Benedict College facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Benedict College

Former names	Benedict Institute (1870–1894)
Motto	A Power for Good in Society
Type	Private historically black college
Established	December 12, 1870; 154 years ago (1870-12-12)
Religious affiliation	American Baptist Churches USA
Endowment	$26.5 million (2021)
President	Roslyn Clark Artis
Students	1,840 (fall 2022)
Location	Columbia , South Carolina , United States
Campus	110-acre (45 ha)
Colors	Purple and gold
Nickname	Tigers
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division II - SIAC
Benedict College Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
original Benedict College building as seen in 1875
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Location	Roughly bounded by Laurel, Oak, Taylor and Harden Sts. on Benedict College campus, Columbia, South Carolina
Area	3.9 acres (1.6 ha)
Architect	Urquhart, James B.
Architectural style	Classical Revival
NRHP reference No.	87000809
Added to NRHP	April 20, 1987

Benedict College is a private historically black college located in Columbia, South Carolina. It was started in 1870 by a group of Baptists from the northern United States. At first, it was a school for training teachers. Over time, it grew to offer many different subjects in the liberal arts. The college campus includes special buildings that are part of the Benedict College Historic District. This area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its historical importance.

Benedict College was founded on land that used to be a large farm, about 110 acres in size, in Columbia, South Carolina. A woman named Bathsheba A. Benedict from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, gave money to buy the land. This was one of many schools created in the South after the American Civil War. These schools helped formerly enslaved people get an education, which was seen as very important for their future.

History of Benedict College

Benedict Institute first opened its doors on December 12, 1870.

The first class at Benedict had ten students, all of whom were freedmen (people who had been enslaved). Their teacher was Reverend Timothy Dodge, a college-educated preacher from the North who also became the school's first president. Classes were held in the main house of the old farm. The school's goal was to help men and women become "powers for good in society." Since many enslaved people were not allowed to learn to read or write, the first classes taught basic subjects like reading, writing, and math. They also studied the Bible and theology. Later, more subjects were added to train teachers and preachers, which was the school's main purpose.

On November 2, 1894, the school officially became a four-year college by law in South Carolina. Its name was changed to Benedict College. The school received money from Baptist donors and also from the Slater Fund, which supported education for African Americans.

From 1870 to 1930, Benedict College had seven white Baptist ministers as presidents. Then, on April 10, 1930, Reverend John J. Starks became the first African-American president. He had graduated from Benedict College in 1891. Since then, five more African-American presidents have led the college.

Recent Years and Growth

In 1994, Benedict College made a plan to have 2,000 students by the year 2000. They reached this goal even earlier, in 1996, with 2,138 students. By the fall of 2002, enrollment grew to 3,000 students. The college continues to plan for its future in the 21st century.

The college has been working on a big plan to improve its campus, spending $50 million. This includes buying more land and building a sports complex. Over the past few years, many improvements have been made to campus buildings. Student dorms were updated with air conditioning, fire sprinklers, and security systems. An activities field and community park were completed. Historic buildings like Antisdel Chapel, Bacoats Hall, Alumni Hall, Morgan Hall, Pratt Hall, and Starks Hall have been renovated.

New buildings have also been constructed, including three student dorms, a parking garage, a campus center with a dining hall, an Administration Building, and a Business Development Center. The college also bought buildings for a fitness center and a community development office. Three apartment complexes were bought for student housing. As part of its goal to help the community, Benedict College has also fixed up more than 50 old properties in the neighborhoods around the campus.

Benedict College Historic District

The Benedict College Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. This district includes five important buildings built between 1895 and 1937:

• Morgan Hall (1895)
• Pratt Hall (1902)
• Duckett Hall (1925)
• Antisdel Chapel (1932)
• Starks Center (1937)

Academics at Benedict

Benedict College offers 29 different degrees from 12 departments. This means students can choose from many subjects to study.

Besides traditional college programs, Benedict also offers continuing education. This is for "non-traditional students" who might be older or have different learning needs.

Accreditation

Benedict College is officially approved by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This means the college meets high standards and can give out bachelor's degrees.

The Teacher Education Program is approved by the South Carolina Department of Education. The Social Work Program is approved by the Council on Social Work Education. The Environmental Health Science Program is approved by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC).

Marching Tigers "Band of Distinction"

Benedict's Marching Tigers "Band of Distinction" started in the 1960s. The band performs at most football games, home basketball games, and other special events throughout the year. Mr. Herman Jones was known for giving the band its special sound. The band is currently led by Henry Wade Johnson. In 2022, the band was invited to march in the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Benedict College Concert Choir

The Benedict College choir performs spirituals, festivals, and an annual Christmas concert. Linda Kersaw, a former director, led the choir for over 20 years.

Athletics

Benedict College sports teams are called the Tigers. The college is part of the NCAA Division II (National Collegiate Athletic Association). They mainly compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) since the 1932–33 school year.

Benedict has 14 different sports teams:

• Men's sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.
• Women's sports: basketball, cheerleading, cross country, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.

Sports Facilities

The college has its own football stadium on campus called Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, which opened in 2006. Basketball games are played at HRC Arena.

Sports Accomplishments

The Benedict Tigers tennis team won the SIAC conference championship in 2015.

In 2022, the Tigers football team had their best season ever. They won the SIAC championship and made it to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time. Benedict also won the Black college football national championship for schools that compete below the NCAA Division I level.

Notable Alumni

Images for kids

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  LeRoy T. Walker

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  Mary Rice Phelps

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  Charles L. Purce