Introduction

Within the Commonwealth of Virginia, a number of colleges and universities represents the Old South culture of the area. Though the College of William and Mary is the oldest in the Commonwealth and one of the colonial colleges, a number of locales elsewhere provide similar circumstances. Perhaps the most significant of the colleges beyond William and Mary is Thomas Jefferson’s University of Virginia (UVA), located firmly within the City of Charlottesville.

Colleges and Universities

Within the Commonwealth of Virginia, the public state colleges and universities span the entirety of the state, though distinctive cultural traits may also occur as each university influences the surrounding regions. Christopher Newport University (CNU) is located within the City of Newport News, while the historically-black Norfolk State University is located directly within the City of Norfolk.

George Mason University is located within the Northern Virginia (NOVA) region, just outside the City of Fairfax in the unincorporated community of George Mason in Fairfax County. James Madison University, slightly further south, is located within the City of Harrisonburg, while the University of Mary Washington is located within the City of Fredericksburg. As with the historically-black Virginia State University, Old Dominion University is also physically located within the Hampton Roads region and the City of Norfolk.

The southern and western portions of the Commonwealth of Virginia also contain notable colleges and universities, including Longwood University in the Town of Farmville, the University of Virginia in the City of Charlottesville, the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia Military Institute in the City of Lexington, Virginia State University in the Town of Ettrick, Virginia Tech in the Town of Blacksburg, and the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg.