The first major change was the construction of Fairfax Hall as a home  for the president and his family  between McGuffey Hall and Madame Russell Hall.  The home, built in the Georgian style of architecture was completed in March, 1939, and torn down in 1972 to make way for Heth Hall.

A second major change was the construction in 1939 of Norwood Hall, a three-story, three-wing residence hall with funds from the New Deal-era Public Works Administration.   Norwood was named after the family who originally owned the property on which Radford College was built.

Finally, a 3-floor Science and Home Economics Building (Reed Hall) was completed in 1940 next to McConnell Library.  In 1970, a 3-floor annex (Curie Hall) was added.   The buildings were named for Doctors Walter Reed and Marie Curie, renowned research scientists.

The Heth House, which is behind McConnell Library was originally rented for use as a dormitory, was next used as a Home Management House, providing a "laboratory" setting for Home Economics students.

Between 1948 and 1971, the triangular area behind Madame Russell Hall was purchased by the college and used for the Pocahontas, Ingles, Bolling, Draper, and Moffett dormitories.