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Volume 6 Relation of U.B/EUB Virginia Conferences to Shenandoah University Dec. 26, 2013
gain approval for selling the building to the college for $10 with an agreement that it be used for non-
profit educational purposes. Within one year, a million-dollar renovation had occurred, and the building
brought new life to downtown Winchester with the New Gallagher Nursing Center and Community Arts
program. This project helped to build confidence in the relationship of Council and the
college/conservatory and also created a great deal of public support among the alumni of the elementary
school for the new collegiate programs. The 1883 building was restored in a wonderful fashion that
brought reunion classes from the school back to the site year after year.
b. The First Year: Restoring Confidence and Expanding the Vision
Conservatory. The Conservatory offered the best opportunity for immediate growth and
expansion of the reputation of the institution. Doctors Verne and Charlotte Collins brought many years
of experience to the music world and were key leaders in actions that expanded the Conservatory
offerings and outreach. Robert Shafer, well-known choral conductor in Washington, D.C., joined the
faculty and immediately did a world premier work at the Kennedy Center and on National Public Radio.
Almost a third of the Conservatory faculty was new in the first year of the my presidency, and they
added creative ideas, energy, and enthusiasm for new performances and offerings. Hal Herman,
Director of Theatre, created the Summer Musical Theatre program and weathered a difficult year of
small audiences, as he built a program that in relatively few years was attracting 30,000 persons to the
summer season. Many people remarked that the Theatre Program was Shenandoah’s “football” as far as
drawing people to the campus and attracting regional attention.
George Mason University was expanding as a new university in Northern Virginia and, under a
new provision in the law of the Commonwealth, could contract for educational services with private
colleges. Shenandoah proposed and was approved to offer music educational services at George Mason
University until they were able to expand their curriculum and build new facilities for the arts. Over
several years, the Conservatory offered classes and performances on the campus in Fairfax County and
gained considerable recognition for the arts programs. Eventually, George Mason University developed
its own programs, and Shenandoah was better known in the region for high-quality music offerings and
in the state for having helped to implement state contracting for educational services with a private
college.
Facilities. Some facility renovations were necessary to accommodate the larger theatre
audiences. such as air conditioning, new seating, and basic upgrades in paint and carpet. National Fruit
Company, under the leadership of Frank Armstrong, III, who was serving as the new Board Chairman,
along with his father Frank Armstrong, Jr., provided funds to make upgrades in Armstrong Hall, the
main performing space for music and theatre.
The residential nature of the institution was challenged also by crowding with mostly three-
person rooms for student housing. An early decision centered around trying once more for bond funds
to expand housing, even as the earlier construction of the Goodson Chapel had created a financial
burden when bond funds were denied by the courts. Gore Hall, named for Marvin Gore, a former
trustee, was constructed with bond funds, and the housing crunch was reduced, but the new space
highlighted the poor condition of the older dorms. Air-conditioning and renovation of the residential
space became a high priority to maintain competitive status for the college/conservatory. With the
expansion of residential enrollment, the cafeteria also needed to be expanded, and a major gift from Joe
and Evelyn Allen made possible the renovation and expansion of the food service operation. Joe
became a trustee after the death of his wife Evelyn and continued to support the University. The first-
Davis on History of S.C., 1982-2008 60
gain approval for selling the building to the college for $10 with an agreement that it be used for non-
profit educational purposes. Within one year, a million-dollar renovation had occurred, and the building
brought new life to downtown Winchester with the New Gallagher Nursing Center and Community Arts
program. This project helped to build confidence in the relationship of Council and the
college/conservatory and also created a great deal of public support among the alumni of the elementary
school for the new collegiate programs. The 1883 building was restored in a wonderful fashion that
brought reunion classes from the school back to the site year after year.
b. The First Year: Restoring Confidence and Expanding the Vision
Conservatory. The Conservatory offered the best opportunity for immediate growth and
expansion of the reputation of the institution. Doctors Verne and Charlotte Collins brought many years
of experience to the music world and were key leaders in actions that expanded the Conservatory
offerings and outreach. Robert Shafer, well-known choral conductor in Washington, D.C., joined the
faculty and immediately did a world premier work at the Kennedy Center and on National Public Radio.
Almost a third of the Conservatory faculty was new in the first year of the my presidency, and they
added creative ideas, energy, and enthusiasm for new performances and offerings. Hal Herman,
Director of Theatre, created the Summer Musical Theatre program and weathered a difficult year of
small audiences, as he built a program that in relatively few years was attracting 30,000 persons to the
summer season. Many people remarked that the Theatre Program was Shenandoah’s “football” as far as
drawing people to the campus and attracting regional attention.
George Mason University was expanding as a new university in Northern Virginia and, under a
new provision in the law of the Commonwealth, could contract for educational services with private
colleges. Shenandoah proposed and was approved to offer music educational services at George Mason
University until they were able to expand their curriculum and build new facilities for the arts. Over
several years, the Conservatory offered classes and performances on the campus in Fairfax County and
gained considerable recognition for the arts programs. Eventually, George Mason University developed
its own programs, and Shenandoah was better known in the region for high-quality music offerings and
in the state for having helped to implement state contracting for educational services with a private
college.
Facilities. Some facility renovations were necessary to accommodate the larger theatre
audiences. such as air conditioning, new seating, and basic upgrades in paint and carpet. National Fruit
Company, under the leadership of Frank Armstrong, III, who was serving as the new Board Chairman,
along with his father Frank Armstrong, Jr., provided funds to make upgrades in Armstrong Hall, the
main performing space for music and theatre.
The residential nature of the institution was challenged also by crowding with mostly three-
person rooms for student housing. An early decision centered around trying once more for bond funds
to expand housing, even as the earlier construction of the Goodson Chapel had created a financial
burden when bond funds were denied by the courts. Gore Hall, named for Marvin Gore, a former
trustee, was constructed with bond funds, and the housing crunch was reduced, but the new space
highlighted the poor condition of the older dorms. Air-conditioning and renovation of the residential
space became a high priority to maintain competitive status for the college/conservatory. With the
expansion of residential enrollment, the cafeteria also needed to be expanded, and a major gift from Joe
and Evelyn Allen made possible the renovation and expansion of the food service operation. Joe
became a trustee after the death of his wife Evelyn and continued to support the University. The first-
Davis on History of S.C., 1982-2008 60
