Clinton College History
Clinton College was one of many schools established by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church during Reconstruction years, to help eradicate illiteracy among freedmen. This made Clinton one of the first historically black colleges in SC. The College has operated continuously for over 130 years, being among the longest-running historically black colleges in South Carolina. In 1894, Presiding Elder Nero A. Crockett and Rev. W.M. Robinson founded Clinton Institute and named it for Bishop Isom Caleb Clinton, the Palmetto Conference presiding bishop at the time.
Bishop Isom Caleb Clinton
Founder
Rev. N.A. Crockett
Founder
Rev. W.M. Robinson
Founder
Incorporated as Clinton Normal and Industrial Institute on June 22, 1909, the school was authorized to grant state teacher certificates. By the late 1940’s, the College attracted 225 students per year and owned approximately 19 acres, several buildings, and equipment valued at several million dollars. Under Dr. Sallie V. Moreland, who retired in 1994 after 47 years of stellar service, the school charter was amended to create Clinton Junior College. When Dr. Cynthia L. McCullough Russell assumed leadership, the school prepared for accreditation, attained during the tenure of Dr. Elaine Johnson Copeland.
In May 2013, the Transnational Association for Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) approved the College to offer two four-year programs; a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In view of the four-year programs, the school’s name was changed from Clinton Junior College, to Clinton College. Since then, the number of Bachelor’s, Associate’s, and certificate programs that Clinton offers has continued to grow.
In keeping with its 130-year tradition, Clinton College offers an academic environment that not only promotes intellectual growth, but also fosters positive moral, ethical, and spiritual values. The school has a proud heritage as a Christian College, striving to prepare students to be lifelong learners, active participating citizens, and good stewards of society.
To learn more about the history of Clinton College from its founding to 2004, we recommend the following book: Clinton Junior College, by Piper Peters Aheron, Elaine Johnson Copeland, Ph.D., Cheryl J. McCullough, and Cynthia P. Roddey, D.Min. Clinton College is proud to be among several excellent HBCU colleges in SC.