ACU's History
1906
A.B. Barret and Charles Roberson were riding in an exceedingly buggy close
to Barret's point Denison, Texas, on their thanks to a gospel meeting once
Barret initial same to Roberson, "Let's build a college in West
Texas."
That was in 1903. In 1905, Barret, an instructor at Southwestern Christian
school in Denton, was finally ready to build a website survey.The Church of
Christ in Abilene was growing solidly, and when Barret preached there in Dec
1905, members in agreement to assist support the project. Barret shortly
moved west and traveled by buggy along
with his partner and friends to lift additional support.
Col. J.W. Childers, a frontrunner within the Abilene church, in agreement
to sell Barret some land he closely-held west of city and subtracted concerning
$2,000 from the worth of the land on the condition that the varsity would be
named in his honor. The Childers Classical Institute opened its doors within
the fall of 1906 with twenty five students registered for categories.
The 5 acres occupied by the institute enclosed the recent Childers mansion,
a two-story frame house used because the president's home and girl's dormitory.
Boys boarded privately homes approved by the president. associate degree
eight-room administration building was created on the location for $8,000.
Only the eleven primary and secondary grades were offered that initial
semester. school courses weren't authorised for eight years. By the tip of the
primary year eighty five students were registered.
Childers' initial years were tough for everybody, significantly the
scholars. Cold lecture rooms, jam-pawncked living conditions and a water
shortage necessitated toil and ingenuity on the a part of everybody. the
varsity went through four presidents throughout those early years: Barret, H.C.
Darden, R.L. Whiteside, and James F. Cox, World Health Organization served
another term as president from 1931-1940.
To complicate matters, Col. Childers employed associate degree professional
to gather on a note he had maintained on the land and mansion. the varsity had
to borrow cash at fifteen % interest to pay the debt, creating it tough to
fulfill operational expenses.
1912
A good bourgeois was required and located in Jesse P. Sewell, World Health
Organization became the president in 1912. Sewell declined the supply of a
salaried position as president, opting instead to run the varsity as if it were
a private mercantilism. Sewell definitely did not get wealthy within the deal,
however the faculty benefited from close to $60,000 given to the varsity by the
Sewells throughout his 12-year presidency.
With Sewell's new approach came a brand new identity for the varsity. Since
its starting the Institute had been normally remarked as Abilene Christian or
the Christian school in Abilene. once Sewell became president, the varsity
began exploitation the name Abilene Christian school in its catalog and
alternative written materials.
Lawrence Smith explained that the first deed to the Childers land needed
that the varsity be named when the commissioned military officer. Childers'
heirs vulnerable to sue if the name were modified. In 1920, the varsity paid
the family $4,000 and formally modified its name to Abilene Christian school.
Sewell's leadership brought the faculty out of debt. The field was enlarged
by four new brick buildings, associate degree enlarged administration building
and 6 frame structures, associate degreed an enhanced enrollment of concerning
three hundred students throughout his final term. Sewell's reign additionally
resulted in enfranchisement as a {junior school|college} in 1914 and as a
senior college in 1919.
1924
Batsell Baxter became the young school's sixth president once Sewell
resigned in 1924. Baxter initiated additional relaxed restrictions on the
social privileges of scholars, and student activities and organizations
enhanced in importance.
Continued growth demanded more room, and in 1927 the Board of Trustees
appointed a committee to analyze new locations for the varsity. town created a
gorgeous supply of 2 sections of land and $50,000 for building, to that the
Abilene Chamber of Commerce responded by raising $75,000 to assist keep the
faculty from moving. With this contribution, the faculty trustees conceive to
purchase 680 acres on a hill one mile northeast of Abilene referred to as the
Hashknife Ranch. near residents given
seventy five further acres.
1929
Life on the first field continued as
was common whereas construction began on Capitol Hill. Then on Jan. 28, 1929,
the recent administration building caught hearth. Smith, then associate degree
worker within the business establishment, served as fire chief and taught the
firemen to soak the southwest a part of the building therefore the records may
well be saved. a personality's chain was assembled to maneuver the library
books, and a few holdings were salvaged, however most of the building was
gutted.
Opening of the new field was regular for Sept. 5, 1929. to fulfill the
point the contractor place 3 shifts to figure. New facilities enclosed
associate degree administration building, 2 dormitories, associate degree
education building that housed the elementary and high faculties, a eating
hall, a president's home, a gymnasium associate degreed an area. solely six
weeks later, the stock exchange crashed on "Black Thursday," Oct. 29,
1929. the Great Depression plunged the faculty deep in monetary debt.
Loans unbroken the varsity from closing every semester, and salaries were
cut in 1930. President Baxter and Dean James F. Cox took fifteen % wage cuts.
college salaries were cut ten %. successive year, all salaries were cut in 0.5.
Financial struggles worsened within the early Thirties, and by 1933 several
bonds were returning due. John G. Hardin, additionally a significant helper of
Hardin-Simmons University, helped alleviate several of the growing monetary
pressures with a present of $160,000 in fetters. Later the varsity borrowed
$40,000 additional from Hardin to retire some pressing notes.
Under Baxter's leadership, and later throughout the presidency of James
Cox, the faculty survived the Great Depression.
1940
Don H. Morris, then head of the speech department, took workplace as
president in 1940. A thin student population through war II was followed by new
enrollment will increase when the war. Housing expose the largest downside.
Barracks from near Camp Barkeley,
deactivated by the U.S. Army within the spring of 1946, were moved to Capitol Hill to deal with students and
supply further room and workplace house. the faculty was formally authorised
Dec. 6, 1951, by the Southern Association of schools and faculties.
The postwar prosperity allowed many new buildings to be created to
accommodate the increasing student body, that passed the two,000 mark in 1955.
Between 1940 and 1961, 5 dormitories, a science building, a president's home, a
eating house and each wings of the administration building were completed.
In 1957, Morris suggested that a designing committee be appointed. the
subsequent February the board of trustees appointed a master designing council
"to study tutorial, monetary and plant issues facing the faculty."
1962
From among board members, the planning board, administration, faculty,
alumni and students, twenty four people were appointed to the council, that
then established ten subcommittees to review specific areas or issues. Four
years later, in April 1962, the "Design for Development, Abilene Christian
school, 1962-72," was adopted by the board of trustees.
Those ten years made $10.8 million in gifts and brought several changes to
the field, together with Brown Library, McGlothlin field Center, Moody stadium,
Gibson Health and education Center, Sherrod Residential Park, the Don H. Morris
Center, A.B. Morris Hall, Smith-Adams Hall and Sikes Hall. In his final chapel
speech Sept. 27, 1973, Chancellor Morris same, "This isn't any normal
school."
1969
Morris became chancellor in 1969 once Dr. John C. Stevens, historian, war
II man of the cloth and former Abilene town councillor, was named president.
Stevens' 12-year term was marked by upgrades to field housing, improvement
within the school's assistance program for its students, and additional
enrollment gains. Air Combat Command had registered three,000 for the primary
time in 1965, and it passed the four,000 mark in 1977.
1976
"ACC" formally became "ACU" February. 22, 1976, by vote
of the Board of Trustees. A committee chaired by trustee Jack Pope, justice of
the Supreme Court of Texas, suggested the modification. Trustees, underneath
the leadership of Ray McGlothlin, Jr., nem con approved the new name.
1981
ACU's endowment grew from $18 million to $56 million within the presidency
of Dr. William J. Teague, former assistant to Morris and company and university
government World Health Organization came back to ACU to succeed Stevens as president
in 1981. the last decade of the Nineteen Eighties made $78 million in gifts to
the university, and decide Ely Blvd. was moved
east to accommodate construction of latest buildings for Bible and
business administration.
ACU extra its faculty of Nursing in 1981, and in 1986 the NPR affiliate
KACU-FM was launched. Teague had same in his speech, "One individual with
conviction will and will build a distinction in our world."
1991
Enrollment rebounded within the Nineteen Nineties throughout the presidency
of Dr. Royce cash, Bible faculty member and authorised family expert World
Health Organization took workplace Gregorian calendar month one, 1991. ACU
attracted students from all fifty states and sixty nations and endeavored to
require its place as a statesman in Christian teaching. cash acknowledged that
ACU isn't the church, however he extra, "ACU can stay loyal to the
Biblical and historical principles that have distinguished our non secular
history."
To fund its growth in tutorial quality and image, serve its record numbers
of scholars, and solidify its monetary foundation, ACU received gifts in
development campaigns amounting to $30 million throughout "Advancing the
Changeless" in 1993-96 and $114 million in "To Lead and To Serve"
in 1996-2000.
2001
During the 2000-01 year, a record 4,761 students registered, assistance
annually for ACU students reached $40 million, and ACU hierarchic among the
highest ten % of establishments within the nation in endowment with $142
million. The university adopted "Change the World" because its theme
as it began plans for its a centesimal year in 2005-06. A record 943
bachelor's, master's and scholarly person degrees were awarded at could, August
and Dec commencement ceremonies.
2002
Faculty members Dr. Michael Sadler (physics) and Dr. mythical being Morris
(McNair Scholars) received the sixth and seventh William Fulbright scholarships
in university history from the U.S. Department of State. Dr. John C. Stevens, chancellor old and president
in 1969-81, attended the gap of the U.S. Army Chaplain's repository in
Columbia, S.C., Sept. 27. Dr. Stevens is
pictured leading U.S. troops within the center of the globe War II ending
parade down the Champs-Elysees in Paris, France, Aug. 29, 1944, in one amongst
the foremost celebrated military pictures in history.
2003
Classes opened Jan. thirteen within the new Williams humanistic discipline
Center, a $17 million facility with ninety two,000 sq. feet of house for the
Departments of Music and Theatre.
2004
Twenty-four students from the Republic of Madagascar arrived on field Aug.
thirty four as participants in ACU's Madagascar Presidential Scholarship
Program. The program was supported unitedly with Madagascar president brandy
Ravalomanana.
2005
ACU formally began its long Centennial Celebration Aug. twenty two with the
Centennial Convocation. This assembly enclosed the annual Parade of Flags, a
speech by Dr. Royce cash, the inaugural presentation of “Centennial Fanfare,”
commissioned by M.L. Daniels, and therefore the nationalistic “Ceremony of
Allegiance.” Events continued throughout
the 2005-06 year as ACU mirrored on its initial century and looked ahead to its
second.
Highlights of the Centennial enclosed the revealing of The ACU Century, a
book concerning the university's history, at the JMC pressman Awards Dinner
Oct. 13; a Centennial Speaker Series together with Robin Roberts, Pat Summerall
and Kathleen Norris; the Centennial Historical Walking Tour, with exhibits
around campus; and 3 Centennial Commencements in Dec 2005 and will and August
2006.
2006
The Centennial Celebration continued
with Sing Song: "The fiftieth Show" February. 17-18 and a
bunch of alternative speakers and events on field. The 88th Annual Bible berth
happened for the last time in February (Feb. 19-22), before transitioning to a
September date (Sept. 17-20). The university control its one hundred and first
gap Assembly Aug. twenty eight in Moody stadium, and formally over its
Centennial Celebration many weeks later, on Sept. 11, with the Second Century
Convocation.
2008
A group of ACU directors and friends, together with president Dr. Royce
cash, traveled to Madagascar for a special commencement exercise, observance
the twenty four Madagascar Presidential students World Health Organization
arrived on field in 2004.
More than 900 coming into freshmen at ACU received associate degree Apple
iPhone or iPod bit, as a part of the university's mobile learning initiative.
the scholars used the devices in school and out of sophistication to explore
new ways that of connecting learning to technology.
ACU's squad, diode by head coach Chris Thomsen, attained the Lone Star
Conference Championship for the primary time since 1973. back physiologist
Scott won the Harlon Hill Trophy, the best honor in NCAA Division II soccer.
2009
The 57,000-square-foot Hunter Welcome Center, named in honor of Dr. Bob
Hunter and his partner, Shirley, was dedicated February. 21.
