Allen University was founded in Cokesbury in 1870 as Payne Institute by ministers of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, including John M. Brown.[3] Its initial mission was to provide education to freedmen, former African American slaves and their children.
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 related to other Methodistchurches. 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, who were considered critical to the progress of African Americans. Over the years, it has enlarged its scope to produce graduates in other academic areas.
In 1885, Joseph W. Morris became president of the university.[4] By 1898, the university reported having a total of 9 faculty, 304 students, and 208 graduates.[5]
Academics
The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to offer Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. These degrees are awarded in the following divisions and departments:
Division of Humanities
Department of English
Department of Music
Division of Social Sciences
Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Department of Biology
Department of Chemistry
Department of Mathematics
Division of Business Administration
Division of Religion
In 2010, Washington Monthly reported in its annual College Guide edition that the school had a six percent graduation rate.[6] In 2018, Allen University launched its first graduate program, the Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary.[7] Under the seminary's founding dean, Jamal-Dominique Hopkins, Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary gained member status with the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada to offer the Master of Arts in Religion and Master of Divinity degrees.[8]
In addition to its National Register of Historic Places status, Allen University Historic District falls within the boundaries of Waverly Protection Area, a Preservation District within the City of Columbia Urban Design and Historic Preservation District system.[12] This Preservation District is an expansion of Waverly Historic District.
Chappelle Administration Building was designed by John Anderson Lankford (1874-1946), who is known as the "Dean of Black Architects". It is a National Historic Landmark. Lankford also served as the official architect of the AME Church.[citation needed]
Allen competes in 11 intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include basketball, cross country, football, track & field and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling. The university also fields a co-ed competitive cheerleading team.
Marching band
Following the reinstatement of the football program in 2018, the marching band, known as the Band of Gold, was reinstated under the direction of former Marching 101 director Eddie Ellis.[14]
minister and civil rights leader who worked with South Carolina NAACP on the legal case Briggs vs Elliot in 1952. It was one of the four cases argued under Brown vs. Board of Education
^City of Columbia Preservation Districts". City of Columbia Planning and Preservation. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
^"The past restored: Allen University opens renovated auditorium". June 24, 2016. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Artists including Leontyne Price, Brook Benton and Langston Hughes performed there. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhammad Ali are among the other celebrities who appeared at Chappelle Auditorium over the years.
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