Benedict College

Benedict College
Former names
Benedict Institute
(1870–1894)
MottoA Power for Good in Society
TypePrivate historically black college
EstablishedDecember 12, 1870; 153 years ago (1870-12-12)
Religious affiliation
American Baptist Churches USA
Endowment$26.5 million (2021)[1]
PresidentRoslyn Clark Artis
Students1,840 (fall 2022)
Location,
South Carolina
,
United States
Campus110-acre (45 ha)
ColorsPurple and gold
   
NicknameTigers
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division II - SIAC
Websitewww.benedict.edu
Benedict College Historic District
original Benedict College building as seen in 1875
Benedict College is located in South Carolina
Benedict College
Benedict College is located in the United States
Benedict College
LocationRoughly bounded by Laurel, Oak, Taylor and Harden Sts. on Benedict College campus, Columbia, South Carolina
Area3.9 acres (1.6 ha)
ArchitectUrquhart, James B.
Architectural styleClassical Revival
NRHP reference No.87000809[2]
Added to NRHPApril 20, 1987

Benedict College is a private historically black college in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1870 by northern Baptists, it was originally a teachers' college. It has since expanded to offer majors in many disciplines across the liberal arts. The campus includes buildings in the Benedict College Historic District, a historic area listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Benedict College was founded in 1870 on land of a former 110-acre (45 ha) plantation in Columbia, South Carolina. Representing the American Baptist Home Mission Society, Bathsheba A. Benedict of Pawtucket, Rhode Island had provided $13,000 to purchase the property. This was one of numerous educational institutions founded in the South for formerly enslaved people by northern religious mission societies, as education was seen as key to the future for African Americans.

  1. ^ "Benedict College | Data USA".
  2. ^ "National Register Information System – (#87000809)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.