Austin College
| File:AustinCollege-logo.jpg | |
| Motto | Learning, Leadership, Lasting Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Private |
| Established | 1849 |
| Endowment | $108 million |
| President | Oscar C. Page |
| Undergraduates | 1,291 |
| Postgraduates | 29 |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Suburban, 70 acres (City of Sherman, Grayson County, Texas) |
| Religious Affiliation | Presbyterian Church USA |
| Mascot | Kangaroo File:AustinCollege-kangaroo-logo.png |
| Website | www.austincollege.edu |
Austin College is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA located in Sherman, Texas, an hour north of Dallas. [1] Location: 33°38′49.22″N 96°35′50.16″W / 33.6470056°N 96.5972667°W.
Austin College (referred to as "AC" by students and faculty, never "Austin") is a well respected liberal arts college with an undergraduate student body limited to about 1,200. Most students are required to live on campus for the first three years, creating a close knit community. Austin College actively promotes various study abroad programs; 70% of students study abroad during their fours years at the college. The strengths of the college include the close interaction between the students and professors. Most of the professors at Austin College are focused on teaching, as opposed to research. The College maintains a 13:1 student to faculty ratio and the average class size is less than 25 students.
Chartered in November 1849, it is the oldest college in Texas under original charter and name as recognized by the State Historical Survey Committee.
History
The college was founded in 1849 in Huntsville, Texas by Princeton-educated missionary, Daniel Baker. The college moved to Sherman in 1876 and became co-educational in 1918, merging in 1930 with the all female Texas Presbyterian College.
The school is named after Stephen F. Austin. Sam Houston served on the original board of trustees for the school.
The college was the first in Texas to grant a graduate degree, and also is one of the oldest colleges in the state.
Iota of Texas Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest, most prestigious undergraduate honors association has been chartered at Austin College since March 30, 2001.
College Information
Leadership
The current president of Austin College is Oscar Page, who has held the position since 1994.
Accomplishments
U.S. News & World Report ranked Austin College among the top 100 colleges in the category of "Best Liberal Arts Colleges" for 2006. Austin College also ranked among the "Best 361 Colleges" in the 2006 Princeton Review, was profiled in Loren Pope's Colleges That Change Lives, and was profiled in the 2005 edition of Kaplan's Insiders Guide to the 331 Most Interesting Colleges. Austin College is also ninth on the U.S. News' 2006 list for "most students studying abroad." It is a member of the International 50, a group of the top colleges in the nation for international focus.
Academics
Austin College offers a five-year Master of Arts in Teaching program, and has a very strong pre-med program. The school also has a decent music program, including an A Cappella choir [2], a local Symphony Orchestra made up of students and local musicians, and assorted smaller musical ensembles. There are also prominent programs in pre-theology, international relations, business, English, sociology and other areas of liberal arts. The school's student newspaper, the Austin College Observer, is considered one of the best for a school of its size.
Communication/Inquiry
Heritage of Western Culture
January Term
Jordan Family Language House
=Model United Nations
Posey Leadership Institute
Study Abroad
Student Life
Austin College's residence halls include:
- Dean (co-ed)
- Baker (male)
- Clyce (female)
- Caruth (female)
- Jordan Family Language House (co-ed)
- Johnson 'Roo Suites (co-ed, designed for juniors)
- Bryan Apartments (co-ed, designed for seniors)
- Formerly Luckett (male) - torn down in 2004 due to mold
Other buildings on campus include the Wright Campus Center, Caruth Administration Building, Wynne Chapel, Sherman Hall (Humanities), Hopkins Center (Social Sciences), Moody Science Building, Thompson Hall (Biology, Chemistry), Ida Green (Performing Arts), Craig Hall (Art and Music), Dickey Fitness Pavilion, Abell Library, Adams Center (Health and Career Services) and others.
Austin College does not have national fraternities or sororities, but is host to a system of local Greek organizations. Currently, there are seven sororities and nine fraternities active on campus. Other major campus organizations include the Indian Cultural Association, the Austin College ACtivators (a mobile youth ministry program), Campus Activities Board, Student Development Board, Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, Pre-Med Society, and Alpha Phi Omega (a national service fraternity).
Athletics
On May 27, 2005, it was announced that Austin College will be joining the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference as of July 1, 2006. [3]
Traditions
Homecoming
Homecoming is unquestionably the biggest event on campus all year, and the biggest draw of alumni to the campus.
Mascot
The Austin College mascot is the kangaroo. The sports teams are named after that mascot: the men's teams are the "'Roos," and the women's teams the "Lady 'Roos."
Colors
The Austin College colors are crimson and gold.
Notable Alumni
In religion
Recent Developments
In fall 2005, Austin College began implementing the initial phase of its multi-year, approximately $1 million campus landscape master plan. The landscape project will ultimately add an entry esplanade, pedestrian mall, and a variety of other landscape enhancements.
Students' response to the new landscaping has been divided. While many like the new black lampposts and benches recently implemented around campus, a good deal feel at the same time that such an expensive undertaking would be better put to use improving the notoriously slow and unrealiable Internet connection. Unfortunately, since the landscaping is provided for by a grant specifically designated for campus beautification, that money could not go towards improved technology in any case.
External links
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