Midway University facts for kids
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Former names
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Kentucky Female Orphan School (1847–1942) Pinkerton High School and Midway Junior College (1942–1978) Midway College (1978–2015) |
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| Motto | Ama Vicinum Acte |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1847 |
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Religious affiliation
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Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) |
| Endowment | $22.7 million (2020) |
| President | John P. Marsden |
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Administrative staff
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13 |
| Students | 1,702 |
| Undergraduates | 1,122 |
| Postgraduates | 221 |
| Location |
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United States
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| Campus | Rural |
| Colors | Blue, White & Gold |
| Nickname | Eagles |
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Sporting affiliations
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NAIA – River States |
| Mascot | Eagle |
Midway University is a private Christian university located in Midway, Kentucky. It is connected to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). About 1,900 students attend Midway University. They can earn two-year, four-year, and master's degrees. For many years, Midway was a college only for women in Kentucky. But in 2016, it started letting male students join its main programs too.
Contents
Discovering Midway University's History
Midway University first opened its doors on October 3, 1849. It was called the Kentucky Female Orphan School. There was one teacher and sixteen girls. A group of nine trustees managed the school's money and property.
How Midway University Began
The school was started by Dr. L.L. Pinkerton and Mr. James Ware Parrish. They were both important members of the Midway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). They got permission from the Kentucky government on February 17, 1847. To open, they needed to raise $25,000. This money helped them buy land and build the first school building.
When the school opened in 1849, John Dawson was the Superintendent. His wife, Mary, was the Matron. An early staff member, Eliza Davies, shared that the school was very simple at first. The girls slept on straw mattresses, and the floors had no carpets.
What Students Learned at the Kentucky Female Orphan School
The Kentucky Female Orphan School focused on four main goals for its students:
- Helping students grow strong in their character and values.
- Improving their thinking and learning skills.
- Developing their physical health and abilities.
- Preparing them for useful and respected jobs after graduation.
In its early years, the school had four grades. The education was like an advanced high school program. Students studied many subjects. These included math, science, history, and languages like Latin. They also learned music. Students needed 16 credits to graduate. However, many students earned even more, sometimes up to 25 credits.
Midway University's Growth and Changes
Over the years, the school changed a lot. It was an elementary school and a high school at different times. Later, it became a junior college. Eventually, it grew into a full university that grants bachelor's degrees. The school always aimed to help women get an education. This often prepared them for jobs like teaching.
In 2010, the school planned to open a pharmacy school. This school would have been in Paintsville, Kentucky. However, the plan was stopped the next year. This was because the costs were too high, and they couldn't get the right approvals.
On July 1, 2015, the college changed its name to Midway University. In the fall of 2016, Midway University welcomed male students to its main daytime programs for the first time.
Exploring the Midway University Campus
The university is located on a 200-acre (0.81 km2) working farm. This farm is in the beautiful Kentucky Bluegrass region. The campus looks over Midway, a small town in central Kentucky. Pinkerton Hall, the oldest building on campus, is a historic landmark. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Academic Buildings and Learning Spaces
- Equine Education Center: This building has a large indoor riding arena. It also includes stalls for horses, a lab, and classrooms.
- Bud's Barn and Spy Coast Equine Education Center: Opened in 2022, this new facility is next to the Equestrian Center. It has an 18-stall barn and a classroom for equine studies.
- Ashland Equine Barn: This barn has 8 stalls, office space, and a washroom for horses.
- Marrs Hall: This building has a clock tower. It houses important offices like the President's Office. In 2020, it was updated to include the Welcome Center. This makes it easy for new students to visit admissions and financial aid offices.
- The Starks Center: Built in 2010, this is the main classroom building. It also has offices for academic leaders and the Registrar. The teacher education program is on the second floor.
- Anne Hart Raymond Center for Mathematics, Science & Technology: This large building opened in 2003. It has labs for biology, chemistry, physics, and other sciences. There's also a 450-seat auditorium and many classrooms.
- The Hunter Field House: Opened in 2020, this 20,000 square foot building is for athletics. It has a gym, a weight room, a walking track, and locker rooms. It's used for sports practices and special events.
Where Students Live: Residential Buildings
- Buster Hall: This is the largest residence hall. It has traditional-style rooms with shared bathrooms on each floor. It was updated in 2021.
- Belle Wisdom Hall: Students here live in suite-style rooms. They share private bathrooms with a few other residents. Belle is the oldest dorm on campus.
- Pinkerton Hall: This was the very first building on campus. It used to hold all the school's functions. In 2019, it was renovated to become student housing again.
Midway University Athletics: The Eagles
The sports teams at Midway University are called the Eagles. The university is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Most teams compete in the River States Conference (RSC). Some teams, like bowling and swimming, compete in the Mid-South Conference (MSC). Since 2016, men's sports have been added to the athletic program.
Midway has 28 different varsity sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, and soccer. Women's sports include basketball, softball, and volleyball. There are also co-ed sports like archery, cheer, and equestrian.
Sprint Football at Midway
One of the newest sports is sprint football. This is a special type of American football where players have weight limits. Midway started playing sprint football in 2022. They are one of the first teams in the Midwest Sprint Football League.
Notable Faculty Members
- Sally Haydon
- Bob Heleringer
