Anderson University (South Carolina)

For other uses, see Anderson University (disambiguation).

Anderson University
Motto	Humanitatem per crucem alere (Latin)
Motto in English	To nourish humanity through the cross
Established	1911
Type	Private, comprehensive, with graduate programs
Religious affiliation	South Carolina Baptist Convention
President	Dr. Evans P. Whitaker
Undergraduates	2,480
Postgraduates	220
Location	Anderson, South Carolina, United States 34.514°N 82.638°W / 34.514; -82.638
Campus	270 acres (109 ha), 36 buildings
Colors	Black and gold
Mascot	Trojan (Troy the Trojan)
Website	www.andersonuniversity.edu

Anderson University is a private comprehensive university located in Anderson, South Carolina, offering bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in approximately 60 areas of study. Anderson is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention and is accredited as a Level V institution by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. All of the University's professional degree programs have additional specialized accreditation at the national level: The College of Education programs are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE); music programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM); the College of Business is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and the art, graphic design, and interior design programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Anderson is also recognized as a South Carolina Teaching Fellows institution. Anderson is ranked in the Top Tier of Southern Comprehensive Universities by U.S. News and World Report. It is also recognized as one of America's 100 Best College Buys by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc., one of America's Best Christian Colleges, and is consistently recognized by the Princeton Review as one of the top universities in the Southeast. Since 2009, Anderson has been recognized by U. S. News and World Report as one of a small number of "Up and Coming" institutions in the country for its recent advancements and innovation. In both 2010 and 2011, Anderson was named the #1 "Up and Coming" regional college in the South.

Over the last nine years, the enrollment has grown significantly (68 percent), from approximately 1,608 students in 2002 to 2,700 students in the fall of 2011.

Anderson is a member of the South Atlantic Conference and has ten sports played by 17 teams. In its former athletic conference, Conference Carolinas, Anderson won the Conference's coveted Messick Award for sportsmanship several times, and it has also won the Joby Hawn All-Sports Cup four consecutive times (see conference website). The University's newly acquired a 77-acre (31 ha) athletic campus is adjacent to the academic campus and will be the site of significant growth in athletic facilities over the next decade.

Anderson was recognized by President Bush for being one of only two universities in South Carolina named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. In a typical year, Anderson students are required to contribute approximately 15,000 hours of service to numerous community human service organizations.

Johnson University Heritage

Anderson University traces its heritage and initial founding to 1848 in the form of Johnson University which was located in the City of Anderson. The short-lived university was founded by the Rev. W. B. Johnson, an early Baptist statesman and the first president of the Southern Baptist Convention. The University closed its doors due to the combined impact of Rev. Johnson's untimely death and the onset of the Civil War, but not without leaving a lasting impression on the local young people of that day. Shortly after the turn of the century, those who fondly remembered the impact Johnson University had on the region and were by then the area's business and civic leaders, developed a compelling vision of resurrecting the institution in the form of Anderson College which later became Anderson University. In less than a year, the band of visionaries had raised $100,000 and secured 32 acres (13 ha) for the new campus and, thus, Anderson University was born. Rev. Johnson's home still stands in Anderson, South Carolina and his portrait hangs in perpetuity in the Merritt Parlor on the Anderson University campus.

Student body

The Anderson University student population stands at approximately 2,700 students, with a student to faculty ratio of 16:1. The traditional student body is made up of young women and men from a variety of states and regions from across the United States. In addition, a significant portion of the students are from non-US countries, including Kazakhstan, Iraq, Mongolia, Russia, Lithuania, Spain, Sweden, France, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Barbados, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, India, Japan, and Bermuda. The University also serves adult students through its ACCEL evening program and graduate courses of study.

Global education

Anderson emphasizes global education and promotes and facilitates students wishing to participate in study abroad in numerous locations around the world. Semester and year-long programs require advanced academic work plus various assignments that allow the student's professor to assess student learning and assign grades while studying abroad.

In addition, the university features two signature programs. The first signature program is called "Anderson Abroad" for juniors who meet academic requirements. Anderson Abroad is a short-term educational experience led by a full-time Anderson faculty member in various countries, the cost of which is partially subsidized by the university. The other signature program is a semester long experience in Sydney, Australia. Anderson University is host in Sydney to its own students as well as students from approximately 44 other universities within Anderson's global education consortium. A full-time Anderson faculty member is the on-site head of the program in Sydney. Both Anderson Abroad and the Australia program provide academic credit.

Anderson's global education consortium of approximately 44 universities provides Anderson students the opportunity to experience a faculty-supervised semester abroad in numerous countries around the world.

Center for Cancer Research

The Center for Undergraduate Cancer Research was established in 2009 to facilitate undergraduate research in search for a cure for cancers. Working under the direction of full-time faculty, students conduct studies and publish results. The Center is located on the nearby campus of AnMed Health Medical Center.

Palmetto Boys State

Anderson University became the host of Palmetto Boys State in June 2011. The American Legion's Boys State program is a unique way for young men to learn about the American system of government and politics by participating in a mock governmental system. More than 800 rising seniors are honored to be selected each year by their high school teachers and counselors to be delegates or "citizens" at Boys State. Many of South Carolina's state political, business, and community leaders have attended Boys State. The program was previously held at the University of South Carolina, The Citadel, and Wofford College.

