National College

In 1886, a group of visionary educators and business people saw a need for focused, career-based training in the southeastern United States. Roanoke National Business College was thus born, to fulfill the need for trained business, banking, accounting, administrative, and other professionals. Through its first century, National College steadily developed a reputation for providing men and women with an efficient and effective education preparing them for the world of professional work. Students from many states made the trek to Roanoke, Virginia, to receive a practical education that was more focused and relevant than that offered by other colleges and universities of the time. As the college’s first 100 years drew to a close, however, changes had already been underway that would give the institution a different appearance even as it continued to remain true to its original purpose. The dormitories and large central campus gave way to multiple community-based campuses throughout Southwest Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Business curricula were supplemented by career-focused programs in computers and healthcare. Certificate programs were no longer the norm—students pursued more in-depth study leading to associate’s degrees and the college’s first baccalaureate programs had been introduced. Also during this time, two other distinguished institutions—Kentucky College of Business, founded in 1941, and Fugazzi College of Business & Technology, founded in 1915—became part of National College.