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Located in
Athens, Alabama, Athens State University is the oldest schoolhouse in
Alabama. It was founded in 1822. It has over 1200 teachers and is
the largest school of education in the state. This two-year college is
unique. Whereas most two-year universities offer the first two years of a
degree, Athens State University offers the last two years in a four-year degree
program. This is where community college students go to finish out their
education.
Athens State
University started out as an ecumenical female academy. In 1942, the
Methodist conference took over the school and built Founders Hall (pictured
below). Three crystal chandeliers from the Andrew Carnegie estate light up
the parlor in Founders Hall, now popular for receptions and weddings.
Above the parlor is the chapel with its unique New and Old Testament tulip wood
carvings by Eunice McDonnald Meadows, class of 1912. The remainder of the
building is now business offices and classrooms.
In 1975, the
Methodist church ceded the college over to the state of Alabama. The
Maclin/Hobbs family gave five acres of "sturdy oaks and tulip poplars"
for the university. Dr. Jerry Franklin Bartlett has been President of the
University since 1991 to present. The current university is now co-ed.
The campus
includes Brown Hall (built in 1909), McCandless Hall--a showcase for fine arts
(built 1912, pictured below far right, second row), Sanders Hall (1924-26),
Naylor Hall (1948), Waters Hall (1957), McCain Hall (1962), the Carter Physical
Education Center (1965) and the Sandridge Student Center (1967).
Groundbreaking in February 1995 for the Athens State University Library led to
the opening of the library in 1996. The bulk of the financing for this
majestic building was from private gifts. The library is a state of the
arts facility and is electronically connected to 17 northern Alabama libraries.
This beautiful
campus at Athens State University comes alive during the first full weekend of
October each year when they host the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers'
Convention. "The back campus is filled with a craft fair, the front
campus with the contest, and the courtyard with impromptu combos of cheerful
music." Athens State University is a great place to visit and a
wonderful compliment to the education system in the state of Alabama.
Click on image to see larger
picture
Athens State University
©2003 Jean Brandau, licensed
to About.com
Photo ©2003 Jean Brandau, licensed to About.com
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