Selma University
Selma, AL1501 Lapsley St, Dinkins Hall, Selma, AL 36701
334-872-2533
Selma University is a private, historically black university in Selma, Alabama. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university was founded in 1878 as Selma Presbyterian School for Girls by George W. Petrie and is the oldest continually operating institution of higher education in Selma. It became a junior college in 1917 and a four-year institution in 1930.
The campus is located on 54 acres (22 ha) of land near the Alabama River. The school offers bachelor's degrees in business administration, education, liberal arts, and religious studies. Selma University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school's athletic teams compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC).
As of fall 2019, the university had an enrollment of 145 students. The majority of students are African American. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14-to-1. The average class size is 15 students.
The campus is home to the Petrie School of Christian Mission, which offers a bachelor's degree in Christian mission. The school also offers a master's degree in divinity through a partnership with Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.
The university is led by President David E. Marion. The school's trustees are responsible for its overall governance.
Selma University was founded in 1878 as Selma Presbyterian School for Girls by George W. Petrie, a Presbyterian minister from Ohio. The school was created in response to the lack of educational opportunities for African Americans in the post-Civil War South. The school's mission was to provide a Christian education to African American women.
The school opened with five students and two teachers. It was originally located in a rented house in Selma, Alabama. In 1880, the school moved to a new location on Broad Street. The school continued to grow and in 1917 it became a junior college. In 1930, the school became a four-year institution and was renamed Selma University.
The school was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1935. During the Civil Rights Movement, Selma University played an important role. The campus was used as a base for voter registration drives and other civil rights activities. In 1965, Selma University students participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches.
The school's enrollment declined in the 1970s and 1980s as the number of African American students attending college increased. The school's financial situation also worsened during this time. In the early 1990s, the school was in danger of closing.
The school's fortunes began to improve in the late 1990s. A new president, Dr. David Marion, was hired in 1998. Under Marion's leadership, the school's enrollment began to increase. The school also began to offer new programs and services.
Selma University is now a thriving institution with an enrollment of over 700 students. The school offers a variety of programs and services to its students. The school is also actively involved in the Selma community.
Quick Facts
Type: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Main Website: https://selmauniversity.edu/
Financial Aid: https://