Carson-Newman College
Encyclopedia
Carson–Newman College is a historically Baptist
liberal arts
college
located in Jefferson City
, Tennessee
, United States
. Enrollment as of 2006-2007 was about 2,050. The college's students come from 44 U.S. states and 30 other countries. Studies are offered in approximately 90 different academic programs. Currently, the five most popular majors are: Nursing, Education, Business, Pre-Medicine/Biology, and Psychology. In addition to the overall institutional accreditation
by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
. Carson-Newman was ranked #110 on the Forbes "America's Best Colleges List" for 2009.
Provost Dr. J. Randall O'Brien as the 22nd president of the college.
In 1880, the college was named Carson College for James Harvey Carson(1801–1880), who left $15,000 of his estate to the school,. For several years it existed alongside Newman College, a separate facility for the education of women named for William Cate Newman, who had donated money to the women's college. In 1889, the two colleges united as one of the first coeducational institutions in the South.
In 1919, Carson-Newman became officially affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention
. The College was admitted to membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
in 1927 and the Association of American Colleges in 1928.
During World War II
, Carson-Newman College was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program
which offered students a path to a Navy commission.
During most of its history, Carson–Newman College has served as a residential four-year, liberal arts college with courses of study leading to the baccalaureate degree. On campus, art galleries, theaters, a television studio and a state-of-the-art recital hall offer opportunities for students to exhibit their talents and to participate in a variety of visual and performing arts and productions.
Carson–Newman College has maintained its commitment to training ministers and Christian professionals while expanding its liberal arts program to include 53 undergraduate areas of study. In 1988, Carson–Newman College introduced five "Steeples of Excellence," which focus on central elements of the college's mission and focus on work central to the college. They are the Center for Wellness, the Center for Educational Service to Appalachia, the Center for Baptist Studies, the Center for Global Education, and the Louis and Mary Charlotte Ball Institute for Church Music.
In 1997, Carson-Newman dedicated its Laboratory for Learning in the name of Dr. Ernest L. Boyer, past president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Through Appalachia
n Outreach, many churches send volunteers to spend their summers working with the institution in poverty relief efforts, and many C-N students have been among volunteers to respond to national disasters. The first ministry team permitted to work with China
’s leprosy
patients consisted of Carson-Newman faculty, students and staff. Recent summers have seen a host of C-N missions and education initiatives across the globe, including China, Costa Rica and Djibouti. The College also offers programs to assist pastors and church leaders. The Norton Institute provides educational opportunities and spiritual enrichment through area churches. Over 1,000 C-N students are annually involved in Christian missions and service opportunities through the College’s Campus Ministries Office.
Carson-Newman is a member of the South Atlantic Conference
and fields sixteen varsity teams in National Collegiate Athletic Association
Division II competition. Men's varsity sports at Carson-Newman are: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, and Track & Field. Wrestling will no longer be offered due to budget cuts. Women's sports are: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball
The college's athletic facilities include Roy Harmon Field at Burke-Tarr Stadium
, the Ken Sparks Athletic Complex, McCown Soccer Field, the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex, six tennis courts, a softball complex, Holt Fieldhouse, and Butler-Blanc Gymnasium. Head football coach Ken Sparks
who is a graduate of the school and has been coaching the team since 1980 ranks fourth in most wins among active NCAA coaches.
In 2007, the C-N baseball team won the South Atlantic Conference Tournament after defeating Tusculum College
, who had won more than 20 games in a row, twice in one day. The team traveled to Tampa, Florida
, to compete in the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament. The baseball team returned to Tampa for the NCAA Regional Tournament in 2008 after receiving an at-large bid and finished third, again eliminating Tusculum College. In 2009 the C-N football team won the NCAA II South Regional Championship in Florence, AL to advance to the Final Four.
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
liberal arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
located in Jefferson City
Jefferson City, Tennessee
Jefferson City is a city in Jefferson County, Tennessee, United States. It is part of the Morristown, Tennessee Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,760 at the 2000 census. The city was originally named Mossy Creek, but was changed in 1901 to honor Thomas Jefferson...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Enrollment as of 2006-2007 was about 2,050. The college's students come from 44 U.S. states and 30 other countries. Studies are offered in approximately 90 different academic programs. Currently, the five most popular majors are: Nursing, Education, Business, Pre-Medicine/Biology, and Psychology. In addition to the overall institutional accreditation
Regional accreditation
Regional accreditation is a term used in the United States to refer to educational accreditation conducted by any of several accreditation bodies established to serve six defined geographic areas of the country for accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities...
by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
. Carson-Newman was ranked #110 on the Forbes "America's Best Colleges List" for 2009.
