William Carey University facts for kids
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Former names
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Pearl River Boarding School, South Mississippi College, Mississippi Woman's College, William Carey College |
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| Motto | Expect Great Things From God; Attempt Great Things For God |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1892 |
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Religious affiliation
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Mississippi Baptist Convention |
| President | Tommy King |
| Provost | Daniel Caldwell |
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Academic staff
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190 full-time 230 part-time |
| Students | 5,260 |
| Undergraduates | 2,808 |
| Location |
,
U.S.
31°18′22″N 89°17′28″W / 31.3062°N 89.29116°W |
| Campus | Hattiesburg (main campus), Biloxi (tradition campus) |
| Colors | Red, black, white |
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Sporting affiliations
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NAIA |
| Mascot | Crusaders |
William Carey University (often called Carey or WCU) is a private Christian university in Mississippi. It is connected to the Southern Baptist Convention. The main campus is in Hattiesburg. There is also a second campus near Gulfport and Biloxi.
The university started in 1892 as Pearl River Boarding School in Poplarville. A big fire destroyed the school in 1905. In 1906, it reopened in Hattiesburg as South Mississippi College. Another fire forced it to close again. In 1911, the property was given to the Baptists. The school then reopened as Mississippi Woman's College.
In 1953, the school decided to allow both boys and girls to attend. This meant it needed a new name. In 1954, it was named William Carey College. This honored William Carey, an 18th-century English missionary. He was known as the "Father of Modern Missions." The school officially became William Carey University in 2006.
William Carey University offers different types of degrees. These include bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. In 2009, the university opened its College of Osteopathic Medicine. The first class of 110 students started in 2010. The school year has three terms, each lasting eleven weeks. There are also summer and short-term sessions.
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History of William Carey University
The school that is now William Carey University began in Poplarville, Mississippi. It was started by educator W. I. Thames in 1892. It was called Pearl River Boarding School. This school taught elementary, middle, and some college-level subjects.
A large fire destroyed the school in 1905. Professor Thames then moved to Hattiesburg. In 1906, he opened South Mississippi College there. This was done with help from businessmen in New Orleans. After another fire, W.S.F. Tatum bought the property. In 1911, he opened the school as Mississippi Woman's College.
In 1954, the school's name changed to William Carey College. This happened when it started accepting both male and female students. The name honors William Carey. He was an English cobbler and linguist from the 1700s. He spent many years as a missionary in India. He is known as the "Father of Modern Protestant Missions."
In 1939, when it was Mississippi Woman's College, the school placed third in a math competition. It is still the only women's college to ever do so. In 1968, William Carey merged with the Mather School of Nursing in New Orleans.
In 1976, the college bought the Gulf Coast Military Academy campus in Gulfport. This campus was badly damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Classes were held in other places until 2009. That's when the William Carey University-Tradition Campus opened. It is located near Biloxi.
On August 14, 2006, William Carey University celebrated its 100th birthday. On this day, William Carey College also officially became William Carey University.
University Accreditation
William Carey University is approved by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This means it can give out bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Its business programs are also approved by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
The William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine is the 29th osteopathic medical school in the U.S. It received full approval after its first class graduated in 2014.
University Recognition
U.S. News & World Report is a well-known ranking system. In 2017, William Carey University was ranked No. 2 for "Best Value" among regional universities in the South. This was its second year in a row. In 2015, it was ranked No. 1 for "Best Value."
Academic Programs
WCU College of Osteopathic Medicine
In 2007, William Carey University decided to open a College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM). The goal was to help with the shortage of doctors in Mississippi. It also aimed to improve healthcare in rural areas.
The college officially started on March 3, 2008. In August 2010, the first class of 110 medical students began their studies. The William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine is the second medical school in Mississippi. It is the first in the region to focus on osteopathic medicine. It grants the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. The first class graduated in 2014.
On January 21, 2017, a tornado hit the campus. The College of Osteopathic Medicine building was badly damaged.
School of Music and Ministry Studies
The Winters School of Music is an approved member of the National Association of Schools of Music. Its music therapy program is also approved. In 2018, William Carey University became the first All-Steinway School in Mississippi. This means all its pianos are from Steinway & Sons.
Department of Theatre & Communication and Carey Dinner Theatre
William Carey University's Theatre & Communication Department started in 1915. It is known for its excellent work. Since 1994, the department has been active in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. In 2001, one of their plays was chosen to be shown in Washington, D.C.. That same year, the department won an award for excellence in the arts.
The department also took students and faculty to Nairobi, Kenya twice. There, they put on the musical Smoke on the Mountain. The department usually puts on three shows each year. These include a drama, a children's play, and a comedy or musical. They perform at the Joe and Virginia Tatum Theatre.
Carey Dinner Theatre began in 1974. It is the longest-running dinner theatre in Mississippi. It brings professional summer theatre to the university and the community. Two former students from the Dinner Theatre have gone on to careers on Broadway. The Dinner Theatre puts on two shows each summer, usually comedies or musicals.
School of Nursing
The Joseph and Nancy Fail School of Nursing is approved by several groups. These include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. William Carey University's online nursing program is also highly ranked for being affordable. Best Degree Programs ranked its online RN to BSN program sixth among private universities.
School of Pharmacy
The School of Pharmacy welcomed its first class of 58 students in July 2018. The Pharmacy Building cost $7 million to build. Carey has a fast-paced program that lasts two years and 10 months. Students take classes all year round in four 10-week terms. This is one of only 11 such fast-paced programs in the country. It is the only one in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.
Student Life at WCU
The Student Government Association (SGA) leads all campus groups. The SGA plans events like Welcome Week and Homecoming Week. They also act as a link between students and the university leaders.
William Carey University has many programs for its students. CareyBSU offers Bible studies, community service, and mission trips. It also has "Priority Lunch" and "CampusLink" for worship services.
The university has a newspaper called The Cobbler. It comes out once a month. It used to be called The Scissors before the 1950s. The yearbook is called The Crusader. There is also a literary magazine, The Indigo, and an alumni magazine, Carey.
Greek Life
There are three Christian groups on campus. Gamma Chi is a sorority focused on sisterhood and service. Its colors are red, black, and white, and its mascot is a panda. Pi Omega is another sorority for social activities and service. Kappa Tau Xi is a fraternity for social activities and service.
Athletics at WCU
The William Carey sports teams are called the Crusaders. The university is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). They mainly compete in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC).
William Carey has 18 different sports teams.
- Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, and track & field.
- Women's sports include basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.
- Co-ed sports include archery and cheerleading.
Most teams are highly ranked within the NAIA. They often go on to conference playoffs and national championships. The university also has an intramural program for fun sports and games.
Notable Alumni
- Dan Jennings (graduated 1984), a former manager for the Miami Marlins baseball team.
- Ezell Lee, a politician in the Mississippi House of Representatives and Mississippi Senate.
- Chris McDaniel (graduated 1994), a lawyer and Republican politician in the Mississippi Senate.
- Michael Parker (graduated 1978), a politician in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also served under President George W. Bush.
- Larkin I. Smith, a former police chief and sheriff. He was also a Republican politician in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- John Stephenson, a retired Major League Baseball player who was a catcher.
- Richard C. Vinci, a retired United States Navy admiral. He was also a former commander of the United States Navy Dental Corps.
