Spelman College

Spelman College
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Name	Spelman College
Established	1881
Location	Atlanta, Georgia

Spelman College is a historically black college founded in 1881 by Sara Duncan and Harriet E. Giles as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary. The institution was later renamed Spelman Seminary in 1884 in honor of Laura Spelman Rockefeller, wife of John D. Rockefeller, and finally Spelman College in 1924. The college is affiliated with the Atlanta University Center and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Spelman College has a long history of academic excellence, with notable faculty members including W.E.B. Du Bois, Howard Thurman, and Harry S. Richardson.

● History

The history of Spelman College is closely tied to the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, which was established in 1881 with the support of the American Baptist Home Mission Society and the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.. The institution was later renamed Spelman Seminary in 1884, and in 1924, it became Spelman College. During the Civil Rights Movement, Spelman College played a significant role, with students participating in events such as the Woolworth's sit-in and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Andrew Young have spoken at the college, and Spelman College has also been visited by Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton. The college has also been recognized for its commitment to social justice, receiving awards from organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

● Academics

Spelman College offers a range of academic programs, including majors in African American studies, biology, chemistry, computer science, and economics. The college is also home to the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art, which features a collection of over 350 works by African American artists, including Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, and Faith Ringgold. The college has a strong focus on STEM education, with programs such as the Spelman College STEM Initiative and partnerships with organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the NASA. Spelman College has also been recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, receiving awards from organizations such as the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the United Negro College Fund.

● Campus

The Spelman College campus is located in the West End neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia, and features a range of historic buildings, including the Sisters Chapel and the Mackey Hall. The campus is also home to the Spelman College Archives, which features a collection of documents and artifacts related to the history of the college and the Civil Rights Movement. The college has a strong commitment to sustainability, with initiatives such as the Spelman College Green Initiative and partnerships with organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Sierra Club. Spelman College has also been recognized for its beautiful campus, receiving awards from organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Society of Landscape Architects.

● Student Life

Spelman College has a range of student organizations, including the Spelman College Student Government Association, the Spelman College Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Spelman College Debate Team. The college also has a strong commitment to community service, with programs such as the Spelman College Community Service Program and partnerships with organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Habitat for Humanity. Spelman College has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and over 20 countries, including Ghana, Jamaica, and South Africa. The college has also been recognized for its commitment to student success, receiving awards from organizations such as the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the American College Personnel Association.

● Notable Alumni

Spelman College has a long list of notable alumni, including Marian Wright Edelman, Alice Walker, and Stacey Abrams. Other notable alumni include Bernice King, Christine King Farris, and Beverly Daniel Tatum. The college has also been attended by notable figures such as Michelle Obama, who spoke at the college's commencement ceremony in 2011, and Oprah Winfrey, who has supported the college through her Oprah Winfrey Foundation. Spelman College alumni have gone on to achieve success in a range of fields, including politics, law, medicine, and the arts, with alumni such as Shirley Franklin, Kasim Reed, and Keisha Lance Bottoms serving as mayors of Atlanta, Georgia.

● Athletics

Spelman College is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and competes in the Great South Athletic Conference. The college has a range of athletic teams, including basketball, volleyball, and track and field. The college has a strong commitment to athletic excellence, with programs such as the Spelman College Athletic Department and partnerships with organizations such as the Women's Sports Foundation and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. Spelman College has also been recognized for its commitment to women's athletics, receiving awards from organizations such as the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. The college has also hosted events such as the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship and the Great South Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament.