Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is a public historically black university located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. Founded in 1892, it was originally known as Slater Industrial Academy and was established to provide education and training to African Americans in various technical trades. It later became Winston-Salem Teachers College and ultimately Winston-Salem State University in 1969.
WSSU offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its six colleges: the College of Arts, Sciences, Business, and Education; the College of Health Sciences; the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; the School of Graduate Studies and Research; the School of Health Sciences; and the School of Nursing. The university has a student population of approximately 5,000, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1.
WSSU has a strong tradition of excellence in academics, research, and athletics. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and has been recognized for its academic programs in fields such as nursing, social work, and music. The university is also home to several research centers, including the Center for Community Safety, the Center for the Study of Economic Mobility, and the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education.
In athletics, WSSU is a member of the NCAA Division II and competes in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). The university’s athletic programs have a long history of success, with the football team winning six national championships and the women’s basketball team winning three conference championships. The university also offers a range of other sports, including basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, and track and field.
Winston-Salem State University (Wikimedia)
To know more about Winston-Salem State University, let’s take a look at these 28 interesting facts about Winston-Salem State University.
- Winston-Salem State University was founded in 1892 as Slater Industrial Academy, with the goal of providing education and training to African Americans in various technical trades.
- The school was renamed Winston-Salem Teachers College in 1925, and then Winston-Salem State University in 1969.
- The university is a historically black college and university (HBCU) and is one of 12 HBCUs in North Carolina.
- WSSU is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which is known as the “Twin City” for its dual heritage of Moravian culture and industry.
- The university has a student population of approximately 5,000, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1.
- WSSU offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its six colleges.
- The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- WSSU has a strong tradition of excellence in nursing education, and its nursing program is ranked among the top programs in the nation.
- The university is also home to the Center for the Study of Economic Mobility, which is dedicated to researching the causes and consequences of economic mobility in the United States.
- WSSU is the only university in North Carolina to offer a degree in motorsports management.
- The university’s marching band, the Red Sea of Sound, has performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Honda Battle of the Bands.
- WSSU is a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II.
- The university’s athletic teams are known as the Rams.
- WSSU has won six national championships in football.
- The university’s women’s basketball team has won three conference championships.
- The WSSU campus is home to several historic buildings, including Blair Hall, which was built in 1906 and was the first building on campus.
- The university’s library, the C.G. O’Kelly Library, is named after a former WSSU professor who was a civil rights leader.
- WSSU has a campus radio station, WSNC-FM, which has been broadcasting since 1946.
- The university’s mascot is Ramses the Ram.
- The university has a strong commitment to community service, and students are encouraged to volunteer in the local community.
- WSSU has partnerships with several local schools and community organizations to promote educational opportunities and economic development.
- The university offers study abroad programs in countries such as Costa Rica, China, and Spain.
- WSSU is home to several research centers, including the Center for Community Safety, the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education, and the Center for the Study of African American Culture.
- The university’s art department offers a range of programs, including ceramics, painting, sculpture, and graphic design.
- WSSU has a gospel choir, the Inspirational Voices of Winston-Salem State University, which has performed at the White House and the Kennedy Center.
- The university’s alumni association sponsors several events throughout the year, including homecoming and the Founders’ Day celebration.
- WSSU has a campus sustainability program, which includes recycling initiatives, energy-efficient buildings, and a community garden.
- The university’s motto is “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve.”
Winston-Salem State University is a historic institution that has been providing high-quality education to its students for over a century. With its commitment to diversity, community service, and academic excellence, WSSU is a beacon of hope and opportunity for students from all backgrounds. The university’s rich tradition of producing exceptional graduates who go on to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world at large is a testament to the transformative power of higher education. Whether you’re interested in nursing, business, art, or any other field, WSSU is an excellent choice for students who want to achieve their full potential and make a positive impact on the world.
