Saint Augustine’s University was chartered as a “Normal School and Collegiate Institute” on July 19, 1867, by the Reverend J.  Brinton Smith, D.D., secretary of the Freedman’s Commission of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and the Right Reverend Thomas Atkinson, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina. Bishop Atkinson became the first president of the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Smith became the first principal. The new School opened its doors for instruction on January 13, 1868. 

In 1893, the School’s name changed from Saint Augustine’s Normal School to Saint Augustine’s School. In 1919, the name was changed to Saint Augustine’s Junior College, and the first year of postsecondary instruction was offered. The School became a four-year institution in 1927. In 1928, the institution was renamed Saint Augustine’s College. Baccalaureate degrees were first awarded in 1931.

Under the direction of Rev. Henry B. Delany, the students quarried the stones for the construction of Saint Augustine’s Historic Chapel and laid the cornerstone in 1895. The construction was completed in December 1895. Finally, on October 11, 1897, the Chapel was consecrated “Saint Augustine’s Chapel” by the Rt. Rev. Joseph Blount Cheshire, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. The Chapel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1896, the College further extended its mission by establishing St. Agnes Hospital and Training School for Nurses to provide medical care for and by African Americans. It was the “first” School of nursing in North Carolina for African-American students and served as the only hospital that served African Americans-until 1960. One of St. Agnes most famous patients was boxer Jack Johnson. Following an accident that ultimately led to his death in 1946, boxer Jack Johnson was taken to St. Agnes Hospital. Johnson was the first African-American world heavyweight boxing champion.

Another “first” Saint Augustine’s University is incredibly proud of is that the University was the nation’s first historically black university to own an on-campus commercial radio station (WAUG-AM 750) and television station (WAUG-LD). WAUG 750 currently rebroadcasts hip hop and R&B from Hot 97.9 FM. WAUG-LD is currently found locally on TV 8 and Spectrum 1231 and now has Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon FireTV streaming apps.

Since its beginning, Saint Augustine’s University has blazed the trails in academics. Alumna Anna Julia Cooper, a prominent writer, educator, and scholar, became the fourth African-American woman in the United States to earn a doctoral degree. Today, Saint Augustine’s University is proud to preserve its legacy by continuing to ensure scholars are academically equipped to be the global change agents of tomorrow.

Falcons soar in academics and athletics. The men’s track and field team has experienced the victory of being Number #1 on numerous occasions. Saint Augustine’s University’s track and field programs have won an astounding 39 national championships and produced over 40 Olympians, including three gold medalists.

On August 1, 2012, Saint Augustine’s College transitioned in name and status to Saint Augustine’s University.

In 2020, the University became the first historically black university to start a cycling team and, in 2022, the first to launch a women’s rowing team.

Saint Augustine’s University has a strong tradition of excellence and a rich legacy that bonds thousands of Saint Augustine’s University sons and daughters from across the globe.