ACU Profile
Abilene Christian University is that the premier university for the
education of Christ-centered, international leaders, giving associate degree
exceptional education to concerning four,600 students annually from nearly each
state and forty three nations. This non-public, comprehensive university, based
in 1906 in Abilene, Texas, offers seventy one baccalaureate majors in
additional than a hundred twenty five areas of college boy study additionally
to its graduate programs. Abilene may be a friendly town of 117,000 people,
situated concerning a hundred and fifty miles west of the Dallas/Fort price
space. As an academic center for an outsized region, Abilene provides cultural,
diversion and support programs and services unremarkably related to cities
double its size.
Our Mission
Our mission is to coach students for Christian service and leadership
throughout the planet.
Our Promise
ACU may be a spirited, innovative, Christ-centered community that engages
students in authentic religious and intellectual growth, arming them to create
a true distinction within the world.
Our 21st-Century Vision
By 2020, ACU can become the premier university for the education of
Christ-centered, international leaders.
Our spiritual Heritage
Established by members of the Churches of Christ, ACU maintains a robust
relationship with these severally ruled congregations round the world. Since
its beginning, the university has welcome all students of character and skill
WHO worth the university’s robust Christian surroundings and exceptional
learning surroundings. needed daily chapel and needed Bible courses contribute
to the open acknowledgment of Christian religion as a vital facet of the lives
of most ACU students. All college,
staff, directors and members of the Board of Trustees ar Christians.
Quick Facts
Selective, private,
master's-level university based in 1906 in Abilene, Texas
Graduates accepted into medical
faculties at a rate quite double the national average
Graduates accepted into law
faculties at a rate of quite ninety %
one in every of solely six
church-affiliated universities that have a journalism program authorized by ACEJMC
Undergraduates enclosed in
important college analysis comes
Majority of scholars actively
volunteer within the community
All-Christian college in person
curious about students' studies and lives
Students could make a choice from
seventy one baccalaureate majors that embrace quite a hundred twenty five areas
of study, twenty five degree programs and one student program
Career network of eighty six,000
ACU alumni in each state and 109 countries
Annual enrollment of concerning
four,700 students from across the U.S. and concerning forty nations
sixty four national athletics team
championships
Beautiful, 250-acre, trendy field
a hundred and eighty miles west of Dallas/Fort price space
Our Students and college
About 4,600 students, as well as 800 graduate students, come back to ACU
from nearly each state and forty three nations. we've got a various and
international surroundings, that we have a tendency to believe enriches student
learning. Our students ar served by quite 245 regular college members WHO
specialize in high-quality teaching, scholarship and repair. quite ninety seven
% of tenure-track college hold terminal degrees. The student/faculty
quantitative relation is 15:1. the college and directors ar actively concerned
as leaders and presenters in several national skilled associations, and ACU is
a lively member of the Council for Christian schools and Universities.
The university includes the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Biblical
Studies, Business Administration, Education and Human Services; the grad
school; the Graduate faculty of Theology; the college of data Technology and
Computing; the college of Social Work; and a college of Nursing. sophisticated
lecture rooms, laptop labs within the residence halls, full wireless web across
field, and ACU’s innovative mobile-learning initiative guarantee our students
ar ready for the fast technological world of nowadays.
The university offers generous benefit scholarships to incoming students
with exceptional tutorial records and incontestible leadership skills, and ACU
attracts a number of the nation's brightest students WHO wish to check during a
Christian surroundings. Students have found that the little categories
instructed by gifted, caring college members offer them a plus after they hunt
for jobs once graduation or apply to graduate faculties. as a result of ACU's
professors understand their students therefore well and sometimes function
mentors, they're able to offer glorious references to medical faculties, law
faculties, graduate programs and future employers.
Exceptional teachers
At ACU, students expertise some rare opportunities to organize for his or
her future careers. within the physics program, college boy students frequently
participate with college members at national physical science laboratories and
build national and international displays. Most universities solely permit
graduate students to participate during this high-level work. within the
journalism program, students manufacture a twice-weekly newspaper that has
received All-American honors per annum since 1975.
Communication majors frequently win national discussion competitions
against giant, prestigious universities. English students win extremely
competitive writing competitions. Business majors jaunt Colorado for a novel
leadership institute. the faculty of Business Administration is authorized by the celebrated Association to Advance
collegial faculties of Business.
