SALEM, Va. – Roanoke College students will soon move back into their dorms and are ready to start the new year, but they can expect several changes, including a new major and unconventional dorm arrangements.
The college unveiled a new four-year biotechnology degree program as part of several major campus developments launching this academic year.
The program is a partnership with Virginia Western Community College.
“We’re interested in our graduates staying here and continuing to contribute to the Roanoke Valley. And these are going to be amazing jobs, and we want our graduates to have them,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs at Roanoke College, Kathy Wolfe.
Students at both Virginia Western Community College and Roanoke College can pursue this new major, and they’ll take classes at both places.
Roanoke College will also continue to work on its new science center. Crews will be busy building it this year. The science center, called McConnon Discovery Center, is expected to be completed next year. The new building will house new teaching laboratories and expanded classrooms. Every Roanoke College student, regardless of major, will take a class here.
10 News reported on unconventional dorms that some students will be living in.
The new dorms are called Maroon Village, and they feature renovated shipping containers as temporary residences while older dormitories undergo updates.
“They’re gonna have yard games, a community center. They back right up to the woods, so they get to hang out there and see all the wildlife that walks through the wood lot up there and have the best view on campus,” said Wolfe.
One student and her mom are interested in seeing what these dorms look like this year.
“We’re real excited to see the pods. We’re gonna see them this afternoon,” said Sonia Churchman, whose daughter attends Roanoke College.
“Well, I have a lot of friends that are living in them, so they’re excited to see them too,” said Caroline Churchman.
Student athletes can enjoy something new, too. There is a new Athletics Performance Center this fall. The new Athletics Performance Center is a strength and conditioning facility that more than 625 students across 27 sports will get to use. The center includes weightlifting equipment and new technology that tracks workout results.
Last year, 10 News reported on high schoolers taking free classes at Roanoke College in a program called Explore RC.
That program is still going strong. Thirty students are enrolled at Explore RC, and they can choose between about 40 types of dual-enrollment courses, such as writing, languages, and theatre.