Academic programs

Undergraduate programs

Anderson offers the following undergraduate degrees in the traditional daytime program:

• Art: Art Education (K-12)
• Art: Ceramics
• Art: Graphic Design
• Art: Painting/Drawing
• Biology
• Business: Accounting
• Business: Computer Information Systems
• Business: Financial Economics
• Business: Human Resource Management
• Business: Management
• Christian Ministry
• Christian Theology
• Communication: Mass Media
• Communication: Public Relations/Advertising
• Communication: Writing
• Early Childhood/Elementary Education
• Elementary Education
• English
• English: Secondary Education

• History
• History/Social Studies: Secondary Education
• Interior Design
• Kinesiology
• Mathematics
• Mathematics: Secondary Education
• Music
• Music: Keyboard or Instrumental Performance
• Music: Vocal Performance
• Music Education: Instrumental Music
• Music Education: Vocal/Choral Music
• Musical Theatre
• Physical Education
• Pre-Engineering
• Psychology
• Spanish
• Special Education: Learning Disabilities/Elementary Education
• Theatre
• Worship Leadership

Adult and evening programs

Anderson offers the following undergraduate degrees in its ACCEL program:

• Business Administration
• Business Administration: Computer Information Systems
• Business Administration: Healthcare Management
• Criminal Justice
• Early Childhood/Elementary Education

• Human Services
• Human Services: Behavioral Science
• Liberal Studies
• Organizational Leadership
• Organizational Leadership: Human Resource Administration

Graduate programs

Anderson offers the following graduate programs:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Education (MEd)
• Master of Education in Administration and Supervision (MEd)

• Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education (MAT)
• Master of Ministry (MMin)
• Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ)
• Master of Music Education (MME)
• Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.)

Athletics

Men's Sports

• Baseball
• JV Basketball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Golf
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Track & Field
• Wrestling

Women's Sports

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Golf
• Soccer
• Softball
• Tennis
• Track & Field
• Volleyball

Campus Locations and Educational Delivery Systems

Anderson

Anderson College Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
Location:	316 Boulevard Ave., Anderson, South Carolina
Area:	8 acres (3.2 ha)
Built:	1920
Architectural style:	Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
Governing body:	Private
NRHP Reference#:	98000556
Added to NRHP:	May 20, 1998

Anderson University is situated on a 68-acre (28 ha) main campus with an additional 202 acres (82 ha) within the city limits of Anderson, South Carolina. The University recently received a gift of 125 acres (51 ha), boosting its acreage to its present 270, including 40 acres (16 ha) of wetlands used as an outdoor lab for the science programs. The University also recently acquired the former Anderson County Fairgrounds consisting of 77 acres (31 ha). This property will be developed into an athletic campus over the next few years. Most of the buildings on the main campus are red brick, built throughout the 20th century in the Georgian architectural style. The Merritt Administration Building, Denmark Hall, and Pratt Hall were the original buildings on the Anderson University campus, being built at the time of the university's founding in 1911. The front lawn is called "Alumni Lawn" (sometimes referred to as the "Sacred Six" acres) of Anderson University is heavily wooded with large oak trees, as is the interior of the main campus which is landscaped in a series of rising terraces. The front lawn and early buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Anderson University Historic District.

Most recently, Anderson University acquired the former Duke Energy Service Center which is approximately one mile from the main campus. The acquisition was achieved through a partial gift, partial purchase. The facility is the home of the University's graduate program in criminal justice otherwise known as the Command College of South Carolina. The facility also houses undergraduate criminal justice programs.

On a somewhat humorous note, Anderson University is known to have a significant squirrel population on its main campus. They are drawn to the lush campus and huge 100-year old oak trees that adorn the landscape. The squirrels are so accustomed to being around people that they are approachable within a very short distance.

Greenwood

Students enrolled in the ACCEL program's Organizational Leadership degree can take classes on the Piedmont Technical College campus in Greenwood, South Carolina. The campus is located approximately 45 miles (72 km) from Anderson.

Anderson University Online

The University offers numerous courses and several entire degree programs online. These offerings are particularly popular with adult and graduate students. Traditional students study primarily on campus, but may blend an online course into their schedules to gain additional schedule flexibility.

Notable alumni

• Thomas C. Alexander: Member of the South Carolina Senate, Chairman of the Senate General Committee
• G. Ross Anderson, D.Hum.: U. S. District Judge
• James Lee Barrett '50: Tony Award-winning writer (Shenandoah and others)
• Mary Anne Bunton: Vice President for Human Resources of the Liberty Corporation (retired)
• S. Truett Cathy, D.Hum.: Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Chick-fil-A
• Dan T. Cathy, CEO, D. Hum.: President and Chief Operating Officer, Chick-fil-A
• Daniel T. Cooper: Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee
• Jeff Deal, M.D.: Developer of TRU-D (Total Room Ultraviolet Disinfector) for the Lumalier Corporation, and Director of Health Research for Water Missions International.
• Louise Kellett ’43: Founder and President of Kellett Enterprises (textiles)
• Donald McLeese ’64: CEO, Greater Columbia, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
• Kim Miller: Executive Vice President of Eastern Industrial Supplies
• Kip Miller: President and CEO of Eastern Industrial Supplies
• Adam Minarovich: Film director and actor (The Walking Dead)
• Denny Woodall Neilson: Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
• Richard Shirley ’75: Anderson County Clerk of Court, Former Mayor of Anderson, South Carolina