View source for Organization:Winston-Salem State University

{{short description|Public historically black university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.}}
{{Infobox university
| name = Winston-Salem State University
| image = Winston-Salem State University seal.svg
| image_size = 175
| motto = "Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve."
| former_name = Slater Industrial Academy (1892-1899)<br>Slater Industrial and Slater Normal School (1899-1925)<br>Winston-Salem Teachers College (1925-1963)<br>Winston-Salem State College (1963-1969)
| established = {{start date and age|September 28, 1892}}
| type = Public historically black university
| parent = [[Organization:University of North Carolina|University of North Carolina]]
| endowment = $49.8&nbsp;million (2019)<ref>As of June 30, 2019. {{cite web |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2019-Endowment-Market-Values--Final-Feb-10.ashx? |title=U.S. and Canadian 2019 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2019 Endowment Market Value, and Percentage Change in Market Value from FY18 to FY19 (Revised) |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA |access-date=September 26, 2020}}</ref>
| chancellor = Elwood Robinson
| provost = Anthony Graham
| faculty = 400
| administrative_staff = 800
| students = 5,190<ref>{{cite web |title=WSSU enrollment is highest since 2014 |url=https://www.wssu.edu/about/news/articles/2018/09/wssu-enrollment-is-highest-since-2014.html |website=Winston-Salem State University |access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref>
| undergrad = 4,741
| postgrad = 449
| city = Winston-Salem
| state = North Carolina
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{Coord|36.0895|-80.2251|display=inline,title}}
| campus = Midsize city
| campus_size = {{convert|117|acre|km2}}
| colors = Scarlett and white<br> {{college color boxes|Winston-Salem State Rams}}<ref>{{cite manual |url=https://www.wssu.edu/about/chancellors-office/oimc/university-branding/_files/documents/wssu-brand-style-guide-2017-rev2-sm.pdf |title=Winston-Salem State University Brand Guide |date=July 20, 2017 |access-date=September 5, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906091950/https://www.wssu.edu/about/chancellors-office/oimc/university-branding/_files/documents/wssu-brand-style-guide-2017-rev2-sm.pdf |archive-date=September 6, 2017 }}</ref>
| sports_nickname = Rams
| sporting_affiliations = NCAA Division II - CIAA
| website = {{url|www.wssu.edu}}
| logo = Winston-Salem State University logo.svg
| logo_size = 250
| free_label2 = Newspaper
| free2 = ''The News Argus''
| accreditation = [[Organization:Southern Association of Colleges and Schools|SACS]]
| mascot = Amon the Ram
| academic_affiliation = TMCF
}}

'''Winston-Salem State University''' ('''WSSU''') is a historically black public university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It is part of the [[Organization:University of North Carolina|University of North Carolina]] system.

==History==
Winston-Salem State University was founded as '''Slater Industrial Academy''' on September 28, 1892. It began with 25 pupils and one teacher in a one-room frame structure. By 1895 the school was recognized by the State of North Carolina and in 1899 it was chartered by the state as '''Slater Industrial and Slater Normal School'''.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wssu.edu/student-life/student-handbook/university-history.html#:~:text=Winston%2DSalem%20State%20University%20was,Industrial%20and%20Slater%20Normal%20School.|title = University History - Winston-Salem State University}}</ref>

In 1925, the North Carolina General Assembly renamed the school '''Winston-Salem Teachers College''' and the North Carolina State Board of Education allowed the college to award elementary teacher education degrees, making it the first black institution to provide this specialized training.<ref name="auto"/>

The School of Nursing was established in 1953 offering baccalaureate degrees. In 1963 the North Carolina General Assembly authorized changing the name from Winston-Salem Teachers College to '''Winston-Salem State College'''. A statute designating Winston-Salem State College as '''Winston-Salem State University''' received legislative approval in 1969. On July 1, 1972, Winston-Salem State University became one of 16 constituent institutions of the [[Organization:University of North Carolina|University of North Carolina]].<ref name="auto"/>

In 2020, MacKenzie Scott donated $30 million to Winston-Salem State.  Her donation is the largest single gift in the university's history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://myfox8.com/news/winston-salem-state-receives-30-million-donation-from-mackenzie-scott-largest-ever-gift-from-a-single-donor/|title=Winston-Salem State receives $30 million donation from MacKenzie Scott; largest-ever gift from a single donor|date=15 December 2020}}</ref>

==Academics==
Winston-Salem State offers over 40 academic majors and 10 graduate degrees. The school enrolls approximately 5,200 students and employs 400 faculty and over 550 staff members.<ref name="WSSU Assessment and Research">{{cite web |title=WSSU Fact Book 2015-16 |url=https://www.wssu.edu/about/assessment-and-research/_Files/documents/2015-16.pdf |access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref>

