On April 14, 1897, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright founded Denmark Industrial School for African Americans.

[4][5] Located in a rural area and the small town of Denmark, it was modeled on the well-known Tuskegee Institute of Alabama.

[6] In 1902, Ralph Voorhees, a philanthropist in Clinton, New Jersey, donated $5,000 (equivalent to $176,000 in 2023) to the school in order to purchase land and construct buildings.

[7] In 1904, the South Carolina General Assembly renamed the school and incorporated it as the Voorhees Industrial Institute for Colored Youths.

The historic district is noteworthy as an example of pioneering education for African Americans in the early 20th century, and for its association with co-founder Elizabeth Evelyn Wright.

[17] Its academic schools are:[18] The general education core curriculum includes courses related to communication, mathematics, science, health, cross-cultural learning, and career development.

The university has cheerleaders, choir, band, Student Government Association, special interest groups, fraternities, and sororities on campus.