Florida's first independent Black college survived a fire, a plagiarism scandal, and bankruptcy.

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1866 to educate freedmen, Edward Waters University is a cornerstone of Florida's educational history. From its origins as a small institute to its modern status as a Division II athletic contender, the university has navigated significant institutional crises to remain a vital hub for African American higher learning.

Established by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1866, Edward Waters University holds the distinction of being Florida’s first independent institution of higher education and its first college founded for the education of African Americans. Originally named Brown Theological Institute, the school faced immense instability during its early years, including a closure throughout much of the 1870s. It eventually reopened in 1883 and was later renamed in 1892 to honor Edward Waters, the third bishop of the AME Church.

The university's resilience has been tested repeatedly. The Great Fire of 1901 destroyed the original campus, forcing a complete reconstruction that began in 1904. A century later, the institution faced a different kind of existential threat. In 2004, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools revoked the university's accreditation after discovering that reaccreditation documents had plagiarized text and statistics from an Alabama A&M University report. The school successfully challenged the decision in federal court, arguing a denial of due process, and had its accreditation reaffirmed in 2006.

Today, the university continues to evolve under its 30th president, A. Zachary Faison, Jr., who took office in 2018. The campus features Centennial Hall, a 1916 structure designed by Jacksonville’s first known Black architect, Richard Lewis Brown, which now houses the Obi-Scott-Umunna Collection of African Art. Beyond academics, the university has expanded its athletic footprint, transitioning into the NCAA Division II ranks and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. This growth is supported by new infrastructure, including a permanent on-campus football facility that broke ground in 2020, marking a significant shift from the team's history of playing at local high schools.

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