South Carolina State University: A Legacy of Education and Service

Introduction

Founded in 1896, South Carolina State University (SCSU), also known as SC State, stands as a public, historically black, land-grant university in Orangeburg, South Carolina. From its humble beginnings as the Colored Normal, Industrial, Agricultural and Mechanical College of South Carolina, SCSU has evolved into a comprehensive institution offering a wide range of academic programs and serving as a vital resource for the state and the nation.

Historical Overview

Early Years and Establishment

The journey of South Carolina State University began on March 3, 1896, when the General Assembly of South Carolina passed legislation to establish The Colored Normal, Industrial, Agricultural and Mechanical College of South Carolina, severing its connection with Claflin University. This marked the beginning of the institution's independent existence and its mission to provide education and service to the citizens of the state.

When the first students and faculty arrived in 1896, the campus was a sparse and unattractive place. The main building, Morrill Hall, was still under construction. There were no paved roads, no running water, and no electricity. During its early years the college was devoted to training black youngsters to be teachers, farmers, homemakers, and skilled artisans. The institution offered instruction in subjects such as poultry science, carpentry, harness making, cheese making, and sewing as well as academic courses including literature, history, and Latin. Most students were enrolled in primary and secondary grades. Few students earned college degrees. All students were required to work. Some were employed on the campus farm, and others worked in the laundry or the dining hall.

The Influence of Key Leaders

Throughout its history, South Carolina State University has been shaped by the vision and dedication of numerous leaders. The school’s first President was Dr. Thomas E. Miller (1896-1911) and others, who steered the institution through periods of growth, challenges, and transformation.

Under Miller’s leadership the college grew steadily despite considerable adversity and hostility to its existence. Among its earliest graduates were the acclaimed research biologist Ernest E. Just and Benjamin E. Mays, who later became president of Morehouse College and a mentor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Professor of Physics at the College, succeeded to the presidency. The death of President Wilkinson on March 13, 1932 catapulted Dr. Miller F. Whittaker to Acting President, subsequently to President in May 1932.

From 1950 to 1967, Dr. Benner C. Turner served as president. On June 23, 1968, Dr. M. Maceo Nance, Jr. became President. On July 1, 1986, upon the retirement of President Nance, Dr. Albert E. Smith became the sixth President of South Carolina State College. On January 13, 1992, the Board of Trustees named Dr. Carl A. Carpenter Interim President of South Carolina State College. On Sepember 30, 1992, the Board of Trustees elected Dr. Barbara R. Hatton as president. On June 13, 1995, the Board of Trustees named Dr. Leroy Davis, Sr. president. On July 1, 2002, the Board of Trustees named retired Chief Justice Ernest A. Finney, Jr. Interim President of South Carolina State University. On May 16, 2003, the Board of Trustees named Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr. president. On December 13, 2007, Dr. Leonard A. McIntyre became Interim President. On June 6, 2008, the Board of Trustees named Dr. George E. Cooper as president. On July 5, 2012, Dr. Thomas J. Elzey became University. On April 18, 2013, the Board of Trustees named Thomas J. Elzey Carolina State University. On February 23, 2015, the Board of Trustees named Dr. W. Franklin Evans Interim President of South Carolina State University. On June 29, 2016, Dr. W. Franklin Evans resigned as Interim President. Mr. James E. Clark was named Interim President at a meeting of the SC State Board of Trustees. On March 5, 2017, President Clark was Inaugurated as the 12th President. Miguel A. Cardona name Interim President Alexander Conyers as the 13th president.

Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Milestones

Throughout its history, South Carolina State University has faced numerous challenges, including limited resources, racial segregation, and social unrest. Despite these obstacles, the institution has persevered and achieved significant milestones in education, research, and public service.

Academic programs received more attention as the student population increased, but other programs, such as the university's high school, were forced to close due to the Great Depression. The college's campus grew, as it purchased over 150 acres (61 ha) for agricultural learning. After World War II, many students flocked to the college, creating a classroom shortage problem for the school.

Because of the "separate but equal" laws in the state, the legislature gave the college large sums of money to build new academic facilities and dormitories, some of which still stand on the campus today, including the Student Union (1954), and Turner Hall (1956). This was done in order to give black students an environment of "equal" education. Also, the legislature created a law program for the college, mainly to prevent black students from attending the law school at the then-segregated University of South Carolina.

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During the height of the Civil Rights Movement, many students participated in marches and rallies aimed at ending segregation. The struggle came to a climax on the night on February 8, 1968, when three students were killed and 27 others were wounded by state policemen at the height of a protest that opposed the segregation of a nearby bowling alley.

