Edward Waters College

Edward Waters College is a private, historically Black college located in Jacksonville, Florida. Edward Waters College, the oldest private institution of higher education and the oldest historically Black college in Florida, was founded in 1866 specifically to educate newly freed slaves. Located on the Northside of Jacksonville, Florida, Edward Waters College continues to build upon its solid foundation of teaching, research and community outreach. Today, the historically Black college stands as a beacon of hope for many young people who might otherwise not have an opportunity to enter higher education.

The first AME pastor in the state, Reverend William G. Steward, originally named the college Brown Theological Institute. The school went through some financial difficulties and closed for much of the 1870s. It reopened in 1883 with an extended educational program and its current name.

The original Edward Waters College was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1901, but by 1904 new land was obtained and work was started on the new college. Edward Waters was accredited as a junior college in 1955 under President William B. Stewart and 5 years later had a restored four year curriculum. Beginning in 1979 the school was accredited as a four-year institution by Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and started awarding bachelor's degrees.

Notable alumni include: former Jacksonville sheriff Nat Glover, former Florida State Senator Betty Holzendorf, author and scholar Dr. Fredrick Douglass Harper and Television and Film Personality and former Commissioner Rahman Johnson. The school awarded honorary degrees to U.S. Representative Corrine Brown, Florida State Representative Willye Dennis and John Delaney, former mayor of Jacksonville and current president of the University of North Florida. Brown also served on the school's faculty.

Centennial Hall, which contains the Obi-Scott-Umunna Collection of is the oldest building on campus. Built in 1916, it was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places on May 4, 1976.

The current school president is Claudette Williams. She has served as a vice president of Bennett College for Woman in Greensboro NC, which is one of only two historically Black women’s colleges. The Double E principle Excellence and Ethics (E2) is what promises to lead the school into an even greater future. Current enrollment is 1,206 students -- 51 percent of which are males and 49 percent of which are females. The school colors are orange and purple. The official school website is www.ewc.edu.