Virginia Intermont College was founded by Reverend J.R. Harrison, a Baptist minister, who cherished the hope of establishing a school for the higher education of women. His hopes became a reality in 1884 with the opening of Southwest Virginia Institute at Glade Spring, Virginia. The first session began on September 17, 1884, with three teachers and 13 students. By 1888, the enrollment had increased to 97 boarding students and 40 day students, and the teaching force had quadrupled.

By 1891, the College had outgrown its facilities in Glade Spring and began a move to Bristol, opening its doors to students on September 14, 1893 in a new complex atop the hill on Moore Street. That original structure, now listed as a historic landmark, still stands as Administration, West and Main Halls and has become an icon of Intermont.

Shortly after the move to Bristol, the name was changed to Virginia Institute. With a reorganization of the courses of study in 1910, the College became identified with the new junior-college movement and was the first two-year institution to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The name was changed in 1922 to Virginia Intermont College, “Intermont” meaning “among the mountains” suggests its location in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia.

The College soon became recognized as one of the South’s more prestigious institutions for the education of women. VIC established a tradition of liberal arts-based career preparation that, to this day, remains a hallmark of the College.
The 1960s had a major impact of the history of Virginia Intermont. During that decade, five buildings were constructed including the Turner Student Center, Fine Arts Center, Science Hall, Intermont Hall and Harrison-Jones Memorial Hall. In May of 1968, the College’s Board of Trustees approved a plan for the development of a four-year institution. The first baccalaureate degrees under the new program were awarded at the 1972 graduation.

It was also in 1972, that men were first admitted as degree-seeking students. Since that time, the College campus has taken on the spirited atmosphere of a coeducational institution.

Throughout its history, Virginia Intermont has recognized the need for developing new programs to meet the changing educational needs of its diverse student body.

The Adult Degree Studies program began in 1990. This exciting program gives adult learners the opportunity to return to College to complete their educational goals.

Tradition has always played an important on Intermont’s campus. While some live strong in memories, others still hold true today. The ceremony of May Day is now referred to as May Court. Although the May pole is gone from the old May Day celebration, today’s May Court provides a time to recognize those seniors who have been selected by their classmates for an honor court which occurs each year during graduation festivities. The Torchlight ceremony takes place after Baccalaureate; graduates march around the campus and one by one has a torch lit by the president. The group then forms VIC below Harrison-Jones Memorial Hall and sings the college song, “Nil Sine Numine.” VIC used to have a contest where classes competed in writing and performing a school song. This tradition ended when Intermont became a four-year institution; however, “Nil Sine Numine” was the winner in 1952 and remains the college song of Virginia Intermont College.

The goal of VIC was and is centered around the individual. Rev. Harrison wanted to make it possible for women “to earn their own livelihood and to become independent, decision-making individuals” and the primary aim today is “create an environment for learning in which each student according to his or her unique pattern of interests, abilities, ambitions, plans and talents may find opportunities for intellectual and spiritual growth, aesthetic experience, social development and physical improvement.”

Virginia Intermont College is a vibrant institution with a proud history and a well-defined plan for the future. Always a leader in private higher education, Intermont is committed to maintaining its tradition of excellence in all areas of collegiate life.