BENEDICT COLLEGE

HISTORY

Founded as Benedict Institute in 1870 under the auspices of the American Baptist Home Mission Society. Bathsheba A. Benedict of Rhode Island provided $13,000 to establish Benedict on an 80-acre plantation near Columbia. Benedict Institute organized in a former slave master's mansion to teach recently emancipated slaves to become contributing citizens.

Benedict Institute operated under severely limited economic and racial conditions of the South. The Institute's original objective was to train teachers and preachers, with a limited curriculum. In 1894, Benedict was chartered as a liberal arts college by the South Carolina Legislature and the name was changed to Benedict College. From 1870 to 1930, Benedict College was led by northern white Baptist ministers and educators. In 1930 the first Black president took the helm.

ACADEMIC MERIT

Benefit College maintains a liberal arts tradition, albeit expanded, while meeting complex and changing societal demands. The College currently offers bachelor degree programs in twenty-five major areas of study. Student enrollment has grown to about 3,000, vastly outpacing other colleges in South Carolina. Something good is happening here!

Benedict College Honors Program seeks highly motivated, academically gifted students to engage in a challenging liberal arts education. You can earn a B.A. or B.S. in these disciplines:

Chemistry

Physics

Engineering

Environmental Health Science

Biology

English

Mass Communication

Music, Mathematics

Computer-Information Science

Sociology

History

Political Science

Religion and Philosophy

Sociology

Business Administration

Economics

Accounting

Criminal Justice

Education

Health

Physical Education

Social Work

CAMPUS LIFE

   Benedict College is currently implementing a $42 million improvement plan, which includes land acquisition. Recently completed campus included residence halls, an activities field, renovation of historic Antisdel Chapel, Alumni Hall, Morgan Hall and Pratt Hall. New construction includes three residence halls, a campus center and a major athletic complex. A new administration building is under construction. The campus houses approximately 1800 students.

    Students now take advantage of these extra-curricular campus resources: Art Gallery, Marching Band, Gospel Choir, Fraternities & Sororities, Harold Odom Dance Theatre, Homecoming Events, Instrumental Ensemble, Intramural Sports, and Student Government Association

    Intercollegiate athletics sponsored by the college are: Baseball, Basketball (Men & Women), Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field (Men & Women), Volleyball, Cross Country, Football and last but not least, Golf.

ADDRESS: 1600 Harden Street, Columbia, SC
PHONE: 803-253-5143
WEBSITE: http://www.benedict.edu