The Arts at Converse

Outdoor Art

Dining at Converse

Athletics

Student Life

Converse Campus Tour

Parents & Family Tour

Kate Hall was specifically designed to advance community and enhance the vibrant student life at Converse.

Main campus building with grass, trees and skies surrounding

Barnet Commons is located on the backside of Wilson Hall and features patio seating below a covered porch area.

The Townhouse is located behind Pell Hall.

The oldest and most distinctive of the residence halls, Pell Hall is home to the Converse College for Women.

Dexter Hall features a 24-hour computer lab, a large back patio, loft-able beds, and free laundry facilities. Each room comes equipped with a mini-fridge and microwave.

Mickel houses the College Archives – an extensive collection of papers and media preserving the history of both Converse and the Spartanburg area, as well as the national Harriet Quimby Archives, documenting the life of the first American woman to earn her pilot’s license and the first woman to fly across the English Channel.

The stately building bears the name of the College’s fourth President, Dr. Oliver C. Carmichael Jr.

Our graduate students are innovative leaders, creative thinkers, and doers who are ready for the next step in their professional journey.

The Scene Shop is named in honor of beloved theatre faculty emeritus John M. Bald.

A brick building sits in the distance beyond a pathway flanked by fall trees. A blue cloud-filled sky is behind it.

The Facilities Management team provide a safe, clean, comfortable environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors

The Heath is Converse’s second building project designed to meet LEED certification standards.

Howard Hall features a duplex-style layout with loft bedrooms and open-air balconies, as well as bay-window suites and townhouse-type units.

The Quad is a beautiful outdoor space located in the heart of campus that serves as the hub for picnics, carnivals, concerts, fundraisers and games.

Our alums often rent the cabin for family celebrations like showers and birthdays!

The newly-renovated Rainey Amphitheatre features a brick backdrop and awning made from reclaimed materials from Clifton Glendale Mill.

Johnson Plaza welcomes visitors to stroll the peaceful garden space in view of Wilson Hall, the university's historic administration building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Located nearest the athletic fields, Belk Hall suites for sophomores and juniors feature private bathrooms and walk-in closets.

Montgomery Student Center’s array of amenities includes the campus mailroom, a dance studio and fitness center, a suite of Student Government Association offices, Gibbs Chapel, seminar and conference rooms, Freshens Café, Campus Store, the Day Student Lounge, and the pool.

Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, Wilson Hall was built in 1889 and originally housed all of Converse.

Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, Wilson Hall was built in 1889 and originally housed all of Converse.

Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, Wilson Hall was built in 1889 and originally housed all of Converse.

Known for its large windows, Williams Hall features beautifully decorated lounges, spacious rooms, and a split-level patio for student gatherings. Each room comes equipped with a mini-fridge and microwave.

Students of all ages to participate in classes and private study opportunities at the Lawson Academy of the Arts.

The Quad is an ideal space for campus and community events.

The Quad is in full bloom during Spring at Converse.

Students enjoys games, concerts and picnics on the Quad throughout the school year.

Johnson Plaza from upstairs provides a beautiful view from the windows in the front of historic Wilson Hall.

The natural beauty of Johnson Plaza is vibrant when viewed from above.

The Field House supports Converse athletes through amenities including five locker rooms, a weight training facility, and indoor/outdoor golf training facilities.

Fulp Field is located in the Agnes Weisiger Stadium, just below Gibbs Field House.

A commemorative plaque marks the date that Johnson Plaza was dedicated in honor of Susan Phifer Johnson ’65 and George Dean Johnson, Jr.

The comfortable rooms in Andrews Hall allow students to relax and study with friends. Each room comes equipped with a mini-fridge and microwave.

Andrews Hall hosts the campus Wellness Center. Health and counseling services are covered by student health fees for all currently enrolled, full-time, traditional Converse University students.

Barnet Commons is a favorite gathering place on campus.

Barnet Commons serves as a welcoming venue for many events during the academic year.

The 340-seat Daniel Recital Hall, cited by “Chamber Music America” as an exemplary performance facility, is ideal for the hundreds of chamber music concerts, recitals, seminars and lectures held here annually.

Emily Dickinson, one of the most innovative poets of 19th century American literature, sits sculpted in bronze on the lawn in front of Carmichael (artist Jane DeDecker).

