Virginia Union University
Virginia
1865
![](http://intercollegiate-registry.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/virginia-union-seal-150x150.png)
![virginia union virginia union](http://intercollegiate-registry.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/virginia-union-nsj2iq1kp3dbaikgxtrna5n4lxn4fhlodnuudcj67m.png)
![](http://intercollegiate-registry.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/virginia-union-1902-class.jpg)
Citations in the World Almanac (listed by cover date; color information is from the previous year): red/steel (1917-1935)
According to a 1927 list, the Intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Costume (IBAC) had by that point assigned a scarlet hood lining with a steel gray chevron to Virginia Union University. “Steel gray” was how the IBAC described a satin lining fabric in a medium shade of gray, which was used for institutions having either medium gray or steel as a school color.
This description was unchanged in subsequent IBAC lists and also appeared in a compilation of hood lining information by Kevin Sheard published in Academic Dress and Insignia of the World (1970).
![](http://intercollegiate-registry.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/bright-red-150x150.png)
![](http://intercollegiate-registry.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/steel-150x150.png)
In 1900, students at Virginia Union University selected red and steel as their school colors to symbolize struggle (red) and strength (steel). The college’s red was bright, like scarlet.
![virginia union hood virginia union hood](http://intercollegiate-registry.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/virginia-union-hood-nsj2u03tho3ejy0bt223bth1lb72zoatrvk47eeozk.jpg)