History of South Carolina State University in Timeline

South Carolina State University, located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, is a public historically black land-grant university. As the sole public historically black land-grant research university in the state, it holds a unique position within South Carolina's higher education system. It is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

1924: Band Becomes Part of Music Program

From 1924 on, the marching band grew as it became part of the Department of Music program.

1947: Army ROTC Detachment Created

In 1947, the United States Army established an ROTC detachment at South Carolina State College, mandating enrollment for all male students.

1954: College Name Change

In 1954, the South Carolina General Assembly officially renamed the Colored Normal Industrial Agricultural and Mechanical College of South Carolina to South Carolina State College.

1954: Name change to South Carolina State College

In 1954, the South Carolina General Assembly renamed the school South Carolina State College, also providing funds for new facilities and dormitories under "separate but equal" laws.

1956: Turner Hall Construction

In 1956, Turner Hall was constructed at South Carolina State College as part of the "separate but equal" initiative.

1966: Law Program Closure

In 1966, the law program at South Carolina State College was discontinued after the University of South Carolina integrated.

1967: $1 Million Allocated for Library Construction

In 1967, the South Carolina General Assembly allocated $1 million for the construction of the Miller F. Whittaker Library.

February 8, 1968: Orangeburg Massacre

On February 8, 1968, the Orangeburg Massacre occurred, where three students were killed and 27 others wounded by state policemen during a protest against segregation.

1968: New Library Building Opened

In 1968, a new library building was opened at South Carolina State College.

1969: Mandatory ROTC Enrollment Ends

In 1969, South Carolina State College ended the mandatory enrollment policy for the ROTC program, which had been in place since 1947.

1969: Library Dedicated

In 1969, the Miller F. Whittaker Library was dedicated, named in honor of the university's third president.

1972: Sojourner Truth Hall Construction

In 1972, Sojourner Truth Hall, at 14 stories the tallest building in Orangeburg County, was constructed at South Carolina State College.

1974: Nance Hall Construction

In 1974, Nance Hall was constructed on the campus of South Carolina State College.

1979: Library Expansion

In 1979, a third level (the mezzanine) was added to the Miller F. Whittaker Library as part of an expansion.

1986: Belcher Hall Construction and Nance's Retirement

In 1986, Belcher Hall was constructed, and M. Maceo Nance retired from his leadership role at South Carolina State College.

1986: Nance Retires

In 1986, President Nance retired. Since then, there have been four presidents at SC State.

1988: Honors College Created

In 1988, Albert Smith, then president of South Carolina State College, established an honors college.

February 1992: University Status Granted

In February 1992, the South Carolina General Assembly granted South Carolina State College university status, renaming it South Carolina State University.

1993: First Female President

In 1993, Barbara Hatton became the first female president of South Carolina State University.

1994: Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium Renovation

In 1994, Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium underwent a renovation, including new suites, a larger press box, and an increased capacity of 22,000.

1996: Centennial Anniversary

In 1996, South Carolina State University celebrated its 100th anniversary.

1999: Fine Arts Center Constructed

In 1999, South Carolina State University constructed a Fine Arts Center, providing a new home for the Art and Music departments.

August 26, 2006: Opening of Hugine Suites (Phase One)

On August 26, 2006, the first four buildings of the new 771-bed residence hall, Hugine Suites, were opened at SC State.

September 10, 2006: Completion of Hugine Suites (Phase One)

On September 10, 2006, the last two buildings in the first phase of Hugine Suites were opened at SC State.

2006: Performance Review

In 2006, Hugine received a performance review for the 2006-2007 school year that contributed to his dismissal in 2007.

April 26, 2007: Democratic Party Presidential Debate Hosted

On April 26, 2007, South Carolina State University hosted the first debate of the 2008 Democratic Party Presidential Candidate Debate series, televised nationally on MSNBC.

December 11, 2007: Hugine's Contract Terminated

On December 11, 2007, the SC State Board of Trustees terminated Andrew Hugine Jr.'s contract as president of the university.

December 13, 2007: Interim President Appointed

On December 13, 2007, Leonard McIntyre was selected to serve as interim president of SC State.

July 16, 2008: George Cooper Assumes Presidency

On July 16, 2008, George Cooper assumed the presidency of South Carolina State University, becoming the tenth president.

June 15, 2010: Cooper's Contract Terminated and Reinstated

On June 15, 2010, the SC State Board of Trustees voted to terminate George Cooper's contract, but he was reinstated two weeks later after a change in board membership.

2011: Honda Battle of the Bands Performance

In 2011, the Marching 101 was voted to perform at the annual Honda Battle of the Bands held in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

2012: Honda Battle of the Bands Performance

In 2012, the Marching 101 was voted to perform at the annual Honda Battle of the Bands held in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

June 2014: Placed on Probation

In June 2014, South Carolina State University was placed on probation for failing to meet the accreditor's standards in the areas of governance and financial stability.

2014: Honda Battle of the Bands Performance

In 2014, the Marching 101 was voted to perform at the annual Honda Battle of the Bands held in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

June 2015: Probation Continued

In June 2015, SACS kept South Carolina State University on probation for another year.

June 2016: Probation Removed

In June 2016, SACSCOC removed South Carolina State University from probation.

2016: Honda Battle of the Bands Performance

In 2016, the Marching 101 was voted to perform at the annual Honda Battle of the Bands held in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

2018: Marching Band Organized

In 1918, the marching band was organized as a "regimental band", performing military drills and assisting with music in the college.

2021: President Biden's Commencement Address

In 2021, President Joe Biden delivered a commencement address at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg.

2023: U.S. News & World Report Ranking

In 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked SC State 76 out of 136 in the "Regional Universities South" category and 39 out of 79 among HBCUs.

May 15, 2025: "Boots on the Ground" Video Debut

On May 15, 2025, the official video for the "Boots on the Ground" song, featuring The Marching 101 band, debuted on the Sherri Shepherd Show.

October 5, 2025: Shootings on Campus during Homecoming

On October 5, 2025, two unrelated shootings occurred on the campus of South Carolina State University during homecoming weekend, resulting in one death and two injuries.

2025: Most Recent National Championship Title

In 2025, the school's football team won its most recent Black college football national championship title.

2026: S.C. State Flag Flies Above State House

In 2026 on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the flag of S.C. State flew above the South Carolina State House to recognize their Celebration Bowl victory, marking the first time a flag of an HBCU flew there.