“S” is for South Carolina State University

“S” is for South Carolina State University. The institution was founded in 1896 in Orangeburg as the Colored Normal, Industrial, Agricultural and Mechanical College of South Carolina. During its early years the college was devoted to training Back youngsters to be teachers, farmers, homemakers, and skilled artisans. The institution offered agricultural subjects as well as traditional academic courses. In 1947, the legislature created a law school and graduate program in order to prevent Black Carolinians from attending all-White state-supported institutions. In 1954 the name was legally changed to South Carolina State College. The institution was fully accredited for the first time in 1960. Over the past fifty years the campus population became more diverse with a gradual increase in the number of White and international students and faculty. In 1992 the General Assembly designated South Carolina State a university.