Bulletin of McMurry University, 2005-2006 Page: 9 of 164
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INTRODUCTION TO McMURRY
MISSION OF McMURRY UNIVERSITY
The mission of McMurry University is to provide a Christian
liberal arts and professional education that prepares students for
a fulfilling life of leadership and service.
The University fulfills this mission by fostering a campus culture
that is distinctive in the following ways:
McMurry is shaped by the Christian faith.
As a United Methodist institution grounded in the Wesleyan traditions
of intellectual achievement and vital piety, McMurry nurtures and cares
for each student as a unique individual, helps students through the
many challenges of higher education, and provides the resources
necessary to help students grow as whole persons spiritually,
emotionally, morally, intellectually, socially, and physically. Our
pursuit of academic excellence is supported by our belief that truth, in
a universe created by God, is nothing to fear. We honor the Creator
when we use our minds for their intended purpose of learning in ways
unhindered by prejudice or ignorance.
McMurry provides a liberal arts education to every student.
We believe that the liberal arts are the foundation of an examined,
informed, and worthwhile life. In both the University Core and General
Education curricula, all students engage questions of goodness, truth,
and beauty as they have been interpreted by the leading lights of
ancient and modern civilizations. Through the liberal arts, our students
develop an abiding sense of personal integrity, an informed
appreciation for the perspectives of others, and a clear vision of their
moral and spiritual identity.
McMurry prepares students for a fulfilling life of leadership and
service. On the basis of our shared liberal arts background, McMurry
students pursue studies that prepare them for a variety of worthwhile
careers. McMurry's extracurricular activities, programs, and
organizations give students practical experience in leadership and
service. Whether entering professional life upon graduation or going
on to graduate study, students leave our campus with a solid basis for
a fulfilling life of leadership and service in their chosen professions and
their civic and religious communities.
McMurry expects and enables excellence throughout the
University community.
We believe that our distinctive campus culture will flourish only if all
members of the McMurry community strive for excellence. We commit
ourselves to high expectations for everyone at McMurry students,
faculty, administrators, trustees, and staff and to provide the human
and financial resources necessary for meeting those exacting
standards. We aim to be a community in which students expand their
intellectual and cultural horizons as they develop an enthusiasm for
lifelong learning. We pledge to hold our students accountable to the
highest possible standards of academic achievement and to provide
excellent professors who will help them meet these expectations.
HISTORY.
McMurry College was voted into being at the annual session of the
Northwest Texas Conference of the Methodist Church in October,
1920, at Clarendon, Texas. The College was established at Abilene
upon an offer of inducements from the Chamber of Commerce and
other benefactors. The construction of the first building, now the Old
Main Building, was begun in the spring of 1922. By action of the same
conference which established the school, Dr. J.W. Hunt was elected its
first president. Under his direction the College opened its doors in
September, 1923.
McMurry University is the legal and spiritual successor to four historic
educational institutions of West Texas and New Mexico, namely,
Stamford College, Clarendon College, Western College and Seth Ward
College. McMurry is now the custodian of some records of these
colleges and has incorporated their ex-students into the Alumni andEx-Students Association of McMurry University. In 1947, the Dallas
Institute of Vocal and Dramatic Art was merged with McMurry College,
contributing increased strength to the College's academic and fine arts
facilities. By action of the McMurry College Board of Trustees in
October 1989, McMurry College was renamed McMurry University
effective with the beginning of the 1990 Fall Semester. This change
was accompanied by the creation of a College of Arts and Sciences,
School of Business, School of Education, and the Abilene
Intercollegiate School of Nursing, as well as significant curricular
innovations. McMurry University is recognized as an innovative, liberal
arts university offering quality liberal arts, pre-professional, and
professional undergraduate education to its students. Thousands of
her alumni are serving with distinction in significant positions
throughout America. In recent years McMurry has made a particularly
enviable record in the sound preparation of young men and women for
careers in business, science, education, and the Christian ministry.
CAMPUS BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. The C.E. Maedgen Administration
Building, completed in 1962, houses the administrative offices of the
University. This structure will remain as a lasting tribute to the late Mr.
and Mrs. C.E. Maedgen of Lubbock, Texas.
BAND HALL. This two-story structure contains a large rehearsal room,
offices, practice rooms, and storage rooms. The funds for its
construction were provided by friends of McMurry and of the McMurry
Band.
CAMPUS CENTER. Completed in the fall of 1979, the Shirley L. and
Mildred Garrison United Methodist Campus Center is a $2 million
structure located in the center of McMurry's campus. The campus
center is a partially underground structure with grassy slopes rising
around its walls. This structure is used for a wide variety of activities.
Weekly campus worship services are held in its chapel, dances are
held in its ballroom, students' free time may be spent in the Sports
Grille, computers and tutoring are available in the Academic
Enrichment Center, and the faculty relaxes in the faculty lounge. In
2003, the Braniff Lounge became the Windjammer Lounge honoring a
McMurry student band of the 1960s. The campus center was recently
renovated to include new carpet in the ballroom and new furniture and
carpeting in the Windjammer's Lounge. Other facilities located here are
the college bookstore, campus activities board office, post office, and
the offices of the Campus Minister and the McMurry Student
Government.
NOEL R. and ANITA HENRY CHAPIN ART BUILDING. Constructed in
1999-2000. The Chapin Building provides instructional space for
ceramics and for student and faculty studios.
CLASSROOM BUILDING. The Harold Groves Cooke Liberal Arts
Building houses classrooms, faculty offices, and computer labs.
DINING HALL. The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Dining hall was completed in
the summer of 1988 at an approximate cost of $1,100,000. It covers
approximately 13,900 square feet and is located adjacent to the
northwest corner of the Campus Center. Food service is prepared to
serve in excess of 2,000 meals per day. The dining hall has a
maximum seating capacity for 500 persons.
EDUCATION BUILDING. The Iris Graham Education building, a
renovation of the Iris Graham Memorial Dining Hall, was completed in
1989. It provides offices for the Department of Curriculum and
Instruction faculty; three general purpose classrooms; two
demonstration classrooms; and audio-visual, curriculum, and computer
laboratories. A grant from the Mayer Foundation of Plainview has
allowed the purchase of "state-of-the-art" equipment for training future
teachers.
FIELD HOUSE. The Field House was completed in the summer of
1982 at an approximate cost of $400,000. Located just to the south of
the J.W. Hunt Physical Education Center, and adjacent to Indian
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McMurry University. Bulletin of McMurry University, 2005-2006, book, May 2005; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth86243/m1/9/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting McMurry University Library.