Virginia Union University

Virginia University History

1865 → Present

Mission & Identity

The university was founded in 1865 to give newly emancipated freedmen an opportunity for education of the mind in an ethical, religious environment. As a historically Black university, Virginia Union University embraces the uniqueness and contributions of the African Diaspora, celebrating cultural and intellectual diversity. Enrollment is open to all students without regard to racial background.

The university provides comprehensive undergraduate liberal arts programs and graduate education for Christian ministries. A guiding principle of the educational program is a strong focus on moral values and ethics. Students are encouraged to engage in activities that promote self-actualization.

1865

Founding & First HBCU Academic Library

The American Baptist Home Mission Society (ABHMS) founded the school in 1865, shortly after Union troops took control of Richmond at the end of the Civil War. With ~4 million freedmen becoming citizens—many denied formal education by law—the college established the first academic library at an HBCU in the same year.

1867–1897

National Theological Institute & Wayland Seminary

Members of ABHMS proposed a National Theological Institute to educate freedmen entering the Baptist ministry. The mission soon expanded to offer college, high school, and preparatory programs to men and women.

Separate branches were set up in Washington, D.C., and Richmond, with classes beginning in 1867. In Washington, the school became known as Wayland Seminary, honoring Dr. Francis Wayland of Brown University. Dr. George Mellen Prentiss King served as president for thirty years (1867–1897). Notable students included Dr. Booker T. Washington and Dr. Adam Clayton Powell, Sr.

1867 → 1899

Colver Institute, Lumpkin’s Jail & Formation of VUU

In Richmond, beginning in 1867, Colver Institute—VUU’s predecessor—was housed in a building known as Lumpkin’s Jail, a former “slave jail” owned by Mary Ann Lumpkin. In 1899, Richmond Theological Institute (formerly Colver) joined with Wayland Seminary to form Virginia Union University in Richmond.

1932 & 1964

Hartshorn Memorial College & Storer College Legacy

In 1932, the women’s college Hartshorn Memorial College (est. 1883) became part of Virginia Union University. Storer College, a historically Black Baptist college in West Virginia (founded 1867), merged its endowment with VUU in 1964—further strengthening VUU’s educational mission and reach.

University Enrollment Management

Undergraduate Admissions

Your journey begins here. The Undergraduate Admissions team guides you through applications, requirements, and welcoming you to Panther Nation.

Henderson Hall – Admissions Suite
(804) 342-3570
admissions@vuu.edu

Graduate Admissions

Ready to pursue advanced studies? Graduate Admissions supports applicants in their journey toward master’s and doctoral degrees.

Ellison Hall – Suite 101
(804) 257-5761
graduateadmissions@vuu.edu

Registrar’s Office

From course registration to academic records, the Registrar’s Office ensures your academic history is accurate and accessible.

Ellison Hall – Registrar’s Suite 1
(800) 368-3227 (Option #5)
registrar2@vuu.edu

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Department helps you explore scholarships, grants, and funding opportunities to support your academic journey.

Ellison Hall – Financial Aid Suite 1
(800) 368-3227 (Option #2)
finaid@vuu.edu

Student Accounts

The Student Accounts Office manages tuition billing, payment plans, and account balances with personalized support.

Ellison Hall – Student Accounts Suite
(800) 368-3227 (Option #3)
studentaccounts@vuu.edu

Residence Life & Housing

The Housing Office provides safe, supportive, and vibrant living communities that make VUU your home away from home.

Henderson Hall – Housing Office Suite
(804) 257-5608
residencelife@vuu.edu

Housing & Moving Requirements

“MOVE THOSE PAWS” — New Student Move-In

Unionites, it is time to “Move Those Paws!” The Office of Housing and Residence Life is excited to welcome you to Virginia Union University! If you desire to reside on campus, you must make an appointment to move-in. Students without an appointment will be waitlisted.

Ready to make VUU your home? Schedule your move-in early.

Eligibility for On-Campus Housing

2025–2026 FAFSA on file
Financially cleared
Submitted a Housing Application
Enrolled in courses
All fees and balances paid
No conduct or housing violations within the last academic year

Housing assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact Information

Have questions? For more information, please contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life:

📞 804-257-5608
✉️ ResidenceLife@vuu.edu

Virginia Union University Alma Mater

Union, we’ll e’er revere the cause for which you stand.

