By: Vannon Lail | Staff Writer
What did college life look like before smartphones, social media and a modern campus? For some University of Lynchburg students, the answer may be hiding between the pages of an old yearbook.
While cleaning Pete’s Place in Drysdale Student Center, several old Lynchburg College yearbooks and photography books were discovered, featuring students and campus life from decades past, including the 1970s and 2000s.
This discovery offers a glimpse into the past and into generations of students who once walked the same campus, attended classes, made friendships and created memories long before today’s students arrived.
“I was impressed firstly with how many of the buildings have remained pretty much the same in all the pictures,” said sophomore Zoey Edukere. “It was pretty surprising that we have technically been walking the same halls as people so long ago.”
According to Jenny Horton, director of the Knight-Capron Library, yearbooks serve as more than just keepsakes.
“I think yearbooks and photographs from the past are important because they give you basically a snapshot, a primary source from that time,” said Horton.
For some students, flipping these pages can feel like stepping into another time. The photographs capture more than just faces and fashion, they preserve moments of the university life that might otherwise be forgotten.
“When I first came here, there were a lot more contests like Mr. LC, Miss LC talent competitions, and these were all well attended and crowded, said Dr. Jimmy Roux, a longtime professor at the university. “The only reason I know this is because I was asked to be a judge at events. We also had a boat race in College Lake, which is now gone.”
For those who have never had the opportunity to explore Lynchburg’s history, these forgotten collections offer a fun way to connect with the students who came before them.
After all, today’s campus memories could become tomorrow’s history.
To view Lynchburg College yearbooks, visit the Knight-Capron Library’s digital showcase
