South Carolina State University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
South Carolina State University

Former name	Colored Normal Industrial Agricultural and Mechanical College of South Carolina (1896–1954) South Carolina State College (1954–1992)
Motto	Scientia, Officium, Honos
Motto in English	Knowledge, Duty, Honor
Type	Public university HBCU Land-grant university
Established	March 4, 1896 (1896-03-04)
Accreditation	SACS
Endowment	$15.1 million (2021)
President	Alexander Conyers
Students	2,649
Undergraduates	2,374
Postgraduates	275
Location	Orangeburg, South Carolina , U.S. 33°29′50″N 80°51′00″W / 33.49722°N 80.85000°W / 33.49722; -80.85000
Campus	447 acres (181 ha), (160 acres (65 ha) at Orangeburg campus, 287 acres (116 ha) additional acres at Camp Harry Daniels in Elloree, South Carolina)
Colors	Garnet and blue
Nickname	Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I – MEAC

South Carolina State University (SCSU or SC State) is a public university in Orangeburg, South Carolina. It is a historically black college or university (HBCU). This means it was founded to educate African American students. It is also a land-grant university, which means it received land from the government to help teach agriculture and mechanics.

SC State is the only public historically black land-grant school in South Carolina. It is also part of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The university is officially recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Discovering SC State's History

The university started in 1872 as the South Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical Institute. It was part of Claflin College, now known as Claflin University. This was done to follow the 1862 Land Grant Act.

In 1896, the state decided to create a separate school. It was named the Colored Normal Industrial Agricultural and Mechanical College of South Carolina. This was its official name until 1954.

Growth and Changes (1920s-1950s)

During the 1920s and 1930s, the school focused more on its academic programs. However, some programs, like the university's high school, had to close because of the Great Depression. New government programs helped build Wilkinson Hall, which was the first separate library building.

After World War II, many students came to the college. This caused a shortage of classrooms. In 1947, the United States Army started an ROTC program. All male students had to join until 1969.

The school's name changed to South Carolina State College in 1954. Because of "separate but equal" laws, the state gave the college a lot of money. This money was used to build new classrooms and dorms. Some of these buildings, like the Student Union (1954) and Turner Hall (1956), are still used today. The state also created a law program at the college. This was to keep black students from attending the University of South Carolina's law school, which was segregated. The law program closed in 1966 when the University of South Carolina became integrated.

Civil Rights and Expansion (1960s-1980s)

South Carolina State University Administration Building, Orangeburg, South Carolina

During the Civil Rights Movement, many students at SC State took part in protests. These protests aimed to end segregation. A sad event happened on February 8, 1968. Three students were killed and 27 were hurt by state police. This happened during a protest against a segregated bowling alley. This event is known as the Orangeburg massacre. A special memorial plaza on campus remembers this tragedy.

From the late 1960s to the mid-1980s, the campus grew a lot. New buildings were added, like Nance Hall (1974) and Belcher Hall (1986). New dorms were also built, including Sojourner Truth Hall (1972). This 14-story building is the tallest in Orangeburg County. A new library was built in 1968. The school also opened the I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium. It is the only one of its kind at a historically black university in the U.S. In 1988, an honors college was created for top students.

Becoming a University (1990s)

In February 1992, the school officially became South Carolina State University. This meant it gained "university" status. In 1993, Barbara Hatton became the first female president of the school. She made many improvements, like renovating Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium in 1994. This renovation added new suites and a bigger press box, increasing its seating to 22,000. A new plaza was also created in front of the Student Union. In 1996, South Carolina State University celebrated its 100th anniversary. A Fine Arts Center was built in 1999 for the Art and Music departments.

Modern Era and New Facilities (2000-Present)

SC State Engineering and Computer Science Complex

In the 2000s, the school built a large new dorm called Hugine Suites. It has 771 beds and is the biggest dorm in South Carolina. With these new dorms, some older ones were closed. The dining halls also got big makeovers. The dining hall in Truth Hall was even turned into a cyber cafe called Pete's Arena.

The university is also working on renovating Lowman Hall to be the new administration building. SC State recently started building the new James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center (UTC). This will be the only UTC in South Carolina. It is one of only three at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Work is also being done to expand Hodge Hall, a science building. This will add much-needed research and lab space.

In 2007, South Carolina State hosted the first debate for the 2008 Democratic Party Presidential Candidates. This event was shown on national TV. This made SC State the first historically black university to host a presidential debate. In 2021, President Joe Biden visited Orangeburg to give a speech at South Carolina State's graduation.

Academic Programs at SC State

SC State offers many different study programs. These programs are organized into colleges and schools.

Colleges and Schools

• College of Graduate and Professional Studies
  • Department of Family & Consumer Sciences
  • Department of Health Sciences
  • Department of Human Services
  • Department of Graduate Studies
  • Department of Military Sciences
  • Department of Nursing
• College of Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences
  • Department of Education
  • Department of English and Modern Languages
  • Department of Social Sciences
  • Department of Visual and Performing Arts
• College of Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Technology
  • Department of Biological & Physical Sciences
  • Department of Civil & Mechanical Engineering Technology and Nuclear Engineering
  • Department of Industrial & Electrical Engineering Technology
  • Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences
• Honors College
• School of Business
  • Department of Accounting, Agribusiness, and Economics
  • Department of Business Administration

Nuclear Engineering Program

SC State is the only university in South Carolina that offers a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering. It is also the only HBCU in the country with this program. The program works with North Carolina State University and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Accreditation and Rankings

South Carolina State is officially recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). This means the school meets high standards for education.

U.S. News & World Report ranks SC State among the top regional universities in the South. It is also ranked highly among HBCUs.

Exploring the Campus

Lowman Hall

Dukes Gym

The main campus of SC State is about 160 acres. There are also an extra 267 acres at Camp Harry Daniels in Elloree, South Carolina. Three buildings on campus are very old and important. They are Lowman Hall, Hodge Hall, and Dukes Gymnasium. These buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The university's library is called the Miller F. Whittaker Library. It was built in 1969 and named after the school's third president.

SC State Athletics: Go Bulldogs!

SC State Bulldogs Basketball Team

SC State Bulldogs vs. Hampton Pirates

Game Flag of SC State University

South Carolina State is a founding member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The school competes in NCAA Division I sports. Their teams are called the Bulldogs or Lady Bulldogs. The school colors are garnet and navy blue.

SC State has many sports teams. For women, they have basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, cross country, track and field, and tennis. For men, they have basketball, tennis, track and field, cross country, and football.

Oliver C. Dawson Stadium

The football team has won more conference championships than any other school in the MEAC. They have 18 championships! Three former Bulldogs football players are in the College Football Hall of Fame. The team also has six Black college football national championship titles. Their most recent title was won in 2021.

Student Life and Activities

There are over 50 student organizations on campus. This means there are many clubs and groups for students to join.

The Marching 101 Band

The Marching 101 band

The university's marching band is famous and known as The Marching 101. The band often performs at football games. They have also performed at nationally televised professional football games. They even marched in The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and The Rose Bowl Parade!

The band started in 1918 as a "regimental band." It performed military drills and helped with music for college events. The nickname "Marching 101" came about when the band had 100 members and 1 majorette. Today, the band has over 150 members. They are joined by a majorette team called "Champagne." The Marching 101 has been chosen to perform at the annual Honda Battle of the Bands several times.

Famous People Who Attended SC State

Many successful people have graduated from South Carolina State University.

Academia and Research

Business Leaders

Educators and University Presidents

Artists and Media Personalities

Politicians, Lawyers, and Government Officials

Military Leaders

Sports Stars