Photo: Spelman College. Retrieved from: www.soulofamerica.com.
Spelman College has developed a renowned reputation for the Political Science program offered, helping students prepare for future positions in local and state level government office positions. Offering a well balanced liberal arts and science education, Spelman College students can find their college experience advantageous as they enter into their graduate programs and professional endeavors. Spelman College currently remains the oldest Black college for women in the country.
Helping Black women find their individual voice and professional career path has been the main focus of the College since it was established. Following the missions and priorities passed down through generations of women and educators has enabled Spelman College to develop leaders and upstanding civilians, offering multiple benefits to the world around them.
School History
Spelman College was originally founded in 1881 by Sophia B. Packard and Harriet E. Giles, the facility operated as the Atlanta Baptist female Seminary. It was not until 1924 that the College assumed the current name and incorporated a more formal curriculum with a liberal arts focus. For several years, the school conducted classes in the basement of a local church under the direction of the pastor, Rev. Frank Quarles. Over time, more teachers were hired, mainly at the discretion of the Woman’s American Baptist Home Mission Society, starting a movement later known as “basement schooling.” In 1882, the infamous John D. Rockefeller pledged $250 to the school, then being a substantial amount of money, to help advance operations.
Spelman College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as well as active members of many academic associations such as the Atlanta University Center Consortium.
The Spelman College campus was established in 1883, originally consisting of only five buildings. That same year, the school introduced the “Model School,” which focused on educational development, training student-teachers for field work within the facility. In response to the affect from war, Spelman College introduced the nursing program in 1886 that has since showcased over ten thousand graduates. By 1897, Spelman College department opened and enhanced the curriculum and programs for years to come. In 1901, the first college graduates were honored, making Jane Anna Granderson and Claudia T, White the first degrees awarded by the school.
Campus Life
Life at Spelman College offers Black women a strong foundation to build from, with an array of skill building clubs and supportive organizations that allow students to showcase their diversity and leadership skills. The campus offers student’s resources and opportunities both in and out of the classroom that can inspire them to not only achieve their goals but to find resources to set higher ones. The Office of Student Affairs strives to continuously enhance campus for students, providing all the essential amenities and resources needed to live, work and study comfortably. The Wellness Center is available throughout the year to offer students health and counseling services, keeping students as safe as possible. Spelman College provides a wide range of disability services to students in need such as parking accommodations, student assistance and mentor services.
Religious life on campus is encouraged and supported with a wide variety of clubs and organizations focusing on the individual faith and worship groups. Being that Spelman College encourages students to showcase multicultural diversity, several Interfaith Programs are in place to enhance college life for students seeking both religious and spiritual enhancement. Campus life offers plenty of activities and events to enjoy, following many school traditions such as Homecoming, Market Friday and Miss Spellman and Court. Many students get involved in the political organizations such as the Student Government and SAGE programs.
Most of the Spelman College students live on campus, making sorority life a popular advantage on campus. Throughout the campus there are several different sorority houses that students can pledge to, as well as over 13 residential houses. Spelman College encourages friend and family involvement in student education, as such, one of the most famous annual traditions on campus is Family Weekend, where students prepare an array of different activities, performances and showcase events for their friends and family to enjoy.
Financial Aid
A strong, formal education can sometimes be costly for students to handle during their college years. With the road after graduation in mind, Spelman College strives to reduce the financial stress of college on students. The college accepts all forms of government and third party funding associations, as well as assists students in exploring individual options. For convenience purposes, Spelman is one of the few schools in the country that allows students to make routine credit card payments throughout the semester to decrease the amount of each payment making it easier to afford tuition.
Spelman College offers students a detailed guide on how to explore and apply for the various financial aid options. With a wide variety of aid available to students, all are encouraged to explore all options each semester in order to optimize program scheduling. Upon admission, all students are considered for the various awards that Spelman gives out from private funding. These awards range from merit based scholarships to athletic and artistic achievement recognition. In honor of the Founders’ dedication to providing Black women with an affordable, upscale education, Spelman College offers all students both a 3-month semester and a 10-month annual payment plan that offers both leniency and structure for students to follow with the least amount of financial stress.
