Athens State University

{{Infobox university

| name = Athens State University

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| established = {{start date and age|1822|12|9}}[http://www.legislature.state.al.us/aliswww/history/acts_and_journals/1822/1822_Acts/Acts_91-100.html Act 98. To incorporate the trustees of Athens female academy, in Limestone county.] Acts Passed at the Fourth Annual Session of the General Assembly of the State of Alabama. Published January 1823. Act approved December 9, 1822. Pages 122-123. Retrieved 7 July 2017.

| former_name = Athens Female Academy (1822–1842)
Athens Female Institute (1842–1889)
Athens Female College (1889–1931)
Athens College (1931–1998)

| type = Public upper-division university

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| president = Catherine Wehlburg (interim)

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| students = 3,500

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| city = Athens

| state = Alabama

| country = United States

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| sports_nickname = Bears

| mascot = Hebrew the Bear

| website = {{official website|http://www.athens.edu}}

| logo = Athens State University logo.svg

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| coor = {{coord|34|48|20|N|86|58|0|W|display=inline,title|type:edu_region:US-AL}}

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Athens State University is a public upper-division university in Athens, Alabama. Its academics are housed in three colleges: Education, Arts and Sciences, and Business.

History

Athens State University is Alabama's oldest educational institution of higher learning. It began as the Athens Female Academy in 1822. The Methodist Church began oversight of the institution in 1842, changing the name to Athens Female Institute. It became Athens Female College in 1889.{{cite book|title=Athens State College Catalog|date=1993|publisher=Athens State College|url=https://archive.org/stream/athensstatecolle19921993#page/n10/mode/1up}}

In 1931 the name was shortened to Athens College when it became coeducational.

On May 10, 1974, the board of trustees requested from the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church that the college seek affiliation with the State of Alabama. At its annual meeting in June 1974, the conference gave the board this permission and authorized the transfer of the college to the State of Alabama.

In June 1975, the college 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 college to serve the graduates of state junior, community, and technical colleges/institutions.

Later, in 1998, the college became Athens State University.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/19367469/the_montgomery_advertiser/|title=Governor gives legislators 'pork' money at last minute|newspaper=The Montgomery Advertiser|location=Montgomery, Alabama|last1=Poovey|first1=Bill|date=May 9, 1998|page=9}}

On May 11, 2012, a bill was passed by the Alabama legislature allowing the creation of an autonomous board of trustees for the university. This board took office in October 2012. Athens State University remains the only upper-division university in the State of Alabama.

Athens State College Historic District

{{Infobox NRHP

| name = Athens State College Historic District

| nrhp_type = hd

| image = Founders Hall Athens State Univ.jpg

| caption = Founders Hall is a contributing property to the historic district

| location= 202--212 and 311 N. Beaty St., central campus area roughly bounded by Beaty, Pryor and Hobbs Sts., Athens, Alabama

| locmapin = Alabama#USA

| built = 1842

| architect = Hiram Higgins

| architecture = Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Greek Revival, Queen Anne

| added = February 14, 1985

| area = {{convert|8.6|acre}}

| governing_body =

| refnum = 85000254{{NRISref|version=2009a}}

| nocat = yes

}}

The Athens State College Historic District was named to the National Register of Historic Places on February 14, 1985. It includes Founders Hall, which was built in 1842–44. Founders Hall is individually listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.

Notable alumni

Chris Guillebeau, personal development author
Mike Kirkland (politician), member of the Alabama House of Representatives
Steve Mizerak, billiards, winner of the U.S. Open in the 1970s
Gary Redus, Major League Baseball playerCarroll, Andrew. "Will Redus carry on state tradition?", The Tuscaloosa News, January 29, 1984, page 4B.
Dale Strong, member of the U.S. House of Representatives
Ha Soo Whang, social worker

References

External links

{{official website|http://www.athens.edu/}}
{{HABS |survey=AL-301 |id=al0299 |title=Athens College, Founder's Hall, Beaty Street, Athens, Limestone County, AL |photos=2 |color= |dwgs=11 |data=2 |cap=}}
{{HABS |survey=AL-306 |id=al0536 |title=Beaty-Mason House, 211 South Beaty Street, Athens, Limestone County, AL |photos=9 |color= |dwgs=9 |data=3 |cap= |link=no}}

Category:National Register of Historic Places in Limestone County, Alabama

Category:Queen Anne architecture in Alabama

Category:Greek Revival architecture in Alabama

Category:Public universities and colleges in Alabama

Category:Education in Limestone County, Alabama

Category:Two year upper class colleges

Category:Educational institutions established in 1822

Category:Female seminaries in the United States

Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Category:Buildings and structures in Limestone County, Alabama

Category:Historic districts in Limestone County, Alabama

Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Alabama