Allen University

Allen University is a private, coeducational historically Black university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. Allen University has over 600 students and still serves a predominantly Black constituency.

Administration

President

On Tuesday, February 8, 2011, the Allen University Board of Trustees unanimously elected Pamela M. Wilson, Ph.D., as the 24th President of Allen University making her the first woman to serve in that post in the school's 141-year history. Wilson had served as the interim president since August 3, 2010.

History

Allen University was founded in Cokesbury in 1870 as Payne Institute. Its initial mission was to provide education to freed African American slaves. In 1880, it was moved to Columbia and renamed Allen University in honor of Bishop Richard Allen, founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The university remains connected to the denomination, which is in the Methodist family of churches. As one of two black colleges located in Columbia, Allen has a very strong presence in the African American community. Allen University initially focused on training ministers and teachers, and over the years has enlarged its scope to produce graduates in other academic areas.

Academics

The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to offer bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees through various school.

In 2010, Washington Monthly reported that the school had a six percent graduation rate in its annual College Guide edition.^[2]

Campus

Allen University
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
Chappelle Administration Building
Location:	1530 Harden St., Columbia, South Carolina
Coordinates:	34°0′38″N 81°1′14″W / 34.01056°N 81.02056°W / 34.01056; -81.02056Coordinates: 34°0′38″N 81°1′14″W / 34.01056°N 81.02056°W / 34.01056; -81.02056
Built:	1891
Governing body:	Private
NRHP Reference#:	75001705[3]
Added to NRHP:	April 14, 1975

Buildings such as Arnett Hall, the Chappelle Administration Building, Coppin Hall, the Joseph Simon Flipper Library, and the Canteen Building occupy the Allen University Historic District, listed in 1975 on the National Register of Historic Places. Several of the district's buildings were restored using $2.9 million in funds obtained through the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Building Restoration and Preservation Act.

• Adams Gymnatorium
• Arnett Hall
• Cafeteria
• Chappelle Administration Building (also a National Historic Landmark)
• Coppin Hall
• Counseling Center
• Flipper Library
• Higgins Hall
• Mance House
• Reid Hall
• Richard Allen Apartments
• Williams Living and Learning Complex

Student life

Allen University is the home of more than 15 students on-campus organizations.

Academic Organizations/Honor Societies

• Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society
  • Chi Pi Chapter
• Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in the Social Sciences
  • South Carolina Nu Chapter
• Phi Beta Lambda
• Sigma Phi Omega
  • Chi Pi Chapter
• Phi Beta Lambda
• Sigma Phi Omega

Civic, Religious and Social Organizations

• NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)
• B.A.S.I.C. (Brothers and Sisters In Christ)
• Global Outreach Campus Ministries
• Chic Republic
• Allen University Chorale
• Gospel Choir
• Allen University Cheerleaders
• AU NAACP
• Groove Phi Groove
• Students for Positive Change
• Yellow Jacket CARES

Leadership and Development Organizations

• Student Government Association
• Student Activities Board
• Allen University Student Ambassadors
• Pre-Alumni Association
• Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Team
• Allen University Chorale

National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations

Allen University has eight of the nine national black fraternities and sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council present on campus.

• Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity—Gamma Gamma Chapter
• Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority—Mu Chapter
• Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity—Beta Rho Chapter
• Delta Sigma Theta sorority—Gamma Pi Chapter
• Omega Psi Phi fraternity—Mu Sigma Chapter
• Zeta Phi Beta sorority—Lambda Chapter
• Phi Beta Sigma fraternity—Alpha Omicron Chapter
• Sigma Gamma Rho sorority—Beta Iota Chapter

Athletics

Allen University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Allen University currently maintains intercollegiate teams for men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball. Allen University is a member of the Association of Independent Institution (A.I.I.), an NAIA subsidiary.

Notable alumni

References

External links

• www.allenuniversity.edu -- Official web site

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