History
In the very early
days of Radford College, the people of Grove Avenue Methodist
Church welcomed the college girls to participate in worship
and the educational offerings of their church. Grove’s
earliest writings about college students speak of offering
them a church home while at college. From the birth of an
idea for a special Sunday School class for college students
through its infancy as The Wesley Foundation at Grove Avenue
into being the first campus ministry with a student center
at Radford College in 1949, to the present status of having
its own debt-free facility dedicated to the glory of God and
the service of God's people, the Wesley Foundation has at
every stage been connected, intertwined, and supported by
the good people of Holston Conference. Since its inception
individuals and congregations of the Wytheville, Tazewell,
and Abingdon, and, until the 1960’s Big Stone Gap, Districts
have witnessed to God's grace and blessings in their lives
by service and commitment to ministry for and with college
students through the Wesley Foundation at Radford. In the
early days all the girls came to Radford to be teachers. High
academic achievement, learning to be Radford ladies, and looking
for “Mr. Right” occupied much of their time. As
a way of life most of the students participated in religious
activities. A short-lived partnership between Radford and
VPI resulted in a brief union called the Rad-Tech Wesley Foundation.
Even though the official merger of the two organizations was
short-lived, countless associations between Radford Ladies
and Tech Men resulted in unions which are still thriving.
Until the late
>60's, life at Radford College was pretty calm and sedate
with the school holding firm to its in loco parentis policies.
Grove and Central UMC’s offered church families and
an open door for worship participation and involvement of
the students. There were so many students at the Wesley Foundation
on Sunday mornings that Ed Jervey and Lil Bondurant each taught
a class in addition to the one taught by Carol Dunsmore.
In the late 1960’s,
things began to change. The winds of rebellion sweeping the
country finally blew onto Radford’s campus. Students
began to question authority and discard age-old practices
in every area of life. At first, change was subtle-- the women
won their battle to wear slacks without having to wear a long
coat over them; then they were allowed to leave campus without
signing out or going to an approved destination with an approved
escort. Radford students staged sit-ins, walked picket lines,
and held other peaceful protests to raise the awareness of
administrators and the Board of Visitors. The nationwide rebellion
over gender and racial equality and the Viet Nam war also
surfaced at Radford College. The discord rocked the southern
customs of separate-but-equal and acquiescent women, as it
challenged the role of the United States as world peacekeeper.
Peace with justice and issues of social discrimination forced
the established Church into an era of accountability and transformation.
Many in the general membership took a dim view of students
rejecting age-old customs to implement equality in the Church’s
racial, gender and peace promotion practices. Equality and
integration of congregations, ordination of women and sanctity
of the lives of young men at war were the incendiary touch
points that both rallied and offended the church-at-large.
Since campus ministry
has always been on the cutting edge of theological, political
and social reform, the Wesley Foundation was known as the
place to call if you or your friends got into trouble and
needed help. Effecting social change and pastoral counseling
were at the heart of this ministry in the late ‘60’s
through the mid ‘70’s. Under the progressive leadership
of Bishop L. Scott Allen, one of the earliest African-American
bishops, Holston Conference rallied behind its campus ministries
as the students were involved in raising public awareness
and action for those oppressed by poverty, gender bias, racial
discrimination, and issues of war and the draft. Campus ministry
broadened its focus of program-based ministry to include faith
in action, a focus on others and accountability between beliefs
and practices.
In 1971 Radford
College President Charles Martin called Dr. Keith Roberts,
RC Professor of History and long-time Wesley Foundation Treasurer,
into his office. The purpose of the meeting was to strongly
suggest that the Methodists reign in their campus minister.
It seems Carol Dunsmore was allowing the students labeled
“troublemakers” to meet at the Wesley Foundation
to openly discuss problems at RC and to plan strategies for
change. Dr. Roberts affirmed Ms. Dunsmore to be a professional
who had the backing of her Board of Directors. In spite of
tumultuous change occurring in every walk of life, Dr. Martin
continued to hold fast to his sovereign authority at Radford
College. Amidst falling enrollment, loss of faculty support,
and student unrest, Dr. Martin was promoted to the position
of Chancellor in 1972. He retired in 1975.
When Dr. Donald
Dedmon arrived on campus, everyone thought his initial changes
to be a sign of enlightenment and a genuine commitment to
education and the welfare of Radford’s students.*******
During all these changes, the churches’ doors remained
open to students who occasionally showed up to worship with
bare mid-riffs, tattered blue jeans and/or bare feet.
After 1975 the trend once again shifted toward students who
came to school seeking not only academic enlightenment, but
spiritual opportunities through the church as well.
