Athens State University

Athens State University is the oldest institution of higher education in Alabama 's state educational system. The Institution was founded in 1822 by local citizens who purchased five acres of land, erected a building, and began Athens Female Academy . Ownership of the school was transferred in 1842 to the Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Church . With the birth of the North Alabama Conference of the Methodist Church in 1870, the Institution came under the jurisdiction of that body.

On May 10, 1974 , the Board of Trustees requested from the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church that the Institution seek affiliation with the State of Alabama . The conference, at its annual meeting in June 1974, gave the Board of Trustees this permission and authorized the transfer of the Institution to the State of Alabama .

In June 1975, the Institution was accepted by the Alabama State Board of Education subject to the appropriation of operating funds by the Alabama Legislature. Later that year, the Legislature appropriated funds for the operation of the Institution to serve the graduates of state junior, community, and technical colleges/institutes.

The institution's name has changed several times in its 180+ year history, following adjustments in purpose and governance. Athens Female Academy , upon transfer to the Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Church in 1842, became Athens Female Institute. Then in 1889 after having been transferred to the newly formed North Alabama conference, the College was known as Athens Female College . In 1931, the College became co-educational and was known as Athens College . In 1975, when the institution became part of the state educational system, it was renamed Athens State College, marking the initiation of an era of increased opportunity for service. In 1998, a bill was passed by the legislature to rename the College to Athens State University . The long history of service by the University is the foundation upon which the future of the University rests.

Mission

Athens State University, offering coursework at the junior and senior level, is the baccalaureate degree granting institution of the Alabama Community College System. Governed under the authority of the Alabama State Board of Education, and in conjunction with the other institutions of the Alabama Community College System, Athens State University provides affordable education in an environment which recognizes diversity and nurtures the discovery and application of knowledge. Located in northern Alabama, Athens State University acknowledges a commitment to primarily serve transfer students of the Alabama Community College System as well as students from other accredited institutions of higher education. The University prepares students for professional careers, graduate school, lifelong learning, and enrichment. The University, through quality teaching, individual attention, and a varied course delivery system, assists students in the timely achievement of their professional and career goals. In addition, Athens State University offers programs of continuing education and community services that provide a variety of cultural and professional opportunities.

Goals

To provide educational opportunity to postsecondary students through carefully planned programs of study that impart a body of knowledge, stimulate critical thinking, develop communication and technological skills, foster ethical behavior, and encourage life-long learning in a diverse and changing world. To serve the student effectively and efficiently by providing flexible scheduling, varied modes of delivery and cooperative arrangements with other institutions. To recruit, retain, and promote professional development of qualified faculty and staff. To provide and maintain appropriate learning resources which are supportive of student learning, quality teaching, scholarly research, diversity, and technological proficiency. To develop and maintain periodic internal evaluation to ensure that all programs are operating within a manner consistent with the mission statement of the University. To provide opportunities for students to expand their intellectual, social, and cultural horizons. To provide and maintain student services which furnish necessary information, financial assistance, guidance counseling to assist progress toward personal, academic, and career goals. To promote and maintain effective student recruitment and retention. To promote the use of appropriate University and community resources to facilitate educational and training programs for the diversified needs of business, industry, education, and government in addition to providing cultural and intellectual enrichment. To acquire and administer efficiently and effectively all fiscal resources. To provide, develop, and maintain a physical plant appropriate for the support of the University programs. To effectively communicate the University's vision and goals as a baccalaureate degree granting institution to internal and external constituencies.