This article is for the state college in Salem, Massachusetts. For other uses see SSC

Salem State College is a four-year public institution of higher learning located in the city of Salem, Massachusetts. As of 2001, SSC had 6,317 undergraduate and 2,032 graduate/continuing education students, for a total student body enrollment of 8,349. The College offers Bachelors, Masters, MBAs and Post Masters Certificates in more than 30 academic disciplines.

College History

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The College was founded as the fourth Normal School in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1854 by the state legislature, thanks largely to the efforts of Horace Mann. Initially a two-year, post-secondary educational school for women, the Normal School welcomed its first class of young ladies on September 13, 1854. Among the second graduating class in July of 1856 was Charlotte Forten Grimké, the College's first black graduate.

In 1921, Salem Normal School began offering a four-year course of study and awarding bachelor's degrees. In 1932, the name was changed to Salem Teachers College. In 1955, the College began to offer postgraduate studies and awarding master's degrees. Residence halls were opened in 1966, and the name was changed to the current Salem State College in 1968.

Their sports are housed at the Richard B. O' Keefe Center. From September 1994 to February 1997, the Marblehead/Swampscott YMCA housed their gymnastics in the multi-purpose room there. The Richard H. Rockett Arena is a public skating rink in the winter, and in the summer it is converted to an indoor tennis facility.

Salem State celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2004.

There have been proposals to make Salem State part of the University of Massachusetts system.

Leadership

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Dr. Nancy D. Harrington has been president of the College since May 1990.

External links

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• SSC Homepage

Universities and colleges in Massachusetts | New England Association of Schools and Colleges | Liberal arts colleges | Educational institutions established in 1854