Barber-Scotia College

Barber-Scotia College is the second in our series on historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU). The school is located in Concord, North Carolina, approximately 25 miles from Charlotte. It was founded as Scotia Seminary in 1867 by the Reverend Luke Dorland. It is a four-year entrepreneurial and business college. The school is a United Negro College Fund (UNCF) member school.

Reverend Dorland was tasked to found the school by the Presbyterian Church (USA)to prepare young Black Southern women (the daughters of former slaves) for careers as social workers and teachers. The institution changed its name to Scotia Women's College in 1916, merged with Barber Memorial College of Anniston, Alabama in 1930, and in 1932 changed names to Barber-Scotia College. In 1954, the college began allowing men to enroll, and it was admitted to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college maintains close ties to the Presbyterian Church (USA). The school's motto, Lumen Veritas et Utilitas, means "Knowledge, Truth and Science".

In June 2004, the college lost its accreditation, due to what the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools said was a failure to comply with SACS Principles and Philosophy of Accreditation (Integrity). The loss of accreditation makes the college's students ineligible for federal aid, and an estimated 90% of the school's students depend on federally funded aid. In October 2004, the Board of Trustees of Barber-Scotia College approved a proposal to make entrepreneurship education its single academic focus and authorized its new President to begin a planning process to move the College in that direction.

The college suspended operations after the 2004-2005 school year and enrolled no students in 2005-2006. In February 2006 a committee of the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted to continue the denomination's financial support for Barber-Scotia, noting that its physical facilities were "substantial and well-secured" and that the school was undertaking serious planning for the future. In May 2006 it was reported that Barber-Scotia would rent space on its campus to St. Augustine's College to use for an adult-education program and that alumni were working to raise money to revive Barber-Scotia as a four-year liberal arts college. In July 2006 school officials announced that Barber-Scotia would resume operations in fall 2006. The school is now seeking re-accreditation and to reorganize offering only a Bachelor’s program in Christian education, as a better fit based on its past history, through volunteer ministers who are willing to teach.

The campus, near downtown Concord in the historical district, consists of twenty-five-buildings. These buildings include Faith Hall, Bethune and Boulware Dormitories. Mabel Mclean Student Union, and The Saber Den (Student Lounge).

The Mighty Sabers are a member of the NAIA and compete in men's basketball, track & field and cross country, and women's basketball, track & field, cross country, volleyball and softball.

In the 2003-2004 semester the school began organizing its first football team. The head coach of the school's first football team was Johnson C. Smith Alumni and Former NFL Player of the New York Jets Timothy Newman. The team would start its first year as a club team to establish itself to be eligible to compete in the 2004 NAIA season. When the school lost its accreditation on June 24, 2004, all operations of the fledgling program ceased. Although unconfirmed by current board members it is a strong possibility that football will return to Barber-Scotia College in the near future. Depending on both alumni support and outside interest the football program will return once all other academic support is restored to the school.

Noted alumni include:
Mary McLeod Bethune (1894), founder of Bethune-Cookman University.
Mildred Mitchell-Bateman (1937), first Black person to hold a high office in State of West Virginia government -- Director of the Department of Mental Health for the State of West Virginia.
Dr. Katie G. Cannon (1971), First Black American Woman to be ordained in the United Presbyterian Church (USA).