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 |
| Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
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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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Total staff
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326 |
| Students | 2,003 |
| Undergraduates | 1,266 |
| Postgraduates | 251 |
| Location |
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United States
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| Campus | Rural, 200 acres (81 ha) |
| Colors | Blue & Gold |
| Nickname | Eagles |
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Sporting affiliations
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NAIA – River States – MSC – IHSA |
| Mascot | Eagle |
Midway University is a private Christian university. It is located in Midway, Kentucky, United States. The university is connected to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). About 2,000 students attend Midway University. They can earn different types of degrees.
Midway started as a school for orphaned girls in 1847. Over many years, it grew from a high school to a junior college. Then it became a four-year college for women. It was the only women's college in Kentucky. In July 2015, the college became a university. By the fall of 2016, both boys and girls could attend all programs.
Contents
History of Midway University
Midway University first opened on October 3, 1849. It was called the Kentucky Female Orphan School. It started with one teacher and sixteen girls. Nine people on the board of trustees managed the school's money and land.
Early Years: Kentucky Female Orphan School
The school was started by L.L. Pinkerton and James Ware Parrish. Pinkerton was a minister at the Midway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Parrish was an elder at the same church. They received permission from the Kentucky government on February 17, 1847. This was with help from Senator George W. Williams.
Before opening, the school needed to raise $25,000. This money was used to buy land and build the school. They also planned how the school would be run.
John Dawson was the superintendent when the school opened in 1849. His wife, Mary, was the matron. Eliza Davies, an assistant, wrote that the school was very simple at first. The girls slept on straw mattresses, and the floors had no carpets.
Goals for Student Learning
The Kentucky Female Orphan School had four main goals for its students:
- To help students grow strong moral values.
- To improve their thinking and learning skills.
- To help them develop physically.
- To prepare them for useful and honorable jobs.
In its early years, the school had four grades. The education was like an advanced high school program. It included many subjects. Students studied math, science, history, and languages like Latin. They also learned music. Students needed 16 credits to graduate. Many students earned even more, sometimes up to 25 credits.
Midway College: A New Chapter
Over time, the school changed. It was an elementary and high school at different times. Eventually, it became Midway Junior College. In the 1970s, it became a full four-year college for women. It was then known as Midway College.
In 2008, the college started offering master's degrees. The first was a Master of Business Administration. A Master of Education was added in 2013. In 2016, they launched a Master of Science in Nursing.
Midway University: Co-ed Programs
On July 1, 2015, the college officially changed its name to Midway University. In the fall of 2016, a big change happened. The university began accepting male students into its daytime undergraduate programs. The dorms also opened to men.
Campus Life and Buildings
The university is located on a 200-acre working farm. It is in the beautiful Kentucky Bluegrass region. The campus looks over Midway, a small town nearby. The town has old, grand houses built in the Greek revival style. Pinkerton Hall, the oldest building on campus, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Academic Buildings and Facilities
- Equine Education Center: This large building is 36,000 square feet. It has an indoor riding arena, horse stalls, and classrooms. It also has a lab and offices for teachers.
- Bud's Barn and Spy Coast Equine Education Center: This newer facility opened in August 2022. It is next to the main equestrian center. It has 18 horse stalls, a tack room, and a classroom.
- Ashland Equine Barn and Theurkauf outdoor riding arena: This area has eight horse stalls and office space. The outdoor riding arena is very large, measuring 227 by 117 feet.
- Marrs Hall: Built in 1941, this building has a clock tower. It was updated in 2020. It now has the Welcome Center on the top floor. This is where new students can find the Admissions, Business, and Financial Aid offices.
- The Starks Center (STK): This is the main classroom building, built in 2010. It has many classrooms, offices for teachers, and student lounges. It also houses the Office of Student Success, which helps students with their studies and careers.
- Anne Hart Raymond Center for Mathematics, Science & Technology (AHR): This building opened in 2003. It is 46,000 square feet and has labs for many science subjects. Students and teachers can do advanced research here. It also has a large auditorium and classrooms.
- The Hunter Field House: This athletic building opened in June 2020. It has a gym, a weight room, and an elevated walking track. It also has locker rooms and offices for coaches. It is mostly used for sports practices.
- Little Memorial Library (LML): Built in 1997, this library holds the university's book collection. It also has computer labs and study spaces. The lower level has the Communication Center and the e-Sports center.
Residential Buildings (Dorms)
- Buster Hall: This is the largest dorm. It has traditional rooms with shared bathrooms on each floor. It was updated in 2021.
- Belle Wisdom Hall: This dorm has suite-style rooms. Students share private bathrooms with 2-4 other residents. Belle is the oldest dorm on campus.
- Pinkerton Hall: This was the very first building on campus. It used to hold all school functions. In 2019, it was renovated to become a dorm again.
- Library Hall: This new dorm opened in 2023. The second floor of the Little Memorial Library was changed into living space. It can house 43 students and has common areas for studying and relaxing.
Athletics: The Midway 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, swimming, and wrestling, compete in the Mid-South Conference (MSC).
Midway used to be a women's college. But since the 2016-17 school year, men's sports have been added.
Midway has 28 different sports teams:
- Men's sports: Baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, sprint football, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling.
- Women's sports: Basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.
- Co-ed sports: Archery, cheer, dance, eSports, and equestrian (horse riding).
A new sport, sprint football, was added in 2022. This is a special type of American football with weight limits for players. Midway was one of the first six teams in the Midwest Sprint Football League.
Notable People
Alumni
- Hadley Duvall, a person known for supporting reproductive rights.
Faculty
- Sally Haydon
- Bob Heleringer
