The College 9
THE COLLEGE
INSTITUTIONAL IDENTITY
Truett-McConnell College is a private Christian liberal arts and sciences college, oper-
ated under the auspices of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia and
controlled by a Board of Trustees elected by the Convention.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Truett-McConnell College, a Georgia Baptist College, is to equip stu-
dents to make a positive impact for Christ through disciplined scholarship and
Christian discipleship.
CORE VALUES
Christ-Centered Commitment:
Truett-McConnell College equips
students to influence the world for
Christ. The centrality of Christ
provides an environment of aca-
demic and student life that
integrates faith and learning. The
college aspires to being distinctively
Christian through the entire institu-
tion from the classroom to the
residence hall, from the chapel to
the athletic field. This commitment
permeates all purposes of the col-
lege and gives internal consistency
to teaching, scholarship, student
life, administration, advancement,
and all other college functions.
John 15:5: I am the vine, ye are the
branches: He that abideth in me, and I in
him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without me ye can do nothing.
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10 The College
Quality Academic Program:
Truett-McConnell College is committed to providing a quality educational program in a
community of shared Christian values. Dedicated to disciplined scholarship, the edu-
cational program nurtures and encourages sound learning, intellectual growth, and the
development of critical thinking and communication skills. This takes place in an envi-
ronment where the diverse demands of a liberal arts education find common ground in
studies taught by instructors who define their disciplines through a biblically-based
worldview.
II Corinthians 10:5b: ...take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Caring Christian Community:
Truett-McConnell College is a growing Christian community focused upon disciplining
students to influence their communities for Christ. Community development is en-
couraged through programs that enhance the physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual,
and social well-being of each individual student. These programs include intramurals,
athletics, chapel services, discipleship, fellowship activities, and a multitude of oppor-
tunities on and off campus.
I Peter 3:8: Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be
pitiful, be courteous.
Servant Leadership Development:
Truett-McConnell College encourages students to develop lifelong servant leadership
characteristics, including integrity, ethics, compassion, and service, through observing
the administration, faculty, and staff as they strive to demonstrate leadership with a
heart of service. Leadership is developed through participation in athletics, community
service, missions, evangelism, and local church activities.
Galatians 5:13: For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to
the flesh, but by love serve on another.
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The College 11
SUMMARY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Aspects of Programs that Support Christ-Centered Commitment
• A faculty comprised exclusively of confessing Christians
• Identification with and service to the Georgia Baptist Convention
• Programs that encourage practical and critical Christian thinking
• Opportunities for Christian service, fellowship, and expression among students
• Graduation requirement of the completion of basic theological studies
Programs that Support Quality Academic Program
Degree Programs
• Associate in Arts • Bachelor of Arts in Humanities (Con-
centration in English)
• Associate in Arts in Christian Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Humanities (Con-
• Associate in Arts (Concentration in centration in History)
Education)
• Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary
• Associate in Business Studies
• Associate in Music • Bachelor of Arts in Music
• Associate in Science • Bachelor of Arts in Music (Concentra-
• Associate in General Studies tion in Church Music)
• Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies • Bachelor of Arts in Music (Concentra-
tion in Contemporary Worship)
• Bachelor or Arts in History
• Bachelor of Science in Education
• Bachelor of Arts in Humanities
Academic Support Programs
• Special Support Services • Chapel
• Theater programs and music ensembles • Faculty development
• Academic advising • Evening curriculum
• Library and computer labs • Academic Enrichment Program (de-
velopmental education, learning
• Athletic competitions and membership assistance, and the cultural enrich-
in NJCAA and GJCAA ment series)
• Center for International Education and
Service
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Divisions of Study
• Education and Behavioral Sciences • Music and Fine Arts
• Health and Physical Education • Science/Mathematics/Business
• Humanities
PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT SERVANT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
• Athletic program • Spiritual Emphasis Weeks
• Student services • Mission trips
• Local church activities • Baptist Collegiate Ministries
• Chapel programs • Residence life
Programs that Support Caring Christian Community
• Alcohol and drug awareness • Life skills programs
• Alcohol and drug risk reduction and • New student orientation
intervention
• Personal counseling
• Career planning
• Residence life
• Cultural enrichment series
• Sophomore seminars
• Health education programs
• Special Support Services
• Intramural sports
• Stress management
• Joint enrollment program
• Time management
• Judicial affairs
• Wellness services
HISTORICAL SKETCH
Although Truett-McConnell College is a comparatively young institution, its roots ex-
tend far back into the educational history of Georgia. George W. Truett and Fernando
C. McConnell, cousins for whom the college is named, were men of faith and vision
whose work and influence as joint pioneers in Christian education became well known.
In 1887, George W. Truett established a private Christian academy at Hiawassee,
Georgia, where Fernando C. McConnell joined him in his educational endeavors,
which led to the creation of the public school system in Towns County, Georgia.
Changing conditions eventually led to the closing of the original academy, but Georgia
Baptists established a college in Cleveland, Georgia, to carry on the same high educa-
tional standards instituted by these two Baptist pioneers.
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On July 23, 1946, ceremonies at Cleveland, Georgia, heralded the establishment of the
new college. Truett-McConnell College, operating in temporary quarters, first opened
its doors to students in September 1947, when it enrolled a class of fifty-five. Before
long, construction began on the present campus, and the first building became avail-
able for use in September 1956.
Since that time, the campus has seen much construction and landscaping. Additions to
the campus now include seven residence halls, an apartment complex, Baptist student
center, gymnasium, dining hall, chapel, library, recreational complex, maintenance
complex, president’s office and institutional advancement office, academic enrichment
center, and student center.
ACCREDITATION
Truett-McConnell College is accredited by The Commission on Colleges of the South-
ern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia
30033-4097; telephone number 404-679-4501) to award associate and bachelor’s de-
grees.
Truett-McConnell College is an accredited institutional member of the National Asso-
ciation of Schools of Music.
MEMBERSHIPS
Truett-McConnell College holds memberships in the following organizations:
American Association for Higher Education
• American Association of Collegiate • Association of Southern Baptist
Registrars and Admissions Officers Alumni Directors
• American Association of Community • Association of Higher Education and
and Junior Colleges Disability
• American Association of Departments • Association of Southern Baptist Col-
of English leges and Schools
• American College Health Association • Baptist Association for Student Affairs
• American College Personnel Associa- • Baptist Public Relations Association
tion
• College Consortium for International
• American Counseling Association Studies
• American Junior College Athletic • The Commission on Colleges of the
Association Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools
• American Library Association
• Consortium for Global Education
• Association for Institutional Research
• Georgia Association of Colleges
• Association of Communicators in
Baptist Education • Georgia Association of Collegiate
Registrars and Admissions Officers
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• Georgia Association of Junior Col- • National Intramural-Recreation
leges Sports Association
• Georgia Association of Student Fi- • National Junior College Athletic Asso-
nancial Aid Administrators ciation
• Georgia Education Advancement • Society for College and University
Council Planning
• Georgia Foundation for Independent • South Atlantic Modern Language
Colleges Association
• Georgia Junior College Athletic Asso- • Southeastern Association of Housing
ciation Officers
• Georgia Library Association • Southern Association of College Ad-
missions Counselors
• National Association of College and
University Business Officers • Southern Association of Colleges and
University Business Officers
• National Association of Educational
Buyers • Southern Association of Collegiate
Registrars and Admissions Officers
• National Association of Student Fi-
nancial Aid Administrators • Southern Association for Institutional
Research
• National Association of Student Per-
sonnel Administrators • Southern Association for Student
Financial Aid Administrators
• National Independent College Council
• Southern Baptist Library Association
LOCATION
Cleveland is the county seat of White County and is located at the southern edge of the
Blue Ridge Mountains. Nearby are the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River and
Lake Sidney Lanier. Gainesville is 25 miles to the south, and Atlanta is 90 miles to the
southwest.
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TRUETT-McCONNELL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The Truett-McConnell Alumni Association was organized for the purpose of promot-
ing a permanently active affiliation of all alumni with the College, advancing the
College as an institution of higher education and Christian training, and encouraging
the relationship of the members one with another so as to build up the spirit of coop-
eration with the administration in any way mutually agreed to be advantageous to the
institution.
Anyone having earned a minimum of 30 quarter hours or 20 semester hours is eligible
for membership in the Association. Honorary membership includes all faculty, admin-
istrative officers, and members of the Board of Trustees.
The Alumni Association meets annually during alumni weekend. The Alumni Associa-
tion is guided by the Alumni Executive Committee, which meets three times a year to
provide guidance and support to the Alumni Association.
Direct all correspondence to the Office of Alumni Relations.
CAMPUS FACILITIES
The campus has more than 25 buildings on over 200 acres and is located about one
mile east of Cleveland.
Chandler Center
Constructed in 1970 and named for I.V. Chandler, this two-story building contains the
dining room, classrooms, and education department.
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Cleveland Courts I and II
Constructed in 1989, these two two-story buildings contain apartments, a commons
area, a laundry room, and a director’s apartment.
Cofer Library
Constructed in 1966 and named for Dr. Olin Cofer, this two-story building contains a
reading room, work area, office space, audio-visual room, and computer facilities.
Driskell Memorial Baptist Student Center
Dedicated in 1982 and expanded in 2004, this two-story brick structure is named in
memory of the late James Daniel (Dan) Driskell and in honor of his parents, Ruth
Ponder and John Cleburne Driskell. It contains a large area for worship, an office for
the campus minister, recreation rooms, and a guest room.
Facilities Management Complex
Constructed in 1999, these buildings provide work and storage space for the facilities
management needs of the College, including custodial, landscaping and maintenance.
Garrison Hall
Constructed in 1966 and named for Dr. Searcy S. Garrison, this men’s residence hall is
a two-story brick building containing a lobby, director’s apartment, service rooms, and
student residences.
Grover and Lucille Hood Building
Constructed in 1996, this building provides office space for the Offices of Admissions,
Financial Aid, and Registrar.
The Gymnasium/Athletic Facilities
Constructed in 1963, this building contains a basketball court, locker rooms, weight
room, and athletic offices. In addition to the gym, the College has a swimming pool,
baseball and soccer fields, cross-country track, and tennis courts.
Henry and Nettie Chandler Building
Opened in 1995, this building houses office and work space for the modern languages
and history departments and the Center for International Education and Service.
John L. and Sarah Nix Student Center
Opened in the fall of 2001, this building provides student activity and programming
space, as well as student mailboxes, the Campus Bookstore and offices for Student
Services.
Library Annex/Allen House
Dedicated in 1993, and named in memory of Fletcher and Lois Allen, this building
houses the Library Annex and classrooms. The Annex houses the library’s Baptist
Historical Collection.
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Merritt Hall
Constructed in 1966 and named for Dr. James Merritt, this women’s residence hall is a
two-story brick building containing a lobby, director’s apartment, service rooms, and
student residences.
Miller Building
Constructed in 1956 and named for Rev. Joe Hardy Miller, former president of Truett-
McConnell College, this administration/classroom building is a two-story brick build-
ing containing administrative offices, classrooms, faculty offices, laboratories, and
computer labs.
The President’s House
Constructed in 1965, the President’s House various college functions.
Sewell Hall
Constructed in 1959 and named for Ava F. (Mrs. Warren) Sewell, this men’s residence
hall is a two-story brick building containing a lobby, director’s apartment, service
rooms, and student residences.
Sewell-Otwell Hall
Constructed in 1959 and named for Warren Sewell and Roy P. Otwell, this women’s
residence hall is a two-story brick building containing a lobby, director’s apartment,
service rooms, and student residences.
Sewell-Plunkett Chapel
Constructed in 1959, this building, named for Ava Fowler Sewell and Frances Sewell
Plunkett, includes office and storage space, a technical control room for stage lighting
and sound, a large rehearsal room, a teaching studio, and a theater, which seats ap-
proximately 150.
Twin Springs Apartment Complex
Purchased by the College in 2006, these two-bedroom apartments offer a new upscale
housing option for students.
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