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Limestone University

Coordinates: 35°3′21″N 81°38′59″W / 35.05583°N 81.64972°W / 35.05583; -81.64972
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Limestone University
Former names
Limestone Springs Female High School (1845–1881)
Cooper-Limestone Institute (1881–1898)
Limestone College (1898–2020)[1]
MottoToward The Light
TypePrivate university
Active1845–2025
Religious affiliation
Non-denominational Christian
Endowment27.7 million (2023)
PresidentNathan B. Copeland
Students1,786
Location
Gaffney
,
South Carolina
,
United States

35°3′21″N 81°38′59″W / 35.05583°N 81.64972°W / 35.05583; -81.64972
CampusSuburban
Colors   
Blue and Gold[2]
NicknameSaints
MascotSaint Bernard (dog)
Websitelimestone.edu

Limestone University, formerly Limestone College, was a private Christian university in Gaffney, South Carolina, United States. Established in 1845 by Thomas Curtis, a scholar born and educated in England, Limestone was the first women's college in South Carolina and one of the first in the nation. It was the third-oldest private college in South Carolina. Ten buildings on the campus, as well as the Limestone Springs and limestone quarry itself, are on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to its traditional campus in Gaffney, the university provided online degrees and previously had physical locations in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Florence.

In 1970, Limestone became fully coeducational. In 2020, its name was changed from Limestone College to Limestone University.

In 2025, the Limestone University Board voted to permanently terminate both on-campus and online operations at the end of the spring semester, citing significant financial challenges.[3]

Academics

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Over 80% of the faculty at Limestone hold the terminal degree in their field,[4] and the student/faculty ratio is 14:1. Limestone offers students 57 majors in four different divisions of study: Arts and Letters, Natural Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Professional Studies. Additionally, in addition to free, reasonable accommodations through the Accessibility Office, Limestone University offers a comprehensive support program, LEAP (Learning Enrichment & Achievement Program), for Day Campus students with learning and attention challenges.

The 58,000 sq ft (5,400 m2) Hines-Riggins Center was completed in 2021 and houses the campus library, campus store, student center, art gallery, meeting and study rooms, and dining options. It serves as the academic and social hub of the campus.

Limestone offers an online Master of Business Administration, as well as an MBA concentration in Healthcare Administration. A Master of Social Work degree is also available online, along with an RN-to-BSN Nursing Program.

In December 2019, Limestone announced an articulation agreement with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), which is a doctoral-level osteopathic medical college with a nearby campus in Spartanburg. Limestone's partnership with VCOM provides its Pre-Medical students an opportunity to receive a Guaranteed Admissions Interview, as well as take part in an Early Admission Program.

Winnie Davis Hall

In April 2025, the university's board of trustees decided that the university would close at the end of the spring semester due to ongoing financial challenges. A final fundraising effort was made prior to the decision which raised $2.143 million, but that was not sufficient.[5]

Athletics

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Main article: Limestone Saints

Limestone plays sports in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC). Limestone offers competitive opportunities at the NCAA Division II level for men in football, soccer, basketball, baseball, wrestling, lacrosse, golf, cross country, tennis, and track and field and for women in golf, volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis, soccer, cross country, lacrosse, cheerleading, track and field, acrobatics/tumbling, and field hockey. Limestone has an indoor Olympic-size pool for intramural and recreational use, along with a Physical Education facility containing classrooms, offices, locker rooms, Athletic Training Education facilities for the school's fully accredited Athletic Training program, a fitness center, and a wrestling practice facility.

Postcard of the college

Clubs and organizations

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Clubs and organizations at the university include academics, religious, leadership, musical, theatre, and special interest affiliations. Students also contribute to a yearbook and a literary magazine of poems, essays, short stories, and art.

The college has a Reserve Officers' Training Corps program for students interested in serving in the military or reserves.

Notable alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "History of Limestone". limestone.edu. Limestone University. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  2. ^ "Brand Guidelines". sites.google.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  3. ^ "Limestone University Board Votes To Close The School, Discontinuing Both On-Campus & Online Degree Programs". Limestone University. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  4. ^ "Facts and Statistics". Limestone College. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  5. ^ Keener, Julia; Meadows, Eriana; Johnson, Joanna; Martin, Isabel (April 29, 2025). "Limestone University board announces closure of school". WSPA-TV. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  6. ^ "Lois Collier To Spend Wednesday In City, College". The Gaffney Ledger. The Gaffney Ledger. April 24, 1956. p. 5. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
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