Morris College (MC) is a private, Baptist historically black college in Sumter, South Carolina. It was founded and is operated by the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina.[1]
| Motto | "Intrare Libris, Dispartire Servire" |
|---|---|
Motto in English | "Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve" |
| Type | Private, HBCU |
| Established | 1908 |
Religious affiliation | Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina |
| Students | 384 |
| Location | , U.S. 33°56′18″N 80°20′45″W / 33.9383°N 80.3457°W |
| Campus | 33 acres (13.4 ha), 24 buildings |
| Colors | Blue & Gold |
| Nickname | Hornets |
Sporting affiliations | NAIA – Continental |
| Mascot | MoCo |
| Website | www |
History
editMorris College was founded in 1908 by Jacob J. Durham, initially as a grade school, high school, and college. The college is named after the Reverend Frank Morris because of his outstanding leadership throughout the African American community of South Carolina. The college's first president was Edward M. Brawley (1908–1912). Morris College awarded its first bachelor's degree in 1915 under the administration of the college's second president John Jacob Starks. The college's third president was Ira David Pinson, who steered the college to expansion during the Great Depression.[2]
The college's longest-serving president was Luns C. Richardson, who served from 1974 to July 2017. The current president is Leroy Staggers, who formerly served as the college's academic dean.[3][4]
In 2023, Morris College received funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund to create plans for preserving the school's historic buildings, some of which date back to 1924.[5]
Academics
editMorris College offers bachelor's degrees in 20 areas of study. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award four different types of bachelor's degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Education.
To effectively accomplish the purpose and philosophy of Morris College, its academic programs are organized into five academic divisions which oversee their respective departments.[citation needed]
Student life
editGreek letter organizations
editMorris College currently has chapters for eight of the nine National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations.
Athletics
editThe Morris athletics teams are called the Hornets. The college is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing as an independent within the Continental Athletic Conference since the 2005–06 academic year. The Hornets previously competed in the defunct Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (EIAC) from 1983–84 to 2004–05 (when the conference dissolved).
Morris competes in six intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, softball and volleyball.
Notable alumni
edit| Name | Class year | Notability | Reference(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Hall | 1965 | Politician; member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 19th district | [6] |
| Arthenia J. Bates Millican | 1941 | Educator and author, protégée of Langston Hughes | [7] |
| J. David Weeks | 1975 | Politician; member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 51st district; serves on the Judiciary Committee and was chair of the Legislative Black Caucus | [8] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina
- ^ Vereen-Gordon, Mary; Clayton, Janet S. (1999). Morris College : a noble journey. Virginia Beach, VA: Hallmark Pub. ISBN 0965375986. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
- ^ Lanahan, Thomas (9 March 2017). "Morris College names Staggers interim president". WACH. Sumter County, SC. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Staggers officially named president of Morris College". Associated Press. Sumter, SC. 17 April 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "$3.8M in Action Fund Grants Help Protect 40 African American Historic Sites". National Trust for Historic Preservation. 13 June 2023.
- ^ "Laura Hall, Alabama House of Representatives". state.al.us. Archived from the original on 2011-02-13. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ "Literary Landmark: Arthenia J. Bates Millican Home". United For Libraries. American Library Association. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ "Representative J. David Weeks". South Carolina House of Representatives. Retrieved January 22, 2021.