Abilene Christian University
Abilene, Texas
Abilene Christian University: Founded in 1906, is a private, non-profit university claiming affiliation with Churches of Christ and stating they are committed to transformative, energized learning. Supported by a faculty of Christian scholars. They claim to have a history of innovating since 1906.
A little history: Originally known as Childers Classical Institute
A.B. Barret and Charles Roberson were on their way to a gospel meeting when Barret first said to Roberson, “Let’s build a school in West Texas.” That was in 1903. In 1905, Barret, a teacher at Southwestern Christian College in Denton, struck an agreement with Col. J.W. Childers, a leader in the Abilene church, to buy land from him at a reduced price on the condition that the school would be named in his honor. The Childers Classical Institute, offering 11 primary and secondary grades, opened its doors in Fall 1906 with 25 students enrolled for classes. The school was led by four presidents during those early years: Barret, H.C. Darden, R.L. Whiteside and James F. Cox (who served another term as president from 1931-40).
Jesse P. Sewell became president in 1912. Sewell declined his salary, opting to run the school as though it were a personal business enterprise. With Sewell’s new approach came a new identity for the school. Since its beginning, the institute had been commonly referred to as Abilene Christian or the Christian college in Abilene. When Sewell became president, the school began using the name Abilene Christian College in its catalog and other printed materials. The campus grew by four new brick buildings, an enlarged administration building and six frame structures, and an increased enrollment of about 300 students during his final term. Sewell’s tenure also resulted in accreditation as a junior college in 1914 and as a senior college in 1919.
Batsell Baxter became the school’s sixth president when Sewell resigned in 1924. Baxter initiated more relaxed restrictions on the social privileges of students, and student activities and organizations increased in importance. You can learn more of the history on the schools website this is provided here simply for background information of its begging.
