Austin College

Austin College

Motto	nil nisi per aspera
Type	Private
Established	1849
Endowment	US$109.4 million
President	Marjorie Hass
Undergraduates	1,291
Postgraduates	29
Location	Sherman , Texas , USA
Campus	Suburban, 70 acres (28 ha) (City of Sherman, Grayson County, Texas)
Religious Affiliation	Presbyterian Church USA
Colors
Mascot	Kangaroo
Website	www.austincollege.edu

Austin College is a private liberal arts college affiliated by covenant relationship with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and located in Sherman, Texas, about 60 miles (about 100 km) North of Dallas.

The undergraduate student body of Austin College is limited to about 1,350. Most students are required to live on campus for the first three years in an attempt to create a close-knit community. Austin College actively promotes various study abroad programs; 70% of students study abroad during their four years at the college. The college states that it attempts to foster close interaction between students and professors via a 13:1 student to faculty ratio and an average class size of fewer than 25 students. The college has no teaching assistants, so regular faculty teach all levels of coursework.

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 on October 13, 1849 in Huntsville, Texas by Princeton-educated missionary Dr. 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.

Baker named the school after Texas historical figure Stephen F. Austin. Another important figure in Texas history, Sam Houston, served on the original board of trustees for the school, and the former site in Huntsville later became today's Sam Houston State University.

On September 20, 1973, musician Jim Croce died in a plane crash in Natchitoches, Louisiana on his way to perform the next night at Austin College. Six people perished in the crash.

Administration

Dr. Marjorie Hass became the 15th president of Austin College on July 1, 2009. She previously served as provost of Muhlenberg College. Dr. Hass succeeded Dr. Oscar Page.

Rankings

Listed in the U.S. News & World Report "Guide to the 331 Most Interesting Colleges". Austin College is also ninth on the U.S. News 2006 list of "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 about 35 majors and pre-professional programs for study, and students can also create a specialized major to match their academic interests. The college is known for its nationally recognized five-year Master of Arts in Teaching program, its pre-medical, international studies, and pre-law programs, which draw many students to the campus. The school also has a music program, and is home to the Austin College A Cappella Choir and the Sherman Symphony Orchestra made up of students and local musicians, and assorted smaller musical ensembles. It also sponsors the Posey Center of Excellence in Leadership, the Center for Environmental Studies[1], and the Center for Southwestern and Mexican Studies [2], three specialized programs that give students numerous research and internship opportunities. The school also has active programs in over 40 academic disciplines. The school's student newspaper, the Austin College Observer, is a bi-weekly publication.

Communication/Inquiry

Communication/Inquiry is a seminar course taken by freshmen during the fall of their entry year. The professor becomes a mentor for the students in the class over the next four years. C/I serves as the initial course in the undergraduate core curriculum, meant to emphasize the enhancement of core academic skills. Course topics are generally aligned with specialty of the instructors. C/I professors and topics rotate every year.[3]

Heritage of Western Culture

Heritage of Western Culture, a 3 semester program, was the Austin College core curriculum. Starting in the Fall of 2007, "Heritage" ceased to exist. The purpose of the Heritage classes was to tie together various liberal arts disciplines into an overview of the development of western culture.

January Term

January Term is a three-week course taught every January. Students are required to take three Jan-terms during their time at AC, and many use the semester to either take a class in a different area than their regular studies, intensify their study in their designated field, or travel abroad on one of the many travel Jan-terms. Off-campus Jan-terms are an opportunity for those who cannot study abroad during the normal school year to do so. International destinations rotate from year to year. There are also a number of domestic travel locations, such as Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, and New York City.

Courses are taught on-campus as well. A longstanding policy requires freshmen to spend their first Jan-term on-campus, although some instructors allow exceptions.

Jordan Family Language House

Completed in 1998, the Jordan Family Language House is both a residence hall and a place of study for German, Spanish, French, Chinese and Japanese language and culture. The hall is divided into four sections, one for each language. Each section functions independently, with the number of students varying from Spanish (the largest) to Japanese (the smallest, with a capacity for eight). Students are encouraged to speak in their language of study when in the house.

A native speaker, always coming from abroad, resides in each section to assist students in their study of the language. The native speaker also holds intermediate and advanced conversation classes for the students. The Jordan House contains a multimedia language laboratory.

Students who live in the house are enrolled in a half-credit course, in addition to another course in the language or literature. Course requirements include meeting several times a week for language table, weekly house meetings with skits, games, and other presentations in the target language, and a variety of other culturally appropriate activities. [4]

Model United Nations

Austin College has participated in Model United Nations around the country since 1983. Model UN conferences simulate the workings of the United Nations, with delegates assuming the current positions of the countries they represent.