From >75 until about >85 Wesley's ministry grew, forming
strong ties with area churches through worship and by catering
United Methodist Men's dinners and serving or bringing programs
to United Methodist Women=s events. Church family connections
were organized, and students became more involved in the life
and activities of the local United Methodist churches.
The late >80's brought a downward trend in campus ministry
participation across the nation as students demanded instant
gratification in their spiritual and personal development.
Though the numbers at the Radford Wesley Foundation declined
slightly in 1986-87, the quality and commitment of those involved
remained constant. Concern for self and personal achievement
lead the majority of students to individual and social pursuits
not affiliated with the church.
Even though these
national trends had far-reaching effects on participation
and support of campus ministry in Holston. The students at
Wesley in Radford remained faithful to mission and ministry
to others as they updated programs and explored new areas
for ministry. The students made every effort to breathe new
life into discussion groups and to reach far beyond their
existing boundaries to share God’s love with others.
During the late ‘80’s, early ‘90’s,
Wesley Homecoming was born. Acknowledging their own need to
stay connected after graduation, students initiated an event
that would encourage alumni to return with their families
for a week-end each spring. Currently held on alternate years,
this event has been coupled with anniversaries, Ed Jervey’s
retirement party, note-burnings, a celebration of Carol Dunsmore’s
ministry, and the dedication of our new Chapel. Admittedly,
there are many alums who don’t participate in this program,
but those who do have re-kindled friendships and forged relationships
with older and younger alumni and students who are currently
involved. Former faculty, staff and Board members participate
in this week-end of reminiscing the past and dreaming for
the future.
As the number of students involved began to dwindle, Holston’s
leadership began to evaluate the effectiveness of its campus
ministries.
The trend began
to shift as a strong, positive and deeply committed freshman
class came to school in August, 1997. Each year since has
brought new enthusiasm and energy for spiritual growth and
ministry to other students and outreach to others. Sharing
the love of Jesus Christ by helping others is widespread practice
with students today. Participation in worship and religious
groups is also important to many students of the >90's.
As we prepare for
ministry in a new millennium, we can expect the trends and
cycles of campus ministry to continue. We are confident that
God's love and grace will sustain us, motivate us and guide
us as we seek to serve and minister to Radford University.
We look to the people of Grove United Methodist Church for
their continuing love and parental pride in a ministry and
mission begun so long ago as a way to help the college girls
find a church home in a strange place.
Mar ’62 paid
debt on house
July ’62 Broke ground on new addition
Dec 8 ’62 new bldg complete
In the early 1940's,
Grove Avenue Methodist Church changed the name of its College
Sunday School class to the Wesley Foundation Class. Soon the
church established a Wesley Room@ in the church to provide
a meeting place for the college girls. On November 15, 1949
the Grove Avenue members rented a Wesley house at Fairfax
and Washington Streets and became the first religious student
center at Radford College. To give the girls a real home away
from home, in 1952 Grove Avenue members Corinne and John Nye
and the church congregation each contributed $5,000.00 toward
the purchase of the S. L. McConnell property at 1022 Downey
Street . Margaret and Homer Bailey lived upstairs in the center
(where Peters Hall stands today), and Margaret was employed
part time as the first Director of the Wesley Foundation at
Radford College.
In March, 1962 the note on the house was satisfied, and the
center was dedicated to the glory and service of God. On July
1, 1962 ground-breaking ceremonies were held for the large
multi-purpose addition which would meet the ministries growing
demands for space and facilities. In 1992, through God's grace
and the generosity of a bequest by Mary and John Shelor of
Galax, the debt on this facility was satisfied. Our center
remains the only one in Holston Conference that is debt-free!!!
As the school has grown by leaps and bounds to become co-ed
and achieve university status, the Wesley Foundation has continued
its metamorphosis to meet the challenges of ministry to an
ever-changing constituency at Radford University. Since those
early days of 1942, the “college girls, now guys, too
have had a place in the hearts and ministry of the conference.
As we embrace the opportunities for ministry to each generation
of students, we at the Wesley Foundation are anchored in the
knowledge that the people of Holston Conference have always
provided the spiritual, financial, and personal resources
for United Methodist campus ministry in Radford.
DIRECTORS:
1949 – 52 Margaret Bailey M/M Homer were house parents
52 – 54 Mrs. Wm. Duncan
June – Sept, ’54 Mrs. Robt Walker
Sept, ’54 Rev. Sam G. Dodson
July ’58 Rev. Charlotte Whitfield
June ’63 Rev. Nancy Green
Nov. ’66 Carol Dunsmore
July, 94 - Present Martee Buchanan
|
