Averett University celebrates 150 years

When best-laid plans go awry, it’s the university president who has to carry on. That’s what Averett University President Tiffany Franks had to do at the Founders’ Day celebration on Thursday when the keynote speaker became ill the day before.

Franks stepped up to the podium and officially began Averett’s 150th anniversary celebration with an address on using the past accomplishments of Averett as inspiration for the future.

“Averett has prospered through the terms of 20 U.S. presidents, the Civil War, two world wars, the civil rights movement, the women’s movement, the introduction of air and space travel, the invention of television and countless other changes in our American culture,” she said. “Our school has withstood recessions, depressions, wars and countless other challenges. And we will survive the challenges before us today.”

Franks recounted humorous moments in Averett’s history, such as in 1924 when a student defined an oyster as “a fish built like a nut.”

“That same year, thankfully, Averett added a science department and made sure that none of our current students would ever wind up on Jay Leno’s ‘Battle of the Jaywalking All-Stars’ with ridiculous answers to simple questions,” she said.

Averett’s president also noted that the campus became the first in Virginia to field streakers when its students ran across the campus in 1974 wearing nothing but black capes.

“I’m told that the next evening the Danville police had to be called to direct traffic as people turned out by the thousands, anticipating a repeat performance,” she said.

On a more serious note, Franks reminded the audience of past presidents and faculty members.

“This is our past — rich and glorious, serious and humorous, emboldening and inspiring,” she said. “We will honor this past and we will work together to build the future.”

Franks listed the ability of Averett to “anticipate and adapt” as two of its strengths, citing the change of Averett into a four-year college in 1967; the Graduate and Professional Studies program’s development of 20 centers throughout Virginia; and the campus and building expansions throughout the years.

Franks also shared what she has observed at Averett during her first year as president.

“We are a community of people that cares deeply about one another,” she said. “When one of us is in need of help, we are there for each other.”

Before Franks wrapped up her speech, she told faculty, staff, students and community members that Averett is not done.

“We honor today and we’ll build a promising tomorrow by instilling in our students the confidence and belief that they are cared for and that they are capable of great things,” she said.