On the ground floor of Carmichael, Hartness Auditorium is equipped for multi-media lectures and movie nights.

The lobby of Carmichael is a great spot to wait for class to start or catch up on studying.

In 2014, Fulp Field was the site of the Conference Carolinas Soccer Final Four.

Visitors to Kuhn can enjoy artwork from the University’s Elliot Offner Collection, the Claire Miller Hopkins Collection, and by Converse students and alumni.

In celebration of the spirit of the liberal arts and Converse’s pursuit of creative, cross-disciplinary initiatives, visitors to Kuhn can enjoy artwork from the University’s Elliot Offner Collection, the Claire Miller Hopkins Collection, and works by Converse students and alumni.

Lawson Academy of the Arts hosts the Fine Arts Day Camp every summer, where elementary age students attend daily classes in art, music, creative writing, dance, acting, and theatre skills.

The Lawson Academy of the Arts provides children and adults in the Upstate community with a wide array of opportunities to explore and study music.

Milliken offers a variety of lecture studios, computer-aided design (CAD) and graphic design labs, ceramic kiln and sculpture yards, and an additional student art gallery.

Whether you want to create, perform, teach or help others, Converse University’s School of the Arts will guide you to think critically about the work you’re making, collaborate with others, and encourage you to create groundbreaking work in an array of art disciplines. Our programs prepare you for paths as teachers, creators, performers, therapists, and designers through deep scholarship, transformative mentorship and experiential learning.

Art & Design students spend lots of time in learning studios, labs, the photography darkroom, faculty studio lofts, and the student art gallery.

The Marsha H. Gibbs Field House hosts campus events in a stunning outdoor venue with views of lower campus and the athletic fields.

The outdoor tables in front of Mickel Library invite students to study and enjoy time together.

We provide a powerful environment for Converse students to reach their full athletic potential, while creating opportunities for students to participate in a competitive sports environment.

The Converse Writing Center is where peer consultants help students learn better techniques for editing and improving their own work. Students may come for help to get started, organize and develop ideas in a rough draft, use sources, and learn to recognize and correct errors in grammar and punctuation.

With more than 160,800 physical resources, access to more than 47,000 periodicals online, and an inter-library loan system, Mickel Library provides easy access to virtually any book or article a student might need.

Belk Hall is located on the Quad near the Milliken Art Gallery.

Belk Hall's beautifully decorated lounges with cable television and high-speed wireless internet welcome students with touches of home.

Ezell was the original College infirmary.

Constructed in 1938 entirely with student body funds, the Log Cabin features comfortable furnishings, an interior gas fireplace, and wet bar, making the rustic cabin a perfect getaway for smaller gatherings, meetings, and events.

A gathering space featuring Adirondack chairs and outdoor fire pit make the patio of the Log Cabin a perfect getaway right here on campus.

Beautiful roses surround the outdoor terrace in spring and summer.

Built in 1899, this 1,489-seat auditorium houses a 57-rank Casavant Freres organ with 2,600+ pipes. It was renovated in 1989 as part of Converse’s Centennial Celebration and again in 2019 through the generosity of Kurt and Nelly Zimmerli and other donors.

Andrews Hall is located directly across the Quad from the Montgomery Student Center.

Twichell Auditorium is home to Converse’s Petrie School of Music and hosts concerts, operas and other campus events. The venue also regularly welcomes community groups such as The Greater Spartanburg Philharmonic and Ballet Spartanburg for their performances.

Converse’s Formal Opening Convocation, Baccalaureate Service, Commencement Exercises, Senior Candlelight Dinner and student body meetings such as SGA Installations are held here.

The lobby on the second floor of Twichell is a welcoming space for participants to gather before and after events.

Greeting visitors in front of the auditorium is the graceful 8-foot bronze sculpture of legendary contralto singer and civil rights pioneer Marian Anderson, created by artist Meredith Bergmann.

The main entrance to Wilson Hall leads directly to the Dalton Lobby, which is your first stop as an on-campus visitor.

The bells in Converse's Service Tower ring for significant campus events including Founders Day, Convocation, and Commencement.

Dalton Lobby is where you'll find Valkyrie Central, a hub for all things admissions, financial aid, and registrar. It has hosted many receptions, parties, and annual Faculty and Staff Halloween costume contests!

