News

Students Voice Frustration After Icy Return to Classes

By Tyler Bagent | January 30

On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Longwood University officials declared a return to classes after closing for two days due to icy conditions. Longwood’s opening, which was delayed two hours to 10 a.m., was met with concern and frustration from students still iced in following the previous weekend’s ...

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Spanberger Takes Office, Becomes First Woman Sworn in as Virginia Governor

By Tyler Bagent | January 20

For the first time in Virginia history, a woman has been sworn in as Governor of the Commonwealth. On Saturday, January 17, Abigail Spanberger was inaugurated as Virginia’s 75th Governor, cementing Democratic control over state government for the next two years. Alongside Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi ...

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Centra Southside Community Hospital Discontinues OB/GYN Services in Farmville

By Jensen Auman | December 18

On December 19, Centra Southside Community Hospital in Farmville will discontinue its Obstetrical and Gynecological services, including its labor and delivery unit.  Centra Health, Inc. made the announcement on Nov. 5, citing “significant financial and operational challenges, including recently ...

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Longwood Store Responds to BookBundle Criticisms from Students, Faculty

By Chase Gionis | December 3

This semester, the new BookBundle program was implemented through the Longwood University Store, operated by Follett Higher Education. The program was met with mixed reviews — including critiques from students and faculty. BookBundle is Longwood University’s textbook program that automatically provides ...

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FLOVA Suzanne Youngkin Stops by Longwood for ‘It Only Takes One’ Initiative

By Tyler Bagent | November 10

On November 5, 2025, First Lady of Virginia Suzanne Youngkin visited Longwood University as part of her ‘It Only Takes One’ initiative, designed to address the fentanyl crisis through conversations with Virginians.  According to the Virginia Department of Health, of the 2,463 drug overdose ...

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ACTA President Dr. Michael Poliakoff Appointed to Longwood Board of Visitors

By Tyler Bagent | November 3

Over the summer, on June 20, 2025, Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Dr. Michael Poliakoff to the Longwood University Board of Visitors. Poliakoff is one of four new appointees as part of the final round of selections before Youngkin leaves office in January 2026. Poliakoff enters the board at an unsteady ...

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Construction of New Music Building Begins, Bristow Hall Demolished

By Chase Gionis | October 22

In late September, construction began on the Wygal Hall replacement building, a nearly $100 million project set for completion in 2028. The appearance of construction barriers and machinery around the build site, along with the demolition of Bristow Hall, marked the beginning of a new era of music at Longwood University.

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Gas-Like Odor Forces Evacuation of NE Landings on Night of Oktoberfest

By Jensen Auman | October 17

On October 4 at 6:05 p.m., Longwood students received an email from Lancer Alert addressing a gas-like smell inside the NE Longwood Landings. The email stated, “The building has been cleared and is closed while fire crews investigate.” In a follow-up email sent at 10:35 p.m., students were informed ...

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Buy Now, Pay Later: A Trap or a Saving Grace?

By Kylie Quigley | October 17

The popularity of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services like Klarna and Afterpay has surged in the past year, according to Harvard Business Review. These platforms, which allow consumers to split purchases into manageable installments, are being increasingly used for everyday expenses like groceries and ...

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Board of Visitors Holds September Meeting, First with Fully Youngkin-Appointed Board

By Tyler Bagent | September 17

On September 12, 2025, the Longwood University Board of Visitors held their September meeting at the Baliles Center in Westmoreland County, Virginia. The Board, which typically meets on campus, discussed the university’s enrollment and retention, financial health, athletics and other matters. This ...

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Kilmar Abrego Garcia Held At Farmville Detention Center, Vigil Planned for Sunday

By Tyler Bagent | August 30

On Tuesday, August 26, ABC 8 News first reported Kilmar Abrego Garcia — whose wrongful deportation to El Salvador led to a national debate over the Trump Administration’s immigration policy — is being held at the Farmville Detention Center. In response, local activists have planned a vigil for ...

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'That Was Our Community': How Longwood Occupied the Triangle

By Savannah Bartlett, Nick Hamlett and Tyler Bagent | July 24

In the very early 1900s, the State Female Normal School was a small collection of brick buildings on High Street. Behind those buildings, in the southern direction, lived a vibrant predominantly Black community. Unlike today’s campus “triangle,” streets ran through the middle of Ely Street (later ...

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BookBundle: Longwood’s New Textbook Program

By Alyssa Robertson | May 5

Officials at Longwood University have announced the launch of BookBundle, a program which changes the process of buying textbooks for Longwood undergraduate students. Vice President for Student Affairs Cam Patterson introduced the program in an email on March 31 and emphasized its goal to “make accessing ...

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Chief Comer Addresses Student Concerns as ICE Activity Increases Nationally

By Jordan McPherson | April 4

On Feb. 13, Longwood Chief of Police and Assistant Vice President for Public Safety Angela Comer held a “Let’s Talk About It: Know Your Rights” session in response to student concerns about possible Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity on college campuses.  According to Comer, ...

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Board of Visitors Approves DEI Resolution, Reveley Affirms Longwood “In Good Stead”

By Tyler Bagent | April 2

At their meeting on March 21, the Longwood University Board of Visitors approved a resolution regarding actions and guidance from the federal and state government against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, which addressed matters of compliance but stopped far short of measures taken by ...

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Longwood Officials Evaluate Next Steps as Virginia Universities Abolish DEI Programs

By Tyler Bagent | March 19

Within the last two weeks, universities across Virginia have moved in the direction of abolishing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs — a chain reaction which began with the Dear Colleague letter released by officials at the U.S. Department of Education on Feb. 14, 2025. On March 18, this ...

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New FOIA Documents Show $601,865 in Local Funds Restored to Academic Departments

By Tyler Bagent | March 7

According to university documents obtained through the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Longwood University officials have restored $601,865.73 to academic departmental local accounts as of Feb. 28, 2025 after two large restorations on Nov. 13, 2024 and Feb. 21, 2025. The FOIA request was filed by The Rotunda on Feb. 13 and returned on Feb. 28, after a delay due to the university's closure for inclement weather and officials’ request for more time to respond.

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