Asbury University

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Asbury University
Asbury-University-logo.png
Former names
Kentucky Holiness College (1890–1891) [1]
Asbury College
(1891–2010)
MottoEruditio et Religio (Latin)
Motto in English
Learning and Religion
Type Private university
EstablishedSeptember 2, 1890;133 years ago (1890-09-02)
Religious affiliation
Christian
Academic affiliations
Christian College Consortium
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Space-grant
Endowment $53.1 million (2020) [2]
President Kevin J. Brown
Provost Sherry Powers
Academic staff
150
Administrative staff
400
Students1,854 [3]
Undergraduates 1,640
Postgraduates 214 [3]
Location, ,
United States

37°51′49″N84°39′54″W / 37.8636°N 84.6649°W / 37.8636; -84.6649
CampusSuburban
Colors    Purple & white
Sporting affiliations
NCAA DIII, NCCAA
MascotEagle
Website www.asbury.edu

Asbury University is a private Christian university in Wilmore, Kentucky. [4] Although it is a non-denominational school, the college is aligned with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement [5] and is a member of the Wesleyan Holiness Connection. [6] The school offers 50-plus majors across 17 departments. In the fall of 2016, Asbury University had a total enrollment of 1,854: 1,640 traditional undergraduate students and 214 graduate students. [3] The campus of Asbury Theological Seminary, which became a separate institution in 1922, is located across the street from Asbury University.

Contents

History

The Old Asbury Building (in white) was the first building, serving as the single schoolhouse for education. It is now used for prayer and meditation. Asbury University First Building.JPG
The Old Asbury Building (in white) was the first building, serving as the single schoolhouse for education. It is now used for prayer and meditation.
The administration building. Asbury University Administration Building 1.jpg
The administration building.
The Kinlaw Library Asbury University Library 1.JPG
The Kinlaw Library
Miller Center for Media Communications. Asbury University Media Communications Building.JPG
Miller Center for Media Communications.
The Student Center. Asbury University Student Center 1.JPG
The Student Center.

Asbury College was established on September 2, 1890, by John Wesley Hughes in Wilmore, Kentucky. [7] It was originally called Kentucky Holiness College, but the following year was renamed after Bishop Francis Asbury, a circuit-riding evangelist known as the "Father of American Methodism". Bishop Asbury had established the first Methodist school in the United States west of the Appalachians, Bethel Academy, in 1790; its site lies near High Bridge, only about four miles (6 km) south of Wilmore. [8]

After being pushed out as President of Asbury College in 1905, Hughes went on to found another college, Kingswood College, in Breckinridge County, Kentucky. Kingswood College no longer exists. Despite his disappointment over being removed at Asbury, Hughes wrote in his 1923 autobiography: "Being sure I was led of God to establish (Asbury College), it being my college child born in poverty, mental perplexity, and soul agony, I loved it from its birth better than my own life. As the days have come and gone, with many sad and broken-hearted experiences, my love has increased. My appreciation of what it has done, what it is doing, and what it promises to do in the future, is such that I am willing to lay down my life for its perpetuation." In 1928, Hughes was invited to break ground for Asbury College's new chapel, Hughes Auditorium, which is still in use today. [9]

In 2001 The Kinlaw Library was completed. It was named in honor of Dennis F. Kinlaw and his wife Elsie. It contains over 150,000 items in several collections. There are three floors and most of the collections are on the main and top floors. [10]

The college's immediate past president, Sandra C. Gray, was inaugurated as the seventeenth president of Asbury on October 5, 2007. [11] She was the institution's first female president.

On March 5, 2010, Asbury College became Asbury University. The current president is Kevin Brown, a former faculty member of the university's Dayton School of Business. [12] He was inaugurated as the eighteenth president on March 6, 2020. [13]

Presidents

Presidents of the institution include: [14]

Academics

Academic rankings
Master's
Washington Monthly [15] 221
Regional
U.S. News & World Report [16] 9
National
Forbes [17] 565
WSJ/College Pulse [18] 601–800

Students come from 44 states and 43 countries. Admission to the university is considered "Competitive". For 2023, the average enrolled undergraduate had a 3.65 high school GPA, and an SAT score of 1135 or an ACT score of 25. A required essay or personal statement and letters of recommendation are considered for admission. [19] Nearly 90 percent of the university's students live on campus. Eighty-two percent of the school's faculty hold terminal degrees in their field of study. The university has 59 undergraduate majors and multiple minors and emphases. [20] Internships, exchange programs, study abroad, cross-culture opportunities, missions, and community service opportunities are available and are part of the curriculum in nearly every major. [21] Asbury has a large general education liberal arts requirement ranging from 39 to 57 semester hours. [22] The university also has an Honors Program [23] and online programs. [24] The university has a 12:1 student to faculty ratio and a retention rate of 82 percent on average. [25]

Programs are divided into five units:

Graduate degrees include: Master's in Business Administration, Graduate Education degrees, Master of Arts in Communication, Master of Arts in Digital Storytelling, Master of Arts in Instructional Design, Innovation & Leadership, Master of Fine Arts in Film/TV Production, and Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting. [27]

Rankings

Asbury University was ranked #14 (tie) in the Regional Universities South category by U.S. News & World Report in their annual Best Colleges rankings in 2022–23. The institution was also named #14 for Best Value Schools and #29 in Best Colleges for Veterans. [28]

Athletics

The Asbury athletic teams are called the Eagles. The university is a member of the NCAA Division III, primarily competing as an NCAA D-III Independent under provisional/reclassifying status since the 2021–22 academic year. [29] It is also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the Mid-East Region of the Division I level. [30]

Asbury competes in 17 intercollegiate varsity sports: [31] Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball; and co-ed sports include cheerleading. Club sports include roundnet, disc golf, and pickleball.

Track & field is the university's most recent varsity program and will begin competition in the 2023–24 academic year. [32]

Move to NCAA Division III

On March 25, 2021, Asbury was approved to begin an expedited three-year transition into NCAA Division III from the NAIA. During the transition it was allowed to compete in Division III, but would not be eligible for any NCAA post-season play until 2024. The school announced it would compete in post-season competitions of the NCCAA during the transition. [33] [34]

Notable alumni

There are more than 20,000 living alumni who live in all 50 US states and at least 80 countries. [35] Notable alumni include:

See also

Related Research Articles

Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a Protestant Christian tradition whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother Charles Wesley were also significant early leaders in the movement. They were named Methodists for "the methodical way in which they carried out their Christian faith". Methodism originated as a revival movement within Anglicanism originating out of the Church of England in the 18th century and became a separate denomination after Wesley's death. The movement spread throughout the British Empire, the United States and beyond because of vigorous missionary work, and today has about 80 million adherents worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Wesley</span> English clergyman (1703–1791)

John Wesley was an English cleric, theologian, and evangelist who was a leader of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism. The societies he founded became the dominant form of the independent Methodist movement that continues to this day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francis Asbury</span> Methodist minister and bishop in America

Francis Asbury was a British-American Methodist minister who became one of the first two bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. During his 45 years in the colonies and the newly independent United States, he devoted his life to ministry, traveling on horseback and by carriage thousands of miles to those living on the frontier.

The Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC) was the oldest and largest Methodist denomination in the United States from its founding in 1784 until 1939. It was also the first religious denomination in the US to organize itself nationally. In 1939, the MEC reunited with two breakaway Methodist denominations to form the Methodist Church. In 1968, the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church to form the United Methodist Church.

