From Randolph Normal School to Vermont State University: A History of Transformation

Vermont State University officially launched on July 1, 2023, building upon the rich histories of its three institutions and stretching back centuries to the oldest institution of higher education in the state. With campuses in Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, Randolph Center, and Williston, and learning sites across the state, Vermont State’s reach is wide. The public corporation known as the Vermont State Colleges System was created by Vermont statute in 1961. The Vermont State Colleges System currently consists of two institutions: Vermont State University and the Community College of Vermont. The roots of the legacy institutions that comprise VTSU date back over 200 years. Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon and Vermont Tech all started as normal schools between 1787 and 1911 and were under the control of the State Board of Education. The Community College of Vermont, a statewide institution, was founded by executive order of Governor Deane Davis in 1975.

Early Focus on Teacher Training

The early focus of the three schools was teacher training. Training teachers means giving students the knowledge and skills needed for a particular vocation. In the 1830s the term Normal School was in use for schools that were formerly known as teacher seminaries (today, the modern-day University Education programs for teacher training).

The Evolution of Vermont State University in Randolph

Many relatives have attended the school at the site just down the road from The Ridge Road House. This school, now Vermont State University, evolved from the Orange County Grammar School (1806) into the Randolph Normal School (1866) into the Aggie School (The Vermont School of Agriculture 1910) into the Vermont Agricultural and Technical Institute (1957) into Vermont Technical College (1962) until its present name change.

Randolph Normal School

The Randolph Normal School ~1894 taken from "Early Photographs of RANDOLPH, VERMONT 1855-1948," by Wes Herwig, 1986, Greenhills Books, Randolph Center, Vermont. My first relative who attended this school was my Great Grandmother Josephine (Josie) Farrar Gray Perry. I knew her as Grammy Perry. She went to the Randolph Normal School to become a teacher. I was recently reading a letter she wrote at age 98 to the Normal School after they requested some news from her. She told them about a move from Vermont to Florida when she was a young wife with her husband. This inspired me to do more research using 1907 archived Florida newspapers which led me to new facts about my family during their short-lived move from Vermont. What if they had stayed in Florida? My grandfather might not have met my grandmother in Vermont. I wouldn’t be here today.

The Vermont School of Agriculture

Harry Cooley taught at the Aggie School, as he called it. The State legislature determined the need for a state agriculture school and established the Vermont School of Agriculture.

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Vermont Agricultural and Technical Institute (VATI)

In 1957 Technical courses were added and the school changed its name to Vermont Agriculture and Technical Institute (VATI).

Vermont Technical College (VTC)

Charles Cooley taught at VTC. This article is about the college prior to 2023. Vermont Technical College (Vermont Tech or VTC) was a public technical college in Vermont. Its main residential campuses were located in Randolph Center and Williston.

Academics

Vermont State University offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. The Castleton, Johnson, and Lyndon campuses offer liberal arts education while the Randolph and Williston locations house technical programs. Randolph’s 23 certificate, associate, and bachelor’s programs are diverse, but the campus has a particular strength in the areas of engineering, construction, and automotive technology.

Athletics

The Vermont Tech athletic teams were called the Knights. The Vermont State-Randolph athletic teams are called the Knights. Vermont State University has the former Northern Vermont University (Johnson Badgers and Lyndon Hornets), Castleton University, and Vermont Technical College athletics teams. Owing to the university's unique composition from a series of formerly independent colleges, four of its five campuses have their own athletics programs. Johnson teams participate as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III. The Lyndon Hornets are a member of the NCAA, and compete on the Division III level in the North Atlantic Conference.

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Vermont Tech Launches A Cube Satellite Into Space

Vermont Lunar Cube Satellite, created by VTC professor Carl Brandon and his students, is launched. This was the first satellite of any kind built by a university in New England.

The Vermont State Colleges System

The Vermont General Assembly created the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) in 1961, creating a "loose confederation" of colleges that also included the Community College of Vermont after its founding in 1970, but never included the University of Vermont. From 1961 to 1977 the VSCS operated largely as a “loose confederation” of colleges. There was little or no coordination of academic, financial, or personnel activities. Cooperation between the colleges was minimal and there were few system policies. In 1977, the Board of Trustees asserted their leadership over the colleges and created a functioning system. The Board of Trustees sets policy for the system and the Chancellor adopts system-wide procedures in support of those policies.

Financial Challenges and Restructuring

For many years, the Vermont public colleges have experienced financial stress and chronic underfunding. Facing increasing financial and operational challenges, the Board of Trustees and Chancellor have made it a priority to become a more comprehensive, cohesive, and interconnected system. Over time, VSCS leaders restructured the system and the function of the central office to enable a sharing of leadership. Leadership has evolved into a collaborative relationship allowing for substantial autonomy at the institutional level, while maximizing the educational and operational opportunities provided by a strong system and central office. By 2020, however, the Vermont State Colleges faced financial challenges. Exacerbated by COVID-19, in April 2020, Vermont State Colleges system Chancellor Jeb Spaulding recommended closing the Vermont Technical College residential campus in Randolph as well as all operations/campuses of Northern Vermont University. Spaulding withdrew the proposal amid fierce opposition and the state appropriated additional funds to keep all campuses and colleges operating, but lawmakers asked VSC to come up with a way to fix its financial situation. VSCS formed a committee, named the Select Committee on the Future of Public Higher Education, which ultimately recommended a similar proposal to Spaulding's closure plan. Instead of closing campuses, however, the committee recommended merging all three of the system's four-year colleges into a single institution with multiple campuses.

