Mississippi College
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Mississippi College |
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| Motto | Veritas et Virtus (Truth and Virtue) |
| Established | January 24, 1826 |
| Type | Private |
| Endowment | USD $437,145,835 [1] |
| President | Lee Royce |
| Students | 4,162 [2] |
| Undergraduates | 2,862 |
| Postgraduates | 750 graduate students 550 law students |
| Location | Clinton, Mississippi, United States |
| Campus | Suburban 750 acre (3 km²) |
| Athletics | American Southwest Conference (NCAA Division III) |
| Colors | Blue & Gold |
| Nickname | Choctaws |
| Mascot | Chief Choc (retired 2006) |
| Website | http://www.mc.edu/ |
Mississippi College, also known as "MC", is a private Christian university located in Clinton, Mississippi. Mississippi College is comprised of the main campus in Clinton as well as the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson. It is the oldest college in the state of Mississippi and the second-oldest Baptist affiliated university in the world.
Mississippi College has been included in the U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges", the New York Times"Best Buys in College" and the Barron's "Best Buys in College Education".
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[edit] Accolades
- For 13 consecutive years, MC has been selected on the Honor Roll of Character Building Institutions as selected by the John Templeton Foundation.
- MC ranks in the top 2.5% in the field of education, top 3.5% in the non-sciences, and the top 17% in the sciences.
- 85% acceptance rate into medical school. This includes students who have, or a working toward a Masters when they are accepted. This acceptance rate is more than twice the national average according to the Association of American Medical Colleges for 1997-1998.
- 76% acceptance rate into dental school for the past five years has been. MC has supplied 16% of the dental students to the University Medical Center during that period of time.
- With less than 5% of the total student population in the state, Mississippi College has averaged MC students filling more than 10% of the medical school class at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine for the past five years.
- MC ranks #19 in the nation in the number of undergraduate students who have pursued and have been awarded doctoral degrees in all fields.
[edit] Historical Overview
Mississippi College, originally known as Hampstead Academy, received its first charter, signed by Governor David Holmes, on January 24, 1826. The name was changed to Mississippi Academy in 1827 at the request of the Board of Trustees.
Three years later, on December 18, 1830, having become an institution of collegiate rank, the name was changed to Mississippi College. It was the third such institution in Mississippi, but as the other two institutions no longer exist, Mississippi College today has the distinction of being the oldest institution of higher learning in the state.
Mississippi College, during its early years, was not church-related and was once offered to be 'the' State University. It has past affiliations with the Methodist and Presbyterian church, but since 1850 it has been operated by the Mississippi Baptist Convention through an elected Board of Trustees.
A private institution, in 1831 Mississippi College became the first coeducational college in the U.S. to grant a degree to a woman. In 1850 the Female department was discontinued; and in 1853 a Central Female Institute, later renamed Hillman College, was established in Clinton. In 1942 Mississippi College purchased and absorbed Hillman College, and the institution was again coeducational.
The Civil War caused Mississippi College to suffer: its endowment was destroyed, its student body disbanded, and its buildings deteriorated. Under the leadership of Dr. Warren S. Webb (1873-1891) the college stabilized. Under the administration of Dr. W. T. Lowrey (1898-1911), the endowment fund was renewed and the plant was greatly improved.
The administration of Dr. J. W. Provine (1911-1932) was a fruitful period, seeing the completion of Provine Science Building (largely constructed in Dr. Lowrey's administration), and the construction of Lowrey Hall, Alumni Hall, Farr-Hall Hospital, Jennings Hall, Ratliff Hall and Crestman Hall. The endowment was increased to more than $500,000 and in 1922 the College was initially accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The enrollment reached 400.
During the twenty-five year administration of Dr. D. M. Nelson (1932-1957), the college successfully withstood the depression and emerged stronger. During World War II, women were once again admitted and the enrollment increased rapidly. The physical plant was expanded and Nelson Hall Administration Building, Hederman-Gunter Residence Hall and Mary Nelson Residence Hall were erected; Lowrey Hall and Ratliff Residence Hall were enlarged and improved.
The College continued to grow under the administration of Dr. R. A. McLemore (1957-1968). Enrollment increased and the following buildings were constructed: Leland Speed Library, Aven Fine Arts Building (both of which were begun before Dr. Nelson retired), B. C. Rogers Student Center, Hederman Science Building, Latimer-Webb Residence Hall, Whittington Residence Hall, Self Hall and Hendrick House (President's home). The old cafeteria was converted into a women's gym; the Old Chapel (now Provine Hall) was restored; Ratliff and Crestman residence halls were renovated.
Dr. Lewis Nobles's administration (1968-1993) saw continued growth in the areas of enrollment and quantity and qualifications of faculty. An addition to the library was made and the electronic media center emerged. Other construction included: Cockcroft Hall for the School of Nursing and Department of Home Economics, A. E. Wood Coliseum, and the James Moody Adams Field House. The Law School building in downtown Jackson was remodeled and was occupied by the School of Law in 1981. The Latimer House, a Victorian home, was dedicated in 1991.
Unfortunately, Dr. Nobles's legacy was tarnished in its last years by the revelation of improprieties in the administration of athletic scholarships and mishandling of institutional funds. The first set of revelations resulted in the school having to surrender the NCAA Div. II National Championship in football and the second resulted in Dr. Nobles resigning the presidency while under criminal investigation. With the resignation of Dr. Nobles on August 3, 1993, Dr. Rory Lee, Vice President for Institutional Advancement was named Acting President, and ably served the college, maintaining student, staff and faculty morale during trying times.
