Union University

Union University is a private evangelical Christian university in Jackson, Tennessee, with additional campuses in Germantown and Hendersonville. The university is affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention and relates to the Southern Baptist Convention. It is a union of several different schools: West Tennessee College, formerly known as Jackson Male Academy; Union University of Murfreesboro; Southwestern Baptist University; and Hall-Moody Junior College of Martin, Tennessee.[1]

This article is about the Union University in Tennessee. For other institutions of this or a similar name, see Union University (disambiguation).

Union University
MottoReligio et Eruditio
TypePrivate
Established1823 (1823)
Religious affiliation
Tennessee Baptist Convention
Academic staff
230
Students3,377
Location
Jackson, Hendersonville, and Germantown
,
Tennessee
,
United States
CampusUrban, 290 acres (1.2 km2)
ColorsCardinal & Cream
AthleticsNCAA Division II – Gulf South
NicknameBulldogs
Websitewww.uu.edu

History

Early history
1822 ad for Jackson Male Academy.

Jackson Male Academy was founded in 1823 just after West Tennessee was opened for settlement.[2] Only five years earlier in 1818 was the land purchased from the Chickasaw Indians.

In 1907, Dr. T.T. Eaton, a trustee of Southwestern Baptist University, left his 6,000 volume library to the college. Eaton was a former professor of Union University at Murfreesboro, where his father, Dr. Joseph H. Eaton, was a former president.

Southwestern soon changed its name to Union University in honor of the Eatons and others from Union at Murfreesboro who had impacted Southwestern as faculty, administrators, trustees, and contributors.

In 1925 the Tennessee Baptist Convention secured a charter that vested the rights, authority, and property of Union University in the Tennessee Convention. This charter included the election of the University's trustees. Two years later, the Convention consolidated Hall-Moody Junior College at Martin (1900–1927) with Union University; the former Hall-Moody campus subsequently became the location of the University of Tennessee Junior College, now the University of Tennessee at Martin.

In 1948 the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools granted Union University accreditation.

In 1962 Union developed a nursing program with the assistance of Jackson-Madison County General Hospital at the request of local physicians.

In 1975 Union moved from downtown Jackson, Tennessee, to a new campus located near the Highway 45-Bypass in north Jackson.

The Craig and Barefoot Administrations

During President Robert Craig (1967–85) and President Hyran Barefoot's (1987–1996) administrations:

  • enrollment increased from fewer than 1,000 students to more than 2,000;
  • the Penick Academic Complex was enlarged several times;
  • additional housing units were erected;
  • and the Blasingame Academic Complex (1986) and the Hyran E. Barefoot Student Union Building (1994) were constructed.

From the early 1950s to the early 1970s, Union operated an Extension Center in the Memphis area. From 1987-95, Union offered the degree-completion program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN track) in Memphis. At that time there were over 300 graduates of this program.

David S. Dockery's Administration
Dr. David Dockery at Union University

David S. Dockery was elected as the fifteenth president of Union University in December 1995. Dockery brought a desire to take Union to a more rigorous, conservative path. During his administration, which lasted until 2014, he realized:

  • headcount increase from 2200 (in 1996) to more than 5300 (in 2012);
  • increased giving to Union, including ten of the largest commitments in Union history;
  • changed the school's logo and marketing fonts;
  • construction of two residence halls, Miller Tower, Jennings Hall, Hammons Hall, Fesmire Field House and the new White Hall science building;
  • successful completion of the $60 million comprehensive "Building a Future" campaign (1998–2005) (now at $69 million);
  • renewed commitment to scholarship and research among Union faculty-part of Union's new Center for Faculty Development;
  • new undergraduate majors in political science, physics, theology, digital media studies, church history, ethics, sports management, sports medicine, engineering; and graduate programs in education (M.Ed., Ed.S., and Ed.D.), nursing (MSN with tracks in education, administration, and nurse anesthesia), and intercultural studies (MAIS);
  • SACS Level V accreditation was achieved;
  • the establishment of an extension campus in Germantown, Tennessee, which now has almost 700 students;
  • the establishment of the Carl F.H. Henry Center for Christian Leadership;
  • the establishment of the Charles Colson Chair for Faith and Culture;
  • the establishment of the annual Scholarship Banquet (1997–2004);
  • the renaming of a road to his honor his wife (Lanese Dockery Drive);
  • achieving top tier recognition in U.S. News & World Report and other important listings.
  • Implemented the $110 million "Union 2010" plan that includes the future addition of new tennis courts, new intramural fields, and an amphitheatre, which has already included the completion of a second soccer field, the Fesmire Fieldhouse, and the state-of-the-art science building, White Hall.[3]
  • a Doctor of Pharmacy program.[1]

