Bishop Lucius Henry Holsey started planning for the school in 1869, and asked for leadership help through Methodist Episcopal Church South (MECS).[5][6] The new school was named after the late Bishop Robert Paine.[5] Paine College was founded on November 1, 1882 by the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church (now Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, a historically black denomination), and the Methodist Episcopal Church South (now United Methodist Church, a historically white denomination).[5] According to The Augusta Chronicle, "The Paine College Board of Trustees is the oldest interracial body in the nation".[7]
The first president was Morgan Callaway, who worked hard for fundraising.[5] Classes started in 1884 in a rented space at 10th and Broad Street in Augusta, and in 1886 Paine was moved to its current location, which at the time was rural land outside of the city.[5][6] It also functioned as a high school until 1945, when the first public high school opened for African Americans in Augusta.[6]
Finances and accreditation revoked (2016–2018)[edit]
In November 2015, following an initial recommendation from SACS to revoke its accreditation, Paine College launched the "Build it Back Campaign", which raised over half a million dollars in six months.[9] This was to support its fundraising goal of $3.5 million, of which $2.5 million in cash was raised. The college plans to use the money to offset the debt of $5.4 million.[10] Following a March 2016 onsite visit, SACS found the college in compliance with one of the standards that was previously problematic, leaving a total of three standards in question: financial resources, financial stability, and control of sponsored research/external funds.[9] In May, the college celebrated meeting its fundraising goal. However, one month later SACS recommended that the college lose its regional accreditation.[11] The college unsuccessfully appealed to the accreditor[12] and federal courts.[13][14]
The campus, c. 1910, Haygood Memorial Hall and the president's residence
Paine College has a 64.4-acre (260,617.6 m2) campus in the heart of Augusta. Most of its buildings, including residence halls, classroom buildings, and the library, are located in the main campus area. The athletic field, gymnasium, tennis court, and the chapel/music building are included in the rear campus area. The Collins-Calloway Library and Resources Center houses the Paine College Digital Collections, which feature historical images of Paine College and oral history interviews of Paine College alumni and presidents.
Paine College's athletic teams are nicknamed as the Lions. The college currently competes as a member of the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA). Men's sports include baseball and basketball; women's sports include basketball, softball, and volleyball.
The college's football team was dropped after the 1963 season, but returned to play in 2014.[28] In their first season back, the football team finished 2-8[29] before the program was again shut down.[30]
Clary Jr, George Esmond. The Founding of Paine College--a Unique Venture in Inter-racial Cooperation in the New South, 1882-1903 (PhD dissertation, University of Georgia, 1965, 6510286)
