Salem State University history

Salem State University was founded in 1854 as the Salem Normal School under the guidance of Horace Mann in his efforts to bring accessible teaching education around the country.

Early alumnae helped bring community service and education to others around the country such as Charlotte Forten, a graduate of the class of 1856, who was the first African-American school teacher to journey south and teach freed slaves.

The original building had to be renovated in 1871 to meet the growing enrollment.

In response, Atkins by 1892 had the necessary resources to establish the institution which he named the Slater Industrial Academy after John Fox Slater.

In 1921, the state authorized the normal schools to offer four-year degree programs, the first one offered being commercial education.

In 1925, the General Assembly of North Carolina recognized the school's curriculum above high school, changed its name to Winston-Salem Teachers College and empowered it under authority of the State Board of Education to confer appropriate degrees.

Winston-Salem Teachers College grew steadily after World War II. In 1953, the School of Nursing was added.

The first degrees were awarded in 1957.

In 1960, the school was renamed to Salem State College after being authorized to offer various bachelor's degrees in liberal arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in business.

Peabody and Bowditch Halls were built on North Campus in 1965.

The first residence halls opened in 1966, and Salem State continued to add to its academic programming throughout the years.

A statute designating Winston-Salem State College as Winston-Salem State University received legislative approval in 1969.

On October 30, 1971, the General Assembly reorganized higher education in North Carolina.

The school officially became Salem State University on October 26, 2010.

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