Stillman College history

1881 – Tuscaloosa Institute purchased and built a home at 1008 21st Avenue, now the site of the Stillman Heritage House.

William Sheppard (Class of 1887) founded the Southern Presbyterian mission station at Luebo, Belgian Congo, and was a fierce voice against torture and mutilation committed by managers of the Kasai Rubber Company.

In 1893, the college changed its name to Stillman Institute, and began to expand its program to include primary and secondary school coursework, agricultural science, and nursing.

The institute was recognized by the state of Alabama in 1895 and in the same year changed its name to the Stillman Institute to honor its creator.

1898 – The old Cochrane homestead and 20 acres of land were purchased.

The General Assembly of 1899 approved the opening of the school to all who wished to enter.

During these years, the school acquired its present campus tract of over 100 acres, organized a junior and senior high school and established a junior college program, which was accredited in 1937.

In 1948, the name was changed to Stillman College, and the following year Stillman was expanded into a four-year college.

1951 – The first four-year class graduated.

1961 – Stillman was admitted to membership in the United Negro College Fund.

Despite being open to all students since Alabama allowed the desegregation of all institutions of higher education following the 1963 integration of the University of Alabama (which is in the same city), Stillman College remains a predominantly black institution.

During his presidency, the college graduated its first non-black student, Constance M. Rizzi, in 1978.

Doctor Ernest McNealey, the fifth President, assumed office in July 1997.

1998 – Established the Harte Honors College

1999 – Reorganized academic affairs into four divisions: Arts and Sciences, Education, Business and the Library; wired the entire campus via fiber optic cable.

2001 – Launched a wireless access computer system

In 2004 the college received its first-ever ranking among top-tier schools in United States News & World Report.

2006 – Expanded its offering of degrees to 13 with the addition of journalism and nursing.

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

On December 14, 2016 Stillman College Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Doctor Cynthia Warrick as the new Interim President for Stillman College.

She took office on January 3, 2017.