Selma University

Selma University is a private Historically black college located in Selma, Alabama, and is affiliated with the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention. The university was founded in 1878 by Bishop William H. McAlpine and other African Methodist Episcopal Church leaders, with the goal of providing Higher education to African Americans in the Southern United States. The university has a long history of producing notable Alumni, including Civil rights movement leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph Abernathy, as well as Politicians like Charles Langston and John Lewis. The university is also a member of the United Negro College Fund and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

● History

The history of Selma University dates back to 1878, when it was founded by Bishop William H. McAlpine and other African Methodist Episcopal Church leaders, with the goal of providing Higher education to African Americans in the Southern United States. The university was initially known as the Alabama Baptist Normal and Theological School and was located in Selma, Alabama. Over the years, the university has undergone several name changes, becoming Selma University in 1981. The university has a long history of producing notable Alumni, including Civil rights movement leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph Abernathy, as well as Politicians like Charles Langston and John Lewis. The university has also been affiliated with the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.. The university has received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association for Biblical Higher Education.

● Campus

The campus of Selma University is located in Selma, Alabama, and features a mix of modern and historic buildings, including the Bynum Memorial Building and the Larkin-Robinson Hall. The university is situated near the Alabama River and is within walking distance of the Selma to Montgomery Marches National Historic Trail. The campus is also home to the Selma University Library, which features a collection of over 50,000 volumes, including works by W.E.B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes, and Zora Neale Hurston. The university is also a member of the Council of Independent Colleges and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. The campus has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including the addition of new Dormitory facilities and a Student Union building. The university has also partnered with the City of Selma and the Dallas County Commission to develop a Community development program.

● Academics

Selma University offers a range of academic programs, including Bachelor's degrees in Business administration, Education, and Theology, as well as Associate's degrees in General studies and Ministry. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association for Biblical Higher Education. The university has a strong focus on Liberal arts education and offers courses in English literature, History, and Philosophy, as well as Mathematics and Science. The university has also partnered with the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Auburn University at Montgomery to offer joint degree programs. The university has a faculty that includes Scholars such as Cornel West and Michael Eric Dyson, as well as Researchers from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

● Student Life

Student life at Selma University is vibrant and diverse, with a range of extracurricular activities and organizations available to students. The university has a strong focus on Community service and offers programs such as the Selma University Volunteer Corps and the Community Outreach Program. The university also has a range of Student organizations, including the Selma University Student Government Association and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People chapter. The university has also partnered with the City of Selma and the Dallas County Commission to develop a Community development program. The university has a strong athletic program, with teams competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. The university has also produced notable Alumni, including Civil rights movement leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph Abernathy, as well as Politicians like Charles Langston and John Lewis.

● Athletics

The athletic program at Selma University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. The university offers a range of sports, including Basketball, Football, and Track and field. The university has a strong athletic tradition, with teams competing against other Historically black colleges such as Tuskegee University and Alabama State University. The university has also produced notable Athletes, including National Football League players like Joe Greene and Walter Payton, as well as Olympic athletes like Jesse Owens and Wilma Rudolph. The university has a state-of-the-art athletic facility, the Selma University Stadium, which features a Football field and a Track and field complex. The university has also partnered with the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Amateur Athletic Union to develop a Youth sports program. The university has a strong rivalry with other Historically black colleges, including Tuskegee University and Alabama State University, and competes in the annual Turkey Day Classic and the Labor Day Classic.