Allen University: A Legacy of Leadership and Achievement

Allen University, a private historically black university (HBCU) in Columbia, South Carolina, stands as a beacon of education and empowerment within the African-American community. Founded in 1870 by ministers of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, including John M., the university has a rich history of fostering leaders and contributing significantly to various fields. Originally named Payne Institute in Cokesbury, it was moved to Columbia in 1880 and renamed Allen University in honor of Richard Allen, the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The university's enduring connection to the AME denomination underscores its commitment to its founding principles.

A Foundation Built on Education and Empowerment

Allen University's initial mission centered on training ministers and teachers, recognizing their pivotal role in the advancement of African Americans. This commitment to education and leadership development has remained a cornerstone of the university's identity. The institution is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to offer Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, ensuring its academic rigor and standards.

The campus itself holds historical significance. Several buildings within the Allen University Historic District have been meticulously restored through the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Building Restoration and Preservation Act. Chappelle Auditorium, named in honor of Bishop William D. Chappelle, a former Allen University President, has been a stage for nationally known musicians and artists, including Leontyne Price, Brook Benton, and Langston Hughes. It has also hosted influential speakers such as Mary McCleod Bethune, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali, Reverend Jesse Jackson, George Elmore, John H. McCray, and Senator Strom Thurmond. Notably, the auditorium served as the venue for a meeting of educators and lawyers that sparked the efforts leading to the landmark US Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education (1954), a pivotal moment in the fight for school integration. The Chappelle Administration Building, designed by John Anderson Lankford, the "Dean of Black Architects," is a National Historic Landmark, further solidifying the university's historical importance.

Notable Alumni: Champions in Diverse Fields

Allen University's alumni have achieved remarkable success across a vast array of professions, underscoring the limitless potential unlocked by a degree from the institution. These graduates have become judges, lawmakers, industry leaders, and innovative entrepreneurs. Their accomplishments serve as compelling evidence of the transformative power of an Allen University education, setting an aspirational standard for current and future students.

Leaders in Civil Rights and Public Service:

Joseph DeLaine (deceased): A minister and civil rights leader who collaborated with the South Carolina NAACP on the legal case Briggs vs. Elliot in 1952, which was one of the four cases argued under Brown vs. Board of Education.
Senator Kay Patterson: One of South Carolina’s first African American lawmakers in modern times, serving in the South Carolina Senate, 7th District (1985-2008).
Senator Clementa C. Pinckney (deceased): The pastor of Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, who was tragically killed in 2015.
Dr. Agnes Hilderbrand Wilson Burgess: The first African American to be elected president of the South Carolina Education Association and the first African American to be selected as South Carolina’s Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Margaret A. Dixon: The first African American president of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

Trailblazers in Higher Education:

Several Allen University graduates have risen to leadership positions in higher education, serving as presidents of colleges and universities. This demonstrates the university's commitment to developing educators and administrators who can shape the future of education.

Dr. William C. Brown: Fayetteville State University.
Dr. Lewis Dowdy: North Carolina A&T State University.
Dr. Iona B. Mishoe: Delaware State College.
Dr. Wardell Nichols: Allen University.
Dr. Sylvia P. Swinton: Allen University.
Dr. Frank R. Veal: Allen University.

Influential Figures in the African Methodist Episcopal Church:

Allen University's legacy is deeply intertwined with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and many of its alumni have become Bishops of the Church, shaping its spiritual leadership and direction.

Harrison James Bryant (deceased)
Vernon Randolph Byrd (deceased)
William David Chappelle (deceased)
Monroe Hortensius Davis (deceased)
Zedekiah Lazett Grady
Lawrence H. Hemingway (deceased)
Richard Allen Hildebrand (deceased)
Frederick Calhoun James
Henry Wendell Murph (deceased)
George Dewey Robinson (deceased)
Frederick Hilborn Talbot
David R.

