Thesis (Ed. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 329-337). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006. / Prepared for: Center for Public Policy. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-172). Also available online.

Includes county history and military history, along with two inset maps: one of the town of Salem as it existed in 1802 and one of Augusta County as it existed in 1738. Compiled from old maps, historical records, and traditions by J.R. Hildebrand. The Roanoke Historical Society, 1968. No scale provided. / https://dc.etsu.edu/rare-maps/1139/thumbnail.jpg

This thesis concerns the revitalization of the Roanoke City Market Building, an historic structure in the heart of downtown Roanoke, Virginia. Generated in two parts, this thesis first explains the rationale for saving the building and the strategy developed to that end. Secondly, the building design is presented, showing in physical terms, the possibilities of the Roanoke New Market, a building adapted for re-use. / Master of Architecture

Martinsville, Virginia lost its textile industry to Mexico. High Point, North Carolina lost its furniture business to Asia. Pittsburgh lost Steel, Detroit lost auto-making, Mississippi lost cotton, and West Virginia lost coal. These once booming mono-industrial communities, competitive in a global economy, are all clawing their way out of a deep, dark unemployment whole. Each has a chapter in the story of urban decay and renewal with different endings. But the actions of their elected officials, before, during, and after their community's single industry downsizes or leaves, make all the difference. The following comparative policy paper examines the strategies of two local governments, those of Roanoke, Virginia, and Altoona, Pennsylvania, who attempted to mitigate the loss of Norfolk Southern Rail Car Repair Shops in their cities. I find quantitative and qualitative research, which suggests that Roanoke faired better after the loss of Norfolk Southern with regard to unemployment rates, median household income, high school and college graduation rates and poverty rates. I attempt a research design such that community leaders whose cities suffer similar economic blows can walk away with recommendations concerning their roles in recovery. Both cities relied greatly on the economic activity of Car Repair Shops. The staff at the Roanoke Car Shops, once comprised of more than a thousand men and women, has dwindled to a skeleton crew of about 15. The Hollidaysburg Car Shops also employed close to one thousand people, but too, has eroded to about a dozen. A history of each city and the evolution surrounding Norfolk Southern is included, along with an extensive examination into subsequent economic activity. / Master of Arts

In keeping with these inquiries the following purposes for this study were conceived: (1) To make a statement of cardinal values to be found in typical English programs on the junior high school level. (2) To explore the procedures used by a representative group of junior high school teachers of English in an attempt to discover what portions of the English curriculum they considered of the greatest importance. (3) To use the cardinal values to which reference has just been made as criteria by which to judge the objectives toward which work was being directed in English classes in the seventh, eighth and ninth grades of Roanoke City and County. After the foregoing purposes had been established, a study was made of the economic and social background in which the study was set, resulting in the findings set forth in Chapter II of this writing. Following this, the literature of the field was surveyed with a view to discovering the ideas of authors respecting the teaching of English. A detailed study was made of various courses of study. Following that survey there was formulated the set of criteria which appears in Chapter III. The next undertaking was to make a schedule composed of items which were deemed appropriate to the various criteria, to be used in gathering data relative to the practices of teachers of English in the City and County of Roanoke, respectively. The successive steps in constructing and administering that instrument, together with data resulting from its use, are given in Chapter IV. The final chapter contains a summary of findings to which reference has just been made and certain recommendations emerging therefrom. / M.S.

As architects and planners explore ways to re-introduce housing and attract a stable population into the higher densities of urban environments, the inadequacies of both traditional urban and suburban models of housing become apparent. Issues such as entry, flow of interior space, connection between interior and exterior, dwelling identifiability, relation to the greater urban fabric and others present themselves as fertile territory for re-evaluation. This thesis explores one possible response to issues of residential form and identity in the context of a multi-use building at a prominent urban intersection. While the basic physical form of this project responds to the programatic needs of housing, allowing it to function in an efficient manner, the expression of this form attempts to speak to the individual acts of moving through and living in these dwellings. It is in elevating these activities of daily life beyond merely serving a utilitarian function that architecture finds its place; empowering them to ignite our spirits and enrich our souls. This is where architecture begins to engage in a dialogue with the dreams and aspirations we hold as a society. / Master of Architecture

The purpose of this study was to explore and document the perspectives of the Black students who were the first to desegregate Roanoke, Virginia, schools during the 1960-1961 school year. In September of 1960, nine Black students were chosen to desegregate formerly all-White schools in Roanoke. The stories of these students have not been comprehensively researched or formally recorded. Their perspectives on the desegregation process provide valuable insight to add to the body of knowledge about the desegregation period. A review of the history of Black education on the national, state, and local levels, as well as a brief history of the City of Roanoke are provided as historical context for the desegregation of schools in Roanoke. A review of the literature documenting first person accounts from other Black students who went through the desegregation experience revealed only a small number of formally recorded accounts. Examining the perspectives of Black students who were among the first to desegregate schools can provide a critical perspective on both desegregation and the larger societal issue of integration. The effects of the desegregation experience on students have received little attention. Recording and analyzing their stories provides an important piece of the desegregation record that is currently lacking. The researcher conducted a qualitative case study incorporating interviews of the students, a review of newspaper articles and documents from the time period, and any artifacts and documents that the participants had retained from the time period. Five common themes emerged from the interviews with participants. They were: (a) rejection by White and Black peers, (b) family support, (c) preparation for life in a desegregated society, (d) a sense of loss related to not attending all-Black schools, and (e) the reflective meaning each participant made of their experience. These themes were similar to the experiences of other Black students who desegregated schools. These themes were also similar to themes found in the literature dealing with the value of all-Black schools. Continued documentation of the perspectives of Black students who desegregated schools is one of the recommendations of the study. / Ph. D.

The intention of this paper is to argue a position for the use of floodplain linear parks as a means of urban flood mitigation. Current approaches often focus on protecting existing and future structures via the use of costly-engineered solutions such as dams and floodwalls. My argument is that the same money can be used to restore the floodplain by removing such structures and establishing a park system that will serve as a valuable public amenity, while allowing flooding to occur with minimal damage produced. In the long run, such a park will provide a greater return on the investment than other potential solutions. A discussion of the "Proximate Principle" will describe how this works. From an environmental perspective, the importance of such a park will be discussed by placing it in the context of the green infrastructure concept, which is essentially an umbrella term for ongoing efforts to better integrate human and natural systems. Three case studies are presented that demonstrate examples of such park systems and the effects they had on local economies and communities. These studies begin demonstrating the social connotations for such a project as well. Throughout this paper, ties are made to the city of Roanoke, Virginia (where the project portion of this thesis takes place) to demonstrate the relevance of floodplain linear parks to the city. All arguments made are supported by a conceptual floodplain park plan for the city of Roanoke. / Master of Landscape Architecture

In this study, job analyses were made of twenty-two individual record keepers working in over two-thirds of the Roanoke businesses employing twenty-five or more office employees. / Master of Science