Catalog of Abilene Christian University, 2005-2006 Page: 8
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8 Mission, Traditions and Services
Abilene Christian
University
www.acu.edu * 325-674-2000
ACU Box 29000, Abilene, Texas 79699-9000
Our mission: To educate students for Christian service
and leadership throughout the world.
Abilene Christian University is a national leader in Christian
higher education, offering an exceptional education to about
4,800 students annually from nearly every state and 60 nations.
This private, comprehensive university, founded in 1906 in Abilene,
Texas, offers 60 baccalaureate majors in more than 100 areas of
undergraduate study in addition to its graduate programs. Abilene
is a friendly city of 111,000 people, located about 150 miles west
of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. As an educational center for a
large region, Abilene provides cultural, entertainment and support
programs and services normally associated with cities twice its size.
Established by members of the Churches of Christ, ACU maintains a
strong relationship with these independently-governed congregations
around the world. Since its founding, the university has welcomed
all students of character and ability who value the university's
Christian environment.
Academic excellence is important at ACU, and students are challenged
to learn in the classroom and through their campus experiences. In
addition to outstanding undergraduate programs, ACU's Graduate
School enrolls about 550 students in 27 master's and one doctoral
program. All faculty and staff are Christians, and they help students
understand how their Christian beliefs connect with their fields of
study. In addition, ACU students are encouraged to share their time
and talents as Christian leaders and volunteers through various service
opportunities on the campus, in the community and in other countries.
Graduates of ACU are in high demand by employers and graduate
programs because they gain knowledge and experience in their
majors, and they learn to apply Christian values to their everyday
decisions at home and at work.
ACU is a unique community of learners, dedicated to scholarship and
committed to Christ. In every major, students gain a broad perspective
on the world through the liberal arts core curriculum. The university
also provides professional and pre-professional studies programs that
have produced outstanding graduates in such fields as medicine,
law, journalism, ministry, business, physics, nursing, graphic design,
psychology and education. One of our primary goals is to foster a
lifelong love of learning in our graduates.
What Makes ACU Special?
Because of ACU's strong sense of mission and outstanding academic
programs, we attract high quality faculty members from across the
United States and several other nations. They believe their Christian
commitment requires them to excel in their fields of study and to
focus on teaching and mentoring students. Experienced and talented
professors teach freshmen and conduct research and hands-on
learning projects with undergraduate students. Some of the best
minds in the world choose to teach at ACU because they believe this
university provides them the best opportunity to mold the next
generation of leaders in various professions.The staff and administrators also are Christians, and they focus
on supporting the academic mission of the university. The
university's Board of Trustees and administrators believe strongly
in comprehensive strategic planning and institutional research to
ensure that ACU continues to grow as a leader in Christian higher
education and to achieve its mission for a second century and beyond.
At ACU, each person (the grounds keepers, food service providers,
financial aid counselors, marketing staff, vice presidents) is focused on
the mission of educating students for Christian service and leadership
throughout the world. We are one team with one goal - to prepare
our graduates to change the world in a positive way and to make a
difference as Christian scholars and professionals.
University Traditions
Traditions at this 99-year-old university are strong. The school colors
are purple and white, and many people wear purple on Fridays to
indicate their support for the ACU Wildcats - ACU's athletics mascot.
The university has won 54 national athletics team championships,
with the majority in men's and women's track and field. This
winning tradition gained ACU's track and field program the
recognition as "Sports Dynasty of the Century" by Texas Monthly
magazine in 1999. Of course, football and basketball have great
crowd appeal, bringing out the Wildcat spirit.
Many academic programs also have winning traditions. For example,
the student newspaper, The Optimist, has won All-American honors
annually since 1975, and ACU debate teams have beaten teams from
prestigious national universities many times through the years.
Other traditions include Opening Chapel and the Parade of
Flags, candlelight devotionals, the hooding of all graduates at
Commencement, the singing of the "The Lord Bless You and Keep
You," the Big Purple Band, a cappella singing, Welcome Week for
freshmen, Spring Break campaigns, the GATA fountain, involvement in
social clubs, Sadie Hawkins week, and the school song titled "Oh, Dear
Christian College." For the first time in 2001, students could earn the
right to order ACU's new single class ring. Graduates of this university
wear this ring as a symbol of achievement and honor.
Excellent Student Support
To ensure the quality of the students' education, we provide enhanced
library resources, fast Internet access in the residence halls, 24-hour
computer labs, personal tutoring, quality research labs and much
more. First-year students are given extra attention as they decide
what to major in and what direction to take their lives. An advisor
will help each student choose classes and determine how to be
successful in many other areas of campus life.
International students, non-traditional students, transfers and
graduate students also receive special attention from various offices
on campus. We value each individual who attends ACU, and we
want to ensure each person's success.
Exceptional Educational Experience
As one of the nation's largest universities with a serious Christian
focus, ACU draws students from across the country and around the
world. The university attracts a diverse, interesting student body -
individuals who are generally well-prepared academically, strong in
character and highly motivated. Students are encouraged to gain
real-world experience in addition to their courses, and they earn
internship positions with a variety of prestigious companies and
organizations. The university offers a year-round education program.
In addition to fall and spring semesters, some courses are offered in
an intensive format with assignments required before and after the
class meetings.1906
Childers Classical Institute
opens in Abilene Sept. 11 with
25 students in a city of about
5,000 people. President Barret
said, "My basic idea about
the school was to teach the
Bible and build character."1919
The Board of Trustees voted Jan. 11 to officially
change the name of the junior college to Abilene
Christian College (although as early as 1912 it
was referred to by the new name). And with the
A.B. Barret opening of the 1919-20 school year on Sept. 23,
ACC became a four-year school.1921
The nickname Wildcats was
officially adopted for ACC's
athletics teams. Intercollegiate
football had started in 1919,
but other sports such as
basketball, baseball and
tennis began earlier.L
ib
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Abilene Christian University. Catalog of Abilene Christian University, 2005-2006, book, 2005; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth284693/m1/10/: accessed April 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.