Wofford College facts for kids
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| Motto | Intaminatis fulget honoribus |
|---|---|
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Motto in English
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Untarnished, She Shines with Honor. |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Established | 1854 |
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Religious affiliation
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United Methodist Church |
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Academic affiliations
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Annapolis Group CIC IAMSCU |
| Endowment | $417.4 million (2023) |
| President | Nayef Samhat |
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Academic staff
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140 (fall 2021) |
| Undergraduates | 1,800 (dec 2020) |
| Location |
,
U.S.
34°57′32″N 81°56′06″W / 34.959°N 81.935°W |
| Campus | Suburban, 175 acres (71 ha) |
| Colors | Gold & black |
| Nickname | Terriers |
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Sporting affiliations
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Division I – SoCon |
| Mascot | Terrier |
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Wofford College is a private college in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It focuses on a wide range of subjects, known as a liberal arts college. The college was started in 1854. Its campus is about 175 acres and is also a national arboretum, which is like a tree museum. Wofford is one of the few colleges in the southeastern United States that opened before the American Civil War and is still on its original campus today.
Wofford College was founded thanks to a gift of $100,000 from Benjamin Wofford. He was a Methodist minister from Spartanburg. He wanted to create a college for "literary, classical, and scientific education" in his hometown. The college's Main Building is the oldest structure on campus. It was designed by a famous architect named Edward C. Jones. In 1941, Wofford was given a chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. This was the first time a private college in South Carolina received this honor.
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Wofford College: A Historic Place
The Wofford College Historic District includes the Main Building and six brick houses. The Main Building was designed in the Italianate style. This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Building the Main Building started in 1852. The first classes were held there in the fall of 1854. The entire Wofford campus is recognized as a national arboretum. This means it has many different kinds of trees and plants.
Supporting the College: The Endowment
An endowment is money set aside to help a college run forever. During the American Civil War, Wofford's endowment was invested in bonds that became worthless. This meant the college lost a lot of its money.
However, in 2021, Jerry Richardson gave a huge gift of $150 million to the college. He was a former student and the person who started the Carolina Panthers football team. This generous gift helped Wofford's endowment grow to over $400 million. This money helps the college offer great programs and support its students.
Learning at Wofford: Academics
The school year at Wofford has two main parts. There's a four-month fall semester and a four-month spring semester. In between, there's a special one-month period called the Interim.
Teachers and Classes
Wofford has 136 full-time teachers. Most of them (92 percent) have the highest degrees in their fields. There is about one teacher for every 11 students. This means students can get a lot of personal attention.
Wofford offers 27 different academic majors. A major is the main subject you study. The college also has programs to help students prepare for careers. These include teaching, dentistry, medicine, law, and engineering. The college's Army ROTC program, which trains future military officers, began in 1919.
The Interim Program
The Interim program is a unique part of Wofford. It lets students try new things outside their regular classes. Students can explore different subjects or interests. Interims often fall into four types:
- On-campus projects: Students can join projects led by teachers. These might include theater, pottery, or creative writing.
- Internships: Students can work off-campus in places like law firms or hospitals. Teachers supervise these experiences.
- Independent research: Students can do their own research projects. A teacher helps guide them.
- Travel projects: Teachers lead groups of students to study in other countries. Recent trips have included places like England, South Africa, and Japan.
Studying Around the World
Wofford's Office of International Programs helps students study abroad. They can choose from over 200 programs in 59 countries. Wofford is often ranked among the top colleges for students studying abroad. Many Wofford students earn college credits while studying in other countries. This gives them a chance to experience different cultures.
Sports at Wofford: Athletics
The Wofford Terriers compete in NCAA Division I sports. They are part of the Southern Conference. Wofford's colors are gold and black. Their mascot is a Terrier dog. Many Wofford sports teams have excellent graduation rates for their athletes.
For the past 16 years, the Carolina Panthers NFL team has held its summer training camp at Wofford. The Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, a high school all-star football game, is also played at Wofford's Gibbs Stadium. The official mascot for Wofford's teams is a Boston Terrier named Boss.
Life as a Student
Most Wofford students (93%) live on campus. This creates a close-knit community. The Village, which offers apartment-style housing for older students, was even named a "Dorm of Distinction" in 2008.
Student Groups and Activities
Students at Wofford can join many different groups. These include service clubs, religious groups, and social organizations. The college has had student publications since 1889. The student newspaper, The Old Gold and Black, comes out every other week. The yearbook, The Bohemian, is published each spring.
Several national honor societies were founded at Wofford. These include Delta Phi Alpha (for German language students) and the National Beta Club (a well-known high school honor society). In 1941, Wofford was given a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. This is the oldest academic honor society in the United States. It was the first time a private college in South Carolina received this honor.
Helping Others: Service Learning
Wofford has many student groups focused on helping the community. These include the Bonner Scholars and ONE. These groups give students chances to volunteer and make a difference.
Fraternities and Sororities
About half of the students at Wofford are part of Greek life. This means they join fraternities (for men) or sororities (for women). These groups offer social activities and community service opportunities.
A Diverse Campus
Wofford has a history of welcoming different students. From 1901 to 1904, two women graduated from Wofford each year. In 1964, Wofford became the first private college in South Carolina to allow Black students to enroll voluntarily. Albert Gray was the first Black student admitted.
Famous People Who Went to Wofford
Many Wofford graduates have gone on to do amazing things. Here are a few examples:
Sports Stars
- Brenton Bersin, a football player.
- Jerry Richardson, a football player and later the founder of the Carolina Panthers.
- William McGirt, a professional golfer.
- Fletcher Magee, a basketball player.
- Danny Morrison, who became president of the Carolina Panthers.
Business Leaders
- George Dean Johnson, Jr., a successful banker.
- Jude Reyes, a billionaire business owner.
Journalists and Entertainers
- Craig Melvin, a well-known journalist.
- Wendi Nix, also a journalist.
- Ellison Barber, another journalist.
Leaders in Politics and Law
- Ibra C. Blackwood, a former governor of South Carolina.
- Olin D. Johnston, who served as a United States senator and governor of South Carolina.
- Thomas Gordon McLeod, another former governor of South Carolina.
- Henry F. Floyd, a judge on the United States Court of Appeals.
- Samuel Dibble, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Wofford's first graduate.
Important Figures in Education and Religion
- William Preston Few, the first president of Duke University.
- James Kirkland, the second and longest-serving chancellor of Vanderbilt University.
- William H. Willimon, a famous author and bishop in the United Methodist Church.
Images for kids
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Wofford College in 1905
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Science Hall, 1905 (since demolished)
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