COLUMBIA, SC – (July 7, 2020) Benedict College announced today that it is canceling plans for the school’s in-person homecoming events amid the ongoing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. The College’s weeklong homecoming festivities were slated for October 11 – 18, 2020, and typically bring more than 10,000 supporters and fans from across the country to the Midland’s campus. “Out of an abundance of caution, and in consultation with local and state health officials, we have decided to cancel all large in-person social events and gatherings on campus through the fall semester,” said Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “It was a difficult decision to make, but we believe it is the right decision. The sacrifices that we make this year will make next year’s Homecoming one of our BEST and most anticipated celebrations.” The 150-year old Historically Black College traditionally hosts multiple events including a festive parade in downtown Columbia featuring the Benedict College Marching Band of Distinction and some of South Carolina’s top high school marching bands, a Family Reunion Block Party, Symposiums, Galas, Alumni Parties, and a top-rated Greek Step Show. The Benedict College National Alumni Association is considering hosting a virtual celebration; however, activities have not been confirmed at this time. Additional information about Benedict College ‘s response to COVID-19 and Return to Tiger Nation protocols is available at: https://www.benedict.edu/open-tiger-nation/ About Benedict College:
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution with over 2,100 students enrolled in its 25 baccalaureate degree programs. Defying trends, Benedict College maintains an equal male and female student population. This Midlands HBCU welcomes students from all 46 counties in South Carolina, 30 states across America, and 26 countries around the world.
Benedict offers several high-demand fields of study in STEM, Cyber Security, Mass Communication, Sport Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, and Education. The College also has a diverse faculty of which 80 percent are full-time, and 60 percent hold doctorates or the equivalent.
Over the past ten years, three out of five Benedict College graduates have attended professional or graduate schools. There are over 17,000 proud Benedict Tigers throughout the nation. Benedict College has been a community leader for over 150-years and is a significant contributor to South Carolina and the region. Contributing $130 million and 1,218 jobs in total local and annual economic impact, a Benedict graduate working full-time throughout his or her working life can expect to earn $1.1 million in additional income because of their Benedict College degree.
The College made front-page news in the spring of 2018 when it became the first South Carolina college to lower its tuition by 26 percent. Cutting tuition drew praise from the Commission on Higher Education, South Carolina’s education oversight body. The commissioner noted that the move Benedict College made should be applauded because it offers families affordability and students greater access to higher education.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. For example, Benedict College was ranked as one of the top baccalaureate colleges in the nation by Washington Monthly magazine for creating social mobility, and producing cutting-edge scholarship and research. In 2019, Benedict College received the 2019 ACE/ Fidelity Investments Awards for Institutional Transformation and was named the HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and masters degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: The School of Education, Social Work, Environmental Health Science, Arts and Sciences and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship
