Mercer University established in 1833 and gaining university status in 1837, stands as Georgia’s oldest private research university. With its main campus in Macon and over 9,000 students across 12 colleges and schools, Mercer is a respected member of the Georgia Research Alliance and is recognized for its significant research activities, classified as “R2: Doctoral Universities — High research activity.”
The university boasts four primary campuses!
More details. Jesse Mercer, first chairman of the board of trustees and namesake of the university.
Including the main campus in Macon, a graduate and professional campus in Atlanta, and two School of Medicine campuses in Savannah and Columbus. It also operates academic centers in Henry and Douglas Counties, a separate Law School campus in Macon, various teaching hospitals, a university press, the Grand Opera House, and the Mercer Engineering Research Center in Warner Robins. The Mercer University Health Sciences Center, integrating medical, pharmacy, nursing, and health professions programs across Macon, Atlanta, Savannah, and Columbus, reflects its comprehensive approach to healthcare education.
Notable among Mercer alumni are 21 U.S. Representatives, 12 governors, four U.S. Senators, two Pulitzer Prize winners, two Rhodes Scholars, and a U.S. Attorney General. Mercer competes in NCAA Division I athletics, with a range of men’s and women’s sports, and is affiliated with the Southern Conference, with the exception of women’s sand volleyball.
Knight Hall at Mercer University.
Mercer’s history is rich, with its beginnings as Mercer Institute, founded by Billington McCarter Sanders and Adiel Sherwood. It was named after Jesse Mercer, a Baptist leader and the institute’s first board chairman. The university moved to Macon in 1871 and established its Law School in 1873. Notably, Mercer participated in the V-12 Navy College Training Program during World War II.
From 1959 to 2013, Mercer underwent significant expansion!
More details. Woodcut of Mercer University from an 1877 Macon, Georgia city directory.
.jpg){kind=link}
Moreover, absorbing the Southern School of Pharmacy and merging with Atlanta Baptist College, leading to the establishment of several new colleges and schools. The university’s commitment to community engagement and global challenges is evident in initiatives like the Mercer On Mission service-learning program.
Mercer’s commitment to diversity is highlighted by its early desegregation, becoming Georgia’s first fully integrated university. This move was a significant milestone, allowing the admission of its first Black student, Sam Oni, from Ghana.
The university’s relationship with the Georgia Baptist Convention ended in 2006, leading Mercer to pursue a more independent path. Since 2014, Mercer has embarked on ambitious fundraising and expansion efforts, including new medical education facilities, science buildings, and athletic programs. Mercer’s continuous growth is marked by the construction of new residential centers, the renovation of historic buildings, and the establishment of additional campuses and academic programs.
Mercer’s research profile has grown of late!
Griffin Bell ’48, Attorney General of the United States, 1977–1979. Peter Stevens – http://www.justice.gov/ag/aghistpage.php?id=71. Official United States Department of Justice portrait of Griffin B. Bell, 72nd Attorney General of the United States from 1977-1979.
Furthermore, with substantial increases in doctoral students and externally funded research expenditures. The university has gained national recognition, with students receiving prestigious scholarships and contributing significantly to service-learning.
Mercer’s recent developments include the construction of new student housing, academic facilities, and the dedication of the Godsey Science Center. These expansions reflect the university’s commitment to providing a comprehensive and dynamic educational environment.
Walter F. George ’01, United States Senator, 1922–1957; President pro tempore, 1955–1957; namesake of Mercer Law School. Unknown author – http://bioguide.congress.gov, http://bioguide.congress.gov/bioguide/photo/G/G000131.jpg & http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=G000131
