February 5, 2026
Columbia College will celebrate its annual Founder’s Day on February 8, marking the institution’s founding in 1854 and recognizing more than 170 years of perseverance, academic excellence, and community impact. The day serves as a time to reflect on the College’s legacy while inspiring current and future students to carry it forward.
Founded as Columbia Female College, the institution opened in 1859 with just over one hundred students and a small faculty. Through fires, closures, and periods of reinvention, the College continually rebuilt and adapted. The enduring columns of Old Main remain a visible symbol of that resilience and the belief that what matters most can be restored and renewed.
Over the decades, Columbia College has expanded academic access, welcomed new populations of learners, and broadened its programs to meet changing needs. Today, the College views its history not as nostalgia, but as a catalyst for continued progress.
Recent national recognition and rising enrollment signal strong forward momentum. Columbia College was highlighted nationally for significant applicant growth over the past five years and was named to Newsweek’s America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026 rankings, reinforcing its longstanding commitment to women’s education while expanding opportunities for all students.
The College also recently partnered with Newberry College and the University of South Carolina Aiken to secure a South Carolina Commission on Higher Education grant establishing a Center of Excellence in Elementary Math. This marks Columbia College’s second Center of Excellence grant, making it one of the few higher-education institutions in the state with more than one. The initiative aims to strengthen teacher preparation and advance mathematics education statewide.
“These recognitions reflect both where we have been and where we are going,” said Columbia College President Dr. John H. Dozier. “Our enrollment growth, academic partnerships, and national acknowledgments demonstrate that Columbia College is on the rise as we approach 175 years of service and scholarship.”
Founder’s Day celebrations will extend beyond campus through a community lighting initiative in partnership with Richland County and the City of Columbia. On February 8, prominent public buildings, including the Richland County Administration Building and County Courthouse, will be illuminated in purple in honor of the College. The effort is part of the Spotlight Columbia project, introduced by local college student and community leader Tripp Roche, which uses architectural lighting to recognize civic and educational milestones throughout the year.
As Columbia College reflects on 172 years of scholarship and transformation, Founder’s Day stands as both a tribute to its past and a celebration of the students, faculty, alumni, and community partners shaping its future.