St. Augustine's College

St. Augustine's College. Founded in 1867 by the Episcopal Church for the education of newly freed African Americans, it is a private historically black college located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The institution has played a significant role in providing liberal arts education and professional training, contributing numerous leaders to fields such as education, public service, and the arts. It is known for its historic campus, strong academic programs, and its athletic teams, the Falcons, which compete in the NCAA Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

History

The college was established just two years after the end of the American Civil War by a group of Episcopal clergy, including Joseph Brinton Smith and Robert Strange. It was originally named St. Augustine’s Normal School and Collegiate Institute, with a mission to train African American teachers and ministers. In 1893, under the leadership of principal Henry Beard Delany, the school began offering college-level courses, and it was officially chartered as Saint Augustine’s School in 1919. The institution has been a steadfast pillar of the Raleigh community, navigating the challenges of the Jim Crow era and expanding its academic scope. Key milestones include the construction of iconic buildings like Saint Augustine's Chapel and its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Campus and facilities

The urban campus is situated on over 100 acres in the heart of Raleigh, featuring a blend of historic and modern architecture. Notable structures include the Tuttle Building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Saint Augustine's Chapel, a Gothic Revival landmark. The Joseph L. Chapman Science Building houses state-of-the-art laboratories, while the George Williams Athletic Complex supports the college's sports programs. Other key facilities are the L. L. Polk Library, the Emmons G. Bishop Health and Physical Education Center, and the Seby B. Jones Fine Arts Center, which includes a theater and art galleries.

Academics

The college offers a range of undergraduate degrees through its divisions of Business Administration, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Popular majors include Business Administration, Biology, Criminal Justice, and Sports Management. It maintains a strong commitment to the liberal arts core curriculum while providing professional programs. The institution also participates in the Army ROTC program and has established partnerships with institutions like North Carolina State University for engineering pathways. Faculty are engaged in research, often involving students in projects presented at conferences like the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students.

Student life

Student life is active with over 50 clubs and organizations, including the Student Government Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Omega Psi Phi fraternity, and the Falcon Band. The campus hosts annual events like Homecoming and Founders' Day, which draw participation from the broader Raleigh community. Religious life is centered around the Episcopal tradition at Saint Augustine's Chapel, though many denominations are represented. Service is emphasized through programs coordinated by the Office of Community Engagement, linking students with local organizations such as the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.

Athletics

The athletic teams, known as the Falcons, compete in the NCAA Division II as a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). The college fields teams in sports including football, basketball, track and field, and volleyball. The George Williams Athletic Complex is the primary venue for many events. The track and field program has a particularly distinguished history, having produced multiple Olympic athletes and medalists, such as Lee Calhoun and Mildred McDaniel. Rivalries with other HBCU institutions like Shaw University are a highlight of the athletic calendar.

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved prominence across diverse fields. In sports, notable figures include two-time Olympic gold medalist hurdler Lee Calhoun and Mildred McDaniel, the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the high jump. In the arts, alumni include Romare Bearden, a renowned collage artist and painter, and John Biggers, a influential muralist. Public service is represented by Henry Frye, the first African American Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, and U.S. Representative Eva Clayton. Other distinguished graduates are NASA mathematician Christine Darden and educator Johnnetta Cole, the first female president of Spelman College. Category:Universities and colleges in North Carolina Category:Historically black universities and colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1867