Barber-Scotia College was established in January 1867 as Scotia Seminary by Reverend Luke Dorland, commissioned by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to create an institution in the South dedicated to educating African-American women. After careful consideration, Concord, North Carolina was chosen as the school’s location, and its curriculum encompassed elementary, secondary, and normal school programs.

The original purpose of the college was to prepare women to go into the fields of education and social work. The mission of the college has always focused on total student development as etched in the Faith Hall cornerstone: “For Head, Hand and Heart.”