===Colleges & Departments===
*College of Arts, Sciences, Businesses, and Education
*School of Health Sciences
*Graduate and Professional Programs
*University College and Lifelong Learning

===Rankings===
Winston-Salem State University was ranked the #7 top college in the United States by the Social Mobility Index college rankings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Social Mobility Index 2018 |url=http://www.socialmobilityindex.org |access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref>

Winston-Salem State has been ranked #27 by ''U.S. News & World Report'' in the Top Public Comprehensive Baccalaureate Colleges of the South category between 2001 and 2009. By 2016, the university had fallen to a ranking of #84 in the same category.<ref name="rankingsandreviews">{{cite web|url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/winston-salem-nc/winston-salem-state-2986|title=Winston-Salem State University &#124; Best College &#124; US News|publisher=colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com|access-date=2014-01-25|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828055120/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/winston-salem-nc/winston-salem-state-2986|archive-date=2009-08-28}}</ref>

== Library ==
C. G. O’Kelly Library is the main academic library on the campus of Winston-Salem State University, which was originally the Slater Industrial Academy. The original library was housed in Blair Hall until 1967 when the new library was built and O’Kelly Library has gone through two additions and one renovation within the past forty years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wssu.edu/academics/cg-okelly-library/about-okelly.html|title=Okelly Library|website=wssu.edu|access-date=October 20, 2018}}</ref>

==Campus==
[[File:SG Atkins House.jpg|thumb|left|The Alumni House on campus]]

The campus has more than 40 buildings covering {{convert|117|acre|km2}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://catalog.wssu.edu/content.php?catoid=8&navoid=258 |title=Historical Sketch - Winston-Salem State University - Acalog ACMS™ |website=Catalog.wssu.edu |access-date=2016-09-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20160912070621/http://catalog.wssu.edu/content.php?catoid=8&navoid=258 |archive-date=2016-09-12 }}</ref> WSSU's Diggs Gallery was recognized as one of the top African-American galleries in its region.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wssu.edu/about/why-wssu/default.aspx |title=About WSSU - Why WSSU? - Transformation Happens Here |website=Wssu.edu |date=2016-08-05 |access-date=2016-09-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824052842/https://wssu.edu/about/why-wssu/default.aspx |archive-date=2016-08-24 }}</ref>

==Student activities==

===Athletics===
[[File:Winston-Salem State Rams wordmark.svg|thumb|WSSU Athletics Logo]]
Winston-Salem State University is currently a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) in NCAA Division II. From the 2007–08 season through the 2009–10 season, the Rams competed in the NCAA's Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), despite being a transitional member that was attempting to attain full membership within the MEAC or within NCAA Division I, in which the Rams were also scheduled to begin full membership and gain access to NCAA tournaments in 2011. However, it never occurred due to financial difficulties.<ref name="go">{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=2524352|title=Winston-Salem State jumps to Division I, joins MEAC – College Sports – ESPN |date=19 July 2006 |publisher=sports.espn.go.com|access-date=2014-01-25}}</ref><ref name="sportingnews">{{cite web|url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2010-03-09/winston-salem-ready-return-d-ii-ciaa|title=Winston-Salem ready to return to D-II, CIAA – NCAA Basketball – Sporting News|publisher=aol.sportingnews.com|access-date=2014-01-25|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202182032/http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2010-03-09/winston-salem-ready-return-d-ii-ciaa|archive-date=2014-02-02}}</ref>
[[File:USMC-120303-M-PR201-235.jpg|thumb|The men's basketball team and WSSU cheerleaders at the 2012 CIAA Tournament]]

===Student Organizations===
There are over 100 student organizations at WSSU.  Including the Student Government Association, fraternities and sororities, Honor societies, and the Red Sea of Sound marching band.<ref>https://www.wssu.edu/student-life/university-student-activities-and-engagement/student-organizations/index.html</ref>

