Columbia college names administration building for its 1st female president

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The administration building at Benedict College will bear the name of the first woman to lead the school, Roslyn Clark Artis, who still serves as president and CEO.

Benedict College trustees hosted a rededication and naming ceremony for the Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis Administration Building on March 22.

Artis is the 14^th and president of the institution, according to a news release.

During the historic ceremony, Benedict College Board of Trustees Chairman Charlie W. Johnson told the audience that seven years ago, Artis was not supposed to start until September 2017, but she voluntarily arrived a month early in August, rolled up her sleeves, and started a journey of creating what she coined “The BEST of BC.”

“We have seen a lot of progress during Dr. Artis’ seven-year tenure,” Johnson said during his remarks. “Especially in the area of technology.”

Artis invested nearly $15 million in technology infrastructure and computer labs, according to the release. Every employee received a new computer, and every classroom received Smartboard technology.

During her comments, Artis thanked the trustees: “I am very grateful for the opportunity to lead Benedict College into the next chapter of her storied history. Thank you for your decision to memorialize my work in such a profound, powerful, and lasting way.”

The university says the quality of education at the Columbia college has improved dramatically under her leadership, crediting a stronger curriculum.

“Her leadership has strengthened the curriculum, instituted best practice policies and academic admission standards, raised the student profile and graduation rates, reduced tuition, and reaffirmed SACSCOC accreditation with no recommendations,” the university said in the release.

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Artis reduced the college’s debt by $56 million within four years of her arrival, the release said. She also guided the university through the COVID-19 challenges, including switching to virtual teaching during the height of the pandemic.

“Everything we have been able to accomplish over the past seven years has been the result of your collective effort and the effort of the entire staff and faculty of Benedict College,” Artis said to the cabinet. “I am indeed blessed to work with each and every one of you.”

To the students, she said: “My students, the beautiful young people that I have the opportunity to work for, you are my windows. You allow me to see outside into a bright future. Your beauty, your brilliance, and yes, your bravery inspires me every single day. You give me purpose and I thank you.”

The administration building was erected in 2001 and is home to the Office of the President, Academic Affairs, Human Resources, Student Affairs, and Institutional Research and Assessment.

Benedict College was founded by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, in 1870. It is a private, coeducational liberal arts institution offering 26 baccalaureate degree programs and two master’s degree programs. It was named the Historically Black College/University of the year in 2019 by HBCU Digest.

It is accredited by SACSCOC — the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.