1971
SACS accredited Averett as a senior college.

The first bachelor's degrees were conferred since 1914.

For the first time in the college history, men were awarded bachelor degrees at graduation.

Mary B. Blount Library was constructed. On Sept. 14, 1971, students and faculty moved 34,000 books from the library in the basement of Bishop Hall to the new Blount Library at 344 West Main Street. After the move a picnic was held on the athletic field.

The first issue of the alumni magazine, Potpourri, was published.

Replacing The Spot, the Bottom Inn, located in the basement of Bishop Hall, offered food services and a place for students to relax. A haven for students from academic life, the Bottom Inn was a place for grabbing a quick lunch, listening to contemporary music, or playing a game of ping-pong, pool or Foosball.

Attendance at chapel was changed from mandatory to voluntary.

The first Miss Averett pageant was held, a preliminary contest for the Miss Virginia/Miss USA pageant. Julia McLaney won the title of the first Miss Averett.

1972
Averett established its first Evening College by offering classes at night for patrons who were unable to attend during the day, especially for community college graduates who wished to earn B. S. degrees in business management, law enforcement or education.

The first Averett College men's basketball team, coached by Gary Bannister, played a
full schedule of games.

A Reading Center was established at 335 Townes Street to provide specialized training
for Averett education majors and to offer a service to the community.

The Virginia Beta Chapter of Alpha Chi National Honor Society was chartered at Averett. Chapter sponsors were Pauline Coll, Marilyn Russell and John Dever.

In February, Averett's African-American students planned an annual Black Studies
Week, featuring special guests and performers.

1973
Under the leadership of Dean R. Kirby Godsey, Averett and Stratford colleges developed cooperative programs. Plans called for the colleges to merge.

Averett adopted Stratford's 4-1-4-1 calendar, thereby creating January and May terms. The January terms were popular, especially for travel abroad.

Averett added a program in horsemanship, leading to a baccalaureate degree.

Under the direction of Dr. Lerond Curry, Averett offered to the curriculum an Honors
Colloquium designed to deal with contemporary issues.

The first recipient of an Honorary Degree from Averett College was Joseph M. Taylor,
President of Danville Community College.

1974
Paula Simms was the first African-American student to be selected as the college's
representative to the state's Apple Blossom Festival as Apple Blossom Princess.

Danville's Stratford College closed due to financial hardship. Stratford seniors were allowed to complete their senior year at Averett.

Averett students, determined to make their college the first in Virginia to field Streakers,
donned black capes and Streaked through the campus. The next evening the Danville police were called to direct traffic as Danvillians turned out by the thousands for an anticipated repeat performance.

1976
Averett joined NCAA Division III Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with teams
in eight sports: men's golf, men's soccer, women's field hockey, coeducational riding, men's and women's basketball, and men's and women's tennis.

Joyce Weiblen, Athletic Director, coined the term Cougars as a nickname for the
college's athletic teams, using a play on words "Atlantic Coast Conference" and
"Averett Cougar College."

The Mountain View Apartments were acquired.

1977
The Admissions House at 334 West Main was acquired. It was later dedicated and named for Trustee W. Curtis English.

1978
Averett College's first Homecoming was held. SGA Vice-President Rossie Alston, '79, spearheaded the effort to provide an annual Homecoming ceremony. Since 1978, a Homecoming
Queen has been elected, and since 1988 a Homecoming King.

1979
President Conwell Axel Anderson resigned. Howard W. Lee was named president.

Averett fielded its first women's fast pitch softball team.

1980
The first Master of Education degrees were conferred.

The men's soccer team captured the Dixie Conference Championship and the Virginia State Championship.