==Notable alumni== 
[[File:Earl Monroe WSSU.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Earl Monroe, 4x NBA All-Star, NBA Champion, Member of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, WSSU Class of 1967.]] 
[[File:Stephen A. Smith February 2020.jpg|100px|thumb|Stephen A. Smith, television personality, radio host and sports journalist, Co-host of ESPN First Take, WSSU Class of 1991.]]
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
* Ted Blunt, retired elected official, educator and former athlete, served as the former president, City Council of Wilmington, Delaware
* Rajah Caruth, NASCAR driver
* Carla Cunningham, Democratic politician. She is a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 106th District, being first elected in 2012
<!-- * Spurgeon Neal Ellington, Tuskegee Airman. 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://northcarolinaroom.wordpress.com/tag/spurgeon-ellington/|title=spurgeon ellington - North Carolina Room -- Forsyth County Public Library|website=northcarolinaroom.wordpress.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908070150/https://northcarolinaroom.wordpress.com/tag/spurgeon-ellington/|archive-date=2017-09-08}}</ref> -->
* Donald Evans (American football), former professional American football Defensive Lineman in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers & New York Jets
* Louis Farrakhan, religious leader, African-American activist, and social commentator<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://greensboro.com/farrakhan-returns-to-wssu-campus/article_339ed4c2-99cf-5d1e-a08b-cc8201596b6b.html|title=Farrakhan Returns To WSSU Campus|last=Hall|first=Tony|date=November 26, 1996|website=Greensboro News & Record|access-date=October 8, 2022}}</ref>
* Oronde Gadsden, former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins
*Charlie Brady Hauser former North Carolina State Legislator General Assembly 1983-1984 and 1984–1986. The originator of CIAA 1.6 Rule Prediction Table in 1969. WSSU Education Department Chair. Challenged NC Jim Crow Bus Laws in 1945, 9 years before Rosa Parks challenge. He was part of the Freedom Riders documentary ''You Don't Have to Ride Jim Crow''. Hauser was given a Merit Award from US Power Squadrons for charting NC Intercoastal Waterways in 1977. 
<!-- * Moyer Hauser (1896 to 1978) Professor of Physics and engineer who helped build WSSU building formally Slater Teachers College. The Hauser Building on campus was initially named for him. Moyer Hauser was the chief sound effects producer for City's Community radio workshop in the early 1940s. -->
* William Hayes, American football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
* Cleo Hill, professional basketball player who was selected by the St. Louis Hawks in the first round (8th overall) of the 1961 NBA draft.
* Maria Howell, actress and singer. She made her film debut in ''The Color Purple'' (1985) and appeared in ''[[Engineering:Hidden Figures|Hidden Figures]]'' (2016) as Ms. Sumner.
* Richard Huntley, professional American football running back in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the Atlanta Falcons (1996), the Pittsburgh Steelers (1998–2000), the Carolina Panthers (2001), and the Detroit Lions (2002). 
* Harry Lewis, member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 74th House district in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
* Earl "The Pearl" Monroe 1964–1967, former NBA guard; member of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/monroea01.html|title=Earl Monroe|publisher=Pro-Basketball Reference.Com|access-date=December 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wssurams.com/sports/2022/4/11/about-hall-of-fame-Hall-of-Fame-Bios-Earl-Monroe-Bio.aspx|title=Earl "The Pearl" Monroe – Winston Salem State University|website=wssurams.com|access-date=October 8, 2022}}</ref>
* Derwin L. Montgomery, Winston-Salem City Councilman, pastor, owner of the Winston-Salem Chronicle, and a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives.
* Lorraine H. Morton, politician, longest-serving and first African American mayor of Evanston, Illinois.
* Timmy Newsome, former American football fullback in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys.
* Earline W. Parmon, Democratic Politician.
* Marshall L. Shepard, Baptist minister and Philadelphia City Councilman.
* Louise Smith, an educator who established the first kindergarten program in North Carolina.
* Stephen A. Smith, ESPN personality, co-star of ''First Take''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wssu.edu/about/news/articles/2019/09/ramily,-espn-honor-stephen-a.-smith.html|title=Ramily, ESPN honor Stephen A. Smith|date=September 20, 2019|work=www.wssu.edu|access-date=December 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wssurams.com/about/hall_of_fame/Hall_of_Fame_Bios/Stephen_A._Smith_Bio?view=bio|title=Winston Salem State Rams Hall of Fame: Stephen A. Smith|publisher=Winston Salem State Athletics|access-date=December 20, 2019}}</ref>
* Yancey Thigpen, former NFL wide receiver who played for the San Diego Chargers (1991), the Pittsburgh Steelers (1992–1997), and the Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1998-2000)
* Dennis L.A. White, stage and screen actor noted for portraying Damion 'D-Roc' Butler in the Notorious B.I.G. biopic entitled ''Notorious'' and the re-occurring character "Mistah Ray" on NBC's ''Parenthood''
* Earl "The Twirl" Williams, American-Israeli basketball player

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.wssurams.com/ Winston-Salem State Athletics website]

{{Navboxes
|titlestyle = {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Winston-Salem State Rams|color=white}}
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[[Category:Public universities and colleges in North Carolina]]

{{Sourceattribution|Winston-Salem State University}}