Allen University

Allen University was founded in Cokesbury in 1870 as Payne Institute by ministers of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, including John M. Brown.^[2] Its initial mission was to provide education to freedmen, former African American slaves and their children.

In 1880, it was moved to Columbia and renamed Allen University in honor of Richard Allen, founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The university remains connected to the denomination, which is related to other Methodist 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, who were considered critical to the progress of African Americans. Over the years, it has enlarged its scope to produce graduates in other academic areas.

In 1885, Joseph W. Morris became president of the university.^[3] By 1898, the university reported having a total of 9 faculty, 304 students, and 208 graduates.^[4]

The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to offer Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. These degree programs are organized into five divisions:

• Division of Humanities
• Division of Social Sciences
• Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
• Division of Business Administration
• Division of Religion

In 2010, Washington Monthly reported in its annual College Guide edition that the school had a six percent graduation rate.^[5] In 2018, Allen University launched its first graduate program, the Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary.^[6] Under the seminary's founding dean, Jamal-Dominique Hopkins, Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary gained member status with the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada to offer the Master of Arts in Religion and Master of Divinity degrees.^[7]

Quick facts Location, Coordinates ...

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
Built	1891
NRHP reference No.	75001705[8]
Added to NRHP	April 14, 1975

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Buildings such as Arnett Hall, the Chappelle Administration Building, Coppin Hall, the Joseph Simon Flippen Library, and the Canteen Building are included in what is designated as the Allen University Historic District, listed in 1975 on the National Register of Historic Places.^[8][9][10]

In addition to its National Register of Historic Places status, Allen University Historic District falls within the boundaries of Waverly Protection Area, a Preservation District within the City of Columbia Urban Design and Historic Preservation District system.^[11] This Preservation District is an expansion of Waverly Historic District.

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. Chappelle Auditorium's seating capacity of 700 has made it the site of countless organizations' and community events.

The auditorium was the site of the meeting of educators and lawyers to initiate efforts that led to the landmark US Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education (1954) on school integration. Nationally known musicians and artists, including Leontyne Price, Brook Benton and Langston Hughes, have performed in the auditorium. Notable speakers include: Mary McCleod Bethune, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.,^[12] Muhammad Ali, Reverend Jesse Jackson, George Elmore, John H. McCray, and Senator Strom Thurmond. The auditorium was named in honor of Bishop William D. Chappelle, an Allen University President. On April 14, 1975, Chappelle Administration Building was recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.^{[citation needed]}

Chappelle Administration Building was designed by John Anderson Lankford (1874–1946), who is known as the "Dean of Black Architects". It is a National Historic Landmark. Lankford also served as the official architect of the AME Church.^{[citation needed]}

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

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

The Allen athletic teams are called the Yellow Jackets.

The university is a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) as a member since the 2020–21 academic year (achieving D-II full member status in 2022–23); which they were a member on a previous stint from 1947–48 to 1968–69. The Yellow Jackets previously competed in the Southeastern Athletic Conference from 1929 to 1947, the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 2016–17 to 2019–20; as an NAIA Independent within the Association of Independent Institutions (AII) from 2005–06 to 2015–16; and in the defunct Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (EIAC) from 1983–84 to 2004–05.

Allen competes in 12 intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include basketball, cross country, football, track & field and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling.