If you have ever been to the quaint seaside city of Charleston, South Carolina, you have probably seen the postcard staples: Rainbow Row, the Market, and the College of Charleston…even if you didn’t know it! The College, with its beautiful historic architecture, is situated perfectly in the middle of the city.
And if you are a student, you are certainly familiar with the basics: TD Arena, Addlestone Library, and the Cistern. But our campus has made some serious changes throughout the years. With 2020 being the 250th year since the College was first established, let’s take a moment to look back on its journey.
It all started in 1770 when the College became the 13th educational institution in the American colonies and the first institution below Virginia. Revolutionaries, elected officials, and diplomats came together to found the College, ultimately ending with Robert Smith serving as the first President. Eventually, the College of Charleston became the first municipal college in 1837. That same year, the city funded for construction of the iconic Porter’s Lodge, fenced in the Cistern, and expanded the main academic building. The College returned to its original title as a private institution in the 1950s but later switched back to being a public university.
President Harrison Randolph became responsible for the construction of student dorms and the granting of scholarships, which resulted in a wide variety of attending students. He also opened the College to women in the early 1900s. Black students began enrolling in 1967 following Southern integration. In 1970, the College of Charleston was established as a state institution, which increased enrollment and brought attention to the strong marine science and fine arts programs available at the school.
Over time, the College has renovated and expanded, drawing in more students and faculty to the charming, historic city. Not to mention the overwhelming growth of our athletics when the College joined the Colonial Athletic Association in 2013.
CofC has found even more hope for the future in our newly inaugurated President, Dr. Andrew Hsu. President Hsu, who assumed the asteemed position in 2019, has not only made history but has big plans for the College of Charleston in the coming years and we cannot wait to see what he has in store.
So, take a look around and appreciate all of the bricks and historic houses. While the College and Charleston has faced many challenges and obstacles over the years, we have always progressed forward to create a more inclusive and beneficial environment for all. There is no telling what the future may bring, but CofC certainly has big plans!
Happy 250th birthday, Cougars!
Source: http://cofc.edu/about/historyandtraditions/briefhistory.php