Gee Dining Room is named for Mary Wilson Gee. The revered “Miss Gee” was among the first Converse graduates in 1893 and served as Dean of Students for 54 years. Gee also serves as a welcoming event space for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and special guests.

Montgomery Student Center is the hub for student life – home to the campus store, hotspot for late night snacks and central gathering place for many student-life activities.

The Heath, offers senior students the opportunity to enjoy independent, apartment-style living on campus, and features two residential buildings and Zimmerli Common, a convenient gathering place for students and organizations.

Whether you get involved in campus organizations, participate in community service projects, or hold a Student Government Association office, there are many ways to become an effective leader. Our students gain valuable leadership skills through our on-campus student employment as well. 60% of our students participate in some form of leadership during their time on campus.

The Student Government Association (SGA) and Multicultural Suites were recently renovated and now include a student-designed mural that beautifully reflects Converse’s diverse student body with colorful digital portraits and the message, “Community Starts with Unity.”

Students looking for a coffee, a smoothie, or a quick lunch can grab a tasty snack at Freshens Café, now featuring Starbucks Coffee.

Montgomery is home to the Division of Student Development and Success and the Center for Career Development. The CCD helps students create networks for personal learning and growth through academic advising, first-year student programs, career exploration and planning, and tutoring and supplemental instruction.

The Marsha H. Gibbs Field House is part of the Sally Abney Rose Physical Activity Complex, an area encompassing 16 developed acres. The Complex also includes a soccer field, tennis courts, and the Weisiger Center.

Centrally located on Pleasantburg Drive off of 385, five minutes from downtown Greenville, UCG gives students convenient access to Converse's accomplished faculty.

Ezell was constructed in 1940 and named after its donor, Mr. S. Bryson Ezell, former chairman of the Converse Board of Trustees.

The Tom and Tracy Hannah Gymnasium is home court to men's and women's basketball, as well as women's volleyball, and acrobatics and tumbling.

Extending out from Wilson Hall's covered porch, Barnet Commons features and a lovely grass lawn overlooking the Betty James Montgomery Rose Garden.

Over 40 student-athletes participate in national competitions for eSports.

Once a historic textile mill, Drayton Mills has been transformed into a thriving marketplace and serves as the command center for Converse’s inaugural eSports program. Our 2,500-square-foot space incorporates custom designs from Art & Design faculty and students creating an aesthetically-pleasing, attention-grabbing eSports hub.

The eSports space at Drayton Mills is a training hub for up-and-coming eSports athletes to participate through clubs, camps, and community events.

Today, Carnegie is the location of Converse’s Office of Accounting and Administration and the Office of Human Resources.

Built in 1904 by a $10,000 donation from Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Building served as a library until 1951 when, fun fact, students and faculty formed a “book brigade” and moved some 2,000 books to the new Gwathmey (now Mickel) Library by hand.

Belk Hall's single, double, triple, and accessible rooms feature private bathrooms shared between two rooms for sophomores and juniors.

Andrews Hall offers comfortable, welcoming common spaces for sophomores and juniors.

Although Pell is connected to Wilson Hall and our main dining room, students can also take advantage of a full kitchen.

Milliken offers a wide variety of collaborative and creative studio spaces for students and faculty.

The Weisiger Center houses two gymnasiums, the sports medicine offices, as well as coaches' offices and locker rooms.

Many traditional campus events are hosted in Twichell Auditorium each year, including Convocation, The Festival of Lessons and Carols, and Commencement.

The kitchen and other common areas in Fleming Hall provide welcoming spaces for students to spend time together.

A statue of Maria Mitchell, who is credited as the first professional woman astronomer in the United States, stands outside the entrance to Phifer Hall. Sculpted by Elliot Offner, the statue was gifted by anonymous donor in hopes of providing daily inspiration for Converse students to follow their dreams and achieve greatness.

The Susu Phifer Johnson ’65 Fountain is located on the front lawn of Phifer Hall, offering an inviting welcome to those entering the facility or passing by on Pine Street. An anonymous Spartanburg family designed and donated the fountain in honor of Johnson’s love for and generosity to Converse and the Spartanburg community.

Pell offers the women of CCW a gathering space for cozy chats, studying, and a variety of activities.

"Anthem in Form," created by nationally renowned artist and Converse alumna Berry Bate in 2010, depicts music notes in iron and stainless steel. The sculpture is permanently installed at the lower-level entrance to Blackman Hall. The notes depict a portion of the Converse alma mater and are inspired by her time at Converse.

