Rust College
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Rust College | |
|---|---|
| Motto: | "By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them" |
| Established | 1866 |
| Type: | Private |
| President: | Dr. David L. Beckley |
| Location | Holly Springs, Mississippi, Mississippi, USA |
| Campus: | 150 Rust Ave., Holly Springs, MS 38635 |
| Mascot: | Bearcats |
| Website: | Rust College |
Rust College is a historically black liberal arts college located in Holly Springs, Mississippi, United States, approximately 35 miles southeast of Memphis, Tennessee. It is the second-oldest private college in the state and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
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[edit] History
One of the oldest colleges for African Americans in the United States, Rust was founded on November 24, 1866 by Northern missionaries known as the Freedman's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1870, the college was named Shaw University; the named changed again to Rust University in 1882. Both names were applied in honor of major donors to the college. The name was finally changed to "Rust College" in 1915. Rust is one of only ten historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) founded before 1868 still to be in operation.
[edit] Academics
Rust College maintains five divisions or departments of study: Division of Education, Division of Humanities, Division of Science and Mathematics, Division of Social Sciences and the Division of Business. Degree programs are offered in sixteen areas of study. Upon completion of their studies at Rust, students can receive Associate's degrees or Bachelor's degrees.
According to the Princeton Review, the most popular majors at Rust are biology, general studies, business administration, and computer science[1].
Rust College operates on what is called a module system, which is an 8-week semester class system. The fast-paced module system allows the college to constantly enroll a steady stream of transfer students every 8 weeks.
Most classes have between 10-19 students and 42% of all faculty have obtained a PhD. There are 42 faculty members and a student/faculty ratio of 20:1. 57% of students return for their sophomore year.
Rust College maintains an academic environment that fosters a love of learning, a spirit of independent inquiry, the free exchange of ideas, a broad and active Christian life, and a concern for the world at large. Rust College's mission is to grant access to higher education for individuals who are, or have potential to be, academic talented, regardless of their social, economic, or educational background. This mission includes the holistic development of students, with the goal of helping students reach their full potential as human beings by becoming contributing members of society, prepared for life in a pluralistic, complex and technological society, and enabled to understand other cultures.
[edit] Campus
Holly Springs is in northwestern Mississippi, and considered part of the Memphis, Tennessee metropolitan area.[2] There are five gender segregated dorms on campus, with about 900 spaces. There is a full-time professional who lives in each building and is responsible for the educational and operational functions of the residence hall.
Like all colleges and universities in the United States, under the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act (1990), Rust College reports their on-campus crime statistics to the United States Department of Education and publish the numbers on the Department's website.
[edit] Notable Alumni/ae
- Alexander Preston Shaw (A.B., 1902) - Methodist Bishop and notable Preacher
- Ruby Elzy - pioneer black opera singer who created the role of Serena in George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess
- Ida B. Wells- newspaper editor, feminist and anti-lynching crusader
- Anita Ward- African-American singer of disco hit "Ring My Bell"
[edit] Notes
- ^ Princeton Review. "Princeton Review: Rust College". (Accessed 14 April 2006)
- ^ EPODUNK: The Power of Place. Holly Springs Community Profile. (Accessed 9 June 2007)
[edit] See also
- WURC (Rust College's public radio station)
[edit] External links
- African American Registry: Rust College founded - accessed April 14, 2006
- College Board: Rust College - accessed April 14, 2006
- Princeton Review: Rust College - accessed April 14, 2006
- Rust College: About Rust - accessed April 14, 2006
- Rust College: Fact Sheet - accessed April 14, 2006
- U.S. News: America's Best Colleges 2006: Rust College - accessed April 14, 2006
- Rust College - official website
- The Rustorian - campus newspaper
Private Colleges and Universities in Mississippi |
|---|
| Belhaven College • Blue Mountain College • Magnolia Bible College • Millsaps College • Rust College • Tougaloo College • Wesley Biblical Seminary • Wesley College • William Carey University |
