page_title: Stillman College
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Stillman College / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Stillman College Library (students)
context_page_description: Stillman College is a private Presbyterian and historically black liberal arts college in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It awards the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 17 disciplines/majors housed within three academic schools. The college has an average enrollment of 650 students and is accredited by The Southern Association for Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
context_section_description: Stillman College, authorized by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States in 1875, held its first classes in 1876 and was chartered as a legal corporation by the State of Alabama in 1895. At that time, the name was changed from Tuscaloosa Institute to Stillman Institute. The institute was a concept initiated by the Reverend Dr. Charles Allen Stillman, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa, "for the training of colored men for the ministry".  The mandate for the Institution expanded over the years and it acquired its present campus tract of over 100 acres (0.40 km²). A junior and senior high school was organized and the Institute established a junior college program, which was accredited in 1937. In addition, between 1930 and 1946, it operated a hospital and nurse training school. 
  Under the administration of Dr. Samuel Burney Hay (1948–1965), the school sought to expand into a senior liberal arts institution and in 1948 the name was officially changed to Stillman College. The following year, Stillman expanded into a four-year college and graduated its first baccalaureate class in 1951. The college was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1953. Under Dr. Hay, seven new buildings were constructed: a gymnasium, a library, an administration-classroom building, two women's residence halls, a prayer chapel, and a student center.
  When John Rice became the Dean of Students at Stillman College in 1966, he lived on campus with his wife and daughter, Condoleezza Rice, who later served as the 66th United States Secretary of State.
  Dr. Harold N. Stinson (1967–1980) was the first African American to assume the presidency. Under his dynamic leadership, new programs designed to improve educational quality were instituted, and the physical plant was expanded with the addition of two men's residence halls, faculty apartments, a maintenance building, and a mathematics-science center. Snedecor Hall, Batchelor Building, and Birthright Auditorium were renovated.
  Constance M. Rizzi (1974–1978) was the 1st non-black (Italian American)graduate of Stillman College in 1978. Recruited out of Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, West Virginia by Samuel Merriweather, she was also the 1st non-black cheerleader; the 1st non-black Associate Editor of the campus newspaper, "The Tiger's Paw;" and one of the original founders of the Stillman College Dance Team (CADA) under the direction of Dr. Betty Smith. After graduating from Stillman, she went on to serve in the United States Army, worked for the federal government and in government contracting for Lockheed Martin as an IT Project Manager. Later, while serving in the Army National Guard, she was an instructor at the DC Military Academy. She has a Masters in Human Environmental Services from The University of Alabama and also a Graduate Certificate in Consumer Conflict Management, she earned a 2nd Masters from Central Michigan University. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Currently, she is a licensed Realtor of 17 years.
  Under the leadership of the college's fourth president, Dr. Cordell Wynn (1982–1997), the appearance of the campus improved dramatically; Winsborough and John Knox Halls were renovated; and the Marie Lundy Wynn Hall and Johnson/Robinson Student Health Center were erected. The enrollment grew beyond 1,000 students; the endowment increased significantly; and the educational program was broadened to include the Stillman Management Institute and a community-service component.
  On July 1, 1997, Dr. Ernest McNealey (1997–2013) was named the fifth president. During his tenure, Stillman garnered national attention in the areas of technology, athletics and scholarly pursuits. One of the leaders in wireless computing, the college received the National Innovation in Technology Award by Apple Computers and continues to be on the cusp of technological innovations in higher education. The college's football program and marching band were revitalized and the College experienced its largest enrollment in
caption: The Stillman College library.
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