This metal sculpture created by the late Mayo Mac Boggs, one of Spartanburg and South Carolina’s most noted artists, can be found in the circle between Blackman Music Hall and Milliken Fine Arts Building. The sculpture was donated by the late artist's widow, retired associate professor emerita Ansley Boggs, Ed.D.

Traditionally the site of the annual senior class photo, Cudd is iconic Converse. Guests recreated traditional senior photos during a ribbon cutting celebrating the 2023 revitalization of the residential hall.

Revitalized Cudd Hall welcomes students from across campus to enjoy coffees, teas, and snacks in Richard's Roast Coffee Bar.

Common spaces throughout Cudd Hall offer residents welcoming spaces to come together for study, club meetings, fun activities, and more.

Cudd Hall features single, double, triple, and ADA-accessible rooms in a close-knit living-learning community. All rooms are equipped with: XL twin beds, dressers, desks and chairs, microwave/fridge units, high-speed internet ports, and cable TV.

Located on the third floor of Mickel Library, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning is the epicenter for instructional and learning excellence on campus. The CETL offers academic support to assist students as they become independent, life-long learners, including tutoring, instructional resources, and support for student success, while emphasizing innovations in pedagogy and instructional technologies to support faculty in their development as educators.

Students in the sciences are encouraged to explore internships and shadowing opportunities to gain skills beyond those learned in the classroom and to present their original research at regional and national conferences.

Campus Living

Blackman Music Hall is the home of the Carroll McDaniel Petrie School of Music. Blackman features smart classrooms, teaching studios, a piano lab, electronic music lab, and 30 individual practice rooms. Our instrument collections include 70 Steinway pianos, two practice organs, a fully-equipped percussion studio, and string, wind, and brass instruments for student use.

Just a few steps from Milliken is a bronze sculpture of American-born Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt by renowned artist Richard McDermott Miller.

Twichell Auditorium has hosted many famed artists, including Tony Bennett, Chet Atkins, George Burns, Duke Ellington, Burl Ives, Itzhak Perlman, Yo Yo Ma, and Marilyn Horne.

Our faculty are practicing professionals, award-winning educators, scholars and researchers who offer a distinctive brand of personal advising, coaching, and support for students at UCG.

Students in Fleming enjoy suites of six individual bedrooms that share a common kitchen, living area, and bathrooms. Completed in 2017, this popular junior housing option is named in honor of former president Betsy Fleming.

The Carnegie Building is the location of Converse’s Office of Accounting and Administration, Campus Safety and the Office of Human Resources.

In 2021, the grass field was upgraded to a turf field, and the scoreboard was refurbished.

The Marsha H. Gibbs Field House, part of the Rose Physical Activity Complex, provides a top-level experience in collegiate athletics.

This beloved hall has a quirky charm that only gets better with age.

Purple Converse tower logo

If you’re a trivia buff, don’t let the myth about Dexter trip you up. Back in the day, Dexter Hall did house the original College gym, but not a gigantic swimming pool as campus lore would have it. In 1916, a very small indoor pool was added as an extension to Dexter, but the so-called “ledge of the pool” that exists in first-floor rooms is nothing but a charming, old story that still makes a splash!

Dexter Hall features a sunny common space where students can gather to study or relax.

With a view overlooking the center of campus, Fleming Hall's patio is a perfect place to relax in the sun or check out what's happening in the Quad.

Fleming Hall's first-floor multi-purpose room is perfect for both meetings and classes.

Common areas like this bright space in Fleming Hall provide students a place to relax and enjoy the sense of community that is strengthened through residence-style living.

Zimmerli Common, a gathering place perfect for both large groups and smaller circles of friends, offers a fireplace, vaulted ceilings, a full kitchen and the technical capabilities necessary for performance and meeting needs.

Howard Hall offers students three distinctive floor plans, featuring a kitchen, living room and options for single or double rooms.

Furthering Converse’s commitment to sustainability, Howard Hall connects to Zimmerli Common, a gathering place perfect for both large groups and smaller circles of friends.

Residents of Kate Hall have the option of single or double rooms. The patios and Southern-style porches overlook an open lawn in the center of the facility.

Kate Hall's apartments provide full kitchens as part of independent living space for seniors.

