Limestone University

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.

Limestone University

Former names	Limestone Springs Female High School (1845–1881) Cooper-Limestone Institute (1881–1898) Limestone College (1898–2020)[1]
Motto	Toward The Light
Type	Private university
Active	1845–2025
Religious affiliation	Non-denominational Christian
Endowment	27.7 million (2023)
President	Nathan B. Copeland
Students	1,786
Location	Gaffney , South Carolina , United States 35°3′21″N 81°38′59″W
Campus	Suburban
Colors	Blue and Gold[2]
Nickname	Saints
Mascot	Saint Bernard (dog)
Website	limestone.edu

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

Over 80% of the faculty at Limestone held the terminal degree in their field,^[4] and the student/faculty ratio was 14:1. Limestone offered 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 offered 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 housed the campus library, campus store, student center, art gallery, meeting and study rooms, and dining options. It served as the academic and social hub of the campus.

Limestone offered an online Master of Business Administration, as well as an MBA concentration in Healthcare Administration. A Master of Social Work degree was 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

Main article: Limestone Saints

Limestone played sports in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC). Limestone offered 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 had 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

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

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

Notable alumni

• Jay Byars, '09, reality TV show contestant, Survivor: One World
• Lois Collier, actress^[6]
• Alphonza Gadsden, bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church
• Mark Mathabane, South African author
• Ann Gordon McCrory, former First Lady of North Carolina
• Bob Peeler, '74, former Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina
• Gaylord Perry, Hall of Fame Major League Baseball player, was the LC baseball program's first coach
• Kevin Pucetas, '06, minor league baseball player
• Eleanor P. Sheppard, first female mayor of Richmond, Virginia
• Vyncint Smith, football wide receiver

See also

• Limestone Springs Historic District
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Cherokee County, South Carolina