Austin College: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Presbyterian liberal arts college}}
{{Short description|Presbyterian college in Sherman, Texas}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2008}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2008}}
{{Infobox university
{{Infobox university
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|free_label =
|free_label =
|free =
|free =
|sporting_affiliations = [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[Division III (NCAA)|Division III]] – [[Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference|SCAC]] <br /> ''Compete in the [[Southern Athletic Association]] for football''
|sporting_affiliations = {{hlist|[[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[Division III (NCAA)|Division III]] – [[Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference|SCAC]]|[[Collegiate Water Polo Association|CWPA]]|[[American Southwest Conference|ASC]]}}
|colors = Crimson & Gold<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.austincollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Brand-Guide-2014.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-07-07 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041623/http://www.austincollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Brand-Guide-2014.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><br />{{color box|#981E32}}&nbsp;{{color box|#FDB913}}&nbsp;
|colors = Crimson & Gold<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.austincollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Brand-Guide-2014.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-07-07 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041623/http://www.austincollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Brand-Guide-2014.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><br />{{color box|#981E32}}&nbsp;{{color box|#FDB913}}&nbsp;
|sports_nickname = Kangaroos, The Fighting 'Roos
|sports_nickname = Kangaroos, The Fighting 'Roos
|mascot = Katy the Kangaroo
|mascot = [[Kangaroo]]<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.acroos.com/sports/cheer/mascot|title=The Kangaroo Mascot|journal=Austin College|access-date=2014-08-20|archive-date=2014-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821032441/http://www.acroos.com/sports/cheer/mascot|url-status=live}}</ref>
|website= {{url|www.austincollege.edu}}
|website= {{URL|www.austincollege.edu}}
|administrative_staff = 104
|administrative_staff = 104
|academic_affiliations= [[Oberlin Group]]<br />[[Annapolis Group]]<br />[[Council of Independent Colleges|CIC]]<br />[[Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities|APCU]]
|academic_affiliations= [[Oberlin Group]]<br />[[Annapolis Group]]<br />[[Council of Independent Colleges|CIC]]<br />[[Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities|APCU]]
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==History==
==History==
[[File:Old Main.GIF|thumb|Old Main]]
[[File:Old Main.GIF|thumb|Old Main]]
The college was founded on October 13, 1849, in [[Huntsville, Texas]], by the [[Hampden–Sydney College|Hampden–Sydney]]<ref>{{cite web| title = An Army of Good Men| work = The Record| publisher = Hampden–Sydney College| url = http://www.hsc.edu/The-Record/2010-September/An-army-of-good-men.html| access-date = 2014-04-02| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120111130039/http://www.hsc.edu/The-Record/2010-September/An-army-of-good-men.html| archive-date = 2012-01-11| url-status = dead}}</ref> and [[Princeton University|Princeton]]-educated missionary Dr. Daniel Baker. Signed by Texas Governor [[George Tyler Wood|George Wood]], the charter of Austin College was modeled after those of [[Harvard University|Harvard]], [[Yale University|Yale]], and [[Princeton University|Princeton]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = History|url = http://www.austincollege.edu/about/history/|website = www.austincollege.edu| date=November 2009 |access-date = 2015-09-03|archive-date = 2015-06-08|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150608002350/http://www.austincollege.edu/about/history/|url-status = live}}</ref>
The college was founded on October 13, 1849, in [[Huntsville, Texas]], by the [[Hampden–Sydney College|Hampden–Sydney]]<ref>{{cite web| title = An Army of Good Men| work = The Record| publisher = Hampden–Sydney College| url = http://www.hsc.edu/The-Record/2010-September/An-army-of-good-men.html| access-date = 2014-04-02| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120111130039/http://www.hsc.edu/The-Record/2010-September/An-army-of-good-men.html| archive-date = 2012-01-11| url-status = dead}}</ref> and [[Princeton University|Princeton]]-educated missionary Daniel Baker. Signed by Texas Governor [[George Tyler Wood|George Wood]], the charter of Austin College was modeled after those of [[Harvard University|Harvard]], [[Yale University|Yale]], and [[Princeton University|Princeton]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = History|url = http://www.austincollege.edu/about/history/|website = www.austincollege.edu| date=November 2009 |access-date = 2015-09-03|archive-date = 2015-06-08|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150608002350/http://www.austincollege.edu/about/history/|url-status = live}}</ref>


Baker named the school for the Texas historical figure [[Stephen F. Austin]] after the original land on which it was built was donated by the Austin family. Two other important figures in Texas history, [[Sam Houston]] and [[Anson Jones]],<ref name="Austin College History" /> served on the original board of trustees for the college, and the former site in Huntsville later became today's [[Sam Houston State University]].
Baker named the school for the Texas historical figure [[Stephen F. Austin]]; the original land was donated by the Austin family. Two other important figures in Texas history, [[Sam Houston]] and [[Anson Jones]],<ref name="Austin College History" /> served on the board of trustees.


Austin College's founding president was Irish-born Presbyterian minister [[Samuel McKinney]], who served as the school's president a second time from 1862 to 1871.<ref name="amelia">{{cite web | url= https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fmc74 | title= MCKINNEY, SAMUEL | first= Amelia W. | last= Williams | date= June 15, 2010 | website= Handbook of Texas Online | publisher= [[Texas State Historical Association]] | access-date= September 6, 2015 | archive-date= September 20, 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150920211111/https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fmc74 | url-status= live }}</ref> Under the tenure of the fourth president of Austin College, Reverend Samuel Magoffin Luckett,<ref name=":0" /> Austin College had several [[yellow fever]] epidemics and complications related to [[American Civil War|the Civil War]]. Texas Synod of the Presbyterian Church decided the college would be relocated to Sherman in 1876. Construction of the new campus in north Texas came in the form of "Old Main," a two-story, red brick structure, which occurred between 1876 and 1878. Struggling with the [[Long Depression]], Austin College saw little improvement to its building or grounds during the late 1870s; as such, Samuel Luckett resigned his position as president. From 1878 to 1885, the college continued to struggle from the aftershocks of economic depression; with an increasing debt and shrinking student body, the college turned to its 7th president, Reverend Donald MacGregor. A shrewd and well connected businessman, President MacGregor relieved a great deal of the college's debt and returned operations to normalcy. After MacGregor's death in 1887, the college welcomed President Luckett back to the campus. Throughout his second term as president, Samuel Luckett adopted a military program, grew the student body, introduced a YMCA chapter, established intercollegiate athletics and Greek fraternities, and added two wings to Old Main.
Austin College's founding president was Irish-born Presbyterian minister [[Samuel McKinney]], who served as the school's president a second time from 1862 to 1871.<ref name="amelia">{{cite web | url= https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fmc74 | title= MCKINNEY, SAMUEL | first= Amelia W. | last= Williams | date= June 15, 2010 | website= Handbook of Texas Online | publisher= [[Texas State Historical Association]] | access-date= September 6, 2015 | archive-date= September 20, 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150920211111/https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fmc74 | url-status= live }}</ref> Under the tenure of the fourth president of Austin College, Samuel Magoffin Luckett,<ref name=":0" /> Austin College had several [[yellow fever]] epidemics and complications related to [[American Civil War|the Civil War]]. The college relocated to Sherman in 1878.


On January 21 of 1913, Old Main was set ablaze and burnt to the ground in a matter of hours. During the fire, the senior class called the student body together and they committed, in writing, to stand by the college after the fire. The faculty also committed to continue college work the next day. The event galvanized the community.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Lost Buildings of Austin College 1|url = http://abell.austincollege.edu/visitors/welcome/lost/lostm.html|website = abell.austincollege.edu|access-date = 2015-09-03|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150908033645/http://abell.austincollege.edu/visitors/welcome/lost/lostm.html|archive-date = 2015-09-08|url-status = dead}}</ref> Following the fire, the citizens of Sherman raised $50,000 to help the college rebuild.
One of the school's most iconic presidents came in the form of Reverend Thomas Stone Clyce, who served as the Austin College president from 1900 to 1931; Reverend Clyce's presidency would become, and remains, the longest tenure in Austin College history.


The college has boasted such guests as [[Harry Houdini]], [[Harry Blackstone, Sr.|Harry Blackstone Sr]]., [[Ernestine Schumann-Heink|Madame Schumann-Heink]], [[William Howard Taft]], and [[George H. W. Bush|George H.W. Bush]].
On January 21 of 1913, Old Main was set ablaze and burnt to the ground in a matter of hours. A professor of Austin College, Davis Foute Eagleton described the incident: {{blockquote|"''Austin College on fire and every particle of wood reduced to ashes--and walls rendered totally unfit for use. Oh, dies irae, dies irae! - The dear old building in which I have laboured for twenty-four years, gone! What traditions, memories, griefs, joys, were associated with it! The carpenters were approaching the completion of their work. The new English room was completed, the library room was soon to be ready. The literary societies lost everything. I lost all books, or, [those] in my class room. The laboratories were almost a total loss. Fortunately, the library, records, and office furniture were all in the new Y.M.C.A. building. Before the fire had begun to die out, the Senior class called the student body together and they pledged themselves by classes in writing to stand by the Faculty and the College, and that no one would leave. The Faculty also met shortly after and unanimously decided to continue college work the next day as usual, meeting their classes in places designated. Probably not another institution in the State could have done this.'' ''But the old College building is gone forever!!!"''<ref>{{Cite web|title = Lost Buildings of Austin College 1|url = http://abell.austincollege.edu/visitors/welcome/lost/lostm.html|website = abell.austincollege.edu|access-date = 2015-09-03|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150908033645/http://abell.austincollege.edu/visitors/welcome/lost/lostm.html|archive-date = 2015-09-08|url-status = dead}}</ref>}}Following the fire, the citizens of Sherman raised $50,000 to help the college rebuild. Now one of the oldest buildings on the Austin College campus, Sherman Hall housed administrative offices, an auditorium-chapel, and a library. Now the home of the [[humanities]] division, Sherman Hall boasted such guests as [[Harry Houdini]], [[Harry Blackstone, Sr.|Harry Blackstone Sr]]., [[Ernestine Schumann-Heink|Madame Schumann-Heink]], [[William Howard Taft]], and [[George H. W. Bush|George H.W. Bush]].


⚫
In 1994, Oscar Page joined the community as its 14th president. Under his tenure, 1994–2009, Page increased the school's endowment by nearly 80%, due in large part to his dedicated fundraising efforts as evidenced by the success of the "Campaign for the New Era;" a total of $120 million were raised and the campaign was heralded as the largest fundraiser in Austin College's history. Page orchestrated the construction of Jordan Family Language House, Jerry E. Apple Stadium, the Robert J. and Mary Wright Campus Center, the Robert M. and Joyce A. Johnson 'Roo Suites, and the Betsy Dennis Forster Art Studio Complex; as well as the renovation of the David E. and Cassie L. Temple Center for Teaching and Learning at Thompson House and of Wortham Center, and creation of the John A. and Katherine G. Jackson Technology Center, the Margaret Binkley Collins and William W. Collins, Jr., Alumni Center, and the College Green in Honor of John D. and Sara Bernice Moseley and Distinguished Faculty.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Past Presidents|url = http://www.austincollege.edu/about/office-of-the-president/past-presidents/|website = www.austincollege.edu| date=22 January 2013 |access-date = 2015-09-03|archive-date = 2019-04-11|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190411174331/https://www.austincollege.edu/about/office-of-the-president/past-presidents/|url-status = live}}</ref>
To this day, the Austin College administration rarely cancels classes for weather or minor incidents in honor of the great commitment students and faculty made to continue on with regular coursework following the fire.


⚫
Marjorie Hass joined the campus in 2009 as both its first female and [[Jewish faith|Jewish]] president. Under her leadership, the college saw the construction of the IDEA Center and two new housing complexes. The IDEA Center is a 103,000 square ft. facility which includes multi-disciplinary and multi-purpose classrooms, laboratories, lecture halls and the largest telescope in the region found in Adams Observatory. It is a [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|LEED]] Gold certified facility.<ref>{{Cite web|title = IDEA Center|url = http://www.austincollege.edu/campus-offices/business-affairs/physical-plant/idea/|website = www.austincollege.edu| date=November 2009 |access-date = 2015-11-12|archive-date = 2015-11-09|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151109062343/http://www.austincollege.edu/campus-offices/business-affairs/physical-plant/idea|url-status = live}}</ref>
Austin College became co-educational in 1918, merging in 1930 with the all-female [[Texas Presbyterian College]].

[[Great Depression in the United States|The Great Depression]] severely limited campus growth and educational expansion, however the college quickly regained momentum in the mid-1930s with the introduction of many courses, ground breaking on new facilities, and growth of previously established programs. Throughout 1942, Austin College trained some 300 men and women in engineering, science and management courses as part of the United States Office of Education's war efforts. The following year, Austin College undertook a Cadet nurses training program and hosted Naval Reserves, Texas Home Guard, Army-air trainees and Air Corps Cadets.

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

⚫
In 1994, Dr. Oscar Page joined the community as its 14th president. Under his tenure, 1994–2009, Dr. Page increased the school's endowment by nearly 80%, due in large part to his dedicated fundraising efforts as evidenced by the success of the "Campaign for the New Era;" a total of $120 million were raised and the campaign was heralded as the largest fundraiser in Austin College's history. Dr. Page orchestrated the construction of Jordan Family Language House, Jerry E. Apple Stadium, the Robert J. and Mary Wright Campus Center, the Robert M. and Joyce A. Johnson 'Roo Suites, and the Betsy Dennis Forster Art Studio Complex; as well as the renovation of the David E. and Cassie L. Temple Center for Teaching and Learning at Thompson House and of Wortham Center, and creation of the John A. and Katherine G. Jackson Technology Center, the Margaret Binkley Collins and William W. Collins, Jr., Alumni Center, and the College Green in Honor of John D. and Sara Bernice Moseley and Distinguished Faculty.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Past Presidents|url = http://www.austincollege.edu/about/office-of-the-president/past-presidents/|website = www.austincollege.edu| date=22 January 2013 |access-date = 2015-09-03|archive-date = 2019-04-11|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190411174331/https://www.austincollege.edu/about/office-of-the-president/past-presidents/|url-status = live}}</ref>

In the latter part of Austin College's history, the school would see de-segregation, welcome its first full-time black faculty member, first female head of a department, and, employ its first female president.

⚫
Dr. Marjorie Hass joined the campus in 2009 as both its first female and [[Jewish faith]] president. Under her leadership, the college saw the construction of the IDEA Center and two new housing complexes—the Flats at Brockett Court and the Village on Grand. The IDEA Center is a 103,000 square ft. facility which includes multi-disciplinary and multi-purpose classrooms, laboratories, lecture halls and the largest telescope in the region found in Adams Observatory. It is a [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|LEED]] Gold certified facility.<ref>{{Cite web|title = IDEA Center|url = http://www.austincollege.edu/campus-offices/business-affairs/physical-plant/idea/|website = www.austincollege.edu| date=November 2009 |access-date = 2015-11-12|archive-date = 2015-11-09|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151109062343/http://www.austincollege.edu/campus-offices/business-affairs/physical-plant/idea|url-status = live}}</ref>


==Rankings==
==Rankings==
{{Infobox US university ranking
{{Infobox US university ranking
| Forbes = 250
| Forbes = 250
| THE_WSJ = 255
| THE_WSJ = 255
| USNWR_LA = 117
| USNWR_LA = 117
| Wamo_LA = 116
| Wamo_LA = 116
}}
}}
Listed in the [[U.S. News & World Report]] "Guide to the 331 Most Interesting Colleges", Austin College is ranked #117 on the 2019 list of National Liberal Arts Colleges. Austin College was ranked 79th in 2016. President O'Day took office in 2017, and Austin College slipped to 117th in 2020, the lowest ranking National Liberal Arts College in Texas.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/austin-college-3543/rankings?int=c6b9e3| title=Austin College| publisher=U.S. News| access-date=2014-01-06| archive-date=2014-01-06| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106174626/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/austin-college-3543/rankings?int=c6b9e3| url-status=live}}</ref> The school is named a Best Western College by [[The Princeton Review]] and is also included in The Princeton Review's Best 377 Colleges. Austin College has been ranked as one of the top ten colleges in Texas by [[USA Today]], College Factual, and Best Colleges.
Listed in the ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' "Guide to the 331 Most Interesting Colleges", Austin College is ranked #117 on the 2019 list of National Liberal Arts Colleges. Austin College was ranked 79th in 2016. President O'Day took office in 2017, and Austin College slipped to 117th in 2020, the lowest ranking National Liberal Arts College in Texas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/austin-college-3543/rankings?int=c6b9e3 |title=Austin College |work=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=2014-01-06 |archive-date=2014-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106174626/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/austin-college-3543/rankings?int=c6b9e3 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Austin College is a member of the International 50, a group of the top colleges in the US for international focus, the non-profit organization Colleges That Change Lives and is one of the original 40 colleges profiled in ''[[Colleges That Change Lives|Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Feel About Colleges]]'' by Loren Pope.


==Academics==
==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 college has a music program,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austincollege.edu/music|title=music program|work=austincollege.edu|date=November 2009 |access-date=2018-04-26|archive-date=2022-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731023345/https://www.austincollege.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/music/|url-status=live}}</ref> and supports the Austin College A Cappella Choir and the Sherman Symphony Orchestra<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shermansymphony.com/|title=www.shermansymphony.com|work=shermansymphony.com|access-date=2022-07-31|archive-date=2022-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411183346/https://shermansymphony.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> made up of students and local musicians, and assorted smaller musical ensembles. It sponsors the Posey Center of Excellence in Leadership, the Center for Environmental Studies, and the Center for Southwestern and Mexican Studies, 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.
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 has a music program,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austincollege.edu/music|title=music program|work=austincollege.edu|date=November 2009 |access-date=2018-04-26|archive-date=2022-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731023345/https://www.austincollege.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/music/|url-status=live}}</ref> and supports the Austin College A Cappella Choir and the Sherman Symphony Orchestra<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shermansymphony.com/|title=www.shermansymphony.com|work=shermansymphony.com|access-date=2022-07-31|archive-date=2022-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411183346/https://shermansymphony.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> made up of students and local musicians, and assorted smaller musical ensembles.


==Athletics==
==Athletics==
⚫
Austin College joined the [[Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference|Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC)]] on July 1, 2006, replacing [[Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology]]. Austin College was previously a member of the [[American Southwest Conference]] (ASC), Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association, and Texas Conference. In 2017, the Austin College football team joined the Southern Athletic Association in football, while remaining a member of the SCAC across all other sports.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.acroos.com/sports/fball/2015-16/releases/20151117uguu1z|title=Austin College Football to Join SAA as Affiliate Member|date=18 November 2015|website=acroos.com|access-date=24 March 2016|archive-date=9 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409131934/http://www.acroos.com/sports/fball/2015-16/releases/20151117uguu1z|url-status=live}}</ref>
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. 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 college rules. Currently students refer to their sports teams as the 'fighting roos.'

Kangaroo varsity teams include American football, men and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, volleyball, men's and women's basketball, swimming and diving, tennis, baseball, softball, and men's and women's water polo. 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 joined the [[Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference|Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC)]] on July 1, 2006, replacing [[Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology]]. Austin College was previously a member of the [[American Southwest Conference]] (ASC), Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association, and Texas Conference. In 2017, the Austin College football team joined the Southern Athletic Association in football, while remaining a member of the SCAC across all other sports.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.acroos.com/sports/fball/2015-16/releases/20151117uguu1z|title=Austin College Football to Join SAA as Affiliate Member|date=18 November 2015|website=acroos.com|access-date=24 March 2016|archive-date=9 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409131934/http://www.acroos.com/sports/fball/2015-16/releases/20151117uguu1z|url-status=live}}</ref> The college started fielding varsity men's and women's water polo during the 2018–19 school year; the men participate in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) while the women compete in [[Collegiate Water Polo Association]] (CWPA) Division III.


=== Baseball ===
=== Baseball ===
In 2007, the first year of participating in the SCAC, the Austin College baseball team won the conference tournament, beating Millsaps College 9–7 in the finals. The Roos finished the season with a win–loss record of 22–25. The tournament win was the first ever conference championship for the Roos and the first time the program had ever been in the Regional tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.austincollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/acmagazine_june07.pdf|title = Austin College Magazine|date = June 2007|access-date = 2016-01-22|archive-date = 2016-01-28|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160128121219/http://www.austincollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/acmagazine_june07.pdf|url-status = dead}}</ref> [[Carl Iwasaki]] was the head coach for the Roos from 2005 until 2010. He won two coach of the year awards, the first in 2006 while the Roos were still in the ASC and the second, coming in 2007 after the Roos had joined the SCAC. Coach Iwasaki was replaced by James Rise for the 2011 season who coached for four seasons. Under Rise, the Roos went 11–24 in 2011, 8–29 in 2012, 12–29 in 2013, and 6–33 in 2014.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = SCAC|url = http://scacsports.com/information/archives/index2|website = scacsports.com|access-date = 2016-01-22|archive-date = 2015-11-28|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151128051101/http://www.scacsports.com/information/archives/index2|url-status = live}}</ref> In the fall of 2014, the Roos hired Mike Ramsey, a former TCU baseball player, who in his first year went 8-21.
In 2007, the first year of participating in the SCAC, the Austin College baseball team won the conference tournament, beating Millsaps College 9–7 in the finals. The Roos finished the season with a win–loss record of 22–25. The tournament win was the first ever conference championship for the Roos and the first time the program had ever been in the Regional tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.austincollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/acmagazine_june07.pdf|title = Austin College Magazine|date = June 2007|access-date = 2016-01-22|archive-date = 2016-01-28|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160128121219/http://www.austincollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/acmagazine_june07.pdf|url-status = dead}}</ref> [[Carl Iwasaki]] was the head coach for the Roos from 2005 until 2010. He won two coach of the year awards, the first in 2006 while the Roos were still in the ASC and the second, coming in 2007 after the Roos had joined the SCAC. Coach Iwasaki was replaced by James Rise for the 2011 season who coached for four seasons. Under Rise, the Roos went 11–24 in 2011, 8–29 in 2012, 12–29 in 2013, and 6–33 in 2014.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = SCAC|url = http://scacsports.com/information/archives/index2|website = scacsports.com|access-date = 2016-01-22|archive-date = 2015-11-28|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151128051101/http://www.scacsports.com/information/archives/index2|url-status = live}}</ref>

=== Football ===
Austin College began its first football season in 1896, making Austin College one of the first teams in the south. Austin College has had 119 straight seasons with a football team. Since its beginning Austin college has won eight conference championships, and one national championship. It has also hosted over 130 all Americans. Currently the football team is coached by Loren Dawson and is currently a member of [[NCAA Division III]] American Southwest Conference (ASC).


==Notable alumni==
==Alumni==
* [[Ramon Frederick Adams]], author of books about the history of cattle and gunmen<ref>{{cite web|url=http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.fol.002 |title=Adams, Ramon (1889-1976) |work=Encyclopedia of the Great Plains |first=Lawrence |last=Clayton |access-date=July 25, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Ryan Allen]], opera singer
* [[Ryan Allen (bass)|Ryan Allen]], opera singer
* [[Marshall Applewhite]], leader of the Heaven's Gate religious cult.<ref name="New York Times">{{cite news| date=1997-03-29| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D07E5DC133AF93AA15750C0A961958260| work=New York Times| title=From Religious Childhood To Reins of a U.F.O. Cult| access-date=2008-05-08| first=Jacques| last=Steinberg| archive-date=2008-06-16| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616181102/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D07E5DC133AF93AA15750C0A961958260| url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Marshall Applewhite]], leader of the Heaven's Gate religious cult<ref name="New York Times">{{cite news| date=March 29, 1997| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D07E5DC133AF93AA15750C0A961958260| work=New York Times| title=From Religious Childhood To Reins of a U.F.O. Cult| access-date=May 8, 2008| first=Jacques| last=Steinberg| archive-date=June 16, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616181102/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D07E5DC133AF93AA15750C0A961958260| url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Gene Babb]], President, National Football Scouting Inc.; former player for the [[Dallas Cowboys]], [[Houston Oilers]] and [[San Francisco 49ers]]
⚫
* [[Gene Babb]], football player
* [[Thomas Henry Ball]], Texas politician and member of the [[United States House of Representatives]]
* [[Thomas Henry Ball]], Texas politician
* [[Smith Ballew]], actor and singer
* [[Smith Ballew]], actor and singer
* [[Billy Bookout]], American football player
* [[Billy Bookout]], football player
* [[Hannibal Boone]], 16th Attorney General of Texas
* [[Hannibal Boone]], 16th Attorney General of Texas
* [[Byron Boston]], a football official in the [[National Football League]]
* [[Byron Boston]], football player
* [[John Bucy III]], [[Texas House of Representatives|Texas State Representative]] (2019–present)
* [[John Bucy III]], Texas House Representative (2019–present)
* [[Ben Bumgarner]], Texas House Representative (2023–present)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.house.texas.gov/|title=Texas House of Representatives|website=Texas House of Representatives|accessdate=}}</ref>
* [[Joe Coomer (American football)|Joe Coomer]], American football player
* [[Joe Coomer (American football)|Joe Coomer]], football player
* [[Deborah Crombie]], New York Times bestselling author.
* [[Philip N. Diehl|Philip Diehl]], Director of the [[United States Mint]].
* [[Deborah Crombie]], author
* [[Philip N. Diehl|Philip Diehl]], director of the [[United States Mint]].
* [[Nancy J. Duff|Nancy Duff]], Stephen Colwell Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at [[Princeton Theological Seminary]]
* [[Nancy J. Duff|Nancy Duff]], theologian
* [[Larry Fedora]], football coach
* [[Scott Eder]], sports executive, marathoner and triathlete
* [[Maurice Harper]], football player
* [[Larry Fedora]], former head football coach at [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]
* [[David Lee "Tex" Hill]], fighter pilot
⚫
* [[Maurice Harper]], American football player
* [[John Hitt]], academic administrator
* [[David Lee "Tex" Hill]], World War II triple ace, member of the Flying Tigers. John Wayne based his character on Hill in the movie ''Flying Tigers''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://obit.porterloring.com/obitdisplay.html?id=465501&listing=All |title=Hill, BrigGen David - Porter Loring - San Antonio, Texas - Funeral, Cremation, Pre-planning, Grief Support - Memorial Obituaries |website=obit.porterloring.com |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316161313/http://obit.porterloring.com/obitdisplay.html?id=465501&listing=All |archive-date=16 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
⚫
* [[Ron Kirk]], former Mayor of Dallas and former United States Trade Representative
* [[John Hitt]], president of the [[University of Central Florida]]
⚫
* [[Ron Kirk]], former Mayor of Dallas and former [[United States Trade Representative]]
* [[Candace Kita]], actress
* [[Candace Kita]], actress
* [[Haskell Monroe]], notable educator and university administrator
* [[Haskell Monroe]], educator and university administrator
* [[Ray Morehart]], baseball player, [[Chicago White Sox]], [[New York Yankees]], played with [[Babe Ruth]] and [[Lou Gehrig]]
* [[Ray Morehart]], baseball player
* [[John O. Moseley|John Moseley]], educator and college president
* [[John O. Moseley|John Moseley]], educator and college president
* [[Carroll Pickett]], Presbyterian minister, author and advocate for abolishing the death penalty<ref name="Within">Stowers, Carlton, and [[Carroll Pickett]], ''Within These Walls: Memoirs of a Death House Chaplain'', {{ISBN|978-0-312-28717-7}}, [[St. Martin's Press]], 2002, [https://books.google.com/books?id=JQlIcYytPmkC Google Books] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731023410/https://books.google.com/books?id=JQlIcYytPmkC |date=2022-07-31 }}</ref>
* [[Carroll Pickett]], Presbyterian minister, author and advocate for abolishing the death penalty<ref name="Within">Stowers, Carlton, and [[Carroll Pickett]], ''Within These Walls: Memoirs of a Death House Chaplain'', {{ISBN|978-0-312-28717-7}}, [[St. Martin's Press]], 2002, [https://books.google.com/books?id=JQlIcYytPmkC Google Books]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731023410/https://books.google.com/books?id=JQlIcYytPmkC |date=July 31, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Homer Rainey]], college president and professor
* [[Homer Rainey]], college president
* [[Charlie Robertson]], [[Major League Baseball|American Major League Baseball]] pitcher
* [[Charlie Robertson]], baseball player
* [[Walter E. Rogers|Walter Rogers]], [[United States House of Representatives|United States Representative]]
* [[Walter E. Rogers|Walter Rogers]], U.S. Representative
* [[Reggie Smith (Texas politician)|Reggie Smith]], [[Texas House of Representatives|Texas State Representative]] (2018–present)
* [[Reggie Smith (Texas politician)|Reggie Smith]], Texas House Representative (2018–present)
* [[Dan Stoenescu]], Romanian diplomat, ambassador and former Minister for Romanians Abroad
* [[Dan Stoenescu]], Romanian diplomat
* [[Leonidas J. Storey]], 13th Lt. Governor of Texas (1881–1883) <ref name=BS>{{cite book|url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1151235/m1/819/|title=Biographical Souvenir of the State of Texas: Containing Biographical Sketches of the Representative Public, and Many Early Settled Families|pages=795–96|date=1889|publisher=F. A. Battey & Company|publication-place=Chicago|via=[[University of North Texas Libraries]]}}</ref>
* [[Vern Sutton]], operatic tenor
* [[Vern Sutton]], operatic tenor
* [[Tom Thompson (American football)|Tom Thompson]], NCAA Football record holder
* [[Tom Thompson (American football)|Tom Thompson]], football player
* [[Larry Tidwell]], head women's basketball coach at NCAA Division I programs [[Lamar University]] and [[University of Texas–Pan American]].
* [[Larry Tidwell]], basketball coach
* [[Stephen Carpenter]], Soccer Player
* [[Brandon McInnis]], actor


