Stillman College

Stillman College

File:StillmanSeal.png
Type	Private liberal arts college HBCU
Established	1876
Religious affiliation	Presbyterian Church (USA)
Endowment	$25,812,266
President	Peter E. Millet, Ph.D
Students	750
Location	Tuscaloosa , Alabama , United States 33°11′53″N 87°35′7″W
Campus	105-acre (0.42 km2)
Colors	Navy Blue and Vegas Gold
Nickname	Tigers / Lady Tigers
Affiliations	APCU UNCF CIC
Website	www.stillman.edu
File:StillmanTigersLogo.png

Stillman College, originally Tuscaloosa Institute, is a historically black liberal arts college founded by Rev. Charles Allen Stillman in 1876, and is located in the West Tuscaloosa area of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Academics and demographics

The 105-acre (0.42 km²) college campus offers programs of study leading to the bachelor's degree. The school is accredited by The Southern Association for Colleges and Schools.

History

Stillman College, authorized by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States in 1875, held its first classes in 1876 and was chartered as a legal corporation by the State of Alabama in 1895. At that time, the name was changed from Tuscaloosa Institute to Stillman Institute. The institute was a concept initiated by the Reverend Dr. Charles Allen Stillman, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa "for the training of colored men for the ministry". The mandate for the Institution expanded over the years and it acquired its present campus tract of over 100 acres (0.40 km²). A junior and senior high school was organized and the Institute established a junior college program, which was accredited in 1937. In addition, between 1930 and 1946, it operated a hospital and nurse training school.

Under the administration of Dr. Samuel Burney Hay (1948–1965), the school sought to expand into a senior liberal arts institution and in 1948 the name was officially changed to Stillman College. The following year, Stillman expanded into a four-year college and graduated its first baccalaureate class in 1951. The College was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1953. Under Dr. Hay, seven new buildings were constructed: a gymnasium, a library, an administration-classroom building, two women’s residence halls, a prayer chapel, and a student center.

Dr. Harold N. Stinson (1967–1980) was the first African American to assume the presidency. Under his dynamic leadership, new programs designed to improve educational quality were instituted, and the physical plant was expanded with the addition of two men’s residence halls, faculty apartments, a maintenance building, and a mathematics-science center. Snedecor Hall, Batchelor Building, and Birthright Auditorium were renovated.

Constance M. Rizzi (1974–1978) was the 1st non-black Graduate of Stillman College in 1978. Recruited out of Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, West Virginia by Samuel Merriweather, she was also the 1st non-black Cheerleader; the 1st non-black Associate Editor of the Campus newspaper, "The Tiger's Paw;" and one of original Founders of the Stillman College Dance Team (CADA) under the direction of Dr. Betty Smith. She is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Under the leadership of the College’s fourth president, Dr. Cordell Wynn (1982–1997), the appearance of the campus improved dramatically; Winsborough and John Knox Halls were renovated; and the Marie Lundy Wynn Hall and Johnson/Robinson Student Health Center were erected. The enrollment grew beyond 1,000 students; the endowment increased significantly; and the educational program was broadened to include the Stillman Management Institute and a community-service component.

On July 1, 1997, Dr. Ernest McNealey (1997–2013) was named the fifth president. Since then, Stillman has garnered national attention in the areas of technology, athletics and scholarly pursuits. One of the leaders in wireless computing, the College received the National Innovation in Technology Award by Apple Computers and continues to be on the cusp of technological innovations in higher education. The College’s football program and marching band were revitalized and the College experienced its largest enrollment in the history of the institution. Dr. McNealey infused new life into the academic component by strengthening the curriculum, and attracting a highly qualified faculty (84% hold terminal degrees), improving admissions standards, and enhancing the value of a Stillman education with the addition of guaranteed outcome programs. Notwithstanding, in 2004 the College received its first-ever ranking among top tier schools in U.S. News & World Report and continues to hold this distinction.

The McNealey administration has transformed the campus in order to create a sense of place. A stately, iron and brick fence and formal entrances were constructed and all campus buildings were renovated. Additionally, four new structures were erected (School of Education building, Wynn Fine Arts Center, Roulhac Residence Hall, and the stadium with accompanying playing fields, buildings, and a NCAA regulation track). This sense of place is further manifested in the current construction of the Thomas E. Lyle Band Center and NCAA regulation tennis complex. With a focused vision, Stillman celebrates its past as it advances confidently into the future, embracing excellence for the common good.