Dr. Howell Todd began his administration July, 1994, and began physical improvement to maintain and replicate the architectural character of the campus. Renovations and remodeling have transformed Nelson Hall, Alumni Hall, Jennings Hall and Jennings Annex, Self Hall, Farr Hall, and Latimer-Webb Residence Hall. Remodeling will soon be complete on B. C. Rogers Student Center, Hederman Science Building, Mary Nelson Residence Hall, and Hederman-Gunter Residence Hall. New construction included: The New Men's Residence Hall, The New Women's Residence Hall and the MC connector building between Self Hall and Hederman Science Building. The grounds have also undergone a make-over including The Piazza between Jennings and Alumni New parking lots have emerged and plans are underway for the ground floor of a parking garage.
A 106,000 square foot (9,800 m²) Heathplex now stands in place of the old tennis courts and football field. New tennis courts, a baseball and softball field and practice fields have been built. A campus-wide computer network has been installed to offer access to the Internet and act as a communication link for all administration, faculty, staff and students.
In July 2002, Dr. Lee G. Royce began his administration as the 19th president of Mississippi College.
In September 2006, Mississippi College announced a record enrollment of 4,162 making MC the fastest growing private university in the state[3]. This was the second straight year that MC's enrollment topped 4,000.
On 22 March 2007, five members of the Christian Gay Rights Equality group Soulforce were arrested for trespass after being denied access to the campus by Mississippi College President Dr. Lee G. Royce. Soulforce was protesting the Mississippi College policy stated in the student handbook which explicitly bans homosexual conduct. [[4]]
[edit] Interesting facts
- Established in 1826, MC is the oldest institution of higher learning in Mississippi.
- Mississippi College was the first coeducational institution to grant a degree to a woman.
- MC is the oldest, largest private college in Mississippi.
- MC is the second-oldest Baptist college in the United States.
- The first indoor pool in America is located at Mississippi College.
[edit] President Royce
Dr. Lee Royce came to Mississippi College from Anderson College in Anderson, South Carolina, where he served as President. Prior to his assuming the presidency of Anderson, Dr. Royce was Vice President for University Relations, Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee.
Dr. Royce holds a doctorate in higher education administration from Vanderbilt University's George Peabody College. He also holds two other degrees from Vanderbilt — a master's degree in business management from the Owen Graduate School of Management and a bachelor of arts degree with a major in history.
Dr. Royce was married in 1975 to Rhoda Russell Royce, former editor of Open Windows magazine and other publications for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, and a 1971 magna cum laude graduate of Belmont University. Rhoda Royce holds an M.A. from the University of South Carolina and is an adjunct instructor of Business at Mississippi College. The Royces have one son, Mark.
[edit] Academics
[edit] Undergraduate Degrees offered
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Art
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Kinesiology
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[edit] Graduate Programs
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[edit] Choctaw Athletics
For years Mississippi College was a dominant force in NCAA Division II athletics. However, in 1989 Mississippi College's football tournament participation, along with its NCAA Division II national football championship, were vacated by the NCAA Committee on Infractions for recruiting violations.
The Board of Trustees of Mississippi College voted in March 1995 for the university to become a member of Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the fall of 1997.
The philosophy of intercollegiate athletics at Mississippi College is much the same as the vision statement of Mississippi College. The vision statement reads: "Mississippi College seeks to be a university recognized for academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ.”
Mississippi College has a tradition of athletic superiority that is continued today in 16 sponsored sports. In the past three years alone the Choctaws and Lady Choctaws have won five American Southwest Conference championships and ten ASC East Division titles. Last season all but three of the varsity teams enjoyed winning seasons, building on an established expectation of success in athletics at MC.
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[edit] Athletic Facilities
In the summer of 2005 Mississippi College opened it's brand new athletic practice fields which support soccer and football. Plans include expansion in the near future which will add an extra practice field as well as two new intramural fields for student flag football, soccer, and general student use.
[edit] Choctaw Nickname
In a letter dated February 17, 2006 [5], Mississippi College received word that the NCAA has removed its policy restrictions in the use of the name Choctaw for MC athletics.
Lee Royce, President of the college said, “We are pleased with the ruling from the NCAA giving their approval of our request to remove Mississippi College from the list of institutions subject to the policy’s restrictions. We are very appreciative of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ support of our use of the Choctaw name, and look forward to continuing our mutual relationship of respect and cooperation.”
[edit] Notable alumnae and alumni
- Karen Ray, Executive Director of the Republican Party of Arkansas
- Jalin Wood, Miss Mississippi (America) 2004-2005, Miss Mississippi (USA) 2006-2007
- Ross Barnett, Mississippi Governor (1960-1964) [6]
- Henry L. Whitfield, Mississippi Governor (1924-1927) [7]
- Andrew H. Longino, Mississippi Governor (1900-1904) [8]
- Albert Gallatin Brown, Mississippi Governor (1844-1848) [9]
- Amy Tuck, Mississippi Lt. Governor
- Barry Hannah, Author
- Harry Craft, MLB player and manager
- Bernard Ebbers, Former WorldCom CEO
- Fred McAfee, of the NFL's New Orleans Saints
- John Whitehead, Reality TV Celebrity
- Jack Dean, Master Guitarist
- Josh Kyle, Editor-in-Chief, Mississippi Law Journal
- Jenna Edwards, Miss Florida (America) 2004-2005, Miss Florida (USA) 2006-2007
[edit] See also
- Mississippi College School of Law
- Clinton, Mississippi
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Southern Baptist Convention
[edit] External links
- Mississippi College
- Mississippi College School of Law
- Alumni Events
- Student Calendar
- Events & Calendar
- Course & Exam Schedules
- Star 93.5