==Notable faculty==
==Faculty==
*[[Light Townsend Cummins]], State Historian of Texas, Texas history author
*[[Light Townsend Cummins]], State Historian of Texas
*[[George Diggs]], biologist, Texas flora
*[[George Diggs]], biologist
*[[Joseph Havel]], artist, current director of the [[Glassell School of Art]]
*[[Joseph Havel]], artist, current director of the [[Glassell School of Art]]
*[[Jerry B. Lincecum]], English scholar, Texas folklore author
*[[Jerry B. Lincecum]], Texas folklore author
*[[Shelton Williams]], political science and international studies scholar
*[[Shelton Williams]], political scientist


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 18:40, 11 April 2024

Austin College
MottoNil nisi per aspera
Motto in English
Nothing but the fierce
TypePrivate liberal arts college
Established1849; 175 years ago (1849)
Religious affiliation
Presbyterian
Academic affiliations
Oberlin Group
Annapolis Group
CIC
APCU
Endowment$155.4 million (2020)[1]
PresidentSteven O'Day
Administrative staff
104
Students1,223 (2019)[2]
Location
Sherman
,
Texas
,
United States
CampusSuburban, 70 acres (28 ha)
ColorsCrimson & Gold[3]
    
NicknameKangaroos, The Fighting 'Roos
Sporting affiliations
MascotKaty the Kangaroo
Websitewww.austincollege.edu
Administrative building

Austin College is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and located in Sherman, Texas.[4]

About 1,300 students are enrolled at the college.[5] Students are required to live on campus for the first three years of their education in order to foster a close-knit and community oriented campus lifestyle. Austin College actively promotes study abroad programs; 70% of graduates have at least one international study experience during college, and about 82% of students are involved in research.[6] The college cultivates close interaction between students and professors via a 13:1[7] student to faculty ratio and an average class size of fewer than 25 students.[8]

Chartered in November 1849, Austin College remains the oldest institution of higher education in Texas to be operating under its original charter and name as recognized by the State Historical Survey Committee.[4] The college was profiled in all three editions of Colleges That Change Lives.

History[edit]

Old Main

The college was founded on October 13, 1849, in Huntsville, Texas, by the Hampden–Sydney[9] and Princeton-educated missionary Daniel Baker. Signed by Texas Governor George Wood, the charter of Austin College was modeled after those of Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.[10]

Baker named the school for the Texas historical figure Stephen F. Austin; the original land was donated by the Austin family. Two other important figures in Texas history, Sam Houston and Anson Jones,[4] served on the board of trustees.

Austin College's founding president was Irish-born Presbyterian minister Samuel McKinney, who served as the school's president a second time from 1862 to 1871.[11] Under the tenure of the fourth president of Austin College, Samuel Magoffin Luckett,[12] Austin College had several yellow fever epidemics and complications related to the Civil War. The college relocated to Sherman in 1878.

On January 21 of 1913, Old Main was set ablaze and burnt to the ground in a matter of hours. During the fire, the senior class called the student body together and they committed, in writing, to stand by the college after the fire. The faculty also committed to continue college work the next day. The event galvanized the community.[13] Following the fire, the citizens of Sherman raised $50,000 to help the college rebuild.

The college has boasted such guests as Harry Houdini, Harry Blackstone Sr., Madame Schumann-Heink, William Howard Taft, and George H.W. Bush.

In 1994, Oscar Page joined the community as its 14th president. Under his tenure, 1994–2009, Page increased the school's endowment by nearly 80%, due in large part to his dedicated fundraising efforts as evidenced by the success of the "Campaign for the New Era;" a total of $120 million were raised and the campaign was heralded as the largest fundraiser in Austin College's history. Page orchestrated the construction of Jordan Family Language House, Jerry E. Apple Stadium, the Robert J. and Mary Wright Campus Center, the Robert M. and Joyce A. Johnson 'Roo Suites, and the Betsy Dennis Forster Art Studio Complex; as well as the renovation of the David E. and Cassie L. Temple Center for Teaching and Learning at Thompson House and of Wortham Center, and creation of the John A. and Katherine G. Jackson Technology Center, the Margaret Binkley Collins and William W. Collins, Jr., Alumni Center, and the College Green in Honor of John D. and Sara Bernice Moseley and Distinguished Faculty.[12]

