Historic Coppin Hall
|
|
Former names
|
Payne Institute |
---|---|
Motto | We Teach The Mind To Think, The Hands To Work, The Heart To Love |
Type | Private, HBCU |
Established | 1870 |
Affiliation |
African Methodist Episcopal Church UNCF |
Endowment | $307,322 |
President | Dr. Lady June Cole |
Students | 600 |
Location | Columbia, South Carolina, United States |
Campus | Urban |
Colors |
Blue and Gold |
Athletics | National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics |
Sports | Basketball, Wrestling, Cheerleading, Track, Volleyball |
Nickname | Yellow Jackets |
Affiliations | Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
Website | www.allenuniversity.edu |
Allen University
|
|
Chappelle Administration Building
|
|
Location | 1530 Harden St., Columbia, South Carolina |
---|---|
Coordinates | 34°0′38″N 81°1′14″W / 34.01056°N 81.02056°WCoordinates: 34°0′38″N 81°1′14″W / 34.01056°N 81.02056°W |
Built | 1891 |
NRHP Reference # | 75001705 |
Added to NRHP | April 14, 1975 |
Allen University is a private, coeducational historically Black university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. Allen University has over 600 students and still serves a predominantly Black constituency.
Allen University was founded in Cokesbury in 1870 as Payne Institute. Its initial mission was to provide education to freed African American slaves. In 1880, it was moved to Columbia and renamed Allen University in honor of Bishop Richard Allen, founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The university remains connected to the denomination, which is in the Methodist family of churches. As one of two black colleges located in Columbia, Allen has a very strong presence in the African American community. Allen University initially focused on training ministers and teachers, and over the years has enlarged its scope to produce graduates in other academic areas.
In 1885, Joseph W. Morris became president of the University.
The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to offer bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees through various school.
In 2010, Washington Monthly reported that the school had a six percent graduation rate in its annual College Guide edition.
Buildings such as Arnett Hall, the Chappelle Administration Building, Coppin Hall, the Joseph Simon Flippen Library, and the Canteen Building occupy the Allen University Historic District, listed in 1975 on the National Register of Historic Places. Several of the district's buildings were restored using $2.9 million in funds obtained through the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Building Restoration and Preservation Act. Chappelle Auditorium's seating capacity of 700 made it home to countless organizations and community events. The auditorium was the site of the meeting that initiated the efforts led to the landmark case Brown vs. the Board of Education. Nationally known musicians and artists, including Leontyne Price, Brooks Benton and Langston Hughes performed in the auditorium. Other notable appearances include: Mary McCloud Bethune, Reverend Martin Luther King, Muhammad Ali, Reverend Jesse Jackson, George Elmore, John H. McCray and Senator Strom Thurmond.