William Jewell College facts for kids
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| Motto | Deo Fisus Labora (Latin) |
|---|---|
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Motto in English
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Trust in God, Work |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Established | 1849 |
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Academic affiliation
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Annapolis Group |
| President | Susan Chambers (interim) |
| Students | 853 (fall 2022) |
| Location |
,
U.S.
39°14′47″N 94°24′44″W / 39.246263°N 94.412159°W |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Colors | Red and Black |
| Nickname | Cardinals |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division II - GLVC |
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William Jewell College is a private college located in Liberty, Missouri, United States. It's a place where students learn many different subjects, like science, history, and art. The college was started in 1849 by members of the Missouri Baptist Convention.
A man named William Jewell gave $10,000 to help start the school. For over 150 years, the college was connected to the Missouri Baptist Convention. In 2003, it became an independent school. William Jewell College is approved by the Higher Learning Commission, which means it meets high standards for education.
Contents
College History: How It Started
Founding William Jewell College
The college is named after William Jewell. In 1849, he gave $10,000 to help create the school. Mr. Jewell was from Columbia, Missouri. He wanted the school to be built in Boonville, Missouri.
However, a person from Liberty, Alexander William Doniphan, suggested that undeveloped land in Liberty would be better. So, Liberty was chosen as the location. Judge James Turner Vance Thompson donated the land on a hilltop where the campus is today.
During the American Civil War, the main building, Jewell Hall, was used for different purposes. It served as a hospital and a place for soldiers' horses. Union troops were also buried on the campus grounds. Jewell Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The Mt. Memorial Cemetery, also on campus, was added to the Register in 2012. One of the college's founders was Robert S. James, who was the father of Jesse James.
On February 13, 1913, a nearby school called the Liberty Female Institute burned down. This event brought female students to William Jewell College. Slowly, women were admitted to William Jewell on the same terms as men by 1920.
Gano Chapel: A Special Building
In 1926, the John Gano chapel was built. This was possible because of a gift from Elizabeth Price, who lived in Kansas City. She was John Gano's great-granddaughter.
Ms. Price asked that the chapel be named after Gano. She also wanted a painting to hang there. The painting shows Gano baptizing George Washington in the Potomac River. The college says this painting is a popular spot for visitors. The college does not say if the baptism actually happened.
Pryor Learning Commons: A Modern Study Spot
In August 2013, William Jewell College opened the Pryor Learning Commons. This is a large, 26,000-square-foot center. It is a modern place for students to study and learn.
Academics: What Students Learn
William Jewell College offers almost 40 different main subjects, called majors. It also has 10 pre-professional programs. These programs help students get ready for careers like medicine or law.
The college has an Oxbridge Honors Program. Students in this program take special classes called tutorials. They also get to study abroad in Oxford, England. In their last year, they take big exams to show what they've learned.
William Jewell also has a Journey Grant program. This program helps students get at least $2,000. They can use this money in their junior year for special learning experiences. This could include studying abroad, doing leadership projects, or working in internships.
In 2019, the college started the Honors Institute in Critical Thinking. This is a scholarship program. It helps students learn to think deeply and solve problems. Students design their own projects about important world issues.
Since 2013, many students have won important scholarships. These include three Fulbright Scholars and two Goldwater Scholars. Students have also been finalists for the Rhodes Global Scholar and Truman Scholar awards.
The college offers three graduate programs for students who want to continue their education. These include a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction. There is also an Artist Diploma in Voice program.
Athletics: The Cardinals Sports Teams
The sports teams at William Jewell College are called the Cardinals. The college is part of the NCAA Division II. This is a group of colleges that compete in sports. Since the 2011–12 school year, they have mainly competed in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).
Before joining the NCAA, the Cardinals were part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). They competed in the Heart of America Conference (HAAC) until 2011.
William Jewell has 25 different sports teams.
- Boys' sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, quadball, soccer, swimming, tennis, and track & field.
- Girls' sports include basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling.
- There are also co-ed sports like athletic band, powerlifting, and spirit team.
Greek Life: Fraternities and Sororities
William Jewell College has several fraternities and sororities. These are social groups for students. The first group was formed in 1871.
Fraternities: Active Chapters
- ΦΓΔ - Phi Gamma Delta, started in 1886.
- ΚΑ - Kappa Alpha Order, started in 1887.
- ΛΧΑ - Lambda Chi Alpha, started in 1942.
Sororities: Active Chapters
- ΑΓΔ - Alpha Gamma Delta, started in 1946.
- ΔΖ - Delta Zeta, started in 1961.
- ΖΤΑ - Zeta Tau Alpha, started in 1964.
Notable Alumni: Famous Graduates
Many people who went to William Jewell College have become well-known. Here are a few:
- Cyrus Avery (1870–1963), a businessman known as the "Father of Route 66."
- Eugene Monroe Bartlett (1885–1941), a singer and songwriter of gospel music.
- Daniel Belcher, a Grammy-winning opera singer.
- Nancy Boyda, a former congresswoman from Kansas.
- Robin Carnahan, who was the Missouri Secretary of State.
- Tom Carnegie (1942), a famous track announcer for many years.
- Jim Davis, an actor who played Jock Ewing on the TV show "Dallas."
- Connie Dover, a folk singer and songwriter.
- Homer Drew, a well-known basketball coach.
- Zel Fischer, a judge on the Missouri Supreme Court.
- Dan Lanning, the head football coach at the University of Oregon.
- Bill Snyder (1962), a very successful head football coach for Kansas State University.
- Josephine L. Staton, a United States federal district judge.
- Terry Teachout, a writer and critic for the Wall Street Journal.