The purpose of the program is to gain skills in leadership, verbal and written communication, teamwork, decision-making, and research. At the National Model U.N. Conference in New York City, the AC program has earned more than 20 top rankings for Outstanding Delegation. AC has also attended conferences in Chicago, Washington, DC, Hawaii, Russia, and China.[5]

Posey Leadership Institute

The Austin College Posey Leadership Institute is intended to instruct student leaders in leadership and service. Each fall, 15 entering freshmen and up to five sophomores are selected to participate, based on demonstrated leadership ability and potential. Participants receive a scholarship of around $11,000 a year.

Participating students complete special courses beyond their normal academic workload. These include a freshman introductory leadership course, an internship on leadership in action, a Jan-term course, a second-year course on national and international leadership, and a senior conference on advanced leadership studies.[6]

Study abroad

Austin College has a strong emphasis on international learning opportunity. A 2009 report by Open Doors Online [7] showed that Austin College sent more than 80% of their students abroad at some point during their undergraduate careers.

Athletics

File:AustinCollege-kangaroo-logo.png

Athletics logo

Austin College participates in NCAA Division III athletics. Previously, Austin College competed in NAIA Division II athletics. Austin College athletes do not receive athletic scholarships and take pride for being true scholar athletes. The football team became known as the "Kangaroos" sometime during the 1914 to 1915 seasons. According to campus legend, the mascot name was derived from a kangaroo court of organized students that would paddle violators of school rules.

Kangaroo varsity teams include football, men and women's soccer, volleyball, men and women's basketball, swimming and diving, tennis, baseball and softball, which was added for the 2006-2007 season. More than 225 student-athletics participate in varsity intercollegiate athletics each year. In 2004-2005, 28 students were recognized with all-conference athletic honors and 61 students received all-conference academic honors. Austin College also has a Lacrosse team, which is run as a club sport.

Austin College joined the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference on July 1, 2006, replacing Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Austin College was previously a member of the American Southwest Conference, Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association, and Texas Conference.

Football

The Austin College football program began competition in 1896. Former head coach Mel Tjeerdsma has the most wins in school history. The defense is known as "The Redshirts". Defensive players have long used the motto "Redshirt Pride" to remind them of their work ethic. Austin College won the 1981 National Championship when Gene Branum scored on a 57-yard field goal with 1:12 left in the game against Concordia College. Austin College won conference championships in 1920, 1923, 1935, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1985, and 1988. The school's career leading rusher is Mike Maloney (1964–1967). The career passing leader is Jerry Bishop (1962–1965). The leading pass receiver is Otis Amy (1986–1988). The football program boasts more than 130 All-American players during its history. Otis Amy was a three time All-American in 1986, 1987, and 1988. Otis Amy finished his college career as the all time leading NAIA pass receiver. Defensive Back Chris Luper was an All-American 1979, 1980, and 1981. Punter Brent Badger (1991–1994) also was a 3 time All-American selection. In 1993, Badger kicked an 80 yard punt against Nebraska Wesleyan. Charles "Bo" Miller (Class of 1961), Willie Williams (Class of 1977), Chris Luper (Class of 1982), and Gene Branum (Class of 1982) have been inducted into the NAIA Football Hall of Fame. Aaron Kernek (Class of 2001) was the last AC player to play in the NFL. He was a member of the NY Giants and Baltimore Ravens.

Student Life

Service Programs

• ACtivators are a group of students of various church memberships who work with the Director of Church Relations to plan and lead Presbyterian Church youth ministry events throughout the Southwest.

Saturday Morning Program (SMP) is an opportunity for Austin College students to become active in the Sherman community. Students participating in this program provide support and encouragement for low-income children ages 6-10 through group recreational, cultural, intellectual, and social activities.

• Service Station is the central office for coordinating and facilitating community service by Austin College students. Opportunities include Alternative Spring Break program and the Great Day of Service.

Student Development Board (SDB) is a selected group of student volunteers who provide support both to the Institutional Enrollment and Institutional Advancement Divisions on various projects throughout the year, including serving as host and campus tour guides.

Social Programs

Campus Activities Board (CAB) is responsible for planning, promoting and implementing a wide variety of activities on campus for all AC students. Events include bands, comedians, participatory events, a movie series, and a variety of other events.

Campus Publications

• Chromascope is the Austin College’s yearbook. It is produced by students and funded by the Student Activity fee.
• Observer is the bi-monthly student newspaper that covers events on campus and around the world.
• Suspension is the Austin College student literary magazine. Produced by students and supported through the English department.

Service Organizations

• Alpha Phi Omega (ΑΦῼ) is a national service fraternity. The Phi Xi chapter was founded at Austin College in 1970 to help the College through service projects. Its main purpose is to assemble college students in fellowship, develop leadership, promote friendship, and provide service to humanity.
• Circle K is affiliated with the International Kiwanis Club. Members believe in the premise of today’s college student becoming tomorrow’s leader. The group seeks to meet the personal needs of members through the qualities of leadership, the rewards of service, and the unique spirit of friendship.
• Habitat for Humanity works to implement the gospel of Jesus Christ at Austin College and elsewhere by working with economically disadvantaged people to help them create a better human habitat in which to live and work.
• Rotaract allows students the opportunity to work independently and with rotary clubs to serve the local and global community while gaining a better understanding of the world which we live in.

Spirit Organizations

• Aussies is the dance team formed in 1995 to promote school spirit and provide entertainment during the halftimes of various sporting events.
• Cheerleaders (started in 1927) and the Mascot are integral parts of the athletic program. These hardworking students help rally the crowd during sporting events.
• Pep Band was formed in 1998 to promote school spirit at various college activities, primarily at athletic events.

Social Action

• ACCares is the organization formed to make the Austin College community aware of the impact of AIDS/HIV on their lives and others in the community, encouraging students to be educated and compassionate about AIDS/HIV.
• Amnesty International is a worldwide movement that works for releasing all prisoners of conscience and ending tortures and executions. The Austin College chapter strives for equal human rights for all people and works to educate the campus about these issues.
• Environmentally Concerned Organization of Students (ECOS) is dedicated to the student and preservation of the environment. ECOS coordinates a campus recycling program, shares information, sponsors Earth Day, and organizes environmentally oriented service projects and activities.
• People Reaffirming identity Differences and Educating (PRiDE) is a group of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual students and faculty concerned with providing a safe environment for students, regardless of sexual orientation. The group discusses topics related to harassment against and the rights of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people.
• Peace, Unity, Racial Harmony and Equality of women and men (PURE) fosters spiritual transformation and promotes the oneness of mankind, world peace, race unity, and the equality of women and men. The fact that humanity is one species is at the core of PURE’s programs.
• Women’s Issues, Support and Education (WISE) was organized to provide the Austin College community with a group that provides an awareness of and education in women’s issues.

Cultural

• Asian Student Association (ASA) is an organization that celebrates East and South Asian culture and values, and provides educational programming to the Austin College campus.
• Black Expressions (BE) is an organization the promotes unity and enhances an awareness of the African-American culture for Austin College, as well as the surrounding community.
• Los Amigos is an organization that strives to promote awareness of the Hispanic culture and provide support services for students of Hispanic backgrounds. Los Amigos is also committed to improving relationships with the greater Hispanic community.
• Student International Organization (SIO) is an organization which provides cultural awareness in the Austin College community. It is for International students, students returning from or planning to study abroad, and students interested in other cultures.
• Indian Cultural Association (ICA) celebrates Indian culture and values which includes different religious beliefs, music, food, etc.
• Muslim Student Association (MSA) is an organization that promotes the religion and culture of Islam on the Austin College campus.

Interest

• Biology Interest Group (BIG) is interested in encouraging students to share their enthusiasm for biology, acting as a forum for the discussion of biological topics, providing information about careers and educational opportunities that are available for graduate studies, and promoting interest in the vast field of biology.
• Chemical Society allows students of chemistry, biochemistry, and related fields to become better acquainted, while providing intellectual stimulation and experiences in preparing and presenting material before scientific audiences.
• Classics Club exists for the purpose of promoting interest and awareness of Ancient Greek and Roman cultures among those studying Greek and Latin languages and ancient history.
• English Country Dance Club was formed to teach the community the historical English Country Dance steps celebrated between the 17th and 21st centuries.
• French Club was established to celebrate and learn about the rich culture of France.
• German Club was established to educate and celebrate the German culture amongst the student body.
• International Relations Club (IR) promotes awareness of International cultures through speakers and activities on campus. The club also promotes academic excellence through the Model UN program.
• Lacrosse Club was founded in 1989 to enhance the competitive drive of students interested in lacrosse. The club is open to all students.
• Pre-Law Society is a career-oriented student organization. Speakers of various legal interests are invited to share their expertise and insight about this growing career. Texas Law School Admission personnel, area attorneys, and prominent legally-oriented political figures are common guests.
• Pre-Med Society was organized to provide a support network for the health science students at Austin College.
• Psychology Club is an organization for any person interested in psychology. Discussions and speakers concerning current issues in the field provide opportunities to pursue learning outside the classroom.
• Student Organization of Modern Art (SOMA) provides a healthy outlet for artistic creation for Austin College students.
• Society of Physics Students (SPS) facilitates the understanding of the science of physics while stimulating and promoting an interest in physics among the Austin College community.
• Young Democrats seeks to advance the cause of more responsible and efficient government on the local, state and national level. They promote the ideals of the Democratic Party, unify members of the party on campus, and develop increased involvement and political responsibility of those members.
• Young Republicans seeks to further inform Austin College students of the importance of politics through open, consistent, campus wide political discussion.

Fellowship

• Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) provides prolonged opportunities for fellowship, while presenting the claims of historical Christianity in an intelligent manner with a vision of worldwide missions.
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) strives to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, especially through such activities as singing, sharing, laughing, and fellowship. The group welcomes coaches, athletes, and everyone else who is interested.

Registered organizations can be sponsored by religious denominations and/or may be affiliated with a national or local organization. Registered organizations are ineligible for Student Activity Fee appropriations and can not use the College name in publicity campaigns or materials.

• Baptist Student Ministries (BSM) conducts weekly prayer meetings, worship services in local churches, meetings, and Baptist-related retreats.
• Best Buddies provides opportunities for students to become friends with persons with mental retardation.
• Catholic Student Association (CSA) provides an environment filled with social and spiritual activities in an atmosphere that allows for the well-being of its members in the Catholic faith.
• Canterbury Society meets the fellowship needs, enhances the worship of, and provides service for the Episcopal students at Austin College.

Honor Societies

• Alpha Chi (ΑΧ)
• Alpha Psi Omega (ΑΨΩ)
• Beta Beta Beta (ΒΒΒ)
• Delta Phi Alpha (ΔΦΑ)
• Eta Sigma Phi (ΗΣΦ)
• Omicron Delta Epsilon (ΟΔΕ)
• Phi Beta Kappa (ΦΒΚ)
• Phi Sigma Iota (ΦΣΙ)
• Pi Delta Phi (ΠΔΦ)
• Pi Gamma Mu (ΠΓΜ)
• Pi Sigma Alpha (ΠΣΑ)
• Psi Chi (ΨΧ)
• Sigma Delta Pi (ΣΔΠ)
• Sigma Pi Sigma (ΣΠΣ)

Any student who meets the qualifications of the specific organization may audition. Auditions for the various organizations are generally held during the first week of the fall term in Craig Hall and are open to all students, regardless of their major. Participating students may elect to register for zero credit. Majors should register for zero credit.

Music

Woodwind, Brass, and String Ensembles consist of performing groups ranging in size from three to ten players which specialize in chamber music from Baroque through contemporary periods. The standard, as well as lesser-known works for each medium are covered, stressing ensemble techniques and performance practices appropriate for the period under consideration. Several on-campus and off-campus recitals are given each year, including guest appearances at other colleges and universities. Austin College Jazz Ensemble consists of one full 20-piece Big Band as well as small combos that perform both standard and contemporary literature. Regularly scheduled appearances throughout the year include those on campus and at various area colleges and high schools, providing valuable solo and ensemble performance experience to anyone interested in this medium. A Cappella Choir is a select group of singers that makes frequent concert appearances and tours; all types of music are included in its repertoire but special emphasis is placed on sacred music. All registration is for S/W only, non-credit. Chorale provides an opportunity for students to participate in a choral ensemble regardless of past experience and membership ranges from music major to choral novice. The Chorale builds upon the students’ enthusiasm for choral singing and a willingness to develop musical skills. Previous experience is helpful. An audition is required for placement. Austin College Concert Band is a new large ensemble organized to play the standard concert band repertoire and will perform on and off campus at least once a semester. All percussion, brass, and woodwind players with high school experience are encouraged to audition. Sherman Symphony Orchestra, sponsored jointly by the College and Sherman Musical Art, Inc., is a volunteer and professional organization of approximately 65 members, which performs works from the standard classical orchestral repertoire.

Notable faculty

• Light Townsend Cummins, (State Historian of Texas, Texas history author)
• George Diggs, (Biologist, Texas flora)
• Jerry B. Lincecum, ((English, Texas folklore author)
• Shelton Williams, (Political Science/International Studies, government consultant)
• Mark S. Smith, (Art, painting)

Notable alumni

• Marshall Applewhite, Leader of the Heaven's Gate religious cult.
• Gene Babb, President, National Football Scouting Inc.; former player for the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Oilers, and San Francisco 49ers
• Byron Boston, a football official in the National Football League
• George C. Butte, American jurist and Texas politician
• Larry Fedora, Head Football Coach at University of Southern Mississippi
• Ron Kirk, Former Mayor of Dallas and current United States Trade Representative
• Candace Kita, Actress
• Joshua Kowert, Republican political activist
• Ray Morehart, baseball player, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, played with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig
• Carroll Pickett, Presbyterian minister, author, and advocate against the death penalty

External links

• Official website