History

History of 91ÊÓƵ

Founded in 1854 by the United Methodist Church, 91ÊÓƵ began as a women's liberal arts college. Columbia Female College officially opened its doors in 1859 with 121 students and 16 faculty members.

The college faced an early challenge during the Civil War when it closed in 1865 as General Sherman's troops marched through Columbia. The college was saved from being burned when Professor of Music W. H. Orchard, having heard that all unoccupied buildings would be burned by a certain hour, left his home and stood in the doorway of the college where he could be seen by the troops. After reopening in 1873, the college continued to grow and eventually moved to its current North Columbia location in 1904. The following year, it officially became 91ÊÓƵ.

Fire became an unfortunate part of the college's history, with major fires in 1895, 1909, and 1964. The 1964 fire destroyed Old Main, but the college rebuilt and moved forward. The remaining columns of Old Main became a lasting symbol of 91ÊÓƵ's strength and resilience.

Throughout its history, 91ÊÓƵ has been home to notable faculty and students, including artist Georgia O'Keeffe, who taught art here in 1914 and 1915. In the 1980s, the college expanded its educational opportunities by establishing an evening program open to both women and men.

In 2020, 91ÊÓƵ announced that it would welcome men into its residential undergraduate program, becoming fully coeducational with its first coed residential class arriving in fall 2021.

Today, 91ÊÓƵ continues its long tradition of providing a student-centered liberal arts education. Dr. John H. Dozier became the college's 21st president in July 2023, guiding 91ÊÓƵ into its next chapter. 

john dozier talking with students

List of Past Presidents

  • Whitefoord D. Smith, 1859–1860
  • William Martin, 1860–1861
  • Henry M. Mood, 1861–1865
  • Samuel B. Jones, 1873–1876
  • J. L. Jones, 1876–1881
  • Osgood A. Darby, 1881–1890
  • Samuel B. Jones, 1890–1894
  • John A. Rice, 1894–1900
  • William W. Daniel, 1900–1916
  • Griffith T. Pugh, 1916–1920
  • J. Caldwell Guilds, 1920–1948
  • Walter K. Greene, 1948–1951
  • R. Wright Spears, 1951–1977
  • Ralph T. Mirse, 1977–1988
  • Peter T. Mitchell, 1988–1997
  • Phyllis O. Bonanno, 1997–2000
  • James H. Rex, 2000–2001
  • Caroline B. Whitson, 2001–2012
  • Elizabeth A. Dinndorf, 2012–2017
  • Carol A. Moore, 2017-2020
  • William T. Bogart, 2020-2023
  • John H. Dozier, 2023-

91ÊÓƵ Symbols and Traditions

The mace carried today at the head of the processional is a historical symbol of authority and a common feature of academic occasions. Maces are typically made of wood or metal and are customized to incorporate symbols reflecting the institution's values or history. The design of 91ÊÓƵ’s mace began in the mid-1980s. It was presented to 91ÊÓƵ on May 4, 1993, in honor of the former president, Ralph Thomas Mirse. Our mace incorporates wood and two metals to give the mace substance and heft. Symbols on 91ÊÓƵ’s mace include the college seal and logo and the logo of the United Methodist Church.

The use of academic regalia can be traced to Medieval European universities, where it was worn to distinguish scholars from the rest of the population. The apparel had an ornamental as well as a utilitarian function. The regalia signified the degree or degrees a person owned, where the highest degree was earned, and what discipline the person had studied. The bachelor’s gown is designed to be worn closed and has pointed sleeves. The master’s gown may be worn open or closed and has a hood and oblong sleeves. The doctor’s gown may be worn open or closed and has a hood and bell-shaped sleeves. The doctor’s gown is trimmed in black velvet with three bars on the sleeves. The master’s hood is three and one-half feet long; the doctor’s is four feet long. The trim of the hood is in the color of the subject in which the degree was earned. The square-topped cap is called a mortarboard. The tassel is fastened in the center of the cap and is worn to the left. It may be black or the color of the subject. If it represents a doctoral degree, it is usually gold.

91ÊÓƵ Symbols and Traditions

  • The College Mace
  • Academic Regalia