The Storm - February 5, 2008
One of the Union dorms that was destroyed by the February 5, 2008 tornado.
Radar loop of the Nashville, Jackson and Christian County, Kentucky supercells. Those supercells were responsible for at least 32 deaths (courtesy of NWS Nashville)
Main article: 2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak

On February 5, 2008, at 7:02 p.m., the university was struck by an EF4 tornado, with winds between 166–200 miles per hour. The tornado destroyed 18 dormitory buildings and caused over $40 million worth of damage to the campus, which suffered a direct hit, rendering almost 80% of the dormitory space to be either totally destroyed or unlivable. None of the approximately 1,800 students on campus at the time were killed. David Dockery, the president of the University, said:

I'm convinced-nobody will ever convince me otherwise-that God's angels were unleashed to come as ministering spirits to protect those students in the most precarious of situations.

Fifty-one students were taken to Jackson-Madison General Hospital. While most students were released after being treated, nine were kept overnight. Some students were trapped for hours while emergency crews worked to rescue them. A total of 31 buildings received damage of varying degrees.[4] The devastation captured nationwide attention and was featured by CNN, Fox News,[5] The New York Times[6] and numerous regional news outlets. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, FEMA Director R. David Paulison and Governor of Tennessee Phil Bredesen all visited the campus after the disaster.[7]

The Commercial Appeal reported that due to extensive damage, the campus would not reopen until February 18.[8] Lambuth University, a rival area university, reportedly offered to open its dormitories to displaced Union students. The congregation of Englewood Baptist Church, which owned the Old English Inn in Jackson, voted unanimously to open the inn to Union students. The church's move accommodated almost 300 students until December 2008. The university also expected that around 200 students would be housed in the private homes of Union faculty, staff and friends.

The February 5, 2008 event was the second time in just over five years that the campus was hit by a tornado. On the evening of November 10, 2002, during the Veterans Day Weekend tornado outbreak, the university was struck by an F1 tornado, with winds of approximately 100 miles per hour, which did approximately 2 million dollars worth of damage to the university. There were no serious injuries.[9] Union president David Dockery stated that the February 5, 2008 tornado was about 15 times as bad at the 2002 tornado. The damage caused by the February 5th tornado was estimated at $40 million.[10]

Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver's administration

Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver became Union University's sixteenth president in June 2014. He previously worked at Baylor University and was president at East Texas Baptist University for five years.

Thus far in his presidency, he has achieved:

  • the start of a new greenhouse project in July 2014;
  • the completion of The Logos — Union's three-story, 54,000-square foot library started in July 2014 and dedicated on November 6, 2015;
  • the adoption of a new strategic plan for 2016-2020 by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2015.

Presidents
PresidentTenureInstitution
1Joseph H. Eaton1848–1859Union University (Murfreesboro)
2James Madison Pendleton–Union University (Murfreesboro)
3Charles Manley–Union University (Murfreesboro)
4John W. Conger1907–1909Union University (Jackson)
5Isaac B. Tigrett1909–1911Union University (Jackson)
6Robert A. Kimbrough1911–1913Union University (Jackson)
7Richard M. InlowJune 1913–December 1913Union University (Jackson)
8Albert T. Barrett1913–1915Union University (Jackson)
9George M. Savage1915–1918Union University (Jackson)
10Henry Eugene Watters1918–1931Union University (Jackson)
11John Jeter Hurt1931–1945Union University (Jackson)
12Warren F. Jones1945–1963Union University (Jackson)
13Francis E. Wright1963–1967Union University (Jackson)
14Robert E. Craig1967–1986Union University (Jackson)
15Hyran E. Barefoot1986–1996Union University (Jackson)
16David S. Dockery1996–2014Union University (Jackson)
17Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver2014–presentUnion University (Jackson)

