Current Weather

Currently on MIX 106.5

The Way It Is
Bruce Hornsby & The Range

CURRENTLY ON KiX 100.3

H.O.L.Y.
Florida Georgia Line

Historical Marker Series: Talladega College

SHARE NOW

TALLADEGA, Ala. – Talladega, the residence of the Super Speedway, the scene for Talladega Nights, and the home of Talladega College represents a large part of educational history. In 1865, William Savery and Thomas Tarrant, both former slaves, met in Mobil for a convention with other previous slaves to discuss and commit to helping build a strong educational foundation for the next generation of African American students. This commitment resulted Savery and Tarrant, with help from General Wager Swayne, to offer education for children of local former slaves.

In the beginnings of the school, classes took place in a one room schoolhouse. Overwhelmed with the high number of students in the first weeks of its establishment, the school was moved to the nearby Baptist Academy and was bought by the American Missionary Association based on the influence from General Swayne. Not only did the organization buy the academy but also an additional 20 acres of land. Because of Swayne’s efforts, the school was renamed the school to the Swayne School and opened in November 1867 with around 140 students enrolled. This marked history as the state of Alabama’s first private, liberal arts college for blacks.

Only two years later, the Judge of Probate of Talladega County officially issued the school a charter as Talladega College. To continue recognizing General Swayne for his contributions to the school, the founders named the school’s first building Swain Hall to serve as a symbol of the spirit of the beginnings of the college. Following the charter, both Foster and Stone Hall were added to create more space for the hundreds of students attending the school. Throughout the school’s 152 year history, it has added many more buildings to its campus. The first class of students to graduate with a bachelor’s degree was in 1895.

Talladega College is well known for its outstanding undergraduate program in science and mathematics and was named one of the top schools in the United States for Science by Peterson’s Guide. In the last 40 years, Talladega College has received numerous awards for its strong educational institution and continues to serve as an excellent opportunity for students to further their education after high school.

Caitlyn McTier for SylacaugaNews.com | © 2017, SylacaugaNews.com/Marble City Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.


Click here to e-mail the reporter.© 2016-2023, SylacaugaNews.com/Marble City Media LLC/RadioAlabama. All Rights Reserved. RadioAlabama’s network -- MIX 106.5 (& 98.3 HD2), WSGN, KiX 100.3 (& 1290 AM), 105.1 WRFS, KiX 96.3 (& 1050 AM), RadioAlabama Sports, and RA Digital -- along with SylacaugaNews.com reports local news around the clock and will keep you up-to-date during breaking news and weather. For real-time alerts from SylacaugaNews.com, text NEWS to 59925. Standard text message rates may apply. By signing up, you agree to receive ongoing text message alerts from RadioAlabama. Consent not required for purchase. Up to eight messages per month. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP for help. Message & Data rates may apply. Terms and Conditions/Privacy Policy @ www.optspot.com/tnc.