Ever wonder where wisdom meets liberty? That place is the College of Charleston. Founded in 1770 the College of Charleston stands as South Carolina’s oldest university. It is also the 13th-oldest higher learning institution in the United States. This makes it the oldest municipal college in the nation.
Six Founding Fathers played a role in its creation. These founders included three signers of the Declaration of Independence. They were Thomas Heyward Jr., Arthur Middleton, and Edward Rutledge. Charles Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and John Rutledge also signed the Constitution.
Originally, the College of Charleston’s structure resembled a barracks. The South Carolina General Assembly issued a charter in 1785. The College of Charleston officially opened in 1790. Its first commencement took place in 1794. Robert Smith served as the first president from 1790 to 1797. A second charter followed in 1791. It stipulated that the College of Charleston would not discriminate based on religion.
In 1837, Charleston’s municipal government took control. During the mid-20th century, African Americans sought admission. This was part of the Double V campaign against racism. The College of Charleston became a private institution briefly. This was done to avoid racial integration. Black students were admitted in 1967 due to external pressure.
The College of Charleston’s main campus spans 80 acres in downtown Charleston. It features 156 buildings. These buildings showcase a mix of modern and historic architecture. The average building age exceeds 100 years. Twenty buildings have historic protective easements. The College of Charleston downtown campus is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Outside downtown, the campus includes other sites. The Grice Marine Lab is on James Island. The J. Stewart Walker Sailing Center is in Mount Pleasant. Also in Mount Pleasant is the Patriots Point Athletic Complex. The Stono Preserve covers 881 acres. In 2017, Travel + Leisure named it “America’s Most Beautiful College Campus.”
Inside the College of Charleston, find the Mace Brown Museum of Natural History. Its collection emphasizes North American mammal paleontology. It focuses specifically on the South Carolina Lowcountry. The museum holds over 30,000 vertebrate and invertebrate fossils.
Academically, the College of Charleston comprises eight schools. These include the Honors College and the Graduate School. The schools cover arts, business, education, health sciences, and more. There is also humanities, languages, natural sciences, and engineering.
The Bully Pulpit Series brings U.S. presidential candidates to campus. During the 2020 campaign, many candidates participated. They included Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and others.
Athletics at the College of Charleston involve 19 varsity sports teams. Known as the Cougars, they compete in NCAA Division I. Facilities include TD Arena and the J. Stewart Walker Sailing Complex. The College of Charleston Athletic Club supports these programs. Students chose the Cougars nickname in 1970-71. This honored a cougar at the Charles Towne Landing zoo. Clyde the Cougar serves as the mascot.
Greek life has thrived on campus for over a century. Currently, the College of Charleston hosts numerous fraternities and sororities.
From its historic roots to its modern achievements, the College of Charleston embodies a legacy of learning and progress. As you explore its grounds, remember the generations who shaped this institution. Consider their commitment to wisdom and liberty.