The university includes the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Biblical
Studies, Business Administration, Education and Human Services, the grad
school, the grad school of Theology, the college of data Technology and
Computing, the college of welfare work, and therefore the faculty of Nursing.
sophisticated lecture rooms, laptop labs within the residence halls, quick web
connections, email access as associate degree incoming student and far
additional guarantee our students ar ready for the fast technological world of
nowadays.
Abilene Christian University is authorized
by the Commission on schools of the Southern Association of schools and
faculties to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and student degrees.
Contact the Commission on schools at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Ga.
30033-4097 or decision 404-679-4500 for questions about the certification of
ACU.
Academic Resources
Margaret and Woody Herman Brown Library is at the center of ACU's
educational program. It includes the innovative Learning Commons, the Adams
Center for Teaching and Learning, the Writing Center, the Speaking Center, and
therefore the AT&T Learning Studio. The university's Learning Studio
and Learning Commons offer innovative areas for college kids to collaborate and
acquire skills to use the most recent technology. ACU's triumph mobile-earning
initiative helps guarantee newest technology is associate degree integral a
part of every student's education.
Brown Library holds quite one.5 million volumes and one million microforms
control by ACU and alternative members of the Abilene Library association.
Students can also access quite twenty,000 journals.
ACU may be a library for U.S. Government Documents. The library's Special
Collections department includes rare books and Bibles, manuscripts, and deposit
materials. the middle for Restoration Studies, headquartered within the
library, may be a magnet for church history students.
Distinctive tutorial surroundings
ACU places nice worth on the dynamic relationship that ought to exist
between professors and their students. U.S. News & World Report honors
ACU for its quality, worth and ranks it because the No. a pair of “Up and
Coming” university within the West Region for 2015.
Many establishments trust extensively on graduate assistants. Not ACU. All
our courses ar instructed by qualified college members. And once professors
work on analysis comes, you'll be able to typically notice undergraduates by
their aspect, a rarity elsewhere.
How will we understand this philosophy works? as a result of every year, a
number of the nation's high businesses come back to our field to interview as a
result of they understand ACU students have the education and preparation
required to succeed.
Outstanding college. nice facilities. smart jobs and grad school. they are
all the results of ACU's uncommon commitment to teaching and learning. ACU
prepares its graduates for Christian service and leadership throughout the
planet.
Student Life
As a residential field, ACU is alive with activities from concerts and
comedians to night devotionals and poetry readings. several students
participate in intragroup sports, wash room and women's social clubs, recess
mission campaigns, and therefore the annual Sing Song performance event.
virtually one hundred field organizations offer students several venues for
involvement and leadership. ACU conjointly provides opportunities to check abroad
in many completely different countries. The university is found in Abilene,
Texas, associate degree All-America town of 117,000 individuals with a range of
social, religious, athletic and cultural activities. Abilene may be a safe, fun
place to measure – all the amenities while not the hassles of a mega-city.
Health, wellbeing and Recreation
The $21 million Royce and Pam cash Student Recreation and wellbeing Center
may be a put concentration on field. Designed to encourage wellbeing of the
complete individual - body, mind and spirit - it includes the ACU Medical and
content Center and is that the home of a dynamic intragroup program with
championship and recreational leagues for college kids of all interests and
skills
Athletics
As a member of the NCAA Division I and therefore the South Conference, ACU
competes in soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, men’s golf, men’s
and women’s race, men’s and women’s track and field, women’s volleyball, men’s
and women’s lawn tennis, women's football and women’s softball.
Successful Alumni
Graduates of ACU became popular Christian authors, ministers, members of
Congress, state judges, big-city mayors, researchers, Hollywood pic producers,
academics and superintendents, high Nashville musicians and music producers,
distinguished university professors, business homeowners, across the nation
famed physicians, Joseph Pulitzer Prize winners, and winners of honor, Telly,
Dove, Grammy, discoverer of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards. we have a
tendency to believe our eighty six,000 alumni build a true distinction within
the world in positive ways in which a day.
Contact Us
For additional data concerning attending ACU, decision fee 800-460-6228,
write the workplace of Admissions at ACU Box 29000, Abilene, Texas 79699-9000,
or send email to info@admissions.acu.edu.
