Livingstone College is a private, four-year coeducational historically black liberal arts university located in Salisbury, North Carolina. The large, urban campus is located about 40 miles northeast of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Livingstone College was founded in 1879 under the name Zion Wesley Institute. One year later the school was granted the right to instruct in post-secondary education. In 1887, the school awarded its first degree and also changed its name to Livingstone College in honor of Dr. David Livingstone (1813-1873), a well-known missionary, philanthropist, and explorer in Africa.
Founded originally by the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church, Livingstone was created to suit the needs of African Americans who were denied access to other educational opportunities. The school’s creator and first president, Dr. Joseph C. Price (1854-1893), raised $10,000 in England to establish and secure the institute. Livingstone is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers bachelor’s degrees in business, education, liberal arts, and mathematics and science. Livingstone also offers a course of study in the Hood Theology Seminary for professional training for ministry, leading to a Master of Divinity or a Master of Religious Education degree.
Livingstone’s campus is housed on 272 acres consisting of 21 brick buildings. In 1982, seven campus structures were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The oldest building on campus is Dodge Hall, built in 1886, and designated historic district also includes Dr. Price’s former home, built in 1884.
During the 2009-2010 school year, undergraduate enrollment at Livingstone College was approximately 1,300 students. The college employs around 80 full time faculty; the student to teacher ratio is about one faculty member per 17 students. While Livingstone College is a historically black college or university (HBCU) originally founded for African American youths, Livingstone prides itself on being an equal opportunity educational institution and offers admission to students of all backgrounds, colors, ethnicities and countries of origin.