Contributions to Arts and Culture:

Lu Cile Ivey-Norton: Performed with Ossie Davis at The Kennedy Center Concert Hall as part of the bicentennial celebration of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.
William David Chappelle: The great grandfather of comedian Dave Chappelle, is a former Bishop and president at Allen University.
Sam Davis (deceased): Former player of the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1967-1979).

Allen University Today: A Thriving Institution

Located in downtown Columbia, Allen University is a faith-based institution with a student population of approximately 700. The university offers a range of programs, including Business Administration, Sports Management, Social Science, Criminal Justice, Elementary Education, Biology and Mathematics, Bachelor of Arts in English, Bachelor of Arts in Music Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Degree, Master of Arts in Religion, Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Associate of Arts in Religion. Allen University is expanding its online offerings with majors in Criminal Justice, Human Resources, and Masters of Divinity.

Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Allen University remained open, implementing strategic safety measures to protect its students. The university has one of the lowest COVID-19 outbreak rates among higher education institutions in the state.

Allen University's commitment to student life is evident in the reinstatement of its football team in 2018-2019 and the addition of a band. The Yellow Jackets, led by Head Coach Keaton, played their first full season in 2019. The New band is led by Director of Music, legendary Eddie Ellis. The university is also undertaking renovations of Higgins Hall and Reid Hall, male and female dormitories that had been closed for several years.

Revitalizing History: The Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital Project

Allen University is honoring Pinckney and the other victims in that shooting through its renovation and expansion of the historic Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital. The hospital, which operated from the early 1950s to the early 70s will house the Institute for Civility. It had been boarded up for years, Scarlett said. When it reopens, it will house a permanent memorial for the Emanuel Nine. It will also house Allen’s new School of Education, the Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary, and the Waverly Wall Museum Portrait Display. The facility will house: The Boeing Institute on Civility, which will elevate the value and practice of civil discourse in all settings. To achieve these ends, the Institute provides a series of courses and related experiences to build both theoretical knowledge and practical understandings. The physical space and the programming that it provides will also serve as a permanent memorial to the Emanuel Nine. The Waverly Wall Museum which will capture the excellence and courage of trail-blazing physicians, nurses, and healthcare workers that served in the "Black Hospital" before African Americans had other options.

The gallery will display black and white photographs that will visually and culturally link the past with the present and future. The Dominion Energy Palmetto African American Hall of Fame which will be a multimedia gallery that presents, recognizes, and celebrates exceptional accomplishments (since 1950) of African Americans born in South Carolina or who lived in the state while their signal achievements were being attained. As planned, the Hall of Fame will be a regular field trip destination for middle and high school students. It will host a formal induction ceremony each year for individuals selected by a distinguished panel. The Gregory and Mrs. Betty Levett School of Education will provide an educational experience that produce highly prepared teachers to meet state and national demands and who are technologically sophisticated. The manner and sequence of instruction will afford students a smooth trajectory into and through the program. The ecumenical graduate seminary will provide educational training and experience that prepare students for professional careers - chaplains, pastors, Christian educators, etc. - and for further study. Components of degree programs include: Biblical Interpretation, History of the Christian Church, Theology and Ethics, Theory and Practice in Ministry, and Pastoral Theology. Built in 1941, one of only 2 movie theaters African- Americans could go to in Columbia, South Carolina. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. Allen is considering the most efficient, effective way to restore the theater to its original use.

Donors, so far, include Boeing, Dominion Energy, Dr. Gregory Levett, Colonial Life, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, all have donated to the Waverly building.

A "Hidden Gem" in South Carolina

Albertus Cocklin III, a student who transferred to Allen University, refers to it as a "hidden gem." He was attracted to the university’s small class sizes, its offerings of scholarships and grants, and its connections with business and governmental communities. According to Tiana Scarlett, Allen’s director of marketing and communications, people also come to Allen because of its historical value. “It’s the only HBCU founded by us and ran by us currently in South Carolina,” she said. “It’s a home away from home.”

Nescotia Harrison, the 89th Miss Allen University, chose Allen after signing for volleyball, and then track and field, on a full-ride scholarship. She values the small campus environment and the opportunity for one-on-one interaction with professors.

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