Academics

Union University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). On July 14, 2013, Union University announced that its Business Program had earned accreditation from The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).[11]

Union University has been a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).[12] In August 2015, Union notified CCCU that the university would be withdrawing its membership as a result of the CCCU's allowing member schools to hire individuals in a same-sex relationship.[13]

Rankings
Miller Tower at Union University

For 2015, U.S. News ranked Union 14th among "Regional Universities" in the South, the 19th consecutive year U.S. News ranked Union as a top-tier school. It has been recognized by Peterson's Competitive College Guide, the Time/Princeton Review, and Templeton's Colleges that Encourage Character Development. Union is a recipient of the President's Higher Education Community Service Award and has been listed as one of America's Top 100 College Buys. In addition, U.S. News has cited Union as an "A+ option for serious B students," among "Up and Coming Schools" and among schools "where the faculty has an unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching."

Union is also recognized in:

  • Peterson's Guide to Competitive Colleges;
  • The Templeton Foundation Guide for Colleges That Encourage Character Development;
  • America's Best College Buys;
  • Kiplinger's Best College Values and
  • America's Best College Scholarships.[12]

Campus

Jackson facilities

The campus is 290 acres (1.2 km2) and includes a 2,200-seat gymnasium, dormitories for men and women including a married housing complex, separate lodges for the fraternities and sororities, academic halls, an administration center, baseball and softball parks, two soccer fields, and wellness center.[14]

Germantown facilities

Union also has a 35-acre (140,000 m2) campus in Germantown, Tennessee, (suburban Memphis) offering graduate degrees in business, education, Christian studies & nursing. The degrees in education include the M.Ed., M.A.Ed., Ed.S., and Ed.D.[15]

Hendersonville facilities

Union's newest location is in Hendersonville, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville. This campus offers graduate degrees in education and Christian studies.[16]

Housing

In Jackson, Union has apartment-style living. Each student has a separate private bedroom that shares a common living space with three roommates. All apartments feature a high-speed Internet connection, as well as kitchen unit. Some apartments feature private phone lines or a washer and dryer. All private living spaces have a window and the common areas have cable TV access. There is no student housing at the Germantown campus. Temporary off campus housing was at The Jett (the former Old English Inn) for the majority of the spring 2008 semester.[17]

Athletics
Main article: Union University Bulldogs

Union University teams, nicknamed athletically as the Bulldogs, are part of the NCAA Division II level, primarily competing in the Gulf South Conference. The Bulldogs used to be part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), competing in the TranSouth Athletic Conference (TSAC). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, soccer, cheerleading, cross country, golf, softball and volleyball.

In the NAIA, Union captured five women's basketball national titles (1998, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010). Union also has won national titles in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) in volleyball (2003), men's soccer (2004), softball (2001, 2002, 2004, 2013) and women's basketball (2014).

Greek system

There are six social fraternities and sororities on campus, two music fraternities and numerous academic fraternities.

Each of these groups is relatively large in size relative to the size of the institution and consistently contributes to philanthropies, both regionally and globally. The number of members in the social fraternities can range between 50 and 80 members per chapter.

The fraternities and sororities are an active presence on campus through philanthropy, intramural sports and Greek Olympics.[18]

Fraternities

The fraternities represented on campus are:

FraternityChapterChartered locally
Alpha Tau OmegaTennessee Beta TauFebruary 28, 1894
Lambda Chi AlphaLambda-Zeta ZetaDecember 5, 1964
Sigma Alpha EpsilonTennessee EtaJuly 4, 1857

Sororities

The sororities represented on campus are:

SororityChapterChartered locally
Chi OmegaUpsilon1904
Kappa DeltaZeta BetaFebruary 10, 1990
Zeta Tau AlphaBeta OmegaDecember 11, 1935

Academic

The academic fraternities are:

FraternityDiscipline
Alpha Psi OmegaTheater
Phi Alpha ThetaHistory
Phi Beta LambdaBusiness
Pi Gamma MuSocial Sciences
Psi ChiPsychology
Phi Mu Alpha SinfoniaMusic
Sigma Tau DeltaEnglish

Controversy

The school upholds a strict behavioral code regarding sex outside of marriage, homosexuality, gender identity, pregnancy and abortion. In 2008, Union denied the Soulforce Equality Ride, a group advocating for the safe treatment of homosexual and transgender students, access to its campus. In 2015, Union withdrew from the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities after two council colleges claimed that they were willing to hire faculty members in same sex marriages. In 2020, the school rescinded an admissions offer to a gay graduate-level nursing student after investigating the student's sexual orientation. This prompted other former students to come forward with allegations of discrimination and misconduct at the hands of school administrators.

