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Davis & Elkins College

Colleges and Universities Section 18 of 34

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Davis & Elkins College, located in Elkins, was founded in 1904 with help from former U.S. Senators Henry Gassaway Davis and Stephen B. Elkins. It started with just one building and a small faculty, later expanding to a large, scenic campus, including historic buildings like Halliehurst and Graceland.

The college originally included a high school-level academy, which was phased out in 1926. Over time, Davis & Elkins added new academic programs such as business, teaching, and engineering and gained national attention for its football and basketball teams.

During the 1940s, military training programs and the GI Bill helped the school grow, reaching over 900 students. The school earned full accreditation in 1946 and continued expanding with new buildings, sports programs, and academic majors such as nursing and computer science.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the college improved its campus, created more programs, and raised funds for future growth.

Today, Davis & Elkins College is a small liberal arts school known for its historic campus, strong academics, and commitment to the arts and community.