Abilene Christian University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Abilene Christian University

Former name	Childers Classical Institute (1906–1920) Abilene Christian College (1920–1976)
Motto	People With A Purpose
Type	Private university
Established	1906
Religious affiliation	Church of Christ
Academic affiliations	CCCU NAICU
Endowment	$773 million (2023)
Chancellor	Royce Money
President	Phil Schubert
Provost	Robert L. Rhodes
Academic staff	200
Students	6,219
Undergraduates	4,196
Postgraduates	2,023
Location	Abilene , Texas , United States
Campus	Urban, 208 acres (84 ha)
Colors	Purple and White
Nickname	Wildcats
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I FCS – WAC
Mascot	Willie the Wildcat

Abilene Christian University (ACU) is a private Christian university located in Abilene, Texas. It was started in 1906 and was first known as Childers Classical Institute. The university is connected with the Churches of Christ.

History of ACU

ACU was founded in 1906 by the Churches of Christ in Abilene. They wanted to create a Christian university for students in West Texas. When it first opened, it was called Childers Classical Institute and had 25 students. It even had a lower school for younger students, starting from seventh grade.

In 1912, Jesse P. Sewell became the president. The school then started using the name Abilene Christian College on its materials. In 1920, this became the official name.

Students at the university started their own newspaper, The Optimist, in 1912. The school yearbook, The Prickly Pear, began in 1916. There has also been a student magazine for arts and writing since 1933, now called The Shinnery Review.

ACU's Onstead-Packer Bible Studies Building, Chapel on the Hill and Tower of Light seen from Faubus Fountain Lake

Abilene Christian College first became officially recognized as an accredited school in 1951. This means it met high standards for education.

In 1971, a new campus was started in Mesquite, Texas, as an extension of ACU. It later moved to Garland, Texas, in 1974. This campus became its own separate university in 1982, first called Amber University and then Amberton University in 2001. It is still connected to the Churches of Christ, like ACU.

On February 22, 1976, the school's name changed again to Abilene Christian University. The university celebrated its 100th birthday in the 2005–06 school year. In 2015, ACU opened another campus in Addison, Texas, called ACU Dallas. This campus offers special programs for students who have already finished their first degree.

Changes Over Time

For many years, the university only allowed white students. In 1962, Billy Curl became the first Black student to enroll. This was an important step for the university.

Leaders of ACU

Here are the people who have served as president of the university:

• Allen Booker Barret (1906–08)
• H. C. Darden (1908–1909)
• Robertson Lafayette Whiteside (1909–1911)
• James F. Cox (1911–1912)
• Jesse Parker Sewell (1912–1924)
• Batsell Baxter (1924–1932)
• James F. Cox (1932–1940)
• Don H. Morris (1940–1969)
• John C. Stevens (1969–1981)
• William J. Teague (1981–1991)
• Royce Money (1991 – May 31, 2010)
• Phil Schubert (June 1, 2010–present)

What You Can Study at ACU

How ACU is Organized

In 2022, ACU changed how its academic programs are set up. They created three new colleges to help students find the best programs for them.

Official Recognition

ACU is officially recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This means its programs meet high quality standards. Many of ACU's specific programs, like business, engineering, nursing, and social work, also have their own special accreditations. This shows they are excellent in their fields.

ACU Traditions

• The Prickly Pear. This was the university's yearbook from 1916 to 2009. The name comes from a type of cactus that grows in the Abilene area.

Jacob's Dream statue and display on the ACU campus. The artwork is based on Genesis 28:10–22 and graphically represents the scenes alluded to in the hymn "Nearer, My God, to Thee" and the spiritual "We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder" as well as other musical works.

• Sing Song. Since 1956, this has been an annual singing competition in February. Student groups, usually with 30 to 100 people, sing themed songs without instruments (called a cappella). They often create funny or clever shows. Groups wear amazing costumes that sometimes change quickly during their performance. It's a big show where students get really creative with their singing and dancing!
• Summit. This event used to be called Lectureship until 2008. It started in 1918 and brings thousands of people together each year. They listen to talks and join workshops about religious topics, all connected to a different Bible theme each year.

ACU Press

ACU has its own publishing company called ACU Press. It was started in 1983 to print books about the Churches of Christ. Now, it also publishes books about Christian education, West Texas history, Christian living, and theology. They publish about 36 new books every year.

Student Media

The university has its own NPR radio station, KACU, which started in 1986. Students also run "The Optimist," which creates news for the university.

In 2008, the famous radio show A Prairie Home Companion was broadcast live from ACU's Moody Coliseum.

Research at ACU

In 2022, ACU applied for a special license to build a molten salt reactor. This is a type of nuclear reactor used for research. They hope to have it working by December 2025.

ACU Sports

Abilene Christian Athletics wordmark

ACU's sports teams are called the Wildcats. They compete in NCAA Division I, which is the highest level of college sports.

ACU has a strong history in sports. In 2007, 33 current and former ACU athletes were named to a special team celebrating the Lone Star Conference's 75th anniversary. As of 2009, ACU ranks fourth in NCAA history for the most team national championships won, with 57 titles! Only UCLA, Stanford, and USC have won more.

In 2013, ACU rejoined the Southland Conference. Then, in 2017, the NCAA officially moved ACU to full NCAA Division I status. This means their teams can compete in national championship games. In 2021, ACU moved to the Western Athletic Conference. Their football team later joined a new league called the United Athletic Conference in 2022.

Sports Achievements

• The men's track and field team has won 32 NCAA National Track and Field Championships.
• The women's track and field team has won 22 national championships.
• The Wildcats football team won NAIA national championships in 1973 and 1977.
• In 2009, some of ACU's 2007 football victories were removed by the NCAA due to rule violations.
• In 2008, the Wildcats football team set a record for points in an NCAA playoff game, beating West Texas A&M 93-68.
• Ove Johansson kicked the longest field goal in college football history (69 yards) in 1976. This is still a world record!
• Many ACU athletes have gone on to become Olympic athletes, including Bobby Morrow (three-time 1956 gold medalist) and Earl Young (1960 Olympic gold medalist).
• ESPN and NFL Network analyst Sean Adams is a former NCAA All-American athlete from ACU.

Social Clubs

ACU has student groups called "social clubs." These are similar to fraternities and sororities at other universities.

Notable Alumni

Many people who went to Abilene Christian University have become successful in different fields.

Academia and Religion

• Kent Brantly, a doctor and missionary
• Max Lucado, a popular author
• Dale Martin, a Bible scholar

Business

• Gordon Bethune, former CEO of Continental Airlines
• Monty Taylor, a leader in cloud computing

Entertainment and Media

• Bonnie Curtis, a film producer
• Ronnie Dunn, a famous singer and songwriter
• Aaron Watson, a musician

Politics and Government

• Jeffrey S. Boyd, a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court
• Janice Hahn, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
• Ted Poe, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives
• Paul J. Selva, former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the U.S. Air Force

Sports

• Charles Coody, a golfer who won the 1971 Masters Tournament
• Taylor Gabriel, a football player for the Chicago Bears
• Bobby Morrow, an Olympic sprinter who won three gold medals
• Billy Olson, an Olympic pole vaulter
• John Layfield, a professional wrestler

Faculty

• Everett Ferguson, a scholar of church history
• Douglas A. Foster, a professor of church history

Campus

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  Zona Luce Building – the original 1929 school house, now home to the Nursing department

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  ACU Police Headquarters on Campus Court

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  Sewell Auditorium – built in 1929, originally used for daily chapel

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  University Church of Christ on EN 16th St

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  McDonald Hall for freshman women (replaced by Bullock Hall)

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  Nelson Hall for freshman women

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  Gardner Hall for freshman women (replaced by Wessel Hall)

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  Sikes Hall for freshman women

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  Williams Performing Arts Center, built in 2003

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  Brown Library

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  ACU Tower of Light and Bible Building Atrium

See also

In Spanish: Universidad Cristiana de Abilene para niños