From the late-1960s to the mid-1980s, under the leadership of M. Maceo Nance, the campus experienced unprecedented growth in the form of new academic buildings, such as Nance Hall (1974) and Belcher Hall (1986), new residence halls, such as Sojourner Truth Hall (1972), which, at 14 stories, is the tallest building in Orangeburg County, and a new library building (1968), not to mention enlargements and renovations of existing facilities. The school also opened the I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium, which is the only facility of its kind on a historically black university campus in the United States.

During the tenure of Smith, the school also gained university status from the South Carolina General Assembly, becoming South Carolina State University in February 1992. In 1993, Barbara Hatton became the school's first female president and created many improvements for the campus, such as the 1994 renovation of Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium, constructing new suites and a larger press box, as well as increasing its capacity to 22,000. Hatton also spearheaded the creation of a plaza which resides in front of the Student Union and passes by several dorms and buildings in the central portion of the campus.

Under the leadership of Andrew Hugine Jr., the school constructed a new 771-bed residence hall (Hugine Suites), which is the largest dormitory in South Carolina. The first four buildings in Phase One opened on August 26, 2006, and the last two in the first phase opened on September 10, 2006. With the opening of the new dorms, SC State has closed the following dorms, Bethea (freshmen male), Miller (female), Bradham (female), and Manning (female) Halls. Both Bradham and Manning Halls had been used since the World War I era, Miller Hall is being closed due to fire alarm system malfunctions, and Bethea is being closed after 50 years of service due to numerous building and health problems. The dining halls, both Washington Dining Hall and "The Pitt", located in the Student Union, received major facelifts, and the dining hall inside Truth Hall has been renovated into a cyber cafe, Pete's Arena. The university is also working to renovate Lowman Hall, which, when refurbished, will be the new administration building. South Carolina State recently broke ground on the new James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center (UTC), which will be home to the only UTC in South Carolina, one of only three among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and one of only 33 total UTCs in the nation. Currently work is being done to expand Hodge Hall.

South Carolina State hosted the first debate of the 2008 Democratic Party Presidential Candidate Debate series. This event, which took place on April 26, 2007, at the Martin Luther King Auditorium, was televised nationally on MSNBC.

Recent Events

On October 5, 2025, two unrelated shootings happened on campus during homecoming weekend. One person was killed and two people injured. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2026, the flag of S.C. State flew above the South Carolina State House, to recognize S.C. State's defeat of Prairie View A&M University in the Celebration Bowl.

Academic Profile

South Carolina State University offers a wide array of academic programs across various disciplines. SCSU offers baccalaureate degrees in a wide range of fields, such as biology, education, business, engineering, computer science, and English language & literature. As part of the College of Graduate and Professional studies SCSU is one of only three universities in the state to offering either a doctorate in educational administration, or a master’s in speech-language pathology.

SCSU is the only university in South Carolina and only HBCU in the nation to offer a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. South Carolina State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Also, programs in Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Electrical Engineering Technology, are accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Campus and Location

The school's campus size is 160 acres (65 ha), with an additional 267 acres (108 ha) at Camp Harry Daniels in Elloree, South Carolina. The library is the Miller F. Whittaker Library. Opened in 1967, the Whitaker Library on campus now contains over 300,00 print volumes and over a million microforms.

Athletics

SC State Bulldogs vs. South Carolina State is a charter member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and participates in NCAA Division I (FCS for college football). The school sponsors basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, cross country, track and field, and tennis for women, and basketball, tennis, track and field, cross country, and football for men. The school's football team has won more conference championships than any other school in the MEAC with 19 championships. Three former Bulldogs are members of the College Football Hall of Fame, including coach Willie Jeffries.

The Marching 101

The university's marching band is known as The Marching 101. The band are regular performers at football games throughout the southeast, nationally televised professional football games, and has performed in The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and The Rose Bowl Parade.

The band was organized in 1918 as a "regimental band" performing military drills as well as assisting with music in the college Sunday school and other occasions. From 1924 on, a succession of band directors influenced the growth of the band as it became part of the Department of Music program. The nickname "Marching 101" came about when the band started with 100 members and 1 majorette. In 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2016, the Marching 101 was voted to perform at the annual Honda Battle of the Bands held in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Notable Alumni

South Carolina State University has produced numerous distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields. Some notable alumni include:

Richard G. Austin
M. Benjamin Baker
John H. Dozier
James E. Clyburn
Ernest A. Finney, Jr.
Matthew J. Perry
Clifford L. Stanley
John W. Matthews, Jr.
Amos M. Coakley
Abraham J. Bolden

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