On June 26, 2014 at a press conference in Birthright Alumni Hall, Stillman Board of Trustees named interim president Dr. Peter E. Millet the sixth president of the school. He has been the president since Dr. McNealy resigned in September 2013.

In August 2014, Stillman was awarded a donation of 2 Million dollars by an unknown donor to help with the long term stability of the college.

On December 29, 2014 President Dr. Peter E. Millet announced via school email that tutition for the small Liberal arts school would be reduced from $22,500 to $17,500 in an effort to boost enrollment and make college more affordable.

On January 1, 2015, Stillman became a smoke-free campus in an effort to keep with its theme of promoting a healthier lifestyle.

In December 2015 due to the lack of funds Stillman cut its current sports from 12 to 2. Men's and women's basketball, band and cheerleading were not cut.

Student activities

Athletics

See also: Stillman Tigers football

The college's intercollegiate athletic teams, the Tigers and Lady Tigers, compete in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in Division I of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The college currently fields athletic teams, including: men's and women's basketball, baseball, men's and women's cross-country, football, softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track & field, and women's volleyball. In December 2015, the college announced a plan to reclassify the athletic program from NCAA Division I to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as well as reduce sports to men's and women's basketball. Beginning in the 2016–17 school year, Stillman will participate in the NAIA in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC).

Athletic accomplishments at Stillman include, men's basketball winning the 2006 SIAC Champions and baseball holding 2007–2008 SIAC Championships as well as the 2007 Division II National Championship. In the 2009–10 season, 1 year removed from taking over a 1–27 team, head coach Michael Grant led the men's basketball team to the school's first ever appearance in the National Top 25 rankings.

Alumni

Name Class year Notability References Teddy Keaton 1999 college football coach, who is currently the head football coach at Stillman College Junior Galette 2010 current NFL defensive end/linebacker, New Orleans Saints, Washington Redskins Sammie Lee Hill 2009 NFL defensive tackle Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans Quinn Porter 2010 former NFL running back who played for the Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, and St. Louis Rams Brian Witherspoon 2008 former NFL cornerback, Jacksonville Jaguars Detroit Lions, New York Giants

Radio and Newspaper

Stillman College has a student run online radio station called WSTL Stillman Radio and an online newspaper called The Advance.

Marching Band

The school's marching band is named the Blue Pride Marching Band. In February 2010, Stillman College dedicated the brand new facility, the Thomas Lyle Band Center, named in honor of former band director Thomas Lyle, in conjunction with the Wynn Fine Arts Center. Organizations include: Kappa Kappa Psi, Kappa Omicron Chapter. Tau Beta Sigma Theta Chi Chapter. The marching band is also represented in the Xbox 360 game Black College Football: BCFX: The Xperience playing selections of Sing a Song, Word Up and Low.

Fraternities & sororities

Seven of the National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations currently have chapters at Stillman College. These organizations are:

Organization	Symbol	Chapter	Chapter Symbol
Alpha Kappa Alpha	ΑΚΑ	Delta Sigma	ΔΣ
Alpha Phi Alpha	ΑΦΑ	Epsilon Nu	EN
Delta Sigma Theta	ΔΣΘ	Epsilon Eta	EH
Kappa Alpha Psi	ΚΑΨ	Epsilon Epsilon	EE
Omega Psi Phi	ΩΨΦ	Rho Gamma	PΓ
Phi Beta Sigma	ΦΒΣ	Gamma Chi	ΓX
Zeta Phi Beta	ΖΦΒ	Epsilon Gamma	EΓ
Sigma Gamma Rho	ΣΓΡ	Eta Kappa	ΗΚ
Iota Phi Theta	ΙΦΘ	Interest Colony

National Honor Societies

Beta Kappa Chi (Science)

Other Organizations

Chancellor Social Club (1943), Chancellorette Social Club (1959), Beta Phi Beta Brotherhood (1971), F.B.I. Incorporated (1985), Gamma Delta Iota (1992), Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Omega Alpha Chapter (1992), Intelligent Black Women (1992), Golden Heart Club (1998), Tau Beta Sigma (2000), Kappa Kappa Psi (2000), The National Society of Leadership and Success (2011)

Residential Life

There are six dorms in use. The four male dorms are Hay, Knox, King and Williams, and two female dorms are Roulhac and Wynn. All freshman and sophomore students are required to stay on campus. The only exception is if the student attended a high school that is less than 50 miles away. In this case, a waiver must be signed to acknowledge off-campus living arrangements.

See also

• List of historically black colleges and universities

External links

• Official website