Abilene Christian University
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Abilene Christian University |
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| Established | 1906 |
| Type | Private |
| Religious Affiliation | Churches of Christ |
| Endowment | US$262 million |
| President | Royce Money |
| Faculty | 200 |
| Students | 4,609 |
| Undergraduates | 4,151 |
| Location | Abilene, Texas, USA |
| Campus | Urban, 208 acres (842,000 m²) |
| Athletics | Wildcats |
| Website | www.acu.edu |
Abilene Christian University (ACU) is a private university located in Abilene, Texas, affiliated with Churches of Christ. ACU was founded in 1906, as Childers Classical Institute. ACU has an annual enrollment of about 5,000 students from across the United States and 60 nations.
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[edit] History
Abilene Christian University grew from an idea held by A. B. Barret and Charles Roberson to form a school in West Texas. The Church of Christ in Abilene agreed to back the project. J. W. Childers sold Barret land and a large house west of the town and lowered the price with the stipulation that the school would be named in his honor. Childers Classical Institute opened in the fall of 1906, with 25 students.
When Jesse P. Sewell became president of the institute in 1912, the school began using "Abilene Christian College" on all its printed material. In 1920, the school paid the Childers family $4,000 and formally changed the name.
The Optimist, the university's student-run newspaper, was founded in 1912. The Prickly Pear, the school yearbook, was founded in 1916. The campus literary-arts magazine (now The Shinnery Review, formerly The Pickwicker) has been in production since 1933.
In 1927, with the help of a $75,000 contribution from the city of Abilene, the board of trustees purchased 680 acres (2.8 km²) northeast of Abilene. In addition, residents donated 75 acres (304,000 m²) of adjoining land. The new campus opened in the fall of 1929.
From the time of its founding to the present, the university has been governed by a board of trustees made up of members of the Churches of Christ.
Abilene Christian University first received school accreditation in 1971 when it became an accredited member of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[1]
On February 22, 1976 the name was changed to Abilene Christian University. The school celebrated its centennial in the 2005-06 school year.
[edit] Mission statement
"The mission of Abilene Christian University is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world."
[edit] Presidents
- Allen Booker Barret (1906-08)
- H. C. Darden (1908-09)
- Robertson Lafayette Whiteside(1909-11)
- James F. Cox (1911-12)1
- Jesse Parker Sewell (1912-1924)
- Batsell Baxter (1924-1932)
- James F. Cox (1932-1940)
- Don H. Morris (1940-1969)
- John C. Stevens (1969-1981)
- William J. Teague (1981-1991)
- Royce Money (1991-present)
[edit] Notable alumni
- Earl Young, 1960 Gold Medal Olympian --4X400 relay
- Gordon Bethune, former CEO of Continental Airlines
- James Browne, Olympic long jumper from Antigua
- Nelson Coates, film production designer
- Randall "Tex" Cobb, professional boxer, actor
- Bonnie Curtis, film producer
- Jody Dean, news anchor of KTVT-TV, Dallas, Texas
- Holly Dunn, country music artist, painter
- Robert D. Hunter, member of the Texas House of Representatives, District 71, (1986-2006)
- John Layfield, professional wrestler
- David Leeson, co-winner of Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography for 2004, first nominated in 1995
- Max Lucado, best-selling Christian author
- Danieal Manning, professional football player
- Bobby Joe Morrow, Olympic sprinter
- Wilbert Montgomery, professional football player
- Billy Olson, first pole vaulter to go over 19 feet indoors (1983), set 11 indoor world records in the 1980s.
- Ted Poe, former Harris County, Texas judge, member of the United States House of Representatives
- Kevin Price, Host of the Houston Business Show on CNN 650 and Publisher of the Houston Business Review at HoustonBusiness.com
- Jeev Milkha Singh, professional golfer from India
- R. Gerald Turner, President of Southern Methodist University
- Daniel Johnston, singer and songwriter
- Aaron Watson, singer and songwriter
- Jonathan Henderson, Air Force Officer, Doctor, and singer/songwriter
- Jack Scott, California State Senator
[edit] Trivia
- Abilene Christian University is alphabetically the first of all United States colleges or universities.
[edit] Athletics
- In the 2006 season, The ACU Wildcats were ranked No. 20 in the nation in the season-ending American Football Coaches' Association Top 25 poll for Division II teams.
[edit] External links
- ACU official site
- Prickly Pear - student yearbook
- The Optimist - student newspaper
- Office of Career and Academic Development - ACU career center
[edit] Footnote
- 1 When James Cox's wife became ill, his brother, Alonzo B. Cox, filled in for him to finish the term.
| Lone Star Conference |
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| Abilene Christian • Angelo State • Cameron • Central Oklahoma • East Central • Eastern New Mexico • Midwestern State • Northeastern State • Southeastern Oklahoma • Southwestern Oklahoma • Tarleton State • Texas A&M–Commerce • Texas A&M–Kingsville • Texas Woman's • West Texas A&M |
