Benedict College, originally Benedict Institute, was founded in 1870 under the auspices of the American Baptist Home Mission Society. Financial support for the establishment of Benedict came from Mrs. Bathsheba A. Benedict of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Adding to a small bequest from her husband, Mrs. Benedict provided $13,000 towards the purchase of an 80-acre plantation near Columbia as the site for a new school for the recently freed people of African descent. Benedict Institute set out from humble beginnings in a dilapidated former slave master’s mansion to prepare men and women to be a “power for good in society.”

During the first quarter century of its existence, Benedict Institute addressed its educational program to the severely limited economic and social conditions of the black population in the South. The Institute’s original objective, therefore, was to train teachers and preachers, and its first curriculum included, of necessity, reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic, and religion. Later, the curriculum was expanded to include the traditional college disciplines and an industrial department offering carpentry, shoemaking, printing, and painting.

On November 2, 1894, the institution was chartered as a liberal arts college by the South Carolina Legislature and the name “Benedict Institute” was changed to “Benedict College.”

From its founding to 1930, Benedict College was led by a succession of northern white Baptist ministers and educators. These presidents – the Reverend Timothy Dodge, the Reverend Lewis Colby, the Reverend E. J. Goodspeed, the Reverend Charles Becker, Dr. Abraham C. Osborn, Professsor B. W. Valentine, and Dr. C.B. Antisdel – directed their efforts toward building a proud tradition at Benedict College.

The election of Dr. J.J. Starks in 1930 signaled the succession of African-American presidents at the College. With the election of Dr. J.A. Bacoats in 1944, Benedict entered a period of outstanding development in its instructional program as well as in its physical facilities. In 1946 the College received an “A” rating from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and in 1961 became fully accredited by that agency. Dr. T. J. Hanberry, Dean of the College, was named Acting President in 1965 and continued the thrust toward providing quality educational programs.

Dr. Benjamin F. Payton, who assumed the presidency of the College in 1967, was the first president to hold the earned doctorate degree. Dr. Payton initiated impressive programs to upgrade the curriculum, strengthen the faculty, expand the physical plant, and attract increased financial support. His master plan for the campus led to the construction of a 12-story dormitory, a library/learning resources center, and a gymnasium/human resources center.

In 1972, Dr. Luns C. Richardson, Associate Dean of the College, became Acting President of the College. During his eighteen-month tenure as Acting President, the fiscal posture of Benedict College was strengthened.

Dr. Henry Ponder, in his eleven years as president, which began in 1973, kept Benedict financially solvent through sound planning and careful management of the College’s resources. The annual operating budget more than doubled during his administration, and with major assistance from the United Negro College Fund, Inc., the endowment increased from just over $800,000 in 1973 to approximately $11 million in 1984. Federal funding for special programs increased significantly during this era.

Mrs. Betty S. Shearin, Executive Assistant to the President, served as Acting President from 1984-1985. Her administration emphasized the improvement of student life in both the living and learning environments.

Dr. Marshall C. Grigsby became the College’s twelfth president on July 1, 1985. During his tenure, the academic programs were strengthened, including the implementation of an Honors Program and the BC CARES Counseling Center. Dr. Grigsby’s tenure ended in 1993.

Dr. Ruby Watts, Vice President for Academic Affairs, served as Interim President from 1993-1994. She improved relationships between faculty, staff and administration. Her strong resolve helped the College to remain stable during a difficult period of its history.

Dr. David H. Swinton became the thirteenth president of the College on July 1, 1994. Under Dr. Swinton’s progressive leadership the College has experienced a period of unprecedented growth. The College has emerged as a premier institution in its class, boasting record enrollment, which is indicative of Dr. Swinton’s belief that students are the school’s most important constituent and most important product. He has developed and implemented a Strategic Plan that has become the College’s blueprint for success.

Through his vision, the College and community have advanced in many areas such as recruitment of diversified and highly qualified faculty and student scholars; implementation of enhanced academic and student enrichment programs such as the implementation of four degree-granting schools, the School of Honors, the Service Learning Program and reinstatement of the football program; construction and renovations that include state-of-the-art learning and living facilities such as the Business Development Center, Swinton Campus Center, and Oak and Haskell streets dormitories; and extensive redevelopment of the surrounding community.

And of equal importance, Dr. Swinton has secured substantial financial resources through donations and various fundraising campaigns that support the mission of the College. To date, the Capital Campaign, the College’s largest fundraiser, generated a total of $30.1 million over a six-year period, exceeding its $25 million goal.

The College is celebrating its 134th year of providing quality education to its students. Over the years, the graduates of this institution have succeeded in all areas of human endeavor. The Benedict graduate is the most important part of the success story of this institution. Benedict College is well suited to continue its role as one of the nation’s premier historically black colleges.

University Quick Facts:
Location: Columbia, SC
Founded: 1870
Enrollment: 2500
Mascot: Tigers
Colors: Purple and Gold
Band: Tiger Band of Distinction
Institute Website: www.benedict.edu
Athletics Website: www.benedict.edu/athletics
Athletics: (803) 705-4784- FAX: (803) 376-1845
Stadium Press Box: (803) 343-3092

Sport Information Contact Information:
1600 Harden Street
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 253- 5400
(803) 705-4535
email: johnsonde@benedict.edu

Sport Information Director:
Derrick Johnson

President:
Dr. David H. Swinton

Athletics Director:
Willie Washington