# Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is a historically black public university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina system.

## History

Winston-Salem State University was founded as "Slater Industrial Academy" on September 28, 1892. It began with 25 pupils and one teacher in a one-room frame structure. By 1895 the school was recognized by the State of North Carolina and in 1899 it was chartered by the state as "Slater Industrial and Slater Normal School".
In 1925, the North Carolina General Assembly renamed the school "Winston-Salem Teachers College" and the North Carolina State Board of Education allowed the college to award elementary teacher education degrees, making it the first black institution to provide this specialized training.
The School of Nursing was established in 1953 offering baccalaureate degrees. In 1963 the North Carolina General Assembly authorized changing the name from Winston-Salem Teachers College to "Winston-Salem State College". A statute designating Winston-Salem State College as "Winston-Salem State University" received legislative approval in 1969. On July 1, 1972, Winston-Salem State University became one of 16 constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina.
In 2020, MacKenzie Scott donated $30 million to Winston-Salem State. Her donation is the largest single gift in the university's history.

## Academics

Winston-Salem State offers over 40 academic majors and 10 graduate degrees. The school enrolls approximately 5,200 students and employs 400 faculty and over 550 staff members.

### Colleges & Departments

* College of Arts, Sciences, Businesses, and Education
* School of Health Sciences
* Graduate and Professional Programs
* University College and Lifelong Learning

### Rankings

Winston-Salem State University was ranked the #7 top college in the United States by the Social Mobility Index college rankings.
Winston-Salem State has been ranked #27 by U.S. News & World Report in the Top Public Comprehensive Baccalaureate Colleges of the South category between 2001 and 2009. By 2016, the university had fallen to a ranking of #84 in the same category.
In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked Winston-Salem State 96th among 438 national universities in the U.S. based on Winston-Salem State's contribution to the public good, as measured by social mobility, research, and promoting public service. Washington Monthly also ranked Winston Salem State 24th in Social Mobility.

## Library

C. G. O’Kelly Library is the main academic library on the campus of Winston-Salem State University, which was originally the Slater Industrial Academy. The original library was housed in Blair Hall until 1967 when the new library was built and O’Kelly Library has gone through two additions and one renovation within the past forty years.

## Campus

The campus has more than 40 buildings covering 117 acres (0.47 km$^2$). WSSU's Diggs Gallery was recognized as one of the top African-American galleries in its region.

## Student activities
### Athletics

Winston-Salem State University is currently a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) in NCAA Division II. From the 2007–08 season through the 2009–10 season, the Rams competed in the NCAA's Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), despite being a transitional member that was attempting to attain full membership within the MEAC or within NCAA Division I, in which the Rams were also scheduled to begin full membership and gain access to NCAA tournaments in 2011. However, it never occurred due to financial difficulties.

### Esports Integration

Winston-Salem State University integrated esports into its computer science program with a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities-Undergraduate Program. The initiative includes an esports lab, offering hands-on learning and attracting underrepresented minority students to STEM fields while expanding career paths in the esports industry.

### Student Organizations

There are over 100 student organizations at WSSU. Including the Student Government Association, fraternities and sororities, Honor societies, and the Red Sea of Sound marching band.

## Notable alumni

* Ted Blunt, retired elected official, educator and former athlete, served as the former president, City Council of Wilmington, Delaware
* Rajah Caruth, NASCAR driver
* Carla Cunningham, Democratic politician. She is a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 106th District, being first elected in 2012
* Donald Evans (American football), former professional American football Defensive Lineman in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers & New York Jets
* Louis Farrakhan, religious leader, African-American activist, and social commentator
* Oronde Gadsden, former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins
* Charlie Brady Hauser former North Carolina State Legislator General Assembly 1983-1984 and 1984–1986. The originator of CIAA 1.6 Rule Prediction Table in 1969. WSSU Education Department Chair. Challenged NC Jim Crow Bus Laws in 1945, 9 years before Rosa Parks challenge. He was part of the Freedom Riders documentary You Don't Have to Ride Jim Crow. Hauser was given a Merit Award from US Power Squadrons for charting NC Intercoastal Waterways in 1977.
* William Hayes, American football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL draft.
* Cleo Hill, professional basketball player who was selected by the St. Louis Hawks in the first round (8th overall) of the 1961 NBA draft.
* Maria Howell, actress and singer. She made her film debut in The Color Purple (1985) and appeared in Hidden Figures (2016) as Ms. Sumner.
* Richard Huntley, professional American football running back in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the Atlanta Falcons (1996), the Pittsburgh Steelers (1998–2000), the Carolina Panthers (2001), and the Detroit Lions (2002).
* Harry Lewis, member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 74th House district in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
* Earl "The Pearl" Monroe 1964–1967, former NBA guard; member of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
* Derwin L. Montgomery, Winston-Salem City Councilman, pastor, owner of the Winston-Salem Chronicle, and a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives.
* Lorraine H. Morton, politician, longest-serving and first African American mayor of Evanston, Illinois.
* Timmy Newsome, former American football fullback in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys.
* Earline W. Parmon, Democratic Politician.
* Chris Paul, professional basketball player for the New Orleans Hornets (2005-2011), the Los Angeles Clippers (2011–2017), the Houston Rockets (2017–2019, the Phoenix Suns (2020–2023), the Golden State Warriors (2023–2024) and the San Antonio Spurs (2024–Present).
* Marshall L. Shepard, Baptist minister and Philadelphia City Councilman.
* Louise Smith, an educator who established the first kindergarten program in North Carolina.
* Stephen A. Smith, ESPN personality, co-star of First Take
* Yancey Thigpen, former NFL wide receiver who played for the San Diego Chargers (1991), the Pittsburgh Steelers (1992–1997), and the Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1998-2000)
* Dennis L.A. White, stage and screen actor noted for portraying Damion 'D-Roc' Butler in the Notorious B.I.G. biopic entitled Notorious and the re-occurring character "Mistah Ray" on NBC's Parenthood
* Earl "The Twirl" Williams, American-Israeli basketball player