs, the Y Zone after-school program, and many other programs exemplify the efforts made by the YMCA to bring our community together. Student programs such as Home Repair, the Buddy Program, 1900 800 campus YMCA s nationwide 1902 The YMCA building opens its doors and serves as the first Student Center at Virginia Tech. 1909 Robert B. Wear becomes General Secretary of the YMCA 1918 Paul Derring becomes General Secretary of the YMCA 1921 First women enroll as full-time students at Virginia Tech 1953 First African American male enrolls at Virginia Tech 1958 Al Payne becomes General Secretary Students from the 1990 s at a Leadership Conference local grade school tutoring, and Ecocycle combine the resources of the community and student body of Virginia Tech. Currently, there are over 600 student volunteers contributing to over 18,000 hours of service. These YMCA volunteers work daily to build leaders and improve our local and campus communities.
3. A Legacy of Leadership A Legacy of Leadership 8. A Legacy of Leadership Leadership is the ability to empower others to achieve shared goals that promote the common good. Past Student Leaders of the YMCA By 1900, the number of campus YMCA s around the country exceeded 800. Today, there are only 21, including the Y at Virginia Tech. What has given the YMCA at Virginia Tech such staying power is its excellent legacy of leadership. Owing to the efforts of its early leaders such as Paul Derring, the Reverend Al Payne, Emily Stuart, Barbara Michelsen, and influential volunteer leaders like Lucy Lee Lancaster, the YMCA at Virginia Tech flourishes today. The YMCA works to build leaders in Virginia Tech students, offering over 20 programs in which they can participate and gain valuable experience while contributing to their community. Student Programs began in 1986 and has been operating successfully ever since, thanks to the leadership abilities of more recent staff and volunteer leaders. Students can participate in several programs such as, Project Home Repair, Ecocycle, the Native American Program, Alternative Spring Breaks, and the Buddy Program. The YMCA Programs at Virginia Tech help turn the students of today into the leaders of tomorrow. And it has all started with a legacy of leadership that has remained consistent since the YMCA s inception here at Virginia Tech in 1873. In the following pages, the accomplishments of Y leaders are honored; however, the Y appreciates all who have contributed to the YMCA s success. Lucy Lee Lancaster Board of Directors 1970-1989 During her many years of service, Lucy LeeLancaster donated her time and talents to serving the YMCA. Even after her death, her generosity continued as she willed the house on Washington Street, which now serves as the YMCA s current headquarters. She left this house in memory of her parents and her sister Martha, so that it would continue to benefit the community. The house was built in 1913 for William L. Lancaster, and Lucy lived there from age eight until her death in 1989. A member of the class of 1925, Lancaster was one of the first five women accepted at Virginia Tech. After earning a master's degree in Library Science from Columbia, she worked in the Virginia Tech library from 1931 until her retirement in 1970. In addition, she served on the YMCA Board of Directors for 19 years. An avid world traveler, Lancaster often gave slide The Lancaster House on Washington Street shows for the YMCA, offering the community a rare view of places as far away as Cambodia. She continually contributed to the New River Valley community, repeatedly helping newcomers to Blacksburg and offering accommodations in her house to a number of foreign guests. The YMCA at Virginia Tech will always owe Lancaster a debt of gratitude for her service to the organization. Virginia Tech honored Lancaster with the its highest award, the Ruffner Medal. The university bestows this award to individuals who have performed notable and distinguished service to Virginia Tech.
