Fifty Years & Counting

The School of Professional and Continuing Studies (SPCS) will open its fiftieth anniversary celebration year with SPCS Week, an opportunity to connect with the School and celebrate its history.

The School—founded as University College—opened for classes on September 17, 1962, on the corner of Grace and Lombardy in the City of Richmond.

Fifty years later, after relocating onto the Richmond campus in 1974, renaming itself in 1995 to align with the University’s academic schools and again this fall to better reflect the programs it offers and the students it serves, SPCS begins its year-long fiftieth anniversary celebration with SPCS Week, September 17-23.

On Monday, September 17, the School opens its doors for SPCS Open House in the Special Programs Building. We’ll offer breakfast treats and an afternoon snack for University staff and campus guests, and we’ll set up archival displays for the day. The event continues with snacks for students, 5:30-7:30 p.m., in buildings around campus.

On Tuesday, September 18, the School offers its SPCS Information Session for Adult Students in Jepson Alumni Center. The event is open to students and alumni who wish to share their experience with prospective degree-seeking students. Details and RSVP at spcs.richmond.edu/returntoschool.

On Wednesday, September 19, the School continues its monthly SPCS Breakfast Forum in Ukrop Auditorium in the Robins School of Business. The networking event features guest speakers telling their University College, Continuing Studies and SPCS stories. Open to all who wish to attend. Details and RSVP at spcs.richmond.edu/breakfast.

On Thursday, September 20, the School’s staff and administration have the unique honor of presenting the story of the School during a meeting of the University’s Board of Trustees.

On Friday, September 21, the School will host SPCS Luncheon for School staff and other University staff who are alumni of the School. Invitations and details will be distributed.

On Saturday, September 22, the School’s adjunct faculty are invited to an SPCS Adjunct Faculty Celebration at the home of a long-time adjunct professor.

Beyond SPCS Week, the School will sponsor the Crimmel Colloquium with Susan Stamberg of National Public Radio on November 13, 2012. The School will host a celebratory SPCS Night Celebration on May 8, 2013. And SPCS Commencement will culminate the celebratory year on May 11, 2013.