In July 1987, Dr. Cole became the first African American female president at Spelman College, a predominantly black college for women in Atlanta. She was known affectionately as “Sister President” by Spelman’s students. While she was in office, she tripled the school’s endowment from $42 million to $143 million. Almost 3,000 applicants competed for the 388 freshman positions the year after Dr. Cole became the president. She retired from Spelman in 1997.

Image courtesy of Spelman College