Students around Paine College chapel in Augusta, Georgia; (c) Soul Of America
Paine College
History
In 1869, Paine College was founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church South, now United Methodist Church, and the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, now Christian Methodist Episcopal Church to address the educational and spiritual needs of people newly freed from the evils of slavery.
At that time it was called Paine Institute in honor of the late Bishop Robert Paine of the MECS who had helped to organize the CME Church.
Bishop Holsey traveled throughout the Southeast seeking funds for the new school. In 1882, a $2,000 gift from a white minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and $16 raised by a CME minister, penny by penny from former slaves, found Paine College.
In 1884, classes began in rented quarters located on Broad Street in downtown Augusta. In 1886, the College moved to its present site on Fifteenth Street.
In 1888 a MECS minister from Missouri gave $25,000 to Paine for the school endowment. John Wesley Gilbert, Paine’s first student, and first graduate became the first Black member of the faculty. The hiring of Mr. Gilbert launched Paine’s continuing tradition of having a biracial faculty.
By 1903 sufficient college-level work was developed to justify changing the school’s name to The Paine College.
Paine College was admitted to full membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1961.
In 1994, Dr. Shirley A. R. Lewis became Paine College’s first female President.
Academic Merit
Paine College remains a liberal arts, coeducational, United Methodist Church-related institution and a member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.
Paine College Department of Business is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs to offer the Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. The college also offers degrees in
Media Studies
Social Sciences
Psychology
Criminology
Mathematics
Biology
Computer Science
Campus Life
Paine students come 50 states and around the world. While it honors the diversity of cultures on campus, it takes pride in being an HBCU.
Student life and development include clubs, internships, and many opportunities to engage both on and off campus. You’ll find academic options along with social, Black Greek organizations, volunteer, and recreational initiatives aplenty.
Student life and development are expanded and enhanced through programs and services focused on intellectual, moral, cultural social, and healthy living experiences. Student Affairs activities are supportive and individually oriented to enable students to realize their maximum educational potential.
The Wesley Fellowship is a Paine College United Methodist Campus Ministry. All students are invited to participate in this fun organization where they can make new friends, talk to people who care, and escape the stress of college life. It is an organization where you can grow in faith too.
ADDRESS: 1235 Fifteenth Street, Augusta, Georgia MAP
PHONE: 706-821-8200
WEBSITE: https://www.paine.edu/
