Catalog of Abilene Christian University, 2001-2002 Page: 8
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8 General Information
Abilene Christian
University
www.acu.edu
915-674-2000
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 approximately 4,800
students annually from nearly every state and 60 nations. This private,
comprehensive university, founded in 1906 in Abilene, Texas, offers
70 degrees in 117 areas of study at the baccalaureate, graduate and
doctoral levels. 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 600 students in more than 30 programs. 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 universityprovides 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, the
grounds keepers, food service providers, financial aid counselors,
marketing staff, vice presidents - each person at ACU - are 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 Taditions
Traditions at this 95-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 49 national athletics championships, with the
majority in men's and women's track and field. This winning tradition
gained ACU's track program the recognition as "Sports Dynasty of the
Century" by Texas Monthly magazine in 2000. 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 single class ring. Graduates of this university will
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 spring1906
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
AB. earet opening of the 1919-20 school year on Sept. 23,
L 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.ft w
M W
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Abilene Christian University. Catalog of Abilene Christian University, 2001-2002, book, 2001; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth284689/m1/10/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.