The Holiness movement is a Christian movement that emerged chiefly within 19th-century Methodism, and to a lesser extent influenced other traditions such as Quakerism, Anabaptism, and Restorationism. The movement is historically distinguished by its emphasis on the doctrine of a second work of grace, which is called entire sanctification or Christian perfection. The word Holiness refers specifically to the belief in entire sanctification as a definite, second work of grace, in which original sin is cleansed, the heart is made perfect in love, and the believer is empowered to serve God. Churches aligned with the holiness movement additionally teach that the Christian life should be free of sin. For the Holiness movement, "the term 'perfection' signifies completeness of Christian character; its freedom from all sin, and possession of all the graces of the Spirit, complete in kind." A number of Christian denominations, parachurch organizations, and movements emphasize those Holiness beliefs as central doctrine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamline University</span> Private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota, US

Hamline University is a private university in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1854, Hamline is the oldest university in Minnesota, the first coeducational university in the state, and is one of five Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities. The university is named after Bishop Leonidas Lent Hamline of the United Methodist Church. As of 2017, Hamline had 2,117 undergraduate students and 1,668 graduate students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kentucky Wesleyan College</span> Methodist college in Owensboro, Kentucky, US

Kentucky Wesleyan College (KWC) is a private Methodist college in Owensboro, Kentucky. Fall 2018 enrollment was 830 students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian perfection</span> Process of achieving spiritual perfection

Within many denominations of Christianity, Christian perfection is the theological concept of the process or the event of achieving spiritual maturity or perfection. The ultimate goal of this process is union with God characterized by pure love of God and other people as well as personal holiness or sanctification. Other terms used for this or similar concepts include entire sanctification, holiness, perfect love, the baptism with the Holy Spirit, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, baptism by fire, the second blessing, and the second work of grace.

Asbury Theological Seminary is a Christian Wesleyan seminary in the historical Methodist tradition located in Wilmore, Kentucky. It is the largest seminary of the Wesleyan-Holiness movement. It is known for its advocacy of egalitarianism, giving equal status for men and women in ministerial roles and for ordination. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis F. Kinlaw</span>

Dennis Franklin Kinlaw, was a Wesleyan-Holiness Old Testament Scholar, former President of Asbury College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wesleyan theology</span> Protestant Christian theological tradition

Wesleyan theology, otherwise known as Wesleyan–Arminian theology, or Methodist theology, is a theological tradition in Protestant Christianity based upon the ministry of the 18th-century evangelical reformer brothers John Wesley and Charles Wesley. More broadly it refers to the theological system inferred from the various sermons, theological treatises, letters, journals, diaries, hymns, and other spiritual writings of the Wesleys and their contemporary coadjutors such as John William Fletcher, Methodism's systematic theologian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Clay Morrison</span>

Henry Clay Morrison was a Methodist evangelist, editor, and president of Asbury College.

John Wesley Hughes was an American minister. He was born in Owen County, Kentucky and was converted at the age of sixteen in a Methodist revival meeting in an old schoolhouse. Hughes attended Kentucky Wesleyan College in Millersburg, Kentucky, and served as a pastor in the Kentucky Conference of the Methodist Church before pursuing further education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Zachary Taylor Johnson (1897–1981) was born June 18, 1897, in Athens, Georgia, to a farmer's family. While working as a printer for the Macon News in 1913, Johnson converted to Christianity and felt called of God to preach. He entered Asbury University in September 1913 and transferred to Trevecca College in 1914.

Benjamin Franklin Haynes (1851–1923), usually known as B. F. Haynes, was a Methodist and later Nazarene minister and theologian from Tennessee. He was associated with the Holiness movement.

Bethel Academy was the first Methodist school established in the United States west of the Appalachian Mountains. Established by Francis Asbury in 1790, the school operated in present-day Jessamine County, Kentucky until 1805.

Jarrell Waskom Pickett was an American Methodist minister and missionary to India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Methodism in the United States</span>

The history of Methodism in the United States dates back to the mid-18th century with the ministries of early Methodist preachers such as Laurence Coughlan and Robert Strawbridge. Following the American Revolution most of the Anglican clergy who had been in America came back to England. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, sent Thomas Coke to America where he and Francis Asbury founded the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was to later establish itself as the largest denomination in America during the 19th century.

