Austin College
Austin College is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA located in Sherman, Texas, an hour north of Dallas. [1]
Austin College is a well respected liberal arts college with an undergraduate student body limited to about 1,200. Most students are required to live on campus for the first three years, creating a close knit community. Austin College actively promotes various study abroad programs; 70% of students study abroad during their fours years at the college. The strengths of the college include the close interaction between the students and professors. Most of the professors at Austin College are focused on teaching, as opposed to research. The College maintains a 13:1 student to faculty ratio and the average class size is less than 25 students.
The college was founded in 1849 in Huntsville, Texas by Princeton-educated missionary, 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.
The school is named after Stephen F. Austin. Sam Houston served on the original board of trustees for the school.
The college was the first in Texas to grant a graduate degree, and also is one of the oldest colleges in the state.
Iota of Texas Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest, most prestigious undergraduate honors association has been chartered at Austin College since March 30, 2001.
Austin College offers a five-year teacher education program, and has a very strong pre-med program. The school also has a decent music program, including an A Cappella choir [2], a local Symphony Orchestra made up of students and local musicians, and assorted smaller musical ensembles. There are also prominent programs in business, english, sociology and other areas of liberal arts. The school's student newspaper, the Austin College Observer, is considered one of the best for a school of its size.
Austin College's residence halls include Dean (co-ed), Baker (male), Clyce (female) and Caruth (female) - also, formerly Luckett (male) until it was torn down in 2004 due to mold. Other buildings on campus include the Wright Campus Center, Administration Building, Wynne Chapel, Sherman Hall (English), Hopkins Center (Social Sciences), Moody Science Building, Thompson Hall (Biology, Chemistry), Ida Green (Performing Arts), Craig Hall (Art and Music), Dickey Fitness Pavilion, Abell Library, Adams Center (Health and Career Services) and others.
Its president is Oscar Page.
On May 27, 2005, it was announced that Austin College will be joining the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference as of July 1, 2006. [3]
External link
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