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Presbyterian College

Clinton, SC

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

Dum Vivimus Servimus(While We Live, We Serve)

1880
Founded
Private liberal arts college
Type
862
Total Students
955
Undergrad
244
Graduate
$96M
Endowment
(2022)
$43K
Tuition (In-State)
$43K
Tuition (Out-State)
$21K
Avg Net Price
72%
Acceptance Rate
62%
Graduation Rate
6-year
74%
Retention Rate
Baccalaureate Colleges
Classification
President: Anita Gustafson

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Presbyterian College

Presbyterian College: A vibrant liberal arts hub dedicated to service, shaping leaders since 1880.

Presbyterian College, nestled in Clinton, South Carolina, stands as a distinguished private liberal arts institution with a profound commitment to service. Embodying its inspiring motto, "Dum Vivimus Servimus" (While we live, we serve), PC fosters a vibrant academic environment where every student is encouraged to explore, grow, and contribute meaningfully to society. With a close-knit student body of 1,199, the college cultivates a supportive community, ensuring individual attention and ample opportunities for personal and intellectual development under the leadership of President Anita Gustafson.

The college's rich history began in 1880, founded by William Plumer Jacobs as Clinton College. His vision was clear: to educate young people for lives of service, becoming "epistles to Christ's honor and glory." From its humble beginnings, PC rapidly expanded, marked by the construction of iconic structures like Neville Hall in 1907. The early 20th century saw remarkable growth, with faculty and student numbers tripling and assets soaring to over $1 million by 1926, establishing PC as a significant educational force. Presbyterian College has continuously evolved, notably becoming fully coeducational in 1965 and welcoming African-American students in 1969, reflecting its enduring commitment to inclusivity and progress.

At Presbyterian College, the liberal arts experience is designed to be transformative. Students engage in rigorous inquiry across a broad spectrum of disciplines, honing critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. This holistic education, deeply rooted in the ethos of service, prepares graduates not just for successful careers, but for lives of purpose, ethical leadership, and active engagement in their communities and the world. PC empowers its students to become thoughtful, compassionate leaders ready to make a tangible difference, upholding its legacy of service for generations to come.

Key Highlights

  • Founded in 1880 by William Plumer Jacobs with a mission to educate for service.
  • Guided by the inspiring Latin motto: "Dum Vivimus Servimus" (While we live, we serve).
  • A private liberal arts college with an intimate student body of 1,199.
  • Neville Hall, the college's most recognized structure, was built in 1907.
  • Became fully coeducational in 1965, broadening its student community.
  • Started admitting African-American students in 1969, marking a step towards greater inclusivity.
  • Supported by an endowment of $0.1 billion, reinforcing its long-term stability and growth.

Timeline

1880
Founded as Clinton College by William Plumer Jacobs.
1883
First class, including three women, graduated.
1907
Neville Hall, the college's most recognized structure, was constructed.
1911
Davison McDowell Douglas began his presidency, overseeing significant growth.
1926
By the end of Douglas's tenure, faculty/students had tripled, and assets grew from $150,000 to over $1 million.
1965
Became fully coeducational, dropping its previous motto.
1969
Began admitting African-American students.
🏛️
146 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

Erin McAdams
Provost

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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