7. A Legacy of Leadership A Legacy of Leadership 4. Barbara Michelsen Assistant to Executive Director 1983-1987 Executive Director 1987-1997 Barbara Michelsen started her service with the YMCA as Administrative Assistant to Emily Stuart. Working closely with Stuart, Michelsen was instrumental in the development and Michelsen (second from left) at the YMCA 2000 Crafts Fair expansion of the YMCA Student Programs, including her favorite, Project Home Repair. Michelsen became the Executive Director in 1987, and she established contact with many Y alumni, hosting a Gold Triangle weekend to bring them back to the YMCA. With the help of a significant donation from Robert Pamplin of the Pamplin Business College at Virginia Tech, the YMCA Endowment was given a tremendous boost. She presided over the difficult move to the Lancaster House on Washington Street and focused on broadening the Y from primarily a campus-based to a community-based organization. Michelsen also increased the Board of Directors involvement in YMCA decision making. Even after her retirement as Executive Director, Michelsen continues to serve the Y at board meetings, the YMCA Craft Fair, Civic Connections, and in a number of other capacities. She strongly believes that the Y offers the New River Valley community a chance to take part in positive community building activities across a lot of different lines. As Michelsen s ongoing service exhibits, once you are part of the Y, you will always be part of the Y. Paul Derring General Secretary 1918-1957 Born in 1894, Paul Neyron Derring, a graduate of William and Mary, became the General Secretary of the YMCA at Virginia Tech in 1918. Known for his endless hours of personal counseling, Derring kept his door open for Tech students. For 38 years, he served the New River Valley community, helping the YMCA enrich the lives of students. During his stay at Virginia Tech, Derring assumed the Dean of Students position and served as Director of Campus Religious Activities. Under his leadership, Tech students operated a Sunday School program for children in Poverty Hollow, Dowdytown, Bargers, and Luster's Gate. In addition, Derring persuaded the county school board to provide the first teacher to Poverty Hollow in 1928. In 1935, 39 students were able to attend Virginia Conferences, owing to Derring s financial contributions and belief in the importance of building student leaders. Keeping with the university s military tradition, he encouraged the YMCA to help with war efforts. When Paul Derring at His Desk soldiers came to train at Tech in the 1930's, Derring and his colleagues counseled troops and began barrack discussion groups. In the post-war years, he created the YMCA Housing Bureau, a resource for students and faculty in need of off-campus housing. In 1957, Paul Derring retired from his position as General Secretary, and in the 1970's, Virginia Tech dedicated the largest arts and sciences building to his honor.
5. A Legacy of Leadership A Legacy of Leadership 6. Reverend Al Payne Associate Secretary 1946-1949 General Secretary 1958-1964 The Reverend Alfred Payne began his career with the YMCA in 1946 as the Associate Secretary, assisting Paul Derring with service to the growing Tech student population. As civilian enrollment increased, Payne recognized the need to help students take an active role in community events. Payne left Tech to become Executive Director of the University of Pittsburgh YMCA in 1949, but he returned to Tech and assumed the role of YMCA General Secretary in 1958. Payne emphasized the need for the Tech Y to "interpret needs and problems; provide a channel for groups to achieve legitimate ends; stimulate thought and Al Payne awareness of issues; and break down barriers between individuals and groups." In 1959, he ran the first pre-orientation Freshman Camp, held at Camp Powhatan and Smith Mountain Lake. Through his initiation of dormitory discussions and peer counseling, students found an outlet for expression. In the "Buildings for Brotherhood" program, Payne took a group of American students to the Middle East; the students, together with Turkish Muslim students, assisted in the construction of facilities for the Muslim community. The YMCA, under Payne's leadership, also hosted the annual "Religious Emphasis" program, in which various leaders spoke on topics from religion, current events, to education. In 1964, Payne retired as General Secretary of the YMCA, but he continued to serve the Tech community as Assistant to the Dean of Students until 1981. In 1993, Virginia Tech built Payne Hall, a campus residence hall for upperclassman and graduate students. Omicron Delta Kappa, a national honor society, continues to celebrate Payne's 26 years of service to Tech through the annual Payne Community Service Award. Emily Stuart Executive Director 1970-1987 In 1969, the YMCA at Virginia Tech faced the possibility of closing its doors. When Emily Stuart became Executive Director in 1970, she reinvented the organization. Virginia Tech had slowly but surely begun to oversee many of the programs over which the YMCA had formerly been in charge. Moreover, the organization suffered from a lack of donations; Stuart and the YMCA staff sold flowers, worked concession stands at ballgames, and hosted a number of other fundraising events to keep the organization afloat. Despite the restrictive budget, Stuart helped usher in many of the popular programs still in operation today. Under her leadership, the YMCA held the first Craft Fair in Squires Hall on Virginia Tech campus. She also helped develop the Open University programs, which provided lowcost classes to the New River Valley. Community members could take classes on dance, foreign languages, pottery, cooking, and many other special interest subjects. In 1975, Stuart helped open the Y Emily Stuart Receiving a Check from the University Thrift Shop, which continues today to provide lowcost goods to the New River Valley community. In addition, Stuart can be credited with the creation of International Programs. These programs are instrumental in helping international community members adjust to their new homes. Stuart also helped start Project Home Repair. Volunteers for the program go to the homes of community members that cannot afford professional services in carpentry, painting, roofing, and other necessary home repair tasks. By the time Stuart retired in 1987, the YMCA at Virginia Tech had been revived and reinvented.