Administration
On July 8, 2008, the trustees appointed Baylor UniversityBaylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
Provost Dr. J. Randall O'Brien as the 22nd president of the college.
History
Established as Mossy Creek Missionary Baptist Seminary in 1851, the school began by holding classes in a local Baptist church. Within a few years the institution became Mossy Creek Baptist College and occupied its own buildings on the site of the present campus.In 1880, the college was named Carson College for James Harvey Carson(1801–1880), who left $15,000 of his estate to the school,. For several years it existed alongside Newman College, a separate facility for the education of women named for William Cate Newman, who had donated money to the women's college. In 1889, the two colleges united as one of the first coeducational institutions in the South.
In 1919, Carson-Newman became officially affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention
Tennessee Baptist Convention
The Tennessee Baptist Convention is the Tennessee statewide organization of churches associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. It maintains offices in Brentwood, Tennessee. Members include 68 Baptist associations and about 3,200 churches....
. The College was admitted to membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
in 1927 and the Association of American Colleges in 1928.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Carson-Newman College was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program
V-12 Navy College Training Program
The V-12 Navy College Training Program was designed to supplement the force of commissioned officers in the United States Navy during World War II...
which offered students a path to a Navy commission.
During most of its history, Carson–Newman College has served as a residential four-year, liberal arts college with courses of study leading to the baccalaureate degree. On campus, art galleries, theaters, a television studio and a state-of-the-art recital hall offer opportunities for students to exhibit their talents and to participate in a variety of visual and performing arts and productions.
Carson–Newman College has maintained its commitment to training ministers and Christian professionals while expanding its liberal arts program to include 53 undergraduate areas of study. In 1988, Carson–Newman College introduced five "Steeples of Excellence," which focus on central elements of the college's mission and focus on work central to the college. They are the Center for Wellness, the Center for Educational Service to Appalachia, the Center for Baptist Studies, the Center for Global Education, and the Louis and Mary Charlotte Ball Institute for Church Music.
In 1997, Carson-Newman dedicated its Laboratory for Learning in the name of Dr. Ernest L. Boyer, past president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Through Appalachia
Appalachia
Appalachia is a term used to describe a cultural region in the eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York state to northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. While the Appalachian Mountains stretch from Belle Isle in Canada to Cheaha Mountain in the U.S...
n Outreach, many churches send volunteers to spend their summers working with the institution in poverty relief efforts, and many C-N students have been among volunteers to respond to national disasters. The first ministry team permitted to work with China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
’s leprosy
Leprosy
Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Named after physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen, leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions...
patients consisted of Carson-Newman faculty, students and staff. Recent summers have seen a host of C-N missions and education initiatives across the globe, including China, Costa Rica and Djibouti. The College also offers programs to assist pastors and church leaders. The Norton Institute provides educational opportunities and spiritual enrichment through area churches. Over 1,000 C-N students are annually involved in Christian missions and service opportunities through the College’s Campus Ministries Office.
Notable alumni
- Dana X. BibleDana X. BibleDana Xenophon Bible was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Mississippi College , Louisiana State University , Texas A&M University , the University of Nebraska , and the University of Texas...
— American football, baseball and basketball head coach - Gideon Bull — Developed the first AntitoxinAntitoxinAn antitoxin is an antibody with the ability to neutralize a specific toxin. Antitoxins are produced by certain animals, plants, and bacteria. Although they are most effective in neutralizing toxins, they can kill bacteria and other microorganisms. Antitoxins are made within organisms, but can be...
for use of US troops in World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918... - Millard F. CaldwellMillard F. CaldwellMillard Fillmore Caldwell was an American politician. He was the 29th Governor of Florida and served in all three branches of government at various times in his life, including as a U.S. Representative and Florida Supreme Court justice.Caldwell was born in the rural area of Beverly, Tennessee,...
— 29th governor of FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... - Ben Hooper — former governor of TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
- Chris MarionChris MarionChris Marion is an American musician best known as a member of Little River Band and for his contribution to the gospel music industry....
— member of classic rock band, Little River BandLittle River BandLittle River Band is an Australian rock band, formed in Melbourne in early 1975.The group chose the name after passing a road sign leading to the Victorian township of Little River, near Geelong, on the way to a performance. Little River Band enjoyed sustained commercial success in not only... - T. B. MastonT. B. MastonThomas Buford Maston was a Christian ethicist and writer. He is the namesake of the , which was begun by Dr. A. Jase Jones , who received his Th.D. in Christian Ethics under Dr. Maston.- Works :...
— Civil Rights Pioneer - B. Carroll ReeceB. Carroll ReeceBrazilla Carroll Reece was a U.S. Representative from Tennessee.-Early life and career:Reece was born on a farm near Butler, Tennessee, one of thirteen children of John Isaac and Sarah Maples Reece...
— Member, US House of Representatives from Tennessee, 1921–1931 and 1933-1947. - CC Swiney Film director, actor, and comedian.
- Christiana Tah — former Minister of Justice LiberiaLiberiaLiberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
- John Q. TilsonJohn Q. TilsonJohn Quillin Tilson was a Republican politician in the United States, on both state and national levels, and a lawyer....
— Member, US House of Representatives, 1909–1913 and 1915–1932; House Majority Leader 1925-1932. - Herbert S. Walters — United States SenatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from Tennessee from 1963 to 1964
Athletics
Carson-Newman is a member of the South Atlantic Conference
South Atlantic Conference
The South Atlantic Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the southeastern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division II...
and fields sixteen varsity teams in National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division II competition. Men's varsity sports at Carson-Newman are: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, and Track & Field. Wrestling will no longer be offered due to budget cuts. Women's sports are: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball
The college's athletic facilities include Roy Harmon Field at Burke-Tarr Stadium
Burke-Tarr Stadium
Burke–Tarr Stadium is a football stadium located in Jefferson City, Tennessee on the campus of Carson–Newman College.-Construction:The original structure, consisting primarily of concrete-supported wooden bleachers and a small press box, was constructed in 1966 to serve as the home for the...
, the Ken Sparks Athletic Complex, McCown Soccer Field, the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex, six tennis courts, a softball complex, Holt Fieldhouse, and Butler-Blanc Gymnasium. Head football coach Ken Sparks
Ken Sparks
Ken Sparks is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Carson–Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee, a position he has held since 1980, and is the winningest football coach in NCAA Division II history...
who is a graduate of the school and has been coaching the team since 1980 ranks fourth in most wins among active NCAA coaches.
In 2007, the C-N baseball team won the South Atlantic Conference Tournament after defeating Tusculum College
Tusculum College
Tusculum College is a coeducational private college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church , with its main campus in Tusculum, Tennessee, United States, a suburb of Greeneville...
, who had won more than 20 games in a row, twice in one day. The team traveled to Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, to compete in the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament. The baseball team returned to Tampa for the NCAA Regional Tournament in 2008 after receiving an at-large bid and finished third, again eliminating Tusculum College. In 2009 the C-N football team won the NCAA II South Regional Championship in Florence, AL to advance to the Final Four.
Notable athletics alumni
- Steve CishekSteve CishekSteven R. Cishek is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins.Cishek attended Falmouth High School and Carson-Newman College. He was selected by the Marlins in the fifth round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft....
— Current Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Florida MarlinsFlorida MarlinsThe Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at... - Todd CollinsTodd Collins (linebacker)Todd Collins is a former National Football League linebacker. He started for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI, and Super Bowl XXXIV for the Rams....
— former NFL football player & Super Bowl Champion with the St. Louis Rams - Eric Mueller — Special Olympics Athlete
- Boyce GreenBoyce GreenBoyce Keith Green is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 11th round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He played college football at Carson-Newman.Green also played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks....
— former NFL player Cleveland Browns - Sylvia HatchellSylvia HatchellSylvia Rhyne Hatchell is head coach of the women's basketball team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.She competed with USA Basketball as the Head Coach of the 1994 Jones Cup Team that won the Gold in Taipei.-College:...
— Head Women's Basketball Coach at UNC from 1986–present - Clayton HolmesClayton HolmesClayton Holmes is a former professional American football player who played cornerback for four seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. He won Super Bowl rings with Dallas in 1992 and 1993, although he missed the entire latter season after suffering a knee injury...
— former NFL football player & Super Bowl Champion with the Dallas Cowboys - Skip Johns — NFL football player (Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
, and New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
) - Cedric KillingsCedric KillingsCedric Laquon Killings is former American football defensive tackle of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2000...
— NFL football player - Ken SparksKen SparksKen Sparks is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Carson–Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee, a position he has held since 1980, and is the winningest football coach in NCAA Division II history...
, fourth winningest coach among active NCAA coaches - Leonard Weaver — current Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
fullback - Clyde WrightClyde WrightClyde Wright , nicknamed "Skeeter", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched for the California Angels , Milwaukee Brewers and Texas Rangers . He also pitched three seasons in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants...
— Former Major League Baseball pitcher