New life possible for St. Paul’s?
8/7/2015, 2:23 p.m.
I recently passed by St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville and saw the auction sign — 135-plus acres and 31 buildings for auction. This was depressing.
A few friends and I were chatting and the question came up: Could the closed St. Paul’s College become one of the state’s higher education centers?
In South Boston, there is the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC). It partners with public and private colleges to deliver courses, degree programs and certifications to students in the area. The courses are delivered through the colleges. In essence, SVHEC is a “college broker.”
Another higher education center is in Martinsville and is called the New College. SVHEC and the New College are now state agencies. Of course, all of St. Paul’s acreage and buildings may not be needed, but maybe a portion of the property could be surveyed and used.
The St. Paul’s College situation is very difficult, but would it not be a beautiful miracle if some of the college’s identity was kept and it could continue to educate students, even if in a modified way?
TONNIE VILLINES
Henrico County