Publications
  • The Cardinal and Cream is the campus newspaper
  • The Torch is the English Department's literary and arts publication

Guest lecture events

Annual Scholarship Banquet

Union's Scholarship Banquet has brought prominent national and international figures to Union including: former presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former Russian president and Nobel Prize winner Mikhail Gorbachev, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, former Senator Bob Dole, presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, former British Prime Minister John Major, Tony Blair, and Winston S. Churchill, Grandson of the former British Prime Minister.[19]

Union Forum

Union's Forum is an annual speaker series that has brought several national figures to Union, including Peggy Wehmeyer, William Kristol, Michael Medved, Robert Novak, Stephen Carter, Morton Kondracke, Clarence Page, Juan Williams, and Margaret Carlson.[20]

Notable people

Alumni
Howell Jackson
William Hicks Jackson
David Alexander Nunn

Brandon Lay - Musician and recording artist

Faculty and administration
Benjamin Lee Arnold Union University professor, later president of Oregon State University
gollark: Yes.
gollark: Though those dictators probably got into place by violence in some way, which creates a bit of a selection effect.
gollark: We can look at actual dictatorships around the world. They don't tend to be very good.
gollark: But beyond that, not *really*.
gollark: You're incentivized to at least stop people from starving to death and the economy from collapsing in inconvenient amounts.

References
  1. "History | Union University, a Christian College in Tennessee". Uu.edu. 2015-11-06. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  2. "History | Union University". Uu.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  3. "Giving to Union | Union University, a Christian College in Tennessee". Uu.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  4. 東京旅行で楽しむ、お台場などの人気の場所へ観光. "東京旅行で楽しむ、お台場などの人気の場所へ観光". Uurecovery.com. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  5. "Clean-Up to Begin at Union University After Tornado Destroyed Dorms, Campus". Fox News. December 6, 2011.
  6. "Toll of Deadly Tornadoes in South Climbs Past 50". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  7. "UUEmergency". UUEmergency.com. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  8. Archived July 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Union University suffers damage from F1 tornado - News Release | Union University, a Christian College in Tennessee". Uu.edu. 2002-11-12. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2012-11-30.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. "Union University's business school earns AACSB accreditation - News Release | Union University, a Christian College in Tennessee". Uu.edu. 2013-06-14. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  12. "Union At A Glance | Union University, a Christian College in Tennessee". Uu.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  13. J.C. Derrick (12 August 2015). "CCCU loses Union University". World Magazine. Archived from the original on 2015-08-13. Retrieved 2015-08-14.
  14. "Jackson Campus Map | Union University". Uu.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  15. "Germantown / Memphis | Degree Programs for Adults | Union University, a Christian College in Tennessee". Uu.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  16. "Hendersonville / Nashville | Degree Programs for Adults | Union University, a Christian College in Tennessee". Uu.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  17. "Residence Life | Union University, a Christian College in Tennessee". Uu.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  18. "Greek Life | Union University, a Christian College in Tennessee". Uu.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  19. "Scholarship Banquet | Events | Union University, a Christian College in Tennessee". Uu.edu. 2015-10-06. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  20. "Union Forum | Union University, a Christian College in Tennessee". Uu.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  21. Harrison, Bobby (February 21, 2015). "McMahan running for state Senate". Djournal.com. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  22. "R. R. Sneed Dies At Jackson Home". The Tennessean. June 15, 1947. p. 6. Retrieved May 1, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. "Higher Learning Commission". Ncahlc.org. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  24. http://www.mobaptist.org/am2008/article154528c1583780.htm. Retrieved May 8, 2009. Missing or empty |title= (help)
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.