Vermont State University

Vermont State University officially launched on July 1, 2023. While new in name and form, Vermont State builds upon the rich histories of our three institutions. At Vermont State University, we remain energized by the value of education and shape our programs to prepare graduates for career success and impact. We have 236 years of excellence in education behind us and limitless possibilities in front of us.

Leadership

The Theodore N. Parwinder Grewal was appointed as the university's first president in 2022. Grewal was previously an administrator at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. However, Grewal resigned abruptly in April 2023 before the university officially opened. David Bergh to take over as Vermont State University interim president. VTSU Interim President David Bergh to continue in role until 2026.

Read also: Financial Aid at UVM

Randolph Campus

The 544-acre Randolph campus is located in the center of the state, within easy reach of the mountains, lakes, resorts, and local arts Vermont is famous for.

Local Attractions

Chandler Center for the Arts - Enjoy year-round performances, like the Central Vermont Chamber Music Festival, in this historic downtown venue.
The State House - Vermont’s capital, Montpelier, is just 30 minutes away.

The Town of Randolph: A Brief History

18th century Randolph was shaped by the rich agricultural land at the confluence of several streams and rivers, including Thayer Brook, Ayer’s Brook, and the Second and Third branch to the White River. These river valleys, and the agricultural and forest products that grew so well there, were at the core of the town’s prosperity for 200 years. In addition to agriculture, the State Department of Agriculture worked hard to encourage silviculture, and wood products were a foundation of the economy.

Key Moments in Randolph's History

A pioneer named Experience Davis accompanied the St. Regis Native Americans to South Randolph and claimed 1,533 acres by squatter’s law.
Justin Morgan, a teacher, composer, businessman and horseman moved to Randolph and bred a bay colt named Figure.
First Congregational Church was built near the intersection of the main east-west and north-south highways in Randolph Center, where it remains today.
The first tavern in town was built at the present Red Schoolhouse in Randolph Center. Taverns served an essential role for residents and travelers.
The bell recieved by Randolph was made in the last year of Revere's life.
The first Railroad came through Randolph. The railroad provided transportation, increased capacity of trading routes, and gave Randolph a social and cultural connection to the outside world that was important to the development of town life.
With the construction of the Vermont Central Railroad in the west side of town, the center of activity shifted from East Randolph and Randolph Center to West Randolph. Main Street developed into the shopping center of the town.
The “Green Mountain Herald” was established. The paper later changed its name to “Herald and News” in 1877. The Herald and News was sold to Mr. John Drysdale in 1945 and taken over by his son Dick Drysdale in 1971 and Tim Calabro in 2015.
The “Great fire” burned 14 businesses on the east side of Main Street.
A new grammar school was established at School Street and Main Street. The school was located at 28 North Main, the current site of the offices of Dubois & King Engineers.
Sargent Osgood and Roundy Company moved to West Randolph on Prince Street.
Dr. Kimball Public Library was donated to the town by Colonel Robert J.
Randolph became a “dry” town.
Chandler Music Hall was donated to the town by Albert B.
In 1957 Technical courses were added and the school changed its name to Vermont Agriculture and Technical Institute (VATI). Traditional industries such as wood-working were giving way to plastics and service enterprises.
Randolph Union High School on Forest Street was built, which combined the towns of Randolph and Braintree.
The interstate highway, I-89, was extended to the White River Valley.
Orange County Mental Health Center was founded.
The first supermarket opened in a commercial “strip mall” about a mile south of the downtown.
Peaceful demonstrators protested the Vietnam War on “Moratorium Day” on Main Street.
Randolph’s economy shifted again. Wood-product manufacturing waned, but service and professional establishments grew.
C.V.R.R. Three fires in Downtown Randolph burned homes and businesses, including over 50,000 square feet of commercial space (Belmain’s/Ben Franklin, Thomas Store, Stockwell block, and Sowles block).
The Vermont Veterans Cemetery is dedicated in Randolph Center.
Randolph consolidates its elementary schools. The old downtown Village School closes and Randolph Elementary School opens.
LEDdynamics, a Randolph company started by VTC engineering grads, revolutionizes lighting with its creation of the EverLED TR.
In 2007, a capital campaign celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Chandler, led to the completion of a significant renovation and addition project. The project both restored and modernized the Chandler, adding new offices and additional performance space, and improving accessibility.
Vermont Lunar Cube Satellite, created by VTC professor Carl Brandon and his students, is launched. This was the first satellite of any kind built by a university in New England.

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