Explore HBCU – Fort Valley State University

Staff Writer

February 11, 2022

Fort Valley State University is a public-land grant historically black university in Fort Valley, Georgia.

Background

Fort Valley High and Industrial School was established in 1895 and would continue on as a high school, until the late 1920s when a post-high school year was added followed by a teacher program. In 1902, the State Teachers and Agricultural College was founded, and just a few decades later in 1939, the institutions merged to form Fort Valley State College. The school became known as Fort Valley State University in 1996.

Today, FVSU occupies a 1,365-acre campus, making it Georgia’s second largest public university in acreage, as well as the only 1890 land-grant school in Georgia. Fort Valley State University is a historically black college with nearly 4,000 students who represent not only 159 counties of Georgia but more than 30 states and nearly 10 countries.

Programs & Opportunities

Fort Valley State University offers undergraduate degrees in over 50 majors. Some of the most popular include education, criminal justice, agriculture, business administration, and biology. The university also offers graduate specialties, online courses, and off-campus site learning opportunities.

In addition to its course offerings, Fort Valley boasts a Cooperative Developmental Energy Program (CDEP). Fort Valley State’s CDEP is the only one of its kind in the nation that prepares students for energy-industry careers in science and geology.

Learn more about Fort Valley State University’s unique and extensive degree programs here.

Alumni Affairs

FVSU alumni are leaders across various fields and endeavors. Some notable alumni include, but are not limited to:

Edith Ingram Grant, who studied education at Fort Valley State and went on to become Georgia’s first black female judge.
Thomas Wesley Dortch, Jr. studied sociology at FVSU and is the founder of the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame, chairman of 100 Black Men National Board of Directors, and chairman and CEO of the TWD, Inc. consulting firm.
Dr. Genevieve M. Knight graduated from Fort Valley State in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Math. She went on to co-found the Benjamin Banneker Association, dedicated to mathematics education and advocacy for African Americans.
Ralph McDaniel Paige graduated from FVSU in 1967 with a degree in physical education. He became a leading figure in business and helped secure more than $2 billion in the largest successful discrimination lawsuit against the federal government in American history.

Financial Information

At Fort Valley State University, a reported 94% of full-time undergraduate students receive some form of need-based financial aid—the average need-based scholarship or grant is approximately $5,261 of the $6,848 in-state tuition and $20,250 out-of-state tuition.

Part of FVSU’s mission is to make the college experience memorable and its high-quality education more accessible, and as such, the institution’s Office of Financial Aid is available to help provide service in the form of financial aid counseling, guidance with the application processes, and more. This can be particularly helpful as one navigates the numerous financial aid programs offered by the university.

Conclusion

Fort Valley State University aims to combine the personal attention of small, private colleges with the resources often found at larger public universities. Not only does FVSU hope to advance the cause of education within its students but within the larger Georgia community as well.

Learn more about this amazing HBCU located within the heart of Georgia here.

Sources:

Pictures:

FVSU Logo: https://www.fvsu.edu/aboutfvsu/
FVSU Students: https://www.fvsu.edu/about-fort-valley-state-university/academics/university-college/about-takeoff-the-fvsu-new-student-orientation/
FVSU Students on the bench: https://www.fvsu.edu/open_housespring2019/