Union! Majestic light, send rays throughout the land;

Thy hallowed grounds and dear old walls,

May they forever be,

Dear Union we still love thee;

Thy hallowed grounds and dear old walls,

May they forever be,

Dear Union we still love thee.

O, for the happy hours we spend

On that cherished and sacred hill;

Our “Dream of Joy” to us attends,

With truth and virtue to instill

Thoughts of by-gone days at thy shrine

Fill my raptured soul with ecstasy,

Alma Mater, my praises are thine!

You are God’s gift to humanity.

Union, we’ll e’er revere the cause for which you stand

Union! Majestic light, send rays throughout the land;

Thy hallowed grounds and dear old walls,

May they forever be, Dear Union we still love thee;

Thy hallowed grounds and dear old walls,

May they forever be, Dear Union we still love thee.

“Dear Union, we still love thee.”

Sing It With Pride

Learn the chorus first: “Thy hallowed grounds and dear old walls…”
Save the lyrics to your phone for game day and ceremonies.
Expect to hear it at convocation, homecoming, and commencement.
Stand, remove caps, and sing together as one Panther family.

“Once a Panther, always a Panther.”

Dining Halls

Dining Hall Hours

Virginia Union University is excited to welcome Sodexo Food Service to campus!
You will need your student ID to enter and eat.

“Bring your Panther ID for every meal.”

Monday – Friday

Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Dinner: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday

Brunch: 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Dinner: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Campus Post Office

University Post Office

The University Post Office (UPO) provides limited postal services and mailboxes for students residing on campus. It’s located on the 1st floor of the Henderson Center.

One USPS mailbox for outgoing mail is outside the building’s front entrance.
Stamps are sold at the VUU Bookstore.
Bring your student ID and mailbox key to pick up mail.

Operating Hours

Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: Closed

Check your email—UPO often contacts students when packages arrive.

How to Address Your Mail

Use the format below so your mail is delivered correctly:

Name
Virginia Union University
1500 N. Lombardy Street
Richmond, VA 23220
Mailbox # (your box number)

Questions?

Ronald Baugh, Postmaster
Phone: 804-257-5825

Campus Bookstore

VUU Bookstore

The Virginia Union Bookstore is located adjacent to the L. Douglas Wilder Library & Learning Resource Center. In addition to textbooks and course materials, the bookstore offers:

VUU clothing & paraphernalia
Health & beauty products
Snacks & beverages
Authorized Apple Campus Store (Apple products available)

Hours - Summer 2025 (through Mon, Aug 18)

Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Saturday-Sunday: Closed

Shop online 24/7 at efollet.com.

Hours - Fall 2025

Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: Closed

Special Hours — New Student Move-In

Thu, Aug 14 - Fri, Aug 15: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sat, Aug 16: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Welcome Week Schedule

🏠 Move-In Day THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2025 & FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025 — 8:00 AM - 5:00 P.M.
REPORT TO THE LIVING & LEARNING CENTER FIRST!

Unionites, it is time to “Move Those Paws!” The Office of Housing and Residence Life is excited to welcome you to Virginia Union University! If you desire to reside on campus, you must make an appointment to move in. Students without an appointment will be waitlisted.

To be eligible for on-campus housing, you must have completed the following:

2025-2026 FAFSA on file
Financially cleared
Submitted a Housing Application
Enrolled in courses
All fees and balances paid
No conduct or housing violations within the last academic year
Housing assignments are made on a first-come, first-serve basis

Have questions? Contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life at 804-257-5608 or ResidenceLife@vuu.edu.

Saturday Aug 16

10:00 AM – Brunch
Dining Hall – Henderson Center
11:30 AM – Welcome to VUU!
Chapel – Coburn Hall
12:00 Noon – The Union Way!
Chapel – Coburn Hall
2:30 PM – Campus Tour & Scavenger Hunt
Campus Wide
4:00 PM – Panther Talk!
Chapel – Coburn Hall

Sunday, Aug 17

Brunch | 10:00 a.m.
Dining Hall — Henderson Center
“Soulful Sunday” | 12:00 noon
Chapel — Coburn Hall
*Special Attire: White Shirts/Blouses & Black Slacks/Skirts
Class of 2029 T-Shirt & Gift Box Give-Aways | 2:30 p.m.
Chapel — Coburn Hall
Let’s Play! Activity Hour | 3:00 p.m. (Optional Attendance)
Henderson Square
Dinner | 4:00 p.m.
Dining Hall — Henderson Center
Nine Noble Ceremony & Ice Cream Social | 7:00 p.m.
Chapel — Coburn Hall
*Special Attire: Class of 2029 T-Shirts & Black Slacks/Skirts

Monday, Aug 18 Panther Kick Off Day

Welcome Back Cookout (Sponsored by Sodexho) | 4:00 p.m.
Henderson Square
Student Club & Organization Meeting | 6:00 p.m.
Wall Auditorium

Tuesday, Aug 19 Campus Connection Day

VUU Student Connect | 6:00 p.m.
Henderson Square
(Rain Site: Henderson 1012)

Wednesday, Aug 20 Panther Spirit Day

Henrico Day at VUU | 11:00 a.m.
Henderson Square
(Rain Site: Living and Learning Center)
Lombardy Live | 5:00 p.m.
Henderson Square
(Rain Site: Henderson 1012)

Thursday, Aug 21 Wellness & Empowerment Day

Wellness & Empowerment Fair | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Henderson 1012
VUU Football Team Scrimmage | 6:00 p.m.
Hovie Field

Friday, Aug 22 Panther After Hours

Late Night Munchies: Parking Lot Party | 9:00 p.m.
LLC Parking Lot / Henderson Square

Saturday, Aug 23 Panther Play Day

PAB Splash! | 3:00 p.m.
Barco Lawn

Sunday, Aug 24 Community Day

Family & Peace Within Community Fair | 2:00 p.m.
Henderson Square

Campus Map

Click to open interactive map →

Key Locations

1) Pickford Hall
Executive Administrative Suites, Campus Police, Academic Affairs

2) Coburn Hall

3) Ellison Hall
Financial Aid, Registrar, Student Accounts

4) Baptist Memorial Hall

5) L. Douglas Wilder Library

6) Kingsley Hall

7) Storer Hall

8) Martin E. Gray Hall

9) Huntley Hall

10) Henderson Center
Admissions Office, Student Affairs Office, Post Office

11) Belgian Friendship Building

12) Barco-Stevens Hall

13) Hartshorn Hall

14) Newman Hall

15) White Hall

16) MacVicar Hall

17) Executive Mansion

18) C.D. King Hall
Human Resources, Institutional Advancement, Business Affairs

19) Living and Learning Center

20) Power Plant

21) Industrial Hall

22) University Houses

Navigation Tips

Most buildings are within 5 minutes walking
Ask any student for directions — Panthers help Panthers!

"Every path leads to opportunity at Virginia Union!"

Welcome Panthers...

Discover Virginia Union

University History

Welcome Week

Campus Map

Alma Mater

Dining Halls

Enrollment Management

Housing & Moving

Post Office

Bookstore

Virginia University History

University Enrollment Management

Undergraduate Admissions

Graduate Admissions

Registrar’s Office

Financial Aid

Student Accounts

Residence Life & Housing

Housing & Moving Requirements

“MOVE THOSE PAWS” — New Student Move-In

Eligibility for On-Campus Housing

Contact Information

Virginia Union University Alma Mater

Virginia Union University Alma Mater

Sing It With Pride

Dining Halls

Dining Hall Hours

Monday – Friday

Saturday – Sunday

Campus Post Office

University Post Office

Operating Hours

How to Address Your Mail

Questions?

Campus Bookstore

VUU Bookstore

Hours - Summer 2025 (through Mon, Aug 18)

Hours - Fall 2025

Special Hours — New Student Move-In

Welcome Week Schedule

🏠 Move-In Day THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2025 & FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025 — 8:00 AM - 5:00 P.M. REPORT TO THE LIVING & LEARNING CENTER FIRST!

Saturday Aug 16

Sunday, Aug 17

Monday, Aug 18 Panther Kick Off Day

Tuesday, Aug 19 Campus Connection Day

Wednesday, Aug 20 Panther Spirit Day

Thursday, Aug 21 Wellness & Empowerment Day

Friday, Aug 22 Panther After Hours

Saturday, Aug 23 Panther Play Day

Sunday, Aug 24 Community Day

Campus Map

Navigation Tips

🏠 Move-In Day THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2025 & FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025 — 8:00 AM - 5:00 P.M.
REPORT TO THE LIVING & LEARNING CENTER FIRST!