1854
William Isaac Berryman opened the Danville Female Institute in his home on Patton Street to house 20 boarding students for two five-month sessions. The institute would close in 1858 due to management problems.

1858
Nathan Penick moved to Danville from Halifax County, Va., and opened the Baptist Female Seminary, using Berryman's home for classes. Penick was married to Jane Averett who taught music, French and English. She was the first of eight members of the Averett family to be affiliated with the school.

Joseph James Averett and his wife, Rosa Celeste, came from Halifax County to join the college faculty.

1859
The school's name was changed to Union Female College, derived from the three local Baptist associations that backed it financially: Dan River, Concord, and Roanoke.

The school was incorporated by the General Assembly of Virginia in 1859, and the first charter was written.

John Taylor Averett served on the college's first Board of Trustees.

1860
A new brick building housing Union Female College was constructed atop "Baptist Hill" at Ridge and Patton Streets in Danville, next door to Berryman's home. The structure was built at a cost of $25,000.