Marjorie Hass joined the campus in 2009 as both its first female and Jewish president. Under her leadership, the college saw the construction of the IDEA Center and two new housing complexes. The IDEA Center is a 103,000 square ft. facility which includes multi-disciplinary and multi-purpose classrooms, laboratories, lecture halls and the largest telescope in the region found in Adams Observatory. It is a LEED Gold certified facility.[14]

Rankings[edit]

Academic rankings
Liberal arts
U.S. News & World Report[15]117
Washington Monthly[16]116
National
Forbes[17]250
WSJ / College Pulse[18]255

Listed in the U.S. News & World Report "Guide to the 331 Most Interesting Colleges", Austin College is ranked #117 on the 2019 list of National Liberal Arts Colleges. Austin College was ranked 79th in 2016. President O'Day took office in 2017, and Austin College slipped to 117th in 2020, the lowest ranking National Liberal Arts College in Texas.[19]

Academics[edit]

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 has a music program,[20] and supports the Austin College A Cappella Choir and the Sherman Symphony Orchestra[21] made up of students and local musicians, and assorted smaller musical ensembles.

Athletics[edit]

Austin College joined the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) on July 1, 2006, replacing Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Austin College was previously a member of the American Southwest Conference (ASC), Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association, and Texas Conference. In 2017, the Austin College football team joined the Southern Athletic Association in football, while remaining a member of the SCAC across all other sports.[22]

Baseball[edit]

In 2007, the first year of participating in the SCAC, the Austin College baseball team won the conference tournament, beating Millsaps College 9–7 in the finals. The Roos finished the season with a win–loss record of 22–25. The tournament win was the first ever conference championship for the Roos and the first time the program had ever been in the Regional tournament.[23] Carl Iwasaki was the head coach for the Roos from 2005 until 2010. He won two coach of the year awards, the first in 2006 while the Roos were still in the ASC and the second, coming in 2007 after the Roos had joined the SCAC. Coach Iwasaki was replaced by James Rise for the 2011 season who coached for four seasons. Under Rise, the Roos went 11–24 in 2011, 8–29 in 2012, 12–29 in 2013, and 6–33 in 2014.[24]

Alumni[edit]

Faculty[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Archived from the original on February 21, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  2. ^ "U. S. News". Archived from the original on 2019-02-25. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
  3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-07-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ a b c Austin College Archived 2015-06-08 at the Wayback Machine, Austin College History.
  5. ^ Austin College Archived June 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Austin College Life.
  6. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-06-03. Retrieved 2014-08-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "Indicator". Archived from the original on 2022-07-31. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  8. ^ Austin College Archived 2013-08-18 at the Wayback Machine, Austin College Faculty.
  9. ^ "An Army of Good Men". The Record. Hampden–Sydney College. Archived from the original on 2012-01-11. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  10. ^ "History". www.austincollege.edu. November 2009. Archived from the original on 2015-06-08. Retrieved 2015-09-03.
  11. ^ Williams, Amelia W. (June 15, 2010). "MCKINNEY, SAMUEL". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on September 20, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  12. ^ a b "Past Presidents". www.austincollege.edu. 22 January 2013. Archived from the original on 2019-04-11. Retrieved 2015-09-03.
  13. ^ "Lost Buildings of Austin College 1". abell.austincollege.edu. Archived from the original on 2015-09-08. Retrieved 2015-09-03.
  14. ^ "IDEA Center". www.austincollege.edu. November 2009. Archived from the original on 2015-11-09. Retrieved 2015-11-12.
  15. ^ "Best Colleges 2024: National Liberal Arts Colleges". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  16. ^ "2023 Liberal Arts Rankings". Washington Monthly. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  17. ^ "Forbes America's Top Colleges List 2023". Forbes. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  18. ^ "2024 Best Colleges in the U.S." The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  19. ^ "Austin College". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on 2014-01-06. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
  20. ^ "music program". austincollege.edu. November 2009. Archived from the original on 2022-07-31. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  21. ^ "www.shermansymphony.com". shermansymphony.com. Archived from the original on 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
  22. ^ "Austin College Football to Join SAA as Affiliate Member". acroos.com. 18 November 2015. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  23. ^ "Austin College Magazine" (PDF). June 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-01-28. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
  24. ^ "SCAC". scacsports.com. Archived from the original on 2015-11-28. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
  25. ^ Clayton, Lawrence. "Adams, Ramon (1889-1976)". Encyclopedia of the Great Plains. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  26. ^ Steinberg, Jacques (March 29, 1997). "From Religious Childhood To Reins of a U.F.O. Cult". New York Times. Archived from the original on June 16, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
  27. ^ "Texas House of Representatives". Texas House of Representatives.
  28. ^ Stowers, Carlton, and Carroll Pickett, Within These Walls: Memoirs of a Death House Chaplain, ISBN 978-0-312-28717-7, St. Martin's Press, 2002, Google BooksArchived July 31, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  29. ^ Biographical Souvenir of the State of Texas: Containing Biographical Sketches of the Representative Public, and Many Early Settled Families. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Company. 1889. pp. 795–96 – via University of North Texas Libraries.

External links[edit]

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