"M" is for Morris College

"M" is for Morris College. Morris College is a private historically black college located in Sumter. It was founded in 1908 by the Baptist Education and Missionary Convention in South Carolina. The institution initially offered a curriculum for grammar school, a normal college for training teachers, a theology course, music, dressmaking, truck farming, and domestic science. Morris graduated is first students in 1911. By 1920, enrollment exceeded 1,200. In 1930, in arrangement with Benedict College, Benedict transferred its high school courses and students to Morris. Morris dropped its last two college years and changed to junior college status. This unpopular agreement ended in 1933 and the junior and senior classes restored. The high school program was discontinued in 1942. In 1978 the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredited Morris College.