Roanoke College

Roanoke College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Salem, Virginia, nestled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains. As the second-oldest Lutheran-affiliated college in the United States, it is committed to developing the "whole person" through a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and global awareness. The college offers approximately 35 majors and 60 minors on a historic, tree-shaded campus that reflects a unique blend of 19th-century architecture and modern sustainability.

The college was founded in 1842 by two Gettysburg College graduates and Lutheran pastors, David F. Bittle and Christopher C. Baughman. Originally established as The Virginia Institute near Staunton, the school moved to Salem in 1847 to be closer to a center of activity. In 1853, the Virginia Legislature granted it a charter as Roanoke College. The institution has a long-standing history of internationalization; it recruited students from the Choctaw Nation in the 1870s and graduated the first Korean students to ever receive degrees from an American university in 1898 and 1903. Despite the challenges of the Civil War—where its cadets were briefly forced to surrender before being allowed to return to their studies—the college has remained a resilient pillar of Southern higher education for over 180 years.

Roanoke College stands as a premier liberal arts institution that successfully bridges its deep Lutheran roots with a forward-looking commitment to innovation and sustainability. By offering a "high-touch" academic experience where professors are mentors rather than just lecturers, the college ensures its graduates are prepared for lives of purpose and leadership. Its blend of historic charm, quirky traditions like painting The Rock, and cutting-edge facilities like Maroon Village makes it a unique destination in the Virginia Blue Ridge. It remains a top choice for students who value a close-knit community and the freedom to explore diverse fields of interest.