The Bible Methodist Connection of Churches is a Methodist denomination within the conservative holiness movement. The connection is divided into four regional conferences: the Southern Conference, led by Rev. John Parker; the Southwest Conference, led by Rev. G. Clair Sams; the Heartland Conference, led by Rev. Chris Cravens; and the Great Lakes Conference, led by Rev. David Ward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenneth J. Collins</span>

Kenneth J. Collins is an American Wesleyan theologian and ordained minister in the Global Methodist Church. He is a professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is a leader in Wesley Studies, and his work The Theology of John Wesley: Holy Love and the Shape of Grace has been translated into Portuguese and Korean. He is the Director of the Wesleyan Studies Summer Seminar.

References

  1. "History: 1890-1899". asbury.edu. Ashbury University. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  2. As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 As of fall 2016. "Student headcount by level: All independent institutions (2006-16)" (PDF). Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. Commonwealth of Kentucky. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  4. "Asbury University – AIKCU.org". Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  5. Winn, Christian T. Collins (2007). From the Margins: A Celebration of the Theological Work of Donald W. Dayton. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 115. ISBN   9781630878320. In addition to these separate denominational groupings, one needs to give attention to the large pockets of the Holiness movement that have remained within the United Methodist Church. The most influential of these would be the circles dominated by Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary (both in Wilmore, KY), but one could speak of other colleges, innumerable local campmeetings, the vestiges of various local Holiness associations, independent Holiness oriented missionary societies and the like that have had great impact within United Methodism. A similar pattern would exist in England with the role of Cliff College within Methodism in that context.
  6. "Wesleyan Holiness Connection - About Us".
  7. "History: 1890-1899". Asbury University. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  8. Thacker, Joseph A., Jr. Asbury College: Vision and Miracle. Nappanee: Evangel, 1900, 19.
  9. "John Wesley Hughes". Asbury University. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  10. "About the Library". Asbury University. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  11. "Asbury University". www.ccconsortium.org. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  12. "Asbury University Announces Brown as New President". Asbury University. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  13. "Presidential Inauguration". Asbury University. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  14. "Past Presidents". Asbury University.
  15. "2023 Master's University Rankings". Washington Monthly . Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  16. "Best Colleges 2023: Regional Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report . Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  17. "Forbes America's Top Colleges List 2023". Forbes . Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  18. "2024 Best Colleges in the U.S." The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  19. "Asbury University Requirements for Admission". prepscholar.com. PrepScholar. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  20. "Undergraduate Majors, Minors & Emphases". asbury.edu. Asbury University. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  21. "Global Initiatives & Programs". asbury.edu. Asbury University. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  22. "Foundations: Liberal Arts Learning at Asbury University". asbury.edu. Asbury University. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  23. "Asbury University Honors Program". asbury.edu. Asbury University. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  24. "Online Undergraduate Degrees". asbury.edu. Asbury University. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  25. "Asbury University". us news. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  26. "Schools". asbury.edu. Asbury University. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  27. "Graduate degrees". Asbury University. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  28. "U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Asbury University". U.S. News & World Report. September 12, 2023.
  29. "NCAA Directory - Asbury University". web3.ncaa.org. National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  30. "Asbury University". thenccaa.org. National Christian College Athletic Association . Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  31. Asbury University - Official Athletics Website
  32. Asbury University to Launch Track & Field in 2023-24 Academic Year
  33. Farmer, Keith (March 25, 2021). "Asbury approved for provisional membership to NCAA Division III - Won't be full-time Division III member until 2024". WLEX-TV . Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  34. "NCAA Approves Division III Provisional Membership for Asbury University". Asbury University. March 25, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  35. "Asbury University profile" . Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  36. Cook, James F. "Georgia Government Documentation Project - Interview with Joe Frank Harris June 6 and August 5, 1987". digitalcollections.library.gsu.edu. Georgia State University . Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  37. "Palau National Congress Wikipedia"
  38. "National Library of Australia"

Further reading