Pell Hall offers large windows and lots of natural lighting that make the double and triple rooms warm and cozy. Each room comes equipped with a mini-fridge and microwave.

Williams Hall's large lobby is a great stop for studying or catching up before students head out to class.

Williams Hall is located on dorm row with easy access to the Quad on sunny afternoons.

Phifer boasts a collection of museum-quality artwork by Southern female artists.

Students can complete all the requirements for the following programs at UCG: BA in Child and Family Studies (Degree Completion), BA in Business Administration (Degree Completion), Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT), Doctorate in Professional Leadership (EdD).

We are the only NCAA Division II athletic program in the Upstate actively competing in Conference Carolinas.

Our athletes live up to the reputation of our fighting Valkyrie mascot. These warriors of Norse mythology may be the stuff of lore and legend, but Converse students in purple and gold are proud to cheer on their Valkyries.

Converse Campus Safety implements ongoing initiatives to better protect and serve the Converse community in accordance with best practices in higher-education and law-enforcement experts.

The seal at Johnson Plaza plays a special part in our students' Converse memories. Process past the seal on your way to Opening Convocation and before you know it you'll process again on your way to graduation!

With an 11:1 student to faculty ratio, your professors will know you and work with you to achieve your goals.

The Department of Humanities and Cultures offers its students small classes and a large variety of courses, and encourages students to spend at least one semester abroad in order to gain fluency in the foreign language and share in the everyday life and traditions of its native speakers.

Kuhn bears the distinction as Converse’s first facility designed to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards.

Student athletes gathered on the Rainey slope for a fall back-to-school welcome!

“One of the greatest gifts we can give artists is space to create...The generous gift of the Rainey Amphitheater will provide generations of Converse performing artists with a beautiful setting to showcase their talents.” - President Boone Hopkins (former dean of the Converse College School of the Arts).

Funded by an SCICU grant, Sheila Allenbach ’18 curated and digitized specimens in the Herbarium to make them available for study worldwide. “I was able to learn vital research and background study skills, as well as the skills to identify botanical specimens. I also had the opportunity to practice proposal writing.”

The Center for Career Development offers services and programs to advance Converse students towards success in academic, personal, and professional areas. The Center aims to develop interdisciplinary skills through out-of-class experiences to help build professional tools for life after Converse.

Our artist faculty of specialists and low student-teacher ratio ensure that your unique gifts and goals will be cultivated by professional mentors of the highest order.

Featuring glass walls on two sides, Milliken Art Gallery provides an exhibit space with visual access to exhibitions around the clock. During much of the year, the gallery is filled by the work of a wide variety of professional artists. In addition to exhibiting, visiting artists present workshops and lectures that are often open to the public. In April and May, the gallery displays exhibits by Converse University students.

Hazel B. Abbott Theater, located in Wilson Hall, is rumored to be haunted by its namesake, whose arrival at Converse in 1927 marked the beginning of the school's formal training in the art of theatre.

We are so excited to see how the new turf field will enhance our students’ athletic experience for many years to come.

A woman in yellow Converse jersey shoots with both arms outstretched and the ball flies upward. Crowded bleachers in the background show excited fans jumping up from their seats.

A 25 yard, six-lane pool is often filled with our competitive Valkyrie swimmers

Blackman Lobby is an inviting gathering space before concerts and events and a great spot for a student jam session!

The Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics' array of laboratory courses will prepare you to attend graduate school in the sciences, for a career in healthcare, or to pursue a teaching profession.

The towers on either side of the main entrance to Wilson Hall represent two of the five values most important to Converse: friendship and service.

Valkyrie Supply is a basic needs hub designed to offer supplemental support to Converse students. The space combines the university’s food pantry with personal hygiene products and a career closet, bringing together all items in the same location.

Valkyrie Supply is a basic needs hub designed to offer supplemental support to Converse students. The space combines the university’s food pantry with personal hygiene products and a career closet, bringing together all items in the same location.

The Student Financial Services team is available to discuss finances, grants and loans, and scholarship opportunities, as well as answer your questions and assist with filing your FAFSA.

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Kuhn Hall is where you will find the Nisbet Honors Program, Campus Technology, and 17 “smart” classrooms.

Built in 1968 and renovated in 2009, Kuhn is a shining example of Converse’s commitment to sustainability and modern instructional technology.