Simmons College of Kentucky in Louisville, Ky., recently received federal accreditation from the U.S. Department of Education as the country’s 107th historically Black college. The recognition makes it one of two and the oldest HBCU in the state, according to HBCULifesyle. Kentucky State University was the first university in the state to be deemed an HBCU.
“It’s an exciting day for us. We’ve been waiting for this day for two years now, and finally we have it,” said Simmons President Dr. Kevin W. Cosby in a statement. Cosby has served as the 13th president of the institution since 2005.
The college was reaccredited in February 2014 by the Association of Biblical Higher Education, before receiving its HBCU status April 20 of this year.
Simmons College was founded in 1865 by former slaves who originally name it Kentucky Normal and Theological Institute. The institution served as a place where freed Blacks could obtain an education.
Just prior to the institution’s recent accreditation, the school introduced four new associate’s and bachelor’s degrees to its fall semester curriculum, according to Diverse, , an online magazine focused on writing on the roles and issues pertaining to African Americans in higher education.
